Dieffenbachia - a genus of evergreen plants in the family Aroid, or Aronnikovs (Araceae), common in the tropics of South America.
The genus Dieffenbachia is represented by large plants with strong stems and magnificent leaves. There are many species in culture that differ in the color and size of the leaves, the presence of spots, dashes, etc. on them. Dieffenbachia has a thick, succulent stem, more reminiscent of a tree trunk, which bears a cap of large, variegated leaves. The growing point is at the top of the shoot, but some species are capable of bushing. At the same time, dormant buds at the base of the shoot, and sometimes those located higher, are awakened.
Many species are characterized by large variegated elongated oval alternate leaves, and therefore many types of Dieffenbachia are grown as decorative foliage indoor plants and used for interior landscaping (cultivated for 150 years). At the same time, Dieffenbachia cannot be called an unpretentious plant.
The genus is named after Joseph Dieffenbach (1796-1863), an Austrian gardener who served as head gardener of the Imperial Botanical Garden at Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.
Dieffenbachia grows quite quickly. In good conditions, a new leaf appears every week, and when it unfurls, the tip of the next one is inside. Depending on what natural species were involved in breeding the variety, an adult Dieffenbachia can be medium or large 
size. By the age of 5, powerful varieties reach 2 or more meters in height, smaller varieties stretch up to 1 meter.
In good conditions, Dieffenbachia can bloom in the spring - in April-May with an inflorescence-cob appearing in the axil of the leaf. The inflorescence is covered in a green-cream blanket. It blooms for only a few days, after which the flower fades, although it itself lasts for a long time. After flowering, the faded flower must be removed, as it takes away many nutrients from the Dieffenbachia.
Despite its popularity, Dieffenbachia is a rather demanding plant to care for. It does not tolerate severe cold weather, drafts, and needs constant watering. In addition, the plant needs regular pruning, as the trunk quickly becomes bare. All parts of the plant are poisonous, so you need to be careful with Dieffenbachia. When purchasing a plant, consider these factors.
The genus Dieffenbachia contains, according to various sources, from 30 to 40 species of perennial rhizomatous herbs.
Currently, there are many different varieties and hybrids of Dieffenbachia with different foliage colors.
Types of Dieffenbachia
. On snow-white petioles there are dark green leaves, on which rare white spots of irregular shape and a white midrib stand out clearly.
. The stem is short, up to 5 cm high, 1.5-2 cm in diameter. Petioles are 3-4 times shorter than the leaves, pale green, with lilac spots. The leaf blade is broadly elliptical, dark green, with a white main vein, up to 35 cm long, 10-15 cm wide. The flowers are collected in an inflorescence-cob, surrounded by a white adventitious leaf-veil up to 17 cm in length, the spadix is up to 9 cm long. Homeland - Costa Rica.
Extremely stable in interiors and shade-tolerant, grows well in rooms with central heating. The leaves reach a length of 50 cm, and the stem reaches 1.6 m and above. The dark green leaves have white stripes along the veins.
A species similar to Dieffenbachia spotted. It is distinguished by a wider leaf blade and fewer white spots. The number of lateral veins is no more than 9-12 (Dieffenbachia spottedis has noticeably more).
In culture, the most common variety is linear (Dieffenbachia seguine var. lineata Engl.), which is distinguished by a rounded base of the leaf blade and a striped green-white petiole. The leaf blade is dark green with light green spots randomly scattered near the main vein on the upper side. Homeland - Venezuela.
A plant with large (up to 1 m) stems, petioles equal in length to the blade or slightly shorter than it. The leaf blade is up to 40 cm long, 10-12 cm wide, oblong or lanceolate, more or less long-pointed at the apex, often with a large number of white spots. The peduncle is shortened, the spathe is 18 cm long; the cob is equal in length to the spathe or slightly shorter than it. The berries are orange-red. Homeland - Central and South America.
Varieties of spotted Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia maculata)
Dieffenbachia maculata "Camille", found online as Camilla - the entire central part of the leaf is white, turning a little green over time.
"Tropic Snow"- with dark green leaves and whitish-yellow veins.
"Tropic Sun"- the leaf is dark green with whitish-yellow spots in the center of the leaf, the edge of the leaf is green without specks.
