Dieffenbachia amoena: Country Or Region Of Origin
Central and South America
Plant Profile: Dieffenbachia amoena
Names
Charming Dieffenbachia, Dieffenbachia, Dumbcane, Exotica, Exotica Perfection, Giant Dumbcane, Giant Dumb Cane, Leopard Lily, Spotted Dumb Cane, Tropic Snow
Phonetic Spelling:def-en-BAH-kee-ah am-oh-EN-uh
Genus:Dieffenbachi
Species:amoena
Family:Araceae
The 'Dumbcane' is a striking monocot that has gained popularity as an indoor plant. Its large, variegated leaves display an array of patterns featuring cream and yellow hues. To cultivate this plant successfully, use a loose, nutrient-rich medium with high organic content, and ensure it receives indirect light and elevated humidity levels. Water it thoroughly, but allow the top inch of soil to dry out completely before the next watering to avoid root rot.
**Pests to watch for:** Scale and aphids.
It's important to note that this plant is toxic and should be kept away from children and pets, including cats and dogs. The name 'Dumbcane' refers to its potential to affect the vocal cords if ingested. Always wear gloves when handling, pruning, or repotting this plant.
Dieffenbachia amoena Feature Summary
Dieffenbachia amoena Image Gallery
Tags
#poisonous
#houseplant
#perennial
#green
#large leaves
#spadix
#exotic looking
#humidity tolerant
#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for children
#problem for horses
#tropical feel
Similar Plants
Dieffenbachia amoena is often confused with:
Dieffenbachia amoena Feature Summary
Attributes
Central and South America
Perennial
Stem Cutting
Division
Fruit
If fruit develops, it is berry-like in appearance.
Leaves
Its leaves are large (up to 20 inches), oblong, with cream, or yellow dots and stripes with deep green stripes and bands around the outer edge.
Broadleaf Evergreen
Green
White
Variegated
Cream/Tan
Simple
Oblong
Entire
> 6 inches
3-6 inches
Poisonous to Humans
The sap of the plant is acrid, and, when ingested, will numb the throat and vocal cords, rendering the victim mute for up to two weeks until the poison wears off. The sap is highly irritating to the skin, and any interactions with the plant which result in sap exposure should be washed thoroughly. It can also damage the cornea of the eye. It May be fatal to livestock and pets, but it is not commonly available to them. Excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Oxalic acid and Asparagine, Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
Medium
Leaves
Whole Plant Traits
Poisonous
Houseplant
Broadleaf Evergreen
Erect
Medium
Medium
Medium
Cultural Conditions
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Acid (<6.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Good Drainage
Moist
10a
10b
11a
11b
High Organic Matter
Flowers
Insignificant
Green
Spadix
Stem
Green
Landscape
Container
Houseplants
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Contact Dermatitis
Problem for Children
Dieffenbachia amoena Image Gallery
Dieffenbachia amoena Attributes
Dieffenbachia amoena: Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems)
high humidity
Dieffenbachia amoena: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Dieffenbachia amoena: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Dieffenbachia amoena Fruit
Dieffenbachia amoena: Fruit Description
If fruit develops, it is berry-like in appearance.
Dieffenbachia amoena Leaves
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Description
Its leaves are large (up to 20 inches), oblong, with cream, or yellow dots and stripes with deep green stripes and bands around the outer edge.
Dieffenbachia amoena: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Color
Cream/Tan
Green
Variegated
White
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Shape
Acicular
Auriculate
Cordate
Cuneate
Deltoid
Elliptical
Filiform
Lanceolate
Linear
Oblanceolate
Oblong
Obovate
Obtuse
Orbicular
Ovate
Palmasect
Palmatifid
Peltate
Pinnatifid
Pinnatisect
Reniform
Rhomboidal
Spatulate
Subcordate
Subulate
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Margin
Crenate
Crenulate
Dentate
Denticulate
Doubly Crenate
Doubly Dentate
Doubly Serrate
Entire
Lobed
Serrate
Sinuate
Undulate
Dieffenbachia amoena: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Length
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Dieffenbachia amoena: Leaf Width
< 1 inch
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
> 6 inches
Dieffenbachia amoena Poisonous to Humans
Dieffenbachia amoena: Poison Symptoms
The sap of the plant is acrid, and, when ingested, will numb the throat and vocal cords, rendering the victim mute for up to two weeks until the poison wears off. The sap is highly irritating to the skin, and any interactions with the plant which result in sap exposure should be washed thoroughly. It can also damage the cornea of the eye. It May be fatal to livestock and pets, but it is not commonly available to them. Excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), difficulty swallowing
Dieffenbachia amoena: Poison Toxic Principle
Oxalic acid and Asparagine, Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
Dieffenbachia amoena: Poison Severity
High
Low
Medium
Dieffenbachia amoena: Causes Contact Dermatitis
No
Yes
Dieffenbachia amoena: Poison Part
Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems
Dieffenbachia amoena Whole Plant Traits
Dieffenbachia amoena: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Dieffenbachia amoena: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
Broadleaf Evergreen
Deciduous
Needled Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Dieffenbachia amoena: Habit/Form
Arching
Ascending
Broad
Cascading
Climbing
Clumping
Columnar
Conical
Creeping
Dense
Erect
Horizontal
Irregular
Mounding
Multi-stemmed
Multi-trunked
Open
Oval
Prostrate
Pyramidal
Rounded
Spreading
Vase
Weeping
Dieffenbachia amoena: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Dieffenbachia amoena: Maintenance
Low
Medium
High
Dieffenbachia amoena: Texture
Fine
Medium
Coarse
Dieffenbachia amoena Cultural Conditions
Dieffenbachia amoena: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Dieffenbachia amoena: Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Alkaline (>8.0)
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Dieffenbachia amoena: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Dieffenbachia amoena: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
10a
10b
11a
11b
Dieffenbachia amoena: Soil Texture
Clay
High Organic Matter
Loam (Silt)
Sand
Shallow Rocky
Dieffenbachia amoena Flowers
Dieffenbachia amoena: Flower Color
Green
Insignificant
Dieffenbachia amoena: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Dieffenbachia amoena Stem
Dieffenbachia amoena: Stem Color
Green
Dieffenbachia amoena: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Dieffenbachia amoena Landscape
Dieffenbachia amoena: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Dieffenbachia amoena: Problems
Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy
