In today's post we are going to focus on the care of dieffembachia, a spectacular plant with huge leaves and a tropical appearance, commonly used for interiors and with which you will achieve an incredible aesthetic and decorative effect.
Dieffembachia: Description, cultivation and care
Belonging to the family Dieffembachia and the genus Araceae, this beautiful species comes from Central and South America. It has large, oval-shaped leaves with a beak. Unlike other plants, the leaves do not come directly from the stem, but are attached to it by a small appendage called a petiole. The surface of its leaves, which is usually an intense green, is traversed by a streak of whitish or yellowish tones. Their shapes differ, sometimes quite obviously, depending on the variety.
There are approximately 30 species of diefembachia. Among them, two stand out: the seguine, originally from Brazil, with oval shapes with whitish veins and a faint green that acquires greater intensity towards the edges, and the amoena, from Colombia, with a more robust appearance, firmer stem than the previous one and large petioles from which veins of yellow hues start.
Dieffembachia, contrary to what we might think considering its size and characteristics, does not require an inordinate amount of pampering or attention. A series of basic care products are enough to make you look healthy and beautiful. Here are some practical tips with which your dieffembachia will become the undisputed protagonist of your home.
How to Grow Dieffembachia
- Location Being
dieffembachia
prefers to stay in semi-shaded places, without direct sunlight. In order for its leaf tuft to maintain its homogeneous shape, it is advisable to rotate it from time to time, so that it receives light equally in all its parts.
- Soil
For soil, it is best to use a loose and fertile organic medium. It can be just peat, or mixtures of peat with perlite/soil in equal parts. What we are looking for is to achieve good drainage and a high capacity to retain irrigation water.
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- Light
Tolerates more or less shaded areas, as long as they are in a bright environment with good clarity. Never expose it directly to the sun's rays, as these could burn it. The greater the luminosity, the more intense and larger the grain on its surface.
- Temperature
Coming from tropical areas, she is used to warm temperatures. Ideally, it should be kept between 15 and 30 degrees. Avoid both cold air and low temperatures at all costs.
Dieffembachia is one of the most common plants in our homes, thanks above all to its high ornamental power. Its beautiful leaves are perfectly adapted to indoor places... and are highly toxic to humans and pets.
- Water
and humidity are essential for proper development. The soil of the dieffembachia must be permanently moist. We will check the state of the soil and, if we notice it dry, we will have to provide it with the corresponding dose of water. But beware! as excessive waterlogging could cause the roots to rot. Just like roots want moist soil, leaves also require high humidity. Spraying occasionally on the surface will suffice.
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- Fertilizers and
In this case, it is ideal to dilute liquid fertilizers in the water used for irrigation. Fertilization is carried out in two stages: from April to September, during which time it is advisable to supply it every 15 days; and from October to March, when it will be enough to administer it once a month. According to specialists, it should ideally contain 10 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorus and 6 parts potassium.
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- Transplanting
The time for transplanting will be when the pot is too small to accommodate the roots of the plant. In any case, after 2 or 3 years it is advisable to transplant anyway in order to remove the old soil. The perfect time for transplanting is during early spring. At this stage, even if you are not going to carry out the transfer, it is advisable to replace the surface layers with new soil.
- Pests
Cochineal is one of the worst enemies of this plant. It produces white spots on the surface of the leaves that damage and weaken them. The presence of this pest is easy to detect as it is usually accompanied by a cotton-like coating. If their presence is detected, they can be removed manually, washing it with a small sponge and pH-neutral soap. If you have a good-sized plant outside, you can use a specific chemical.
Another pest that attacks this plant is the spider mite, which produces a characteristic yellowish hue on the leaves and can cause them to fall. This pest is usually due to dryness, so to solve the problem it will be necessary to increase the humidity level. As in the previous case, spider mites can be removed manually, and only in extreme cases, chemicals can be used.
- Pruning
It is not usual to prune dieffembachia. As with any other plant, it is advisable to remove the driest leaves so as not to facilitate parasite infestation.
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- It
should be noted that the sap of this plant has small crystals of calcium in its cells that make it toxic to people and animals. For this reason, it is recommended to always handle it with gloves and keep it away from children and household pets.
We hope that this article on the care and cultivation of dieffembachia will be useful for you to give it all the care it needs and enjoy its beauty and showiness.
Place it in your favorite places and you'll see how it instantly enhances every corner of your home!