Scientific Name:
Dieffenbachia seguine
Pronunciation:
def-en-BAH-kee-ah suh-GEEN
Common Name:
dumb cane
Family Name:
Araceae
Plant Type:
Broadleaf evergreen, Indoor foliage plant
Key ID Features:
Trunk cane-like with spaced horizontal woody rings up the entire length; leaves alternate, ovate-oblong, most blades 13-30cm long x 5-17cm wide, margin entire, commonly variegated with cream mottling in center that contrast with the green margins and midrib.
Habit:
Arching, Stiffly upright
Form:
Columnar, Vase
Texture:
Coarse
Mature Height:
0.7 - 1.3m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Central America, South America
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 10: (-1 to 4 °C)
Exposure:
Filtered shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich, Well-drained
Water Use:
Low
Landscape Uses:
Accent plant, Container planting, Indoor plant (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Google. Cultivars shown include D. 'Compacta'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Succulent
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Green, Yellow, Commercial cvs. vargtd. w. yellow, cream
Colour in Fall:
Green, Yellow
Shapes:
Oblong, Ovate
Apices:
Acute, Caudate
Bases:
Cordate
Margins:
Undulate (wavy)
Additional Info:
Leaves variegated
Inflorescence Type:
Spadix (& spathe)
Flower Morphology:
Monoecious plant
Number Of Petals:
0
Colour (petals):
Not showy, White, Yellow (Green spathe)
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Apr, May, Jun
Additional Info:
May appear infrequently once plant is a few years old
Fruit Type:
Berry (true)
Fruit Colour:
Orange, Red
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Showy, Rarely form on indoor plants
Bark Morphology:
Multi-stem trunk, Single stem trunk
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green
Organ Modifications:
Succulent leaves, Succulent stems
Propagation:
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Layering
Optimal Temp.:
High
Light Level:
Medium
Maintenance:
Medium
Other:
Tag: bright locations, avoid direct sun; 18-24 °C; allow medium to dry out slightly before watering thoroughly and allowing to drain; fertilize once per month
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids, Bacterial leaf spot, Fungal leaf spot, Mealybugs, Mites, Root rot, Scale insects, Virus
Course(s):
- HORT 1155
- HORT 1193/1293
- Level 3 Apprenticeship
Location(s):
- (GNH) GreeNHouse