"Rudolph Roehrs"- the leaves are light, yellow-green, decorated with a dark midrib and the same edging; dark green and white spots of varying sizes are scattered throughout the leaf blade.
« Jupiter"- the leaf is completely white-yellow.
Dieffenbachia care
Lighting. Dieffenbachias are relatively photophilous, but direct sunlight can damage them. Plants with variegated leaves need more light, but without direct sunlight. With a lack of lighting, the bright color of the leaves is lost. Plants with solid green leaf color grow well in the shade, while the leaves become a richer green color. They feel great at a distance of 1-2 m from the window in sliding sunlight, and with additional lighting they grow normally in the back of the room if there are no drafts.
Temperature. Throughout the year they are kept at room temperature, in summer the optimum is within 20-25°C. In winter, it is advisable to keep the plant at a temperature of about 18°C. The plant does not like temperatures dropping below 15°C. It is advisable that the night temperature also does not fall below 15°C. The plant does not tolerate drafts. Due to drafts, the plant begins to lose leaves.
Watering. In the spring-summer period, water abundantly, but so that the substrate is not excessively waterlogged, but not too dry. In the autumn-winter period, water the plant moderately, again without drying out the earthen coma. Water with soft, well-settled water at room temperature. Excess moisture can cause leaves to turn yellow.
Air humidity. Too dry indoor air is undesirable. To do this, Dieffenbachia should be regularly sprayed with soft or boiled water and the leaves should be washed once a week. If the size of the plant allows, it is better to do this in the shower, making sure that water does not fall on the ground in the pot. Large specimens are wiped with a soft, damp sponge.
Fertilizer. In the spring-summer period, fertilizing is applied every 10 days, 0.5 doses. The main thing is that the fertilizer does not contain lime. It is very good to use Vito mineral fertilizer. Other liquid mineral fertilizers are also suitable for this purpose. Organic fertilizers are also used for feeding. But it must be remembered that Dieffenbachia varieties with white-colored leaves can turn green with excess nitrogen and insufficient light, losing their varietal properties. Therefore, for such varieties it is necessary to avoid the use of organic fertilizers, and mineral fertilizers should be used every 20 days.
Trimming. Dieffenbachia leaves are relatively short-lived, so the stem becomes bare after a while, so the plants need to be rejuvenated regularly. The top with leaves is cut off approximately 1.5-2 cm below the node. The milky juice is washed off the cut with warm water, the lower end is dried with a paper napkin and powdered with crushed coal.
Transfer. The plants are replanted as soon as the Dieffenbachia roots entwine the earthen ball; after replanting, several lower leaves turn yellow and fall off, and the top grows actively and beautifully. Sometimes during the period from April to September it is necessary to carry out transshipment. Each time the pot is taken a little larger than the previous one. With a properly selected substrate, transplanting into a larger container can be replaced by transshipment, i.e. transplantation without disturbing the earthen coma. It is better to replant Dieffenbachia in winter and spring (from February to May); in the height of summer it is better not to replant, as it is very difficult to tolerate. During transshipment, the conditions are the same, only the lump of earth is not disturbed. Transfer the plant to another pot, after changing the old drainage. Pruning is done only for old and bare plants. At the same time, young plants will develop on the remaining stem (how many buds remain on the stump, so many sprouts will appear).
Soil. The soil mixture for Dieffenbachia should not contain lime; it should be loose, water- and breathable. In purely peat purchased soil, Dieffenbachia does not grow well. Peat is a very moisture-intensive substrate, and if it becomes waterlogged, the roots completely or partially die. From damaged roots, the infection spreads to the leaves, causing spots to appear. It also develops poorly on heavy substrates. Dieffenbachia grows well in a light, slightly acidic substrate, for example, in a mixture of leaf soil, chopped sphagnum, high-moor peat and sand (2:1:1:0.5) with the addition of crushed charcoal; instead of high-moor peat, you can add 1 part of coniferous soil. The pot should not be spacious, but not too large, but should be only a little more spacious than the previous one by only 1-2 cm. Good drainage is also required so that abundant watering does not cause stagnation of water and rotting of the roots.
Reproduction. Dieffenbachia is propagated by stem and apical cuttings and air layering.
