3 Easy Ways to Propagate Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is an attractive houseplant admired for its rich, tropical leaves. Commonly known as dumb cane, the plant is prized for its ease of growth and lush foliage perfect for indoor gardens.

If you’re growing dieffenbachia indoors, there is a chance they may begin to crowd their pots. Apart from looking unkempt and messy, overcrowding compromises root growth. When this happens, it’s important to repot and propagate dieffenbachia plants.

Dieffenbachia propagation can be done in several ways. Stem cuttings are the easiest, but there are other methods you can try depending on your goals. Follow the easy steps below to grow your dumb cane collection!

Propagation from Stem Cuttings

To propagate dieffenbachia quickly, stem cuttings are the best choice. Stem cuttings can be rooted in potting medium or in water. You can choose either depending on your ease and convenience.

Rooting in Potting Medium

• Before snipping the stems, sterilize and clean your pruning shears. This will ensure that the fresh cuttings remain unharmed by bacteria or infection.
• While the stem tips root the fastest, you can take cuttings from the base, middle, or lower section of the plant. Wear rubber gloves and cut at least 3-4″ inches of the cane. Cut at least 3 sections to increase your success rate.
• Remove the leaves and leave the cutting overnight.
• Next, dip in a high-quality rooting medium.
• Prepare a flower pot with potting soil amended with perlite or sand. Moisten the mix thoroughly.
• Place the dieffenbachia cuttings horizontally into the potting mix, with the bottom portion inserted into the soil and the leaf bud above the soil. Keep the potting mix in a warm location at around 75°F (24°C) and water often for optimal root growth.

You can also cover the plant cutting with a plastic sandwich bag to keep the soil moist and humidity levels constant. Keep watering the plant whenever the soil looks dry.

The stem cuttings will take 4 to 8 weeks to root. At this point, you can transplant the cane sections into a 4-inch pot, filled with a good potting mix.

Rooting in Water

This is a relatively quicker and easier process:

• Cut 4-6″ inches long stem sections and remove the leaves.
• Pour a glass of water and place the dieffenbachia cuttings into it. Change the water every few days or so.
• Keep the jar in a bright and warm spot but out of direct sunlight. Once the new roots form in a few weeks, transplant each cutting into a 4-inch pot filled with moist and well-draining potting mix.
• Transplant right when a few roots have formed. If you let the roots grow any longer, it’ll be harder to transplant.

Propagation by Air Layering

Air layering is typically used to propagate dieffenbachia with larger stems. Air layering is also great if the plant’s leaves are leggy or losing their color. This method of propagation uses flourishing stems to produce healthy roots and branches.

Layering can be somewhat complex. Therefore, it’s important to follow the steps with precision. Here’s what to do:

• Carefully inspect the plant and identify stems with healthy leaf bud. Choose one and carve a long, upward slit (about 2 inches long) on the stem.
• Insert a small toothpick or a twig in the cut portion to ensure that the slit section doesn’t touch the main stem. Now, dust the cut portion with some rooting medium.
• Next, moisten a handful of sphagnum in water and hand-squeeze it to remove excess moisture. Make sure it’s still moist but not dripping.
• Place the moss over the cut section of the dieffenbachia stem and tie it around with a piece of string or an electrician’s tape.
• Cover the moss using a sheet of polyethylene film. Ensure there are no air pockets between the film and the moss. Secure the film further with some tape.
• Once you notice root growth, carefully remove the polyethylene film. Using a sharp knife, remove the newly rooted branch from the parent stem.
• Plant the new branch in a pot filled with high-quality potting mix.

Propagating by Division

Much like aloe, dieffenbachia plants produce viable offshoots as they mature. These can be removed and planted elsewhere to propagate dieffenbachia and expand your collection. Here are the steps for dividing your dumb cane.

• Locate offshoots at the base of the plant. Holding the base securely, tip the plant’s pot over. Some soil will spill out, so ensure you have an area prepared for this.
• Slide the plant out of its pot and dust the soil away from the roots. You can do this by hand, or by gently running water over the root ball.
• Gently separate with your hands any offshoots that already have their own root system developed.
• Using sterilized pruning shears, snip the roots on either side where the offshoots are produced. If the offshoot is produced from a root node, ensure there is at least one node on either side of the new planting.
• Plant your mother plant and new offshoots in pots that have soil prepared.
• Wash your hands and tools to remove any residual plant sap, which can irritate your skin.

Safety Tips

There’s a reason why dieffenbachia plants are known as dumb canes. This is because the leaves and stems contain a poisonous, milky white sap of calcium oxalate, which can severely irritate the skin and throat.

While propagation is quick and easy, it’s important to practice some safety tips when handling this plant:

1. Always wear protective clothing, a face mask, and a pair of gloves to remain unharmed from its poisonous sap.
2. Never touch your eyes after handling the plant as dieffenbachia can cause severe itching, burning, and irritation.
3. Keep the plants out of reach of curious pets and children, preferably at a higher place if you have placed them indoors.

Chewing the leaves can cause a deep burning sensation ensued by temporary paralysis. It can swell your pets’ airways, making it extremely difficult to breathe. Keep the plants in a pet-free and child-free zone.

As long as you keep these safety tips in mind, you can enjoy propagating dumb cane plants without any stress!

Frequently Asked Questions