How to Plant and Grow Dieffenbachia

Where to Plant Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is native to the tropical regions of the Americas, including Mexico, South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. It can grow up to 10 feet tall in its natural habitat, but when grown as a houseplant—as most people do—dieffenbachia typically reaches only 1 to 3 feet tall. In Zones 10 and warmer, It can grow outdoors. In these warm climates, dieffenbachia is best suited for a shade garden where it can have protection from harsh sunlight.

In most climates, dieffenbachia makes an excellent houseplant because it doesn’t need much sun. Just place it in a north- or east-facing window with morning sun exposure where it will be protected from drafts and vents. If you only have south- or west-facing windows, use a gauzy curtain to diffuse the sunlight exposure.

How and When to Plant Dieffenbachia

Since dieffenbachia is native to tropical regions, it thrives in most indoor temperatures. It can be grown at any time of year indoors if your space is kept between 60°F and 75°F and has moderate-to-high humidity. You can take advantage of dieffenbachia’s natural growing season (from March to October) by planting in the spring.

Plant dieffenbachia outdoors in the spring in Zones 10 and warmer by preparing a hole approximately twice the size of the plant’s root ball and mixing in some blood meal and bone meal. Place the plant in the hole and backfill it with soil, gently tamping it down as you work. Water the dieffenbachia well and keep the soil moist but not soggy as the plant establishes itself. You can add a layer of organic mulch to help the soil retain moisture.

Note: Before acquiring a new plant, make sure your environment meets its needs. Not every plant will do well in every location.

Dieffenbachia Care Tips

Dieffenbachia doesn’t require much care to thrive. It needs minimal light and occasional watering.

Light: Although it tolerates low light, it does best in bright, indirect light with protection from sunlight. Filtered light is especially important in the spring and summer when dieffenbachia is putting out new leaves, which may suffer from sunburn if exposed to bright light that shines directly on the plant.
Soil and Water: If planting your dieffenbachia outdoors, look for a spot with fertile, moist, well-drained, soil with a pH of 6-7.5. When planting in a container, use a general-purpose potting mix with plenty of peat moss to retain moisture. This plant likes consistently moist, well-drained soil that is allowed to dry out to an inch or so below the surface between waterings. Soggy soil can be fatal, so make sure your potted plant doesn’t sit in water. The larger the dieffenbachia, the more it may need watering. In winter, reduce watering frequency.
Temperature and Humidity: Whether inside or outside, high humidity is a plus for dieffenbachia. If the plant’s foliage develops brown edges, it’s not getting enough humidity. You may need to move indoor potted plants to a more humid spot, like a bathroom. You could also boost the humidity level by keeping the pot on a saucer filled with wet pebbles. For outdoor plants, consider grouping them to create a more humid microclimate and add shallow trays of water around the plants. As the water evaporates, it lends a little more moisture to the air. This plant does best in temperatures between 60ºF and 75°F. Below 60°F, growth will slow. If temperatures drop below 40ºF, the plant may suffer damage or die.
Fertilizer: Use a well-balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer every month or two. Dilute the fertilizer according to the product’s label.
Pruning: Cut the upper stem back to a leaf node if the dieffenbachia grows too tall. Some older plants may have tough stems and require pruners to cut. The plant grows bushier after it is pruned.

Potting and Repotting Dieffenbachia

If you see dieffenbachia’s roots starting to poke through the top of the soil or out the container’s drainage holes, or if its leaves begin to fall off, it’s time to repot. These plants usually need repotting every year. Wear gloves, pull the plant from the container, and be careful not to get any of the plant’s sap on your skin.

Pests and Problems

Common pests like mealybugs and aphids can be a problem for dieffenbachia. If you catch them early, use a bit of diluted rubbing alcohol and a cotton swab to remove them. Otherwise, blast them with water from a hose. Take indoor plants outside and hose them off or use an insecticidal soap that is safe for houseplants.

