Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants

HouseplantsConservatory Greenhouse

Dieffenbachia seguine

A variable species of tropical evergreen perennial, up to 3m high, with upright, cane-like stems and broadly oval to oblong, glossy dark green leaves sparsely spotted with white

Save to My plants

Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

10–20 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

H1A

Botanical details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eaten, skin/eye irritant. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling TOXIC to pets - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Dieffenbachia are evergreen perennials with large, ovate leaves which are usually attractively mottled with white or yellow; flowering spathes are seldom produced in cultivation
Name status: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright, filtered light with high humidity. In growth, water moderately and apply a balanced liquid feed monthly; mist daily to increase humidity. Water sparingly and provide full light in winter. See houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by stem tip cuttings or take stem sections, each with a growth bud, and lay flat on the surface of the compost at 25°C. Can also be propagated by air layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Patio and container plants
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, especially on new growth

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.