Dieffenbachia
Common name: Dumb cane · Leopard lily
Dieffenbachia is a genus of tropical perennials in the arum family, native to Central and South America. They grow upright, cane-like stems topped with large, boldly patterned leaves in cream, yellow, and green. They are popular foliage houseplants but require caution because their sap is highly irritating.
Care summary
Sun
Bright indirect light
Water
Keep evenly moist, never soggy
Soil
Rich, well-draining potting mix
Hardiness
Zones 10–12
Mature height
1–3 m (3–10 ft)
Pet safe
No — highly toxic if ingested
Fun facts
- The common name "dumb cane" comes from the sap's effect: chewing it swells the mouth and throat and can temporarily take away speech.
- The genus is named after Joseph Dieffenbach, a 19th-century head gardener of the imperial palace gardens in Vienna.
- Its calcium oxalate crystals made the plant historically notorious — it was misused as a means of torture and punishment.
- Like other aroids, it can produce a spathe-and-spadix flower, though it rarely blooms indoors.