it is often presented as a problem-free plant for partial shade, but in practice reacts negatively to even the slightest deviation from care requirements. When the substrate dries out, even for a short time, droopy leaves, dried edges and brown spots quickly appear. Problems also arise when too much water is used. In winter, there is the issue of dry air around radiators, the need to sprinkle them, use expanded clay stands and maintain a