Propagated by cuttings throughout the year.
Vegetative propagation is done by stem and apical cuttings in a greenhouse with bottom heating. At home, this is usually done using old plants that have lost their decorative value due to the bare lower part of the stem. In floriculture farms, young plants aged 3-4 years are used for cuttings. A trimmed plant will no longer look beautiful. Therefore, it must be used for cuttings as fully as possible. If cuttings are done to rejuvenate an old plant, then the top is cut to the maximum desired length (to the bare stem), but in such a way that the lowest node is 1.5-2 cm above the cut point. The stump left from the old Dieffenbachia should not be thrown away in a hurry, since if you root it, you can still get several small plants. It is left in a pot with soil and watered moderately. After some time, a new shoot begins to develop from the top node. When 2-3 leaves form on it, it is cut off and planted in light soil, where it quickly takes root. In this way, from one stump you get as many plants as there are nodes on it.
The apical cutting takes root well in water, sphagnum, sand and a mixture of sand and peat. The main conditions are frequent spraying and washing of leaves, no direct sunlight, moderate heat (21-24°C). The cuttings, located in water, are planted in the substrate as soon as the roots reach 2-3 cm in length. To get several plants of the same age, the stem is cut into pieces with one node in the middle, leaving only a stump with a lower node in the pot, from which a new shoot will develop. The pieces are placed horizontally in a mixture of peat and sand and kept at a temperature of about 25°C under a film. After rooting, young plants are planted in an earth mixture of the following composition: humus soil, leaf soil, peat soil, sand (1: 2: 2: 0.5). You can also recommend a mixture of leaf soil, chopped sphagnum, high peat and sand in a ratio of 2:1:1:0.5 and the addition of crushed charcoal.
Stem cuttings must be dried for 1-2 days before planting. Pieces of the stem, planted with the buds up in the substrate for young plants, take root at a temperature of 25°C and high air humidity.
Dieffenbachia can be propagated by air layering (in practice, for some reason, this method is rarely used). To do this, you need to make several small cuts at the intended location of the stem (if there are small adventitious roots, then this is not necessary). After this, the stem is covered with damp sphagnum moss, wrapped with cellophane on top of the moss, then tied on both sides with thread or electrical tape, etc. What is very important, cellophane should not be transparent. After the roots appear, the stem along with the cellophane is cut off. Having previously removed the polyethylene, the cuttings along with the moss are planted in the substrate. You can also use a yogurt jar by making a wedge-shaped cut in it. A hole is made in the bottom of the jar, slightly larger than the diameter of the stem, and placed on the stem of the propagated plant. Then the jar is tied with threads and filled with wet moss. The moisture content of the moss must be constantly monitored, avoiding the slightest drying out, otherwise the young roots that appear will die.
Possible difficulties
Under poor conditions, Dieffenbachia becomes very sensitive to fungal diseases.
Dieffenbachia leaves do not live long. Their lifespan is shortened if the plant is in a very cramped pot and is not watered regularly. In such a case, the lower leaves quickly turn yellow and dry out, and the trunk becomes bare. Dieffenbachia becomes palm-like, which some people even like. Therefore, from time to time the plant is rejuvenated by cutting and rooting the top.
The most common defect when growing Dieffenbachia at home is necrosis (drying) of leaf tips, and sometimes the entire edge of the sheet. This could be due to several reasons; drafts, low or high air temperatures, excessive dryness, stagnation of water in the pot, wetting the leaves at night or in direct sunlight.
If leaf color becomes less bright This means that the plant does not have enough light, the soil contains an excess of nitrogen and a lack of phosphorus, potassium and microelements.
The same change in color plus deformation and shredding of the leaves, as well as deterioration in growth, indicate alkalization of the substrate. When the lower leaves begin to quickly wither and dry out, it’s time to think about transshipment.
The base of the stem is soft and loses color. The reason is stem rotting. The disease is promoted by waterlogging of the soil and low air temperature. At the beginning of the disease, you can cut out the affected area, wipe the wound with crushed charcoal and replant the plant in fresh soil. If the damage is extensive, the apical part of the stem can be rooted and the rest of the plant discarded.
