Dieffenbachia care
Dieffenbachia seguine — also called Dumb cane. Everything below is the same data Plantroster uses to schedule care for this species.
Care at a glance
| Light | Medium indirect. Tolerates low-medium. No direct sun. |
|---|---|
| Water | About every 8 days in summer, every 14 in winter. Let the top 1.5" dry first. |
| Soil | Standard houseplant mix — 7 parts potting mix, 3 parts perlite |
| Humidity | At least 45%, happiest near 60% |
| Temperature | 65–80°F. Cold damage below 50°F; heat stress in sun above 95°F. |
| Feeding | Every ~45 days while actively growing. Nothing in winter. |
| Repotting | Every 2 years, or when roots circle the pot |
| Tap water | Tolerates tap water |
| Pets & children | Toxic. Seriously irritating — the sap causes intense mouth and throat swelling. The common name "dumb cane" refers to temporary loss of speech. Keep away from small children and pets. |
What people get wrong about dieffenbachia
Wear gloves when pruning; the sap is genuinely caustic on skin and dangerous near eyes.
Common problems
Watch for spider mites, mealybugs, scale. Check leaf undersides monthly — backlighting a leaf against a window is the fastest way to catch mite webbing before an infestation takes hold.
Plantroster tracks this plant's watering, feeding and repotting cadence against your actual weather — and tells you when a cold night or heatwave means moving it.
Open PlantrosterDieffenbachia FAQ
How often should I water a dieffenbachia?
Roughly every 8 days in the growing season and every 14 days in winter, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule — light, pot size and your home's warmth all shift it. Let the top inch or two dry between waterings.
Is dieffenbachia toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes. Seriously irritating — the sap causes intense mouth and throat swelling. The common name "dumb cane" refers to temporary loss of speech. Keep away from small children and pets. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants.
How much light does a dieffenbachia need?
Medium indirect is ideal, and it will cope with low-medium. No direct sun.
Why does my dieffenbachia have brown tips?
Dieffenbachia is not fluoride-sensitive, so brown tips here usually point to inconsistent watering or fertilizer salts built up in old soil. Flush the pot thoroughly and keep to a steadier watering rhythm.
What soil is best for dieffenbachia?
Standard houseplant mix: 7 parts potting mix, 3 parts perlite. Bagged potting soil alone stays too wet in an indoor pot; perlite fixes the drainage.
Other plant guides
General horticultural guidance, not a substitute for inspecting your own plant. Toxicity notes are a starting point — if a pet or child has eaten part of a plant, contact a vet or poison control rather than relying on this page.