Dieffenbachia Compacta (Dumb Cane) – Indoor House Plants

Dieffenbachia Compacta (Dumb Cane) is a herbaceous perennial, air-purifying, indoor house plant. It has vivid medium green leaves, heavily dappled with creamy-white central splurges. The pale-yellow covers roughly half of the leaf with very irregular edges. This dieffenbachia Compacta variety is a perfect option for the home or office. As per the NASA Clean Air Study, the Dieffenbachia Compacta filters airborne toxins from the atmosphere. The sap of Dieffenbachia Compacta is poisonous. So keep the children away from these plants.

Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia Compacta
Common Names: Dumb Cane

How to grow and maintain Dieffenbachia Compacta (Dumb Cane):

Light:
It thrives best in the bright filtered light. Keep the plant away from direct sunlight, because direct sun burns the leaves and too much bright light causes the vibrant leaf color to fade.

Soil:
It grows well in rich organic, well-drained soil. To mix your own soil add 1 part moist humus or peat, 1 part garden soil and 1 part Perlite or coarse sand.

Water:
Water your plant regularly during the growing season and always keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. You can allow the topsoil to become slightly dry between each watering. During the winter months, reduce watering.

Temperature:
It prefers an ideal temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit – 85 degrees Fahrenheit / 18 degrees Celsius – 29 degrees Celsius. Cannot tolerate temperatures below about 10°C (50°F).

Fertilizer:
Fertilize every two weeks in the summer and once a month in the spring and fall with a liquid fertilizer. Don’t fertilize during the winter months when the plant’s growth rate is slowed.

Re-potting:
Re-pot your plants in the spring if the roots have filled the existing pot. Move dumbcane plants into one size bigger pot.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by stem cuttings in spring or early summer or via air layering. Take the cutting (3 – 5 inches long) below a node, strip off lower leaves and dip the cut end in a hormone rooting powder. Plant the cutting in a pot containing a moistened an equal-parts mixture of peat moss and coarse sand.

Pests and Diseases:
There is no serious pest or disease problems. Watch for spider mites, scale, aphids, and mealybugs. Utilize an adequate pesticide to eradicate the pests. Dumbcane plants are subject to Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease and other bacterial diseases.