The lower leaves turn yellow and curl. The reason is low temperatures in winter or cold drafts; the plant can survive temperatures of 10-12°C, but the lower leaves will inevitably suffer. A possible reason is an imbalance in the salt balance in the soil.
.Precautions
The sap of the plant is poisonous, white in color and causes irritation if it comes into contact with the skin, and if it gets into the mouth it causes swelling of the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue and salivary glands. At the same time, the person loses the power of speech, for which in its homeland the plant received the name “mute rod”. It is often used by the local population as a poison for rodents. When cuttings, precautions must be taken to ensure that the juice does not get on the skin or eyes. After finishing work, wash your hands several times with warm water and soap. But it is still better to use gloves.
Useful properties of Dieffenbachia
According to NASA, Dieffenbachia purifies the air from toxins - formaldehyde, trichlorethylene, xylene, benzene. It is recommended to grow in production. Ivy has similar properties.
Caution - Toxicity
The sap of many plants of this genus is quite poisonous due to the presence of needle-sharp crystals of calcium oxalate, so it is not recommended to place the plant in places accessible to small children. It is also worth keeping an eye on your pets, especially cats, as Dieffenbachia juice is deadly for them.
Dieffenbachia is well known to lovers of indoor flowers. The single-stem plant can reach up to 6 meters in height and up to 3 meters in width. On a thick stem there are large pointed leaves that have an uneven color: a light green border and a middle with whitish spots. The leaves reach twenty cm in length.
Some varieties resemble shrubs in their structure. A plant reaching more than 2 meters in height loses its attractiveness due to the fact that the trunk is exposed. Dieffenbachia almost never blooms. Peak flowering occurs at the beginning of spring. The plant bears fruit with bright orange berries. The flower secretes a toxic substance - calcium oxalate. When ingested, it irritates the mucous membranes, which leads to swelling of the larynx. It is not advisable to grow Dieffenbachia in a house where there are small children and animals that can taste the poisonous plant. In the wild, the Dieffenbachia flower grows in the southern United States and islands of the Pacific basin.
Planting Dieffenbachia
Slightly acidic soil is recommended for planting. The soil should loosen well and have a light consistency. For Dieffenbachia, a soil consisting of four components is suitable: sand, peat, turf and leaf soil. Large varieties require a heavier substrate. Store-bought peat soils are unsuitable because they retain moisture, which leads to rot on the roots. A pot with holes in the bottom and a drainage layer of expanded clay or pebbles is ideal for growing this crop. The volume of the pot should match the dimensions of the flower. Dieffenbachia tolerates transplantation well, so the pot should be changed as it grows.
Dieffenbachia in a pot
Home care
The houseplant Dieffenbachia feels great in an ordinary city apartment. It can survive for several years without transplanting or feeding. The flower is often used to decorate office premises, where care is limited to watering. Despite its toxicity, Dieffenbachia can be kept at home, since severe intoxication only occurs if the poisonous juice gets inside.
This tropical guest is thermophilic. A temperature of about 23°C in summer is considered comfortable, but in winter 17°C is sufficient. Drafts have a detrimental effect on growth and development. The Dieffenbachia flower prefers fresh air, so placing the pot on a terrace, veranda or in the garden is acceptable.
During the winter months, the flower needs a well-lit place. When the sun becomes more active, shading is essential. A lack of sunlight leads to leaf shrinkage.
It is advisable to place the pot on a window facing east or west. An adult large plant is grown indoors. For uniform development of the crown, it is recommended to rotate Dieffenbachia once a month. The lack of sunlight can be compensated by using fluorescent lamps.
Large specimens require abundant watering, as they have a large leaf mass, which leads to intense evaporation of moisture. However, it is worth considering that the root system of Dieffenbachia rots with excess water. If the earthen ball dries completely in 2-3 days, then watering is carried out correctly. During the winter months, the plant, located in a cool room, is watered less frequently.
The water should be soft. The flower belongs to the Araceae family, and they are sensitive to high levels of chlorine and fluorine. The use of water with a high salt content leads to tissue necrosis.
From late spring to early summer, the substrate is enriched with complex fertilizers about a couple of times a month. In autumn and winter the soil is not fed. Nutrient deficiency leads to exposure of the stem part of Dieffenbachia.
