Houseplant
Dumb Cane
Dieffenbachia seguine · Araceae
Also called: Dieffenbachia, Leopard Lily, Tuftroot
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia seguine) is a low-water houseplant well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It's a moderate-growing houseplant.
Dumb Cane at a glance
- Water use
- Low (established)
- Sun
- Bright to medium indirect light indoors; tolerates moderately low light but with thinner growth. In Tucson keep out of direct sun through glass, which scorches and bleaches the variegated leaves; an east window or bright filtered light is ideal.
- Mature size
- Indoors typically 2-5 ft tall and 1-3 ft wide.
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom
- Greenish-white spathe; rarely blooms indoors and grown for foliage, N/A indoors
- Cold hardiness
- Cold sensitive; keep above ~60F, ideal 65-80F; chilling damage below ~55F. Not cold hardy outdoors in Tucson.
- Soil
- Rich, well-draining peat/coir-based potting mix with perlite. Not desert soil.
- Native range
- Tropical Central and South America and the Caribbean
- Best used as
- Indoor foliage plant, Office/interior decor accent
- Wildlife
- None relevant; grown indoors.
- Toxicity
- Highly toxic/irritating to dogs, cats and humans; insoluble calcium oxalate crystals (Araceae) cause intense mouth/throat burning, swelling, drooling and temporary loss of speech (the source of the name 'dumb cane') if chewed, and sap irritates skin and eyes. Keep well away from pets and children.
How to grow Dumb Cane in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Grown indoors in Tucson. Keep lightly, evenly moist - water when the top inch of soil dries, about every 7-10 days in summer and less in winter; avoid both soggy soil (root rot) and complete drying. Tucson's dry indoor air means it appreciates moderate humidity (pebble tray/grouping); leach pots periodically to clear salts from alkaline tap water.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Feed with a balanced dilute liquid houseplant fertilizer every 4-6 weeks in spring-summer; reduce/stop in winter. Moderate feeder.
Pruning & care
Remove yellow/damaged lower leaves; cut back leggy stems in spring to encourage bushier regrowth (it can be propagated from cane sections). Always wear gloves and avoid touching eyes/mouth - the sap is a strong irritant.
Notes
Grown as an indoor houseplant in Tucson; tropical and frost sensitive, so not used outdoors in the low desert. Handle with care due to the irritating sap - one of the more hazardous common houseplants for households with pets or young children. Watch for spider mites and mealybugs in dry Tucson indoor air, and keep away from cold AC drafts.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension (houseplant care); ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List; Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder