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Dumb cane

Dumb cane

Dieffenbachia

DifficultyVery easy
SeasonYear-round
FoliageA perennial

Meaning

Long life, good fortune

Broad leaves splashed with white. Shade-tolerant and easy.

The sap contains calcium oxalate. If a person eats it, the mouth and tongue swell and hurt. It's toxic to cats and dogs.

Light

Bright, indirect light. It takes shade.

Water

Water when it dries

Temperature

18-30°C, not below 12°C

Feed

Once a month in spring and summer

Do this when you get home

  1. Put it somewhere bright indoors
  2. Water when the top of the soil is dry

Day to day

  • The sap is poisonous. Wear gloves when you prune.
  • When an old leaf yellows, cut it off at the base

Common questions

Why is it called dumb cane?

If the sap gets in the mouth, the tongue swells and it hurts to talk. Keep it where children can't reach.

Plant doctor

More foliage

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PetalPal

Reminders and a care diary live in the app

Get a nudge when it’s time to water or change the vase water, and keep a diary for each plant, in the PetalPal app. Search “PetalPal” on the App Store or Google Play.