In the wild, this large-leaved plant grows in humid areas, but Dieffenbachia perfectly adapts to climates where the humidity content does not exceed 40%. Spraying is carried out only in dry weather. It is recommended to wipe the leaf surface with a damp cloth. Before the start of the heating season, it is necessary to place the pot away from radiators and other heat sources.
Why does Dieffenbachia turn yellow?
Yellowing of leaves is caused by:
Reproduction of Dieffenbachia
Flower growers propagate the plant by cuttings. Cuttings are cut from the top of the flower. Trimming the top has a positive effect on the appearance of Dieffenbachia: the crown becomes thicker, as a result of which a lush ornamental bush is formed. To root young shoots, sand, light soil mixtures and water are used. The apical cuttings develop well and take root in water. Stem cuttings are placed in a substrate that is regularly watered. This method is more labor intensive. Sometimes a cutting with several internodes is buried horizontally so that several plants appear.
Pests
Thrips, aphids, scale insects, red spider mites and mealybugs are the main pests that suck sap from shoots and leaves. The affected plant lags behind in development, and young growths are subject to deformation. Yellowing of the leaves indicates a spider mite infestation. First, microscopic yellow dots appear, which rapidly grow, gradually covering the entire leaf surface. The damaged parts are cut off, and the Dieffenbachia itself is washed under running warm water (about forty degrees). Guaranteed destruction of harmful insects is ensured by the use of insectoacaricides, for example, Actellica. Proper planting and care will help prevent the invasion of uninvited guests.
Probably many of us are familiar with this plant firsthand. Keeping this plant at home is often associated with a number of various false judgments and assumptions regarding its harm or harmlessness to humans. So how harmful is Dieffenbachia and is it safe to keep at home?
Dieffenbachia, main features and characteristics
Dieffenbachia is a plant belonging to the aroid family. Its homeland is the South American continent. It would be most correct to classify Dieffenbachia as a perennial evergreen shrub.
The name of this shrub came from the name of the German botanist J.F. Dieffenbach. The plant has a fairly high growth rate and can reach two meters, however, when kept at home, it rarely reaches such a height.
Dieffenbachia is distinguished by its rather beautiful leaves, which have a peculiar “spotted” color. The bush quite quickly begins to produce new leaves and shed those located in the lower part. This property significantly worsens the appearance. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to promptly renew the plant by cutting off the top. The top itself can be rooted. If this is not done, the Dieffenbachia will begin to tilt and the trunk may take a horizontal position.
The bush blooms rarely, and the flowers themselves are not of particular decorative importance. But under favorable circumstances, the appearance of large “cob flowers” is quite possible. The point where new leaves appear is at the top of the plant.
Is it possible to keep and grow this flower at home? Dieffenbachia does not tolerate drafts and temperature changes quite well. It is important to pay attention to this nuance when replanting a plant or ventilating a room during the cold season. At a certain period it is necessary to give the plant a chance to rest, during which watering and fertilizing are reduced. As a rule, this is autumn-winter.
During the rest of the time, you can safely replant the flower (usually the plant needs it once every 2 or 4 years, as it grows). Drainage (expanded clay or small pebbles) is placed in the bottom of the container with Dieffenbachia. It will not be superfluous to loosen the soil from time to time and feed the plant with mineral fertilizers.
Problems and diseases
In order to avoid this, it is important to water the plant in a timely manner, ensure optimal temperature conditions in the room, and arrange for pest control if necessary.
Reproduction of Dieffenbachia
A flower can reproduce in different ways.
- Cutting propagation. Parts cut from the plant are either rooted in the ground (can be watered with a growth enhancing agent) or placed in an aqueous/humid environment (a container of water, wet moss).
- Seed propagation. This method is only possible if there are flowers on the plant. Female flowers have a distinctive feature in the form of a partially closed flower part. To carry out pollination of a flower, you need to take pollen from the male inflorescence with a brush and distribute it along the half-closed part of the female flower (after making an incision on it, after finishing, the incision must be sealed).
- Reproduction by the stem part of the plant. Usually the stem is divided into several parts, approximately 10–12 cm each, and the cut is treated with coal or sulfur crumbs. Then the stem is placed in a container with soil. If everything went well, rudiments of leaves will appear on the stem.
