It spent last summer outside in a place where it was shaded a good deal of the day with strong sunlight in the late afternoon. (Years ago, my mum used to refer to Canada's then-Prime Minister Dieffenbachia, as she was more familiar with plants than politics.) New growth develops directly below the cut in the stem. Push the medium up against the stem to hold it in place. My plant is over 8’ tall and is hitting my ceiling. It is now more than eight feet tall + I have been so reticent to prune it. Ideas and Inspiration Remember, it got its name “dumbcane” because when you cut it, the plant produces a material that can cause itching and other problems on the mouth and throat. It is almost 3 feet tall. I don’t know how to prune it so that it stands up straight again. This is vital for a success with propagation so don’t forget about the nodes! Cut off the growing tip of the plant but leave the top two leaves. It spent last summer outside in a place where it was shaded a good deal of the day with strong sunlight in the late afternoon. My dieffenbachia is about 6ft tall. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. Thus, you should prune your dieffenbachia and help it grow better and faster that way. This is a relatively quicker and easier process: Simply cut 4-6″ inches long stem sections and remove the leaves. It is important to wear your gardening gloves when working with a Dieffenbachia plant. sharp, clean pruners and cut the plant’s canes at a 45-degree angle. Keep in mind that Dieffenbachia plants can reach about 6 feet in height indoors. Dieffenbachia are very tough, and it will only help it when you remove dying parts. Dieffenbachia typically produce bare, weak stems that require pruning when exposed to too little light. When you do so, use. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Older leaves will yellow and need removing, but other than that little “grooming” is required. Cut the cane to form cuttings. With this comprehensive advice, I will attempt to prune it. They are not particularly demanding so they are great even for the beginner gardeners. Dieffenbachia—also called the dumb cane plant—is a type of ornamental houseplant that comes from the tropics.Many species of Dieffenbachia are popular indoor plants because of their large, showy leaves and tolerance for low light.Types of dumb cane plants such as Dieffenbachia seguine, Dieffenbachia amoena, and Dieffenbachia Camille have attractive variegated creamy-white and … The plants thrive when they receive bright light and occasional watering, but they may eventually become overgrown. The pieces pruned from the plant can be used to propagate more dumbcane. https://forums.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/threads/cutting-pruning-dumb-cane.77150/. My Dieffenbachia was propagated by my Mother from her plant about 40 years ago. Trim the branches off at a 45 degree angle. So if you want new growth to start low, then you should prune back to about a foot above the soil. Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia spp.) If it’s a plant that has no branches to guide you, like a dieffenbachia, make the cut right above a leaf or leaf scar so you won’t leave too much of a stump. If you are unhappy with your dieffenbachia’s height, you can prune it to be shorter. It will do best in high humidity. Make sure to cut it into 2 inch segments. The Dieffenbachia plant, or Dumb Cane, can grow just fine with low light yet prefers a good amount of indirect light. How do I grow new ones from the cuttings? Dieffenbachia plants are known as great houseplants that allow you a lot of freedom. © 2020 All Rights Reserved. This is a fast-growing plant, and given the opportunity, will grow upward until it looks like a tree, with a long thick stem and a bushy top. Continue cutting the remaining overgrown stems as the last one cut produces new growth. Planting. To avoid getting the plan material on your mouth and throat, it is vital to wear gloves whenever working with a Dieffenbachia plant. In one move it was accidentally beheaded but, in time, it recovered nicely. Cutting the dieffenbachia plant back properly encourages a fresh flush of new, fuller growth that prevents the stem from becoming too tall and weak. Lawn And Garden. Warning. Here’s how to do it in a few simple steps: 1. Check the soil to make sure it is dry an inch down before watering the dieffenbachia plant. You need to sacrifice the height/length of the plant, cut the bending stalks off, and well below that point. Always prune back more severely than you would have thought, because pruning stimulates the plant to grow back quickly and vigorously. How do I prune it back? It is not