Dieffenbachia - care, repotting, watering

Dieffenbachia is native to Central America and Brazil.

Core Dieffenbachia facts

Name – Diffenbachia x hybrida
Family – Araceae
Type – indoor plant

Height – 1 ⅓ to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 meter) indoors
Exposure – very well-lit
Soil – soil mix
Foliage – evergreen

Care, repotting, watering and exposure are as many small things to do that will make your dieffenbachia even more lush.

Planting and re-potting of dieffenbachia

Upon purchasing, if the pot is too small, proceed to repot so that the plant may grow adequately.

After that, every 2 or 3 years and preferably in spring, repot your dieffenbachia in a pot of a slightly larger size.

The roots hate excess water.
Verify that the pot has proper holes at the bottom, and increase drainage with a layer of gravel or clay pebbles along the bottom of the pot, to make water flow through more easily.
Good soil mix is needed.
The plant, since it lives indoors, needs soil mix because that is its only source for the nutrients it needs.

The best place to set up your plant is near a window that lets a lot of light through, but isn’t in direct sunlight.

Indeed, this plant is vulnerable to excess sun, and even tolerates part shade when outdoors.
Absolutely avoid setting it near heat sources such as radiators, because moisture is what this tropical plant most needs.
If leaves tend to turn whitish, it needs more light.

Regular but moderate watering is called for.

Keep the soil mix moist and check that water drains properly.
Add green plant liquid fertilizer every 8 to 15 days during the growing phase.

Reduce watering and wait for the soil to be dry before watering again.
Stop adding fertilizer.

A marvelous indoor plant, dieffenbachia is however poisonous and must be handled with gloves to avoid risking intoxication.

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