Dieffenbachia: benefits and harms
Dieffenbachia has a large number of species, but the most common for home maintenance are only a few hybrids of this shrub. What benefits or harm does a flower bring?, is it possible to keep him at home? In fact, this shrub has a number of useful features that distinguish it from many other plants.
- In those rooms in which Dieffenbachia is located, the chemical composition of the surrounding air is significantly improved;
- Shrubs influence the amount of dust, which is important, for example, for people suffering from allergic diseases;
- It is known that Dieffenbachia is characterized by the presence of phytoncides, which also have bactericidal properties. They are able to reduce the overall quantitative characteristics of microbes such as staphylococcus.
About the safety of keeping Dieffenbachia at home
Along with the beneficial properties of Dieffenbachia for humans, one cannot ignore the fact that there are also properties that can cause some harm when keeping the shrub at home.
Dieffenbachia, the harm of which lies in the content of a number of substances in its juice, can cause allergic reactions. This usually happens with direct contact of Dieffenbachia juice with skin. Therefore, it is very important to take certain precautions when caring for shrubs. And do not allow the plant juice to come into contact with mucous membranes or skin.
It is also worth paying attention to the fact that the plant is out of reach of small children and pets (it has been noticed that cats show a certain interest in this plant). Also, you should not place this plant in preschool institutions and centers.
Conclusions
From the features and properties of Dieffenbachia we have examined, we can come to certain conclusions about its safety (benefits and harms for humans).
Subject to simple precautions during replanting, cutting stems and leaves (using protective gloves, washing hands after finishing work with the plant), do not allow children to come into contact with the plant, Dieffenbachia will be no different from other plants in the house.
Thus, finding a Dieffenbachia flower in the house is not only not dangerous, but will also bring positive properties to the microclimate of the room. Also, this shrub with “marble leaves” will wonderfully complement and decorate your interior.
The genus Dieffenbachia has several dozen species that are naturally found in the tropical regions of the American continent. Only a few varieties are grown as indoor potted plants, the most popular and widespread of which is Dieffenbachia spotted.
Description and features of Dieffenbachia spotted
Due to some inconsistency in the modern classification of these plants, the species may appear under several names:
- spotted Dieffenbachia or Dieffenbachia maculata;
- Dieffenbachia Seguine or Dieffenbachia Seguine var. Seguine;
- variegated Dieffenbachia or Dieffenbachia picta.
With proper care, Dieffenbachia spotted at home grows to a meter in height. In the plant:
Loss of foliage is a natural process, but with insufficient care, be it lack of fertilizing, watering, or, conversely, excessive soil moisture, the plant begins to rapidly lose leaves. This is also facilitated by the flowering of spotted dieffenbachia.
How does Dieffenbachia bloom?
When becoming the owner of Dieffenbachia, many beginners and some experienced gardeners do not know that the plant not only produces decorative foliage, but also occasionally blooms. Moreover, the inflorescences of Dieffenbachia spotted are quite large, and it is impossible not to notice them.
When and how does Dieffenbachia bloom? Like other Araceae, they have the shape of a slender, elongated cob located inside a bract. The length of the inflorescence reaches 15–18 cm, and the spathe is slightly longer than the spadix. Flowers are divided into male and female, but it is difficult to see them with the naked eye, they are so small.
Flowering most often occurs in the second half of spring. But if a gardener spends a long time admiring how it blooms, this threatens to weaken the plant and quickly lose its decorative effect. Therefore, it is recommended to cut out future inflorescences emerging from the leaf axils.
If the cob remains on the stem, after pollination, round-oval orange berries with black glossy seeds inside are tied and ripened.
Varietal Dieffenbachia spotted
In nature, it is impossible to see plants with leaves colored in all shades of green, silver and creamy white, like those of cultivated, varietal Dieffenbachia spotted.
Most flower growers who are fond of decorative foliage crops have in their collection Dieffenbachia Camilla or, as the name of this popular variety Camille correctly sounds. All spotted Dieffenbachias are characterized by varying degrees of leaf variegation. But here the light specks and strokes in the center of the leaf blade merge, giving the plant a bright, uniquely sunny appearance.