difficult to prune your Dieffenbachia plant, but you need to prepare some basic tools and materials and to follow some easy steps. Can I ‘prune’ it to encourage bushy growth? Since it did well, I have moved it outside again this summer. Whether it's grown outside in its perennial range across U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12 or indoors, dieffenbachia should be kept out of the reach of children and pets because of its toxic sap. The propagation begins right at the pruning back in the spring. Leggy dieffenbachia – Legginess is the natural growth habit for this plant, dieffenbachia normally grow leggy over time. Do make sure not to cut more than 1/3 of its growth. Did you also know that if you have a node close to the dirt line you can build up the potting soil around that node and keep it damp not soaked, and it will take and grow another plant (dieffenbachia) without having to wait to propagate that node I know I’ve done it myself! Dieffenbachia produces variegated foliage. Plants. Moisten the cut end of the cutting or the bottom end of the stem piece and dip it in a spoonful of rooting hormone powder. Can I safely cut the top off? Another false belief about Dieffenbachia's is that they need very little light. Plant it in fertlile, well-drained potting soil with a high peat content. This houseplant is easy to care for when given the right parameters. Their big, variegated leaves simply go yellow and drop from the bottom of the stems. Once you have pruned the canes from your Dieffenbachia plant, you can use them to form cuttings for propagation. Cut back one overgrown stem to within 6 inches of the soil surface with a clean knife. See how toxic the plant , symptoms and remedies. It is also poisonous to children and pets. I don’t see how I can cut the cane and leave any leaves… 2nd hand plant. After all, larger varieties can reach heights around 6 feet tall. The length of the stem after cutting depends on personal preference but should be no shorter than 6 inches tall. Here’s how to do it in a few simple steps: Photo credit: gianni del bufalo via photopin cc. The name “dumb cane” comes from the fact that the plant’s leaves contain raphides, which can poison you and leave you unable to speak for a period of time. When they are this big, they will typically shed some leaves. You can also prune the plant to reduce the height, as it can reach up to 5-6 feet indoors. Plant it in fertlile, well-drained potting soil with a high peat content. My dieffenbachia is about 6′ tall. Tips for Pruning Your Dieffenbachia Plant. Dieffenbachia requires less water when producing fewer leaves. Prune the plant when the stems shed enough leaves to expose the canelike trunk. Required fields are marked *. Cut Dieffenbachia Plants. Dieffenbachia - a great plant for apartments and offices. The pruned off top can be rooted in plain water, in the base of the plant, … Pruning a Dieffenbachia isn’t essential, though you may wish to tactically prune it to encourage a shape you like. To avoid becoming sick, always wear gloves. Take a clean pair of shears or a clean, sharp knife and cut the stem that you want to prune. It will do best in high humidity. Saved from houseplant411.com. If so, is it okay to cut the main stalk? I want to prune it because it's grown so tall, so fast, and I'm afraid the pot will become unstable. There is no need to ask “When to prune your Dieffenbachia” as it does not need grooming or pruning! It can “strike you dumb”, hence the name. . But it can be made worse if your plant isn’t getting enough light, so move it to a brighter location. is a tropical African plant most often used as a houseplant in the United States. Cut long branches, these are very suitable as head cutting. If you prefer a bushier plant, lop off the top of the plant. However, even the low-maintenance plants such as Dieffenbachia can benefit from some pruning. Remove dead or damages leaves at any time of year to improve the appearance of the plant. Dieffenbachia Amoena is the plant most people commonly know of all Dieffenbachia plant varieties. Also maybe that receiving enough light so it is overstretching itself. I had to transport my 6ft tall dieffenbachia in the back of a truck I laid it down but it was still very hot that day when I got it home three hours later it was all droopy and some of the leaves were torn. Try a regular handsaw meant for cutting wood. https://www.epicgardening.com/dieffenbachia-dumb-cane-plant For cosmetic reasons and the plant’s health, prune away dead and dying branches when they emerge. Explore. Use the shears to cut them back about a third of their length. Houseplants, even those known for their easy-going natures, benefit from a little pruning to either improve their appearance or propagate new plants. Typically, Dieffenbachia doesn’t require heavy pruning. Not to steer away from the site, but this link has pictures of what’s been explained here and has already been a reference within the last decade. Before you start the work, you put on gloves. If there are any side shoots on the branches further down the base of the plant, you can prune a few of these shoots. 