How to Revive a Dumbcane Dieffenbachia (Part 1)

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Today’s video is about reviving a Dumb Cane, also known as the Dieffenbachia. This video is presented in response to a subscriber’s request, so thank you, Christina, for a great idea.

So, here we have a Dieffenbachia, also known as a Dumb Cane. Just in case you’re wondering why it’s called a Dumb Cane, it’s because the plant contains oxalate crystals in its stems. These crystals are like tiny shards of glass. If you bite into the plant, which I wouldn’t recommend, these shards can cut your mouth and potentially damage your throat if swallowed. That’s why it’s called Dumb Cane—because it can leave you unable to speak. This is something to keep in mind when the plant is around pets and small children. Most adults will be okay, but it’s good to be cautious.

Now, I have a Dieffenbachia here that needs a bit of help. It’s not in terrible shape, but it’s not doing wonderfully either. With some care, it can start looking really nice. Dieffenbachias can become very beautiful plants with proper care; their leaves can get huge and display nice variegation when they are healthy.

The first step in reviving a struggling Dieffenbachia is to remove any foliage that isn’t doing well. For instance, if a leaf is dying back, you should cut it off. You can also trim off any brown tips to make the plant look better and feel better too.

General care for Dieffenbachias involves managing watering carefully. The plant should not dry out completely, but it also shouldn’t be overwatered. Often, Dieffenbachias suffer from overwatering, especially if they are planted in a heavy mix. This particular plant came to me already in a heavy mix, which isn’t ideal. So, I plan to repot it in a lighter mix.

I am using ProMix BX, a light potting soil, and adding worm castings (vermicompost) for added nutrition. I will also add some humic acid, which I discussed in another video. The ProMix BX has good drainage with perlite or pumice mixed in, making it lighter and better for Dieffenbachias than the heavy mix it was in.

When repotting, I chose a pot that is the right size—about one-third the size of the plant. It’s a good practice to have a 2/3 plant to 1/3 pot ratio. I prepared the pot with drywall tape or screen to keep the soil from falling out when watering. If you use a used pot, especially if it was previously diseased, you should soak it in a bleach solution (1 part bleach to 9 parts water) to disinfect it. Since this is a new pot, I didn’t need to do that.

I removed the old soil, which had quite a bit of sand in it. The sand was supposed to aid in drainage but wasn’t doing a great job. I put some fresh soil in the bottom of the new pot, placed the plant in, and filled in around it. The top of the soil should be about a quarter of an inch from the rim of the pot. Press the soil down gently to remove air pockets without damaging the plant’s roots.

After repotting, water the plant well with tepid water. It’s important to let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. Ensure that the Dieffenbachia drains well and is not sitting in water. The pot came with a saucer, which I removed. I placed the plant on a dish with gravel or marbles to allow water to drain freely.

As soon as you repot a plant, it often looks healthier and happier. We will revisit this plant in a month to check on its progress and do some fertilizing if it has started to show new growth. If not, we will wait a bit longer.

Thank you for stopping by today, and thank you, Christina, for recommending this video. Please leave comments about any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see, and remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video.

FAQ for Reviving a Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

What is a Dieffenbachia, and why is it called Dumb Cane?

A Dieffenbachia, also known as Dumb Cane, is a plant that contains oxalate crystals in its stems. These crystals are like tiny shards of glass. If you bite into the plant, which is not recommended, these shards can cut your mouth and potentially damage your throat if swallowed. This is why it’s called Dumb Cane—because it can leave you unable to speak. It is important to keep this plant away from pets and small children.

How do you know if a Dieffenbachia needs help?

A Dieffenbachia that needs help may show signs of not doing well, such as wilting or unhealthy foliage. In such cases, the plant can start looking better with proper care. Dieffenbachias can become very beautiful with large, variegated leaves when they are healthy.

What are the first steps to reviving a struggling Dieffenbachia?

First, remove any foliage that isn’t doing well. For instance, cut off dying leaves and trim any brown tips. This will help improve the plant’s appearance and overall health.

How should you water a Dieffenbachia?

Dieffenbachias should not be allowed to dry out completely, but they also shouldn’t be overwatered. Overwatering is common with heavy soil mixes. It’s better to use a lighter soil mix and water carefully to avoid root rot.

What type of soil is best for Dieffenbachias?

A lighter soil mix, such as ProMix BX, is recommended for Dieffenbachias. Adding worm castings (vermicompost) and humic acid can provide additional nutrition. Ensure that the soil has good drainage with perlite or pumice mixed in.

How do you repot a Dieffenbachia?

Choose a pot that is about one-third the size of the plant, following a 2/3 plant to 1/3 pot ratio. Prepare the pot with drywall tape or screen to keep the soil in place. If using a previously used pot, disinfect it with a bleach solution. Remove old soil, place the plant in fresh soil, and press it down gently to remove air pockets.

What should you do after repotting a Dieffenbachia?

Water the plant well with tepid water after repotting. Allow the soil to dry out a bit before watering again. Ensure the plant has good drainage and is not sitting in water. Place the pot on a dish with gravel or marbles to facilitate drainage.

When should you revisit the plant after repotting?

Revisit the plant in a month to check its progress and do some fertilizing if it has started to show new growth. If there is no new growth, wait a bit longer before fertilizing.

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Products used to repot:

Soil is Promix BX, which I prefer for houseplants: https://amzn.to/3Mp1QqC

Humic Acid is from Down to Earth, one of my favorite brands: https://amzn.to/3hE8HOV

I use various brands of worm castings. And I often use my Green Gourmet Houseplant food found in my store, which contains worm castings, humic acid, and more: http://healthyhouseplants.storenvy.co…