If leaves turn yellow, you may be overwatering or underwatering your plant, or it may need nitrogen. Whatever the reason, cut off the yellow leaves. If plants are drooping, they’re getting too much light. Move them to a shadier spot.

How to Propagate Dieffenbachia

Propagate dieffenbachia in one of four ways—division, stump propagation, stem cuttings, or air layering.

Propagating Via Division

To propagate via division, separate the dieffenbachia in the spring. For indoor plants, this can be done when you are repotting. While wearing gloves, divide some offsets from the parent plant without damaging the root system. Moisten the end of each new division and plant in a pot at least 6 inches in diameter filled with a moist, well-draining potting mix. Water thoroughly.

Propagating Via Stump

Stump propagation is done by cutting off the top of an older, leggy plant, dipping it in rooting hormone, and planting it in fresh potting soil. After new leaves appear, cut off the old ones.

Propagating Via Stem Cuttings

To propagate with stem cuttings, use sharp, sterile pruning shears to cut several 3- to 4-inch sections of cane. Remove any leaves and let the canes dry in a sunny spot overnight. Next, dip the canes in a rooting medium and place them horizontally in a pot filled with moist, well-draining potting mix with the leaf buds slightly above the surface of the soil. Place the pot in a plastic bag and keep the soil warm and moist for five to eight weeks until the cuttings take root. Once they are established, you can transplant them to the garden or another pot.

Propagating Via Air Layering

Propagating via air layering is a more complicated method, but it can be done if the parent plant is well established. Find a cane that is at least 12 inches long and thick enough to support a little weight. Strip off the leaves from the bottom two-thirds of the cane and make a long, diagonal cut about halfway up (about 2 inches long, but not all the way through the cane). Use a small wedge (like a broken toothpick) to hold the cut open and sprinkle the wound with rooting medium. Wrap the cut with a moist piece of sphagnum moss and secure it with floral or electrician’s tape. Wrap the moss-covered wound with plastic wrap and secure it in place with a small piece of wire or a twist tie.

In a few days, you should see roots begin to emerge from the moss. Once they appear, use a sharp, sterile knife to cut the new plant from the parent plant and place it in a pot (at least 4 inches in diameter) filled with moist, well-draining potting mix. Place the pot in a plastic bag and put it where it can get bright, indirect sunlight as it grows. Keep it moist but not soggy.

Types of Dieffenbachia

‘Camille’: Leaves with a broad band of white, edged in green, make Dieffenbachia maculata ‘Camille’ unique. Leaves turn more solidly green in low-light conditions.
‘Camouflage’: Dieffenbachia ‘Camouflage’ has eye-catching light green leaves speckled and splashed in dark green and cream. Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 10 or warmer.
Dieffenbachia Maculata: Dieffenbachia maculata spp. usually remain under 3 feet tall with multiple stems and shrubby growth. Medium green leaves are irregularly splashed with creamy white variegation.
‘Tropical Tiki’: Dieffenbachia ‘Tropical Tiki’ has leaves with a band of silvery green splotched with cream blotches.
Dieffenbachia Seguine: Dieffenbachia seguine spp. have canelike stems and arching leaves up to 12 inches long. They are usually marbled with white or cream.
‘Tropic Marianne’: Dieffenbachia ‘Tropic Marianne’ is a large variety sporting broad creamy-white leaves variegated with green. Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 10 through 12.
‘Tropic Snow’: Dieffenbachia seguine ‘Tropic Snow’ has pale green and cream variegation on extra-large leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does dieffenbachia grow quickly?

Some outdoor dieffenbachia plants grow 2 feet in a year in ideal conditions, However, most indoor dieffenbachia rarely grow more than 3 feet tall.

How do I improve the humidity for my dieffenbachia?

Place the potted plant on a plate with pebbles and water to improve humidity, and mist the leaves regularly. If it needs more, add a plant humidifier nearby.

How long will my dieffenbachia houseplant live?

As a houseplant, dieffenbachia can live up to 10 years, although it will need to be repotted annually with fresh potting mix and given ideal growing conditions to live that long.