I recently bought a dephenbacia (spelling??) plant and would like some tips on the care. For instance, do I need indirect light or direct, amount of water per week. Some of my leaves turned brown and mushy so I thinking I watered too much.

Thank you

Did you mean Dieffenbachias?

Only water when the top inch or so of soil is dry. Add water slowly until it starts to drain out of the bottom. Discard the drained water. Do not let the plant sit in the drained water for more than an hour or so.

Here is a helpful tipsheet:


Dieffenbachias

Of all the wonderful members of the arum family that are used as indoor plants, dieffenbachia is one of the best. With huge, bold leaves and an upright form, it is a great architectural accent to any indoor space. Found in Brazil and brought to Europe in 1830 by a gardener named Dieffenbach, this tropical plant has been one of the most popular, easy-to-grow foliage plants available.
As a young plant, most of the leaves emerge from a single stem. As it matures, side shoots develop to make a fuller plant. The size of the leaves make up for the fact that there aren't very many on the plant at one time. It isn't unusual to have a single leaf measure 18 inches long and 8-10 inches wide. Dieffenbachia is especially prized for the creamy white variegation of the green leaves. Some of the newest varieties offer stunning leaves that are such a pale green they appear almost pure white with a green edge. Through careful selection and breeding by plant growers, the indoor gardener can now choose from several leaf variegation patterns and varieties that will stay a compact 2 feet or a statuesque 6 feet.

Its common name, dumbcane, is important and appropriate. Dieffenbachias have a poisonous sap that when ingested causes stinging, burning and swelling in the mouth and throat that can result in difficulty speaking for several days. Keep dieffenbachias out of the reach of children and pets.

To select a quality dieffenbachia, look for strong clean leaves emerging from solid stems. Typically, young plants in small containers (6 inch or less) will have a single stem. Larger plants should have several side stems developing.

Tips for Growing Healthy Dieffenbachias
What are the light requirements for dieffenbachias?
They need lots of light, especially the varieties with the lightest leaves. In fact, heavily variegated leaves may lose much of their variegation if grown where it is too dark. Avoid direct afternoon sun.

How much water do they need?
Keep the soil evenly moist while the plants are actively growing and let them stay a little drier in the winter. If possible, try to use distilled or rainwater.

Do they have any special temperature requirements?
Dieffenbachias do well in average indoor temperatures. When it is hotter (above 80º), be sure to keep them moist.

Do dieffenbachias need much humidity?
They do best in moderate to high humidity. Mist frequently or keep them near a humidifier or humidity tray.

How much fertilizer do they require?
In spring and summer, feed them every month with a water soluble fertilizer such as Excel Gro. In fall and winter, use a half-strength solution.

What type of soil do they prefer?
Use a high quality, peat-based potting soil such as Bachman's Exceloam.

When should I repot?
When they are young and actively growing, repot them each spring. As they mature, repot every other year or just replace the top few inches of the soil.

Will they need any grooming?
Dieffenbachia leaves are very large, so they collect lots of dust. They are also brittle. Wipe them off carefully with a damp cloth or give them an occasional gentle shower.

How are they propagated?
They can be propagated by stem tip cuttings, but this isn't very easy since the leaves are so big. Most dieffenbachias are produced by tissue culture in laboratories.

You can rejuvenate a plant by cutting back the overgrown stems. Dieffenbachia can also be propagated by air-layering.

Troubleshooting Problems with Dieffenbachias
What causes leaves to yellow?
This is usually an indication of too much water. Make sure you are allowing the plant to run a little bit dry in the winter and that it is not standing in a saucer full of water for more than an hour at a time.

If the leaves droop all over, what is the cause?
Wilting can be a result of too little or too much water and chilling. If it was too little water, the plant will usually recover corrected quickly. If it was too much water, it will probably have some yellowing too. If it was chilled, the plant usually recover in a few days (unless the chill was too drastic.)

When lower leaves curl and die, what is the problem?
Some of this is natural. As the plant matures, it will shed some older leaves in favor of new, young foliage. It can also be a result of keeping the plant in too cool an area (below 50º) for an extended period of time.

What caused burned spots on the leaves?
If the burned spots are brown, it might be the result of misting the leaves while it is in the sun. If the burned areas are whitish, it is sunburn, caused by too sudden an exposure to intense light.

When the plant is spindly and the leaves are smaller than normal, what is the problem?
Your plant is not receiving enough light, they tend to be rather open and the leaves are smaller.

What kind of insect problems do dieffenbachias have?
While insects aren't a constant problem, they do occasionally get mealy bugs and spider mites. Mealy bugs can be removed with a cotton swab dipped into rubbing alcohol and spider mites should be treated by spraying with insecticidal soap or pyrethrins.

Do they have any disease problems?
The only disease problem common to dieffenbachias is stem or root rot from over-watering.