The spotted Dieffenbachia variety Tropical Tiki has its own peculiarity. In the center of the leaf, the green color becomes grayish-silver. And against its background, lighter or completely white spots are clearly visible. 
Dieffenbachia variety Tropic Marianne can be considered the lightest available to gardeners. The green color remains only along the very edge of the leaf, and the rest of it has a soft yellow, creamy color. White veins emphasize the ruffled texture of the leaf plate. 
The leaves of the Tropic Sun variety have a dark green outline along the edge of the leaf and an equally bright central vein. In the center the leaf has a lighter, grassy shade. 
On the pistachio-colored leaves of Dieffenbachia spotted cultivar Rudolph Roehrs with speckled dark and light spots, the dark edges and central vein are clearly visible. 
To get such beautiful, memorable plants, the gardener must provide competent and constant care for Dieffenbachia spotted at home, ensuring that the flower is kept in the most comfortable atmosphere.
One of the conditions for the decorative effect of variegated varieties is to grow them in sufficient bright, but not scorching, sun. If you move the pot into the shade, the foliage loses its inherent color, the spots fade, and the stems become disproportionately elongated.
How to care for Dieffenbachia? What conditions are optimal for the well-being and growth of an indoor flower?
Caring for Dieffenbachia spotted at home
In addition to properly organized lighting, plants need:
- warmth and absence of drafts;
- moisture in soil and air;
- nutritious soil, the content of which is regularly replenished with macro- and microelements using fertilizing.
In summer, Dieffenbachia spotted is comfortable at 20–25 °C. But with the onset of the cold season, the temperature in the room can be reduced or the flower can be moved to where it will be at 16–18 °C. In this case, the plant should not experience a deficiency of solar or.
Watering ornamental crops:
- in summer it is carried out when the surface layer of the substrate dries;
- in winter when the soil is dry at a depth of several centimeters.
It is important not to overwater the flower, otherwise spotted Dieffenbachia suffers from a lack of oxygen and rotting of the root system. Its foliage gradually turns yellow and dies.
As necessary, especially when the heating is running, the air in the room is additionally humidified, and the foliage is sprayed or wiped with a damp cloth.
If the collection contains variegated varieties with a predominance of light shades, when feeding them, the grower has to very accurately dose them. On the one hand, they help the aerial parts to grow, on the other hand, they can negatively affect the decorative properties of the flower. Under the influence of this element, even the upper, traditionally brighter leaves of spotted dieffenbachia become noticeably greener.
Caring for spotted dieffenbachia - video
A native of tropical forests, Dieffenbachia wins the hearts of gardeners with its beautiful appearance. Thanks to its brightly colored leaves, it is often used as an interior plant. After all, she is able to bring a feeling of summer and exoticism into the house. The fancifully decorated leaves look aesthetically pleasing and fascinating. But not everyone was lucky enough to see Dieffenbachia flowers. Because they appear extremely rarely.
Description of the plant
Dieffenbachia is a member of the aroid family. This is an ornamental evergreen plant. The Dieffenbachia leaf is usually elongated oval in shape and has variegated colors. It can reach 25 cm in length. Depending on the type, the leaves are distinguished by stripes and spots of a wide variety of shades: cream, white, yellow, light green.
The herbaceous plant has a succulent thick stem. It resembles a tree trunk. Large variegated leaves are arranged alternately on it. The plant can grow up to 2 meters. But the higher the Dieffenbachia, the fewer leaves remain on the lower part of the trunk. An adult plant loses its former attractiveness.
Dieffenbachia flowers appear extremely rarely. However, the plant is valued not for them, but for its variegated foliage. No wonder it is often used for interior landscaping. But if you provide the plant with the necessary care, then you can quite see what it is like, a blooming Dieffenbachia.
Common types
Today, about 30 varieties of Dieffenbachia are known. It should be noted that, despite the differences, they are all beautiful. However, most often only 4 varieties of plants such as Dieffenbachia are grown indoors.
Types that are in demand today:
- Spotted Dieffenbachia. Has a large stem. The leaf blade can reach 40 cm in length. It has a lanceolate or elongated shape, with a pointed tip. Sometimes 15 lateral veins are noticeable on a leaf. Dieffenbachia flowers resemble a cob. They produce orange-red berries.
