Dieffenbachia – a common houseplant that grows quickly and isn't overly demanding in terms of growing conditions. Breeders have developed over 40 cultivars and varieties. They vary in leaf shape and color, and the height of their spreading bush.
Description of the dieffenbachia plant
The flower's native land is the tropical South America, where it grows in the Amazon rainforest. Dieffenbachia is a perennial plant of the Araceae family, with a powerful root system and thick, sturdy stems that resemble tree trunks. Its main attraction is its wide, oval-shaped, elongated, spotted leaves.
With proper care, dieffenbachia grows quickly, producing up to three new leaves per month. A mature plant reaches a height of 2-2.5 m, but the lower part of the trunk becomes bare over time, losing its appeal. Gardeners prefer to rejuvenate the bush periodically by repotting.
Indoors, dieffenbachia blooms rarely, producing small, cob-like inflorescences. After flowering, bright orange fruits remain.
In nature, the flower grows in warm tropical climates and is found in South and North America. Biologists have counted at least 60 species and varieties, some of which have successfully adapted to city apartment conditions.
Large-leaved dieffenbachia
Despite its name, the plant's leaves reach 50 cm in length and 40 cm in width. They are dark green and ovoid in shape. The color is uniform, without any additional blotches or patterns. They feel leathery to the touch, with thick veins running down the center.
The height of a mature large-leaved dieffenbachia bush rarely exceeds 1 m. If necessary, the thick stem can be divided into 15 cm cuttings, which root easily in water. It is undemanding in terms of care and humidity, making it suitable for beginning gardeners.
Dieffenbachia Bause
This variegated variety is particularly decorative and is used for interior decoration. The leaves are small, oval-shaped, no more than 35 cm long. The yellow-green leaf blades are densely scattered with whitish spots, reminiscent of marble. It can reach a height of 180 cm.
Dieffenbachia Bausea grows well on west and south exposures, preferring direct sunlight and room humidity of at least 60%. It is recommended to use slightly acidic soil, water at least three times a week in summer, and mist frequently with warm water. It blooms year-round, and the small orange fruits ripen in November.
Dieffenbachia baumanii
This variety boasts the largest leaves of all the species: they reach 80 cm in length, opening beautifully around the dense trunk. The edges are dark green, fading to light green and white toward the center. With proper care, they become variegated, attracting attention.
With proper care, this flower grows up to 2 meters in height. It has a strong root system, so the planting container should be up to 1 meter in diameter. It requires frequent watering with warm water and regular misting of the leaves to remove dust and dirt. It is easily propagated by stem division.
The magnificent Dieffenbachia magnifica
This beautiful variegated variety with small white leaves is easy to grow in a city apartment: the bush doesn't exceed 1-1.3 m in height. It grows compactly, with light-colored spots decorating the trunk, reminiscent of paint splashes. It can be placed on both east- and west-facing windows.
This variety prefers high humidity, so in winter, the plant should be kept away from central heating radiators and misted frequently. It grows quickly, producing one new leaf per week. The dieffenbachia in the photo appears almost white, but it can change color if not watered enough.
Variegated or painted
Dieffenbachia picta is one of the most beautiful varieties. Its large leaves are marked with thin white stripes from the center to the edges, and have long stems extending from the main trunk. The oval-shaped leaf blades do not exceed 40 cm in length, but the bush easily grows to 2 m.
This low-growing dieffenbachia boasts vibrant, randomly arranged leaf patterns. The white spots and blotches become more pronounced with regular feeding and watering. It grows best in a room with a temperature of at least 20°C.
Spotted or painted
This vibrant variety with uniquely colored leaves is also known as "Dieffenbachia Mars." It's often found in apartments and offices and is considered a low-growing plant. It grows to a height of no more than 1 m, so it's prized for its compact form and size. The leaves are large and wide, at least 45 cm long, but slightly pointed and narrow – about 13 cm wide.
