A dieffenbachia plant makes a beautiful addition to your home. With its versatility, you can keep it either indoors or outdoors.
These plants are well known for being easy to care for and can grow up to several feet tall. They are magnificent when given the proper care and environment to thrive.
Being able to identify problems with your dieffenbachia early on will give you time to correct them. One key is to pay attention to the leaves.
A dieffenbachia can show you exactly what it needs by the way its leaves appear. You will be able to figure out exactly what is happening and what you need to do to make sure your plant grows healthily.
Dropping Leaves
If you notice your dieffenbachia losing its leaves, this can be a sign that it is not getting enough water. While you only need to water the plant once every two weeks, there is still a chance that it might need some supplemental hydration in between.
As the leaves fall to the ground, you do not have to feel worried that your entire plant is dying. Dieffenbachia plants are very resilient if you catch this problem early on.
The way you water your dieffenbachia will also make a huge difference regarding the appearance of its leaves. You should water it to the point where the soil is moist but not drenched.
If you have a saucer on the bottom, make sure that you check it after you water your plant. While the top layer of soil might not seem very wet, the water is still flowing down through the rest of the soil and down to the roots.
There should not be an excess of water pooled in the saucer. Water your dieffenbachia until it is moist and stops draining.
A good way to check on this is if you stick your finger two inches into the soil, it should feel moist but not slushy.
If there is moisture any deeper, you probably need to water it a little less. Alternately, if you cannot feel this moisture two inches below the surface, you can water it more.
Once you get into a routine, you will be able to water your dieffenbachia at the same time each week. You will get used to knowing exactly how much water it needs to thrive.
Can They Grow Back?
Something great about your dieffenbachia plant is that the leaves can grow back! If you do lose some leaves or even notice that they are looking lackluster, you can simply snip them from the plant while leaving the stems intact.
You do not need to treat the stems or do anything special to them to encourage more growth. Simply trim the plant and keep up with your watering routine.
Make sure that you are watering it enough, and you should see the new growth pretty quickly. This is a sign that you are doing what is right.
Another great thing is the ability to transplant your dieffenbachia. If the leaves have fallen off, begin by trimming the stem down so that a fresh stem is exposed.
After this, you can place the newly trimmed stem in soil to grow another dieffenbachia plant. This is beneficial for many reasons.
You can keep different dieffenbachia plants in your house and even plant some outdoors if you live in a climate that is suitable. The care routine for a brand-new plant is the same as for an existing one.
Now that you have more experience with dieffenbachia, you can enjoy caring for your plant. It is unlikely that it will wither away entirely.
Whether it needs more water or a fresh trim, you can replenish the plant until it looks healthy again. This is one reason why dieffenbachia are great plants for beginners and experts alike.
What to Do
You know the basics when it comes to caring for your dieffenbachia plant, and there is truly not much else you need to know. Start simple, and you will learn along the way.
Each plant is different, and the climate you reside in is going to make a big difference. The same can be said for the location of the plant in your home if it is indoors and how much sunlight it gets.
If you are ever concerned about the appearance of your plant, there are many resources online that will answer almost any question you have. There is also the option of contacting your local nursery for advice.
Getting a plant from a nursery is always a good idea because the employees there will surely be able to give you many tips for keeping the plant alive and well. They have extensive knowledge on the plants they are selling, so they should be able to help you out.
Chances are that you probably know someone in your life who also keeps dieffenbachia plants. Getting tips from them is particularly helpful because they live in the same area.
They are used to caring for dieffenbachia in the same conditions and will likely be able to offer you plenty of advice if you are unsure. Growing plants is not only fun but also rewarding.
Another great option is to seek out different plant forums on the Internet. This is a place where plant enthusiasts gather to share tips and answer questions.
Dieffenbachia are beautiful, and they can give you a great sense of accomplishment once you figure out exactly what you need for yours to thrive. Pay attention to the leaves, and you will be able to confidently keep your plant happy.
There is no need to worry or panic when something does not look as if it is thriving. Your leaves are going to grow back, and you will be able to maintain beautiful plants with ease.
As with anything, caring for plants takes practice. You will learn exactly what to do and how to care for your dieffenbachia.
Soon enough, you will probably want to get more plants or even try transplanting some of the stems from the one you already have, which can be a fun experience for the whole household to enjoy.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.