Dieffenbachia 'Exotica' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

dumb cane 'Exotica'

Synonyms

Dieffenbachia seguine 'Exotica'

Houseplants Conservatory Greenhouse

A shrubby, evergreen perennial with ovate, dark green leaves to 25cm in length, boldly splashed and marbled with white

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Araceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: TOXIC if eatenskin/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

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based potting compost in bright filtered light with high humidity. Water moderately and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly when in growth and keep just moist in winter

Propagation

Propagate by root tip cuttings in spring or summer or by air layering

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Low Maintenance

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

Generally-disease free