Dieffenbachia seguine
Back to Previous Page
     
Common Name: dumb cane
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Araceae
Zone: 10 to 12
Native Range: Tropical Americas
Height: 3 to 10 feet
Spread: 2 to 3 feet
Bloom Time: Seasonal bloomer
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Colorful, Evergreen
Fruit: Showy Fruit
Tolerates: Drought, Dense Shade

Culture

Dumb cane grows somewhat easily as an indoor plant in St. Louis. It prefers relatively high humidity but also tolerates some dryness. Pot may be placed on a bed of wet pebbles to increase humidity. Use a loamy, peaty, well-drained potting soil. Place in bright indirect light with protection from direct sun. Water regularly during the growing season, but reduce watering from fall to late winter. Allow soils to dry between waterings. Propagation from stem or root cuttings.

Noteworthy Characteristics

Native to Brazil, dumb cane is a popular evergreen houseplant in the St. Louis area where it is widely grown for its attractive foliage. This is a clustered perennial that features ovate-oblong to oblong pointed shiny leaves (to 12” long). Leaves are variable in color, generally being green with patches or blotches of cream/white. As lower leaves fall off, the cane-like stem becomes noticable. In its native habitat, plants will grow to 6-10’ tall, however they are generally kept much smaller when grown indoors in containers. The name dumb cane refers to the toxic qualities of this plant. Sap burns the mouth and throat causing numbness and possible paralysis of the vocal chords. Sap can also irritate human skin and eyes. Calla-type flowers followed by red berries rarely appear on indoor plants. Cultivars and hybrids of this species expand the variegated leaf colors to include additional shades of yellow and green. Genus name honors Johann Friedrich Dieffenbach, 19th century German physician. Plants formerly designated as D. maculata and D. picta are now generally included in the within genus.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Wear gloves when working with this plant. Sap is poisonous if ingested, and skin contact with the sap can irritate skin. Keep plants out of the range of small children. Watch for spider mites, scale, aphids and mealybugs. Fungal leaf spot, rots and blight may occur.

Garden Uses

Containers for bright indoor locations.

Back to Previous Page