- Easy Tropical Plant To Grow
- Light Preference/Tolerated (Bright Indirect Light)
- Average Watering Needs
- Mature Height 3 -10 feet
There are many varieties of Dieffenbachia, and they are all commonly called Dumb Cane or Leopard Lily. Dieffenbachia oerstedii is the only variety to have mainly green leaves. The only markings on the large, deep-green leaves are a creamy white vein down the middle. The name dumb cane comes from its effect on the vocal cords if ingested. This plant has a toxic sap that inhibits speech and causes burns to the mouth and lips. Keep Dieffenbachia out of the reach of children and pets.
Best Locations For Growing Dieffenbachia Oerstedii
Dieffenbachia's large leaves help filter fumes from furnishings, paint, and carpets indoors. Any room with bright filtered light or indirect light will be acceptable to Dieffenbachia. Humidity will be needed in the dry winter months. A daily misting with water or placing a humidity tray under the plant is very helpful. Plants will need to be rotated every week to help them grow straight, as they tend to bend towards a light source.
Dieffenbachia Oerstedii Sunlight Requirements
Dieffenbachia will tolerate a wide range of sunlight when grown indoors. Indirect bright light is best for dimmer winter months. During the sunnier summer months, these tropical plants can be grown in medium light. Dieffenbachia will grow well outdoors for the summer and needs semi-shade to dappled light, similar to its growing conditions in the Caribbean and South American jungles.
Dieffenbachia Oerstedii Care
Propagating Dieffenbachia is a good skill for new gardeners to learn. This plant is easily multiplied by root cuttings, stump cuttings, or cane cuttings. New offset plants can be separated from the mother and planted in their own pot. Once Dieffenbachia begins to get leggy or too tall, the top section can be cut off and planted into a separate pot. Or, if the whole plant needs to be rejuvenated, the main stem can be cut into 6-8-inch sections, and all of those sections can be planted into moist potting soil.
Watering Dieffenbachia Oerstedii
Overwatering is very easy to do with Dieffenbachia. Let the top 1-2 inches of soil dry to the touch before watering. When the plant is actively growing during the spring and summer, water more frequently than during the winter months. Always use distilled water, rainwater, or tap water that has been left to sit for 24 hours. Do not use softened water. Most plants do not tolerate the salts and other chemicals in softener pellets.
Feeding Dieffenbachia Oerstedii
Every 4-6 weeks, apply a diluted liquid fertilizer formulated for houseplants. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 10-10-10 or a liquid seaweed formula. Fertilizer diluted at one-quarter strength can also be used at every other watering.
Oerstedii Dieffenbachia Information
| Light Exposure: Bright Indirect Light |
| Care Requirements: Easy |
| Watering Requirements: Average - Let the soil dry completely, then, water deeply. |
| Pet Friendly: No |
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Air Purifier: Moderate |
| Habit: Upright |
| Growth Rate: Fast |
| Mature Height: 3 -10 feet |
| Mature Spread: 2-3 feet |
| Flowering: No |
| Flower Color(s): None |
| Flower Shade/Description: Grown for Foliage |
| Fragrant: No |
| Foliage Type: |
| Foliage Color(s): Green, Silver |
| Foliage Description: Large, and Dark Green with Wide Silver Streaks |
| Temperature: 65° - 75°F (18° - 24°C) |
| Humidity: Average (40% - 60%) |
| Common Name: Oerstedii Dieffenbachia |
| Other Name(s): Dumb Cane |
| Scientific Name: Dieffenbachia oerstedii |
| Plant Type: House Plant |
- SKU:
- Dieffenbachia_Oerstedii-HP
Container Sizes
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on; type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
4.5" Pot
Also Known As:
4.5" Container
Plant Age:
~ 6 months
Plant Size:
~ 3"-6"
Pot Size:
~ 4.5"H x 3.75"W
Volume:
1.42 quarts
Quart Pot
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
2.5 Quart
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
#1 Pot
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
#2 Pot
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
#3 Pot
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
For more detailed information, please click here.
Plant Addicts Guarantee (Included On All Plant Orders)
Plant Addicts always guarantees your plant(s) will arrive happy & healthy. However, plant(s) are being shipped through the mail & sometimes accidents happen. If the plant is dead, has dried out roots or the incorrect item was shipped, just notify Plant Addicts within 3 days upon delivery. We may ask for pictures but will try to make it as easy as possible for you. Please note, plant(s) with damaged branches or wilted leaves will not qualify for this guarantee. Plants are very resilient and will rebound quickly when cared for correctly.
For more information on how to care for your new plants, please click on our guide below.
Guide: How to Care for Your New Plant(s)
Plant Addicts Warranty - 1 Year (Extra Purchase Required)
We encourage all plant lovers to purchase the Plant Addicts Warranty, whether you're a new gardener or an expert. There are many variables outside of anyone's control that can cause a plant to die. Hungry animals, drought, poor soil conditions, over watering, diseases & pests are all good examples of what can cause plants to die. The Plant Addicts Warranty is a 1 year warranty protecting you from all of the unknowns and will replace your plant if something were to happen to it.
The warranty is purchased on a per plant basis and must be purchased at the same time as the plant(s). We will cover 100% of the price of the plant, but the warranty does not cover shipping costs. SImply let us know if your plant has died within 1 year of receiving it and we will get you a new one shipped out as soon as possible (depending on the time of the year and availability). We may ask for photos for documentation purposes, but we try to make the process as easy as possible.
For more information, please click on our page below.
Plant Shipping
Below are some factors we consider when determining when to ship the plants depending on the timing of the order.
Winter to Early Spring
We ship only when it's warm enough to plant in your growing zone.
Sometimes plants aren't completely ready to sell and ship in early spring. We will wait until the plants are ready before shipping so you don't get a subpar product.
For Southern plants we will be able to ship much earlier than plants coming from our northern nursery.
Summer
If there is extreme heat we may delay shipping for a week or several weeks.
We review what areas the plants are traveling through as well as your location.
Fall into Winter
We’ll ship plants out all the way up to the end of the fall planting season!
Winter
Get your order in early to reserve your plants for Spring planting!
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an automated email with tracking information.
Click here for more detailed shipping information.
Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations