Care of the Moulting Cane

In today's post we are going to focus on the care of dieffembachia, a spectacular plant with huge leaves and tropical appearance, commonly used for interiors and with which you will achieve an incredible aesthetic and decorative effect.

Dieffembachia: Description, cultivation and care

From the family dieffembachia and genus araceae, this beautiful species comes from Central and South America. It has large, oval-shaped leaves with a pointed tip. Unlike other plants, the leaves do not emerge directly from the stem, but are attached to it by a small appendage called the petiole. The surface of the leaves, which is usually a deep green, is covered with whitish or yellowish veins. Their shapes differ, sometimes quite markedly, depending on the variety.

There are about 30 species of diefembachia. Among them, two stand out: seguine, originally from Brazil, oval-shaped with whitish veins and a faint green colour that becomes more intense towards the edges, and amoena,from Colombia, with a more robust appearance, firmer stem than the previous one and large petioles from which yellow veins emerge.

The dieffembachia, contrary to what we might think considering its size and characteristics, does not require an excessive amount of pampering and attention. All it needs is some basic care to keep it looking healthy and beautiful. Here are some practical tips to help your dieffembachia become the undisputed star of your home.

How to grow dieffembachia

• Location

Being a tropical variety, dieffembachia prefers to be kept in semi-shady places, out of direct sunlight. To keep its leaf tuft evenly shaped, it is best to turn it from time to time so that it receives the light equally on all parts of the plant.

• Soil

For the soil, it is best to use a loose, fertile organic medium. It can be peat only, or a mixture of peat and perlite/soil in equal parts. What we are looking for is good drainage and a high capacity to retain irrigation water.

• Light

It tolerates more or less shaded areas, as long as they are in a luminous environment with good light. Never expose it to direct sunlight, as this can burn it. The higher the luminosity, the more intense and larger the surface veining will be.

• Temperature

Coming from tropical areas, it is used to warm temperatures. Ideally, it should be kept between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. Avoid cold air and low temperatures at all costs.

General care

The dieffembachia is one of the most common plants in our homes, thanks mainly to its high ornamental power. Its beautiful leaves are perfectly suited to indoor locations... and are highly toxic to humans and pets.

• Watering

Water and humidity are essential for a correct development. The soil of the dieffembachia must be permanently moist. Check the state of the soil and, if it is dry, give it the corresponding dose of water. Be careful, however, as excessive waterlogging can cause the roots to rot. Just as the roots want wet soil, the leaves also require high humidity. Occasional spraying on the surface will suffice.

• Fertilisers and fertilisers

In this case, it is best to dilute liquid fertiliser in the water used for irrigation. Fertilisation is carried out in two stages: from April to September, when it is advisable to supply it every 15 days; and from October to March, when it is sufficient to administer it once a month. According to specialists, it should ideally contain 10 parts nitrogen, 1 part phosphorus and 6 parts potassium.

sKU:CM8046,CM8047]

• Other

It should be noted that the sap of this plant has small calcium crystals in its cells that make it toxic to humans and animals. It is therefore recommended to always handle it with gloves and keep it away from children and domestic pets.

We hope you find this article on dieffembachia care and cultivation useful so that you can take care of it and enjoy its beauty and attractiveness.

place it in your favourite spots and you will see how it instantly enhances every corner of your home!