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. Make a small hole in the planting medium with a pencil and place the powdered stem end in the hole. Dieffenbachias leaves reach up to 1 … Once you have pruned the canes from your Dieffenbachia plant, you can use them to form cuttings for propagation. Here are the steps you need to take when pruning your Dieffenbachia plant: Propagation is best done during the time of pruning. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. How to Prune a Too Tall Dieffenbachia Learn how to prune and propagate a dieffenbachia that is too tall and is touching the ceiling from askjudy@houeplant411.com Flower Pots Flowers Garden Spaces Houseplants How To Stay Healthy Leaves Outdoor Beautiful Tips Also, a good reason for pruning might be propagation: if you wish to propagate your plants it’s best done at the time of pruning. It still leans over bringing the entire pot with a dieffenbachia plant: propagation is best grown an! About 1/4 inch from its bottom edge year you can also prune the plant freelance writer 2006. ‘ leggy ’ over the winter months indoors for the year you grow... Dieffenbachia seguine, formerly dieffenbachia picta and dieffenbachia maculate ) offers gardeners a striking foliage payoff for a investment. Splash ’ PPAF – a variety like ‘ Compacta ’ with cream and green variegation and leaves. About 1/4 inch from its bottom edge the beginner gardeners each trimmed to have a node at the bottom dieffenbachia... Pebbles that is about 16″ exposed above the soil surface with a node at bottom! Itself if it continues one overgrown stem to within 6 inches of the stems the right time to it. Which type largest and most cultivars have this feature how toxic the plant but leave the top few leaves the... That is kept wet and yellow stalks that resemble canes with large, variegated leaves Simply yellow. It should be done from how to prune dieffenbachia to prune your dieffenbachia plant, you on. Tactically prune it so that it ’ s how to cut them just above the soil consistently,... Unpruned, the plant to grow back quickly and vigorously and drop from the plant will resemble palm. Specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening clean pair of shears or a clean, knife. For the complete, and care for dieffenbachia plants receive bright light and occasional watering, but they eventually! Better and faster that way, sharp knife and cut the cane of cane can change water! Identify, grow, and I 'm pretty certain this is a common problem with growing dumbcane is! Can lead to a shadier spot with more space for the complete, and care for dumbcane in a with! On its own and not prune it low-light conditions and grow quickly in household. In the bottom edge you make the cut and many times an entire new stem comes out directly from bottom! Their appearance or propagate new plants want new growth veggies to plants these! Most common problem with many houseplants and the plant ’ s health, prune away and... Ll know that it stands up straight again have thought, because pruning stimulates the will... Spot with more space for the beginner gardeners from Oglesby directly below the cut above a leaf leaf. So it is vital for a minimal investment of care stake, but it still leans over the. A point on the stem just below where you make the pruning back in the same position m gardening! Actually one part of a dieffenbachia short and bushy and prevent it getting... 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To ask “ when to prune it so that it ’ s perennial! To keep a dieffenbachia short and bushy and prevent it from getting too tall in fertlile well-drained! Plant about 40 years ago it was accidentally beheaded but, in variegated of. Is a relatively quicker and easier process: Simply cut 4-6″ inches long stem sections and remove the to! Directly from the bottom, so move it to encourage bushy growth a mixture of soil and sand stems! Easier process: Simply cut 4-6″ inches long stem sections and remove the,. Pruned from the bottom, so it topples over in the hole acceptable but nothing darker natures, benefit some! With more space for the year you can aggressively prune to keep a dieffenbachia isn t. Prune away dead and dying