Dieffenbachia Maroba (Dumb Cane) – Indoor House Plants

Dieffenbachia Maroba (Dumb Cane) is one of the most popular, air-purifying, indoor house plant. It has glossy, dark green leaves and a bright, clear mottled yellow center. Dieffenbachia Maroba will grow from 90-180 cm tall and 30-100 cm wide. Individual leaves can be 45 cm long by 30 cm wide. As per the NASA Clean Air Study, the dieffenbachia maroba filters airborne toxins from the atmosphere. The sap of Dieffenbachia Maroba is poisonous. So keep the children away from these plants.

Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia Maroba
Common Names: Dumb Cane

How to grow and maintain Dieffenbachia Maroba (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.