Dieffenbachia maculata is an easy-to-care-for plant that requires light and should be planted between March and May for successful rooting. It thrives in a south-facing position without direct sunlight. It is often susceptible to root rot and mosaic virus, so drain the water from the tray and ensure good drainage in the pot when repotting.
Camilla (Dieffenbachia Camilla)
This tall variety reaches 2 m in height and has large, lanceolate leaves up to 40 cm long. It is a bushy plant with soft, flexible stems, from which slender petioles extend. It has a distinctive cream or light green coloration. The leaf blades are distinguished by wavy edges of a pleasant green.
The Dieffenbachia 'Camilla' is a popular addition to office decor. To maintain its creamy color, provide it with bright light but avoid direct sunlight. It may turn yellow and wilt at temperatures below 15°C. It requires repotting every three years into a larger pot.
Compacta or Dieffenbachia Compacta
One of the low-growing varieties, suitable for growing on a windowsill or shelf. A mature plant forms slender stems into a compact bush no more than 45 cm tall. The miniature flower of the Dieffenbachia Compacta variety has narrow, light-green leaves with whitish flecks near the midrib.
With proper care, the plant can bloom with miniature, milky-colored cobs. It rarely rots and requires frequent watering and misting. Fertilizing can be done once every 2-3 months to stimulate foliage growth.
Dieffenbachia Leopoldii
Rarely found in apartments, it's more often found in winter garden or botanical garden collections. This variety originates from the jungles of Costa Rica. The main trunk is short and slender, with side shoots bearing wide, spreading leaves rising from it. The leaves are elliptical, distinguished by a white center and dark green edges.
The petioles of Dieffenbachia Leopoldii are short, making them difficult to see. The leaves are large, up to 35 cm long. A distinctive feature is the presence of purple blotches, giving the bush a beautiful hue. It wilts in low humidity, and the leaf blades turn yellow if underwatered.
Oersted
The bush resembles the Leopolda variety in appearance, but the central trunk reaches 1.8 m in length, is sturdy, and dark in color. The leaves are elongated, lanceolate, and green. Sometimes the leaves have single white or light green spots, are firm to the touch, and have a whitish midrib.
Oersteda should not be grown indoors: it is too sensitive to air quality, reacting to pollution by yellowing leaves. It requires plenty of light, including supplemental lighting during the growth and flowering periods. It dies at temperatures below 14°C.
When choosing a plant for your home, you can research its names, characteristics, and photos in advance. Some varieties have spreading habits, requiring a lot of space. For a windowsill, it's best to choose low-growing varieties like Vesuvius or Tropic Snow.
Features of care and reproduction
To ensure stable growth and the formation of a striking crown, dieffenbachia requires specific conditions. These should resemble a subtropical climate:
- no drafts in the room;
- plenty of natural light, but no direct sunlight;
- abundant watering several times a week;
- using a humidifier during the heating season;
- the room temperature is not lower than +17°С.
Slightly acidic soil is recommended for growing. A nutrient substrate can be purchased at specialty stores or prepared at home: mix equal parts peat, leaf mold, and river sand, adding 4 parts turf. Dieffenbachia thrives on abundant watering, so a drainage layer of expanded clay is required.
The plant requires frequent fertilizing only during the period of active growth. It's best to use a ready-made fertilizer solution. It's diluted with water and added during the next watering. During the period of new leaf formation, nitrogen-containing fertilizers should be used.
Dieffenbachia is propagated by cuttings obtained by dividing the stem. These cuttings should be placed in a glass of water and left for several weeks. When thin roots 3-4 cm long appear, the seedlings can be transplanted into pots with soil and regularly fertilized.
The plant is resistant to pests, but can be infected with gray and black rot. This problem occurs with frequent watering and stagnant water in the pot. It's necessary to repot the dieffenbachia in new soil, remove damaged roots, and treat the infected areas with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
Growing dieffenbachia is an interesting and easy task, accessible to novice gardeners. It's safe if you take precautions when handling leaves, replanting, and rooting seedlings.
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