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Dieffenbachia - Common but Toxic

Dieffenbachia amoena, or Dumb Cane, is a plant widely used for interiorscapes and houseplants. The name Dumb Cane reflects the fact that the acrid sap will burn the mouth and numb the throat to the extent that it may even paralyze the vocal cords. The plant should not be used around small children or pets who are likely to put things in their mouths. Also, wash your hands after touching this plant.

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Tags: care, grow, houseplant, light, soil, More…water

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Comment by Terri Penman on December 7, 2009 at 2:27am: Thanks Penelope for the good information and I hope all of the viewers read our comments. I credit the health of my houseplants to the lighting in this house. As I mentioned in the video, I moved it across the room and it now receives slightly more direct light and the lower leaves are beginning to lose their color. I pulled the shade down over one window, and the color is returning. Plants really do talk to, don't they? I do not fertilize, just water once a week, thoroughly, wait about 20 min and water again, usually at the same time and day of the week. If it is thirsty, the leaves will droop. When the Boston Fern is thirsty it becomes pale, like it is going to faint! The pot sits on rocks and I try to keep water in the saucer to the top of the rocks, but don't let the fern sit in water. I may have to repot mine soon.

Comment by Penelope Beasley on December 6, 2009 at 11:23pm: Hi Terri, I love this plant. Many years ago I had a labrador puppy who was baking but no sound was coming out...initially I thought he was playing and not really barking, and then I noticed the chewed up leaves on my Dumb Cane and realized immediately why it has that name. Fortunately my puppy was fine in a couple of hours. I hope that everyone can learn from my ignorance and not keep this beautiful plant in reach of children of pets. This could have turned out badly if my puppy had eaten more of the plant. How do keep yours so full. Mine always dropped the bottom leaf as new ones formed at the top and it grew tall and leggy.

Comment by Terri Penman on December 5, 2009 at 1:58pm: Be aware of this common household plant - this is what I have just learned::Dieffenbachia amoena, or Dumb Cane, is a plant widely used for interiorscapes and houseplants. The name Dumb Cane reflects the fact that the acrid sap will burn the mouth and numb the throat to the extent that it may even paralyze the vocal cords. The plant should not be used around small children who are likely to put things in their mouths.