DIEFFENBACHIA – DUMB CANE

Dieffenbachia is a tropical perennials with several species that are commonly grown as houseplants. They feature pointed, ovate leaves in a variety of combinations of green, cream, and white colors. A large, well-grown dieffenbachia can reach 10 feet, with leaves 20 inches long. However, the plants will rarely reach this size in typical indoor conditions, where 3 to 5 feet is more common. Dieffenbachia is a fast-growing plant that can achieve 2 feet in height within a year of planting a rooted cutting, provided it gets enough light. Though the name “dumb cane” has fallen out of favor as a derogatory term, it got that name because the plant contains toxins in all of its parts (including its roots and sap) that, if it is in contact near the face or ingested, it can inhibit speech.