Dieffenbachia has become one of the most common domestic plants, thanks to its large foliage with a rich contrasting pattern. The homeland of this perennial plant is the Caribbean and the tropical part of South America, especially Brazil. Varieties of Dieffenbachia can be found among indoor flowers or in the form of ornamental plants in tropical parks and gardens.
The plant got its name in honor of J. Dieffenbach (1796-1863), who served as the main gardener in Vienna, in charge of the gardens of the royal palace of Schönbrunn.
What does Dieffenbachia plant look like?
Dieffenbachia is an evergreen perennial herb growing in large shrubs. In the natural environment, it has a height of 50 cm to two meters, depending on the species. The most direct thickened stems in old plants are often leafy only in the upper part. As the lower leaves fall off, the reed stalk becomes noticeable, but leaf loss is not a sign of disease.
Dieffenbachia in the wild
Typically, the leaves arranged in a spiral can be clearly divided into a leaf blade and petiole, have an oval-oblong shape up to 30 cm long. The flower has an amazing leaf color: green with cream or white spots, painted in dots or in marble drawings.
How dieffenbachia blooms
At home, Dieffenbachia dieffenbachia blooms very rarely. If it blooms, it occurs in April - early May. Atof this plant unique type of flower. It looks like a cob with yellow-white or cream-colored flowers covered with a gray-green veil. Male flowers are near the tip of the cob, female flowers appear at the base, they are pollinated by insects. If pollination has occurred and the fetus develops, it looks like a berry. Flowering lasts about a week, then the veil dries, although the flower is still underneath.
Dieffenbachia flower
Experienced florists prefer to get rid of the buds on the plant, since they, taking the necessary trace elements for development, weaken its flower, and the plant begins to lose leaves.
Dieffenbachia views and description
Many species of Dieffenbachia have large oval leaves. The color of leaves is from light to dark green with spots, dots, stains. It is thanks to the leaves that the flower is so appreciated by florists and has been cultivated for over 150 years. Dieffenbachia grows in a bush or has a tree-like trunk. It depends on its varietal and species affiliation. The most frequent guests among the flowers grown at home, the following types of Dieffenbachia.
Camilla
Dieffenbachia Camille is one of the most famous varieties of dieffenbachia. The leaves are thick and wide, with cream and dark green stains. As the plants grow older, the contrast with the green edges of the leaf is smoothed. This magnificent bush at home is developing rapidly, but does not reach a significant height. A new leaf grows within a week. This variety of flower, even with good care at home, does not bloom. The best place where Camilla will feel good is a shaded corner in a ventilated room, but the plant does not like drafts. Camilla needs well-drained soil.
It should be remembered! The leaves of Dieffenbachia Camilla are toxic, which can affect the health of pets who decide to taste the plant.
Compact
Dieffenbfhia Kompakta is an unpretentious plant, therefore it is popular in homes and offices. Its colorful, large white leaves on vertical stems adorn this plant. Typically, the compacta has a height of 90 to 180 cm and a scatter of the bush from 30 to 100 cm. Individual leaves can be 45 cm long and 30 cm wide.
Compact
Mix
The view of Dieffenbachia Mix in natural conditions can be observed in the subtropical climate of South and Central America. At home, this flower has the appearance of a shrub up to 65 cm high. The mix feels fine both in homes and in office rooms, responds well to a sufficient amount of natural light.
Attention! The leaves of the plant have a light green color with bizarre patterns. The appearance of the Mix is very similar to Leopold Dieffenbachia, one of the most decorative among the varieties grown at home.
Reflector
Dieffenbachia Reflector is called a tiger plant, due to its interesting "camouflage" color. It is known for its variety of leaf colors and the effect of air purification. Variety Reflector has large light green leaves with dark spots, making them stand out clearly in the interior of the house. It grows well in rooms where the minimum air temperature is + 17 ° C. The maximum height of the plant is up to 90 cm.
It feels good both on the window and in places with less sunlight. In summer, direct sunlight, which can burn leaves through the glass, should be avoided. Caring for the Dieffenbachia flower at home is simple. It is enough to water it once a week to prevent the roots from rotting from excess moisture.
Dieffenbachia Reflector
Tropic Snow
Attractive indoor decorative deciduous plant - Dieffenbachia Tropic Snow. This is a photophilous variety of flower, but it grows well in shaded areas of the room, especially in the summer. Has a height of more than a meter. If the stem of the plant grows strictly vertically, there is enough light. If the trunk has even a slight tilt, there is not enough light. Florists recommend turning the plant 180 ° so that the crown has an even shape.
Proportional, in the form of a paddle, the leaves are held on short stems and have an original pattern. The plant loves watering throughout the growing season. The soil should dry for at least 3 days so that the roots do not decay with excess moisture. In winter, Dieffenbachia should be watered less often, defended by soft water without chlorine and fluorine.
Tropic Snow
Dieffenbachia leaves should be kept clean, wiped with a damp cloth or washed with dust under a shower. Tropic Snow does not like drafts. The optimum temperature in winter should be above + 15 ° C. Florists recommend planting and propagating the plant in spring.
Attention! The plant is toxic, irritates the skin and eyes. After working with it, you need to thoroughly wash your hands, despite the fact that it was produced in garden gloves.
Lovely
The view of this Dieffenbachia is arboreal. It has a fleshy stem and large leaves, similar to an ellipse with a pointed end. Their length can reach 50 cm. The leaves are saturated green with white stains, veins. This species is shade-tolerant and resistant to adverse conditions.
Lovely
Vesuvius
This type of Dieffenbachia does not pretend to be decorative, but it benefits by purifying the air of toxins. Like all species of this plant, its juice is poisonous. Therefore, Vesuvius is not recommended to be kept in child care facilities. The flower does not like sharp cooling and drafts, it needs regular watering and pruning. Flowering rarely occurs.
Seguin
Dieffenbachia Seguin is a herbaceous plant whose homeland is the Caribbean. Cultivated as a street ornamental plant. The stems have a height of 1.5 m. The genetic diversity is relatively high, compared with other types of dieffenbachia. The flower can bloom in natural conditions from March to September, as it is pollinated by beetles.
Green Magic
Hybrid Dieffenbachia Green Magic has a bush form with compact dimensions. It is derived from the Oersted variety.
Spotted
Spotted dieffenbachia is sometimes called painted because of the color of the leaves, resembling patterns of various shapes and sizes. It is a tree-like culture with a powerful stem. It grows to about 1 meter in height. The leaves have a size of 40x10 cm. This dieffenbachia blooms and has a ripe orange fruit. Its spotting on the leaves is similar to the spotted varieties of Dieffenbachia Mars.
Spotted
Green
The fast-growing Dieffenbachia green tree has rather large leaves. It looks great in the interior and cleans the air of toxins. It is good to have such a flower in offices located in ecologically polluted areas of the city. Requires regular spraying or washing of leaves. Watering should be moderate so that the soil has time to dry out.
Dieffenbachia: poisonous to humans or not
The plant is recognized as toxic. To date, the exact composition of the poison has not been determined. However, it is known that the following active ingredients are present in flower juice: calcium oxalate, oxalic acid, saponins, proteolytic enzymes, cyanogenic glycosides, alkaloids and astringents. Working with dieffenbachia: replanting, cutting leaves, wiping off dust, you need to take precautions. This is not to say that a flower has a harmful effect on a person, but careless handling of it can lead to undesirable consequences - poisoning. If the house has small children, it is advisable not to purchase this flower.
Dieffenbachia Trimming
Harm of Dieffenbachia to humans
It’s dangerous to touch the plant - shooting cells open, from which juice with toxins is thrown out. It can damage the skin and eyes. If violet juice gets on your skin, it may cause irritation. If the juice enters the eyes, it burns the conjunctiva. If the poison is taken orally, symptoms such as burning, swelling, and redness of the tongue and mucous membranes occur. Due to the increased production of saliva and swelling of the tongue, it is difficult for sick people to swallow and speak. In the worst case, poisoning causes diarrhea, nausea, cardiac arrhythmias, paralysis and drowsiness.
Dieffenbachia-like flower
Among indoor flowers, you can find evergreen herbaceous plants - aglaonemes, very similar to Dieffenbachia. External resemblance is observed in large beautiful leaves. Both of these species belong to the Aroid family. The difference is observed in the structure of these plants. In the aglaonema, the apical crown is formed by leaves with short petioles. The shape of the leaves is ovate, to the touch the sheet is leathery.
Aglaonema
The variety of Dieffenbachia species allows you to choose a specimen with the desired parameters and color for breeding at home. Those instances that are unpretentious to the conditions of "residence", greatly simplify the care of them.