- Dieffenbachia Seguina. The plant is very similar to the previous species, but has a wider leaf. It has about 9-12 veins. This plant is sometimes called Dieffenbachia charming.
- Bauze. This variety is distinguished by oval leaves, not exceeding 35 cm in length. As a rule, they have an oval shape. The leaf contains a beautiful marbled design with white dots.
- Dieffenbachia Oersted. The plant has elongated heart-shaped or oval-pointed leaves. Their length is 35 cm. The leaf has a clean, green color. The central vein stands out perfectly on it. Sometimes small light spots may be observed.
The benefits and harms of Dieffenbachia
The plant provides not only aesthetic beauty. It brings tangible benefits. Dieffenbachia contains phytoncides that cleanse the air of pathogens. In addition, the voluminous leaves contribute to excellent air humidification during the evaporation of moisture from their surface. The plant effectively reduces dust in the room.
In addition, Dieffenbachia is advised to be grown in rooms located in environmentally unfavorable areas (near landfills, factories, factories), since it perfectly purifies the air from chemically harmful substances.
However, it should be remembered that the plant also has a negative factor. The benefits and harms of Dieffenbachia must be taken into account before deciding to have such a flower. The only drawback of the plant is the toxicity of the milky sap. This substance can cause severe irritation if it comes into contact with the skin. However, the danger lies elsewhere. If milky juice comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the mouth or eyes, it can cause swelling of the tongue or blindness.
Is it dangerous to grow such a plant? Flower growers claim that it is not scary for an adult. Of course, subject to safety rules (transplantation occurs only with gloves). But it is recommended to keep Dieffenbachia away from children.
Bloom
This is very rarely mentioned. Not even because Dieffenbachia flowers rarely delight their owner. They just look quite modest. The plant is valued for its wonderful leaves, which provide a wonderful aesthetic appearance. The inflorescences resemble small cobs, which are covered with a medium-sized blanket. Initially they are greenish and then turn yellow.
Flowers are naked, unisexual. They don't look great. Therefore, blooming Dieffenbachia is not of particular interest. However, this process greatly weakens the plant. Therefore, it is often recommended to remove it immediately when an inflorescence appears. However, be extremely careful! Don't forget: the plant is poisonous.
Greenhouse conditions
Dieffenbachia is considered a rather capricious plant.
She needs to provide certain conditions:
- Temperature. She plays an important role. In summer, Dieffenbachia should be kept in a room where the temperature does not exceed +30 degrees. In winter - at least +17. The plant does not tolerate sudden drops in temperature.
- Air humidity. This should definitely be taken care of. Optimal conditions for a tropical plant are 70-80% humidity. Therefore, Dieffenbachia must be sprayed regularly. It is recommended to wipe the leaves once every two weeks.
- Choosing a location. The plant is best placed in partial shade. It does not tolerate bright sunlight at all. But if the flower is constantly in the shade, it loses its decorative effect. In addition, Dieffenbachia does not like drafts.
- Watering. The plant's soil should always be moderately moist. At the same time, Dieffenbachia can tolerate drought for several days. It is recommended to water the plant abundantly. In summer - 2-3 times a week. In winter, this process should be significantly reduced. Once per 7-8 days is enough.
Transplanting a plant
This procedure occurs once a year, from February to May. It is not recommended to replant Dieffenbachia in the summer. Because the plant is very difficult to tolerate such a procedure. The optimal period is the end of April.
Dieffenbachia transplantation is carried out as necessary. The substrate for plants is made from sand, peat, humus and leaf soil (1: 1: 1: 3).
The new pot should be slightly larger than the previous one. During transplantation, it is recommended to deepen the stem somewhat.
Plant diseases
If Dieffenbachia has ceased to delight you with its beautiful appearance, take a closer look at caring for it. After all, most often it is as a result of unsuitable conditions that the plant begins to hurt.
Let's look at the most common mistakes in care and common diseases:
Conclusion
If you provide Dieffenbachia with decent care, it will delight you with large, beautiful leaves that simply look amazing in compositions. In addition, this plant will become a real highlight of the apartment, giving it special comfort and harmony.