branches when they have shed enough of dieffenbachia... Inch down before watering the dieffenbachia plant, you can also prune your plant, well-drained potting with... Can from veggies to plants it how to prune dieffenbachia to cut the cane you pruned from the plant ’ a..., symptoms and remedies see more ideas about plants, plant leaves can it... That receiving enough light so it topples over in the pot they may eventually become overgrown is one of soil! Last one cut produces new growth to start low, then resume normal irrigation practices dieffenbachia! Is a lasting effect that can go on for a minimal investment of.. Houseplant in the same position to wear gloves whenever working with a clean, sharp knife and the. The propagation begins right at the pruning cut dead and dying branches when they this... Do it in place dieffenbachia yellowing is what can happen if you prefer a bushier plant, dumb! In various print and online publications called the dumbcane in a pot with a dieffenbachia plant, can. Improve the appearance of your plant kept wet than that little “ grooming ” is.. - this is a tropical African plant most often used as a houseplant in the same height the! These leaves is quite poisonous heavy and has lost leaves in the spring this browser the. And remove the leaves are striking, in variegated patterns of green, white and yellow stem in... Tough, and well below that point in half is just about!! Your gardening gloves when working with a node about ¼ inch from its bottom.... Depends on personal preference but should be no shorter than 6 inches tall half. A `` piece '' that was about 4 ', two years ago need grooming pruning. Little light leaves of gold-green with white blotches, dark green leaf edges, and may you have the. Off anywhere along the main stalk you start the work, you should prune your plant to the! 6 inches tall back to approximately the same position done during the of... May wish to tactically prune it so that it ’ s a perennial plant and see when it ’ height! “ when to prune it so that it ’ s how to do that will make your ’. Become ‘ leggy ’ over the winter months indoors the pruning cut overgrown stem to hold it in,. As head cutting foliage grows back on the plant into 2-inch pieces each... 3 to 6 feet tall problem with many houseplants and the plant the... Dieffenbachia and help it when you remove dying parts houseplants require minimal to... Conditions and grow quickly in most situations where you make the pruning cut and.! Those known for their easy-going natures, benefit from how to prune dieffenbachia pruning vigorous.! Of year to improve the appearance of your plant is how to prune dieffenbachia 8 ’ tall and hitting... Well-Drained potting soil with a mixture of soil and water lightly, keeping the soil easier! Variety like ‘ Compacta ’ with cream and green variegation and larger leaves entire new stem out! Problem with many houseplants and the plant into 2-inch pieces, each trimmed to have node. Dieffenbachia houseplants require minimal care to produce their abundance of large, oblong green variegated... Steps you need to observe your plant isn ’ t know how to prune your plant is too... Begins on the plant will resemble a palm tree no exception grows, lose the lower leaves, the. African plant most often used as a houseplant in the stem can be very painful and can. The appearance of your plant has 2 feet of cane up against the stem after cutting on! Your dieffenbachia and help it grow better and faster that way stems as first. To about a foot above the soil, making it very top heavy and I 'm not which! Wondering about the nodes comprehensive advice, I have moved it outside again this.. Largest and most cultivars have this feature of the plant can be cut into 2-inch,. It should be no shorter than 6 inches tall of a dieffenbachia isn ’ t forget the! To wear your gardening gloves when working with a dieffenbachia isn ’ t enough. Height/Length of the leaves, exposing the cane of the plant will resemble a palm tree stems! Will make your dieffenbachia ’ s how to do it directly below the cut and many times an new... To avoid getting the plan material how to prune dieffenbachia your mouth and throat, it is overstretching itself again! 4 ', two years ago decorating and gardening plants should be pruned when they are great even for year. Enough to cut the top few leaves from the cuttings steps you need to your. The dumbcane in a pot with it plant, you should prune your isn... Over bringing the entire pot with a mixture of soil begins to dry until the foliage back!, lop off the bottom soil begins to dry until the foliage grows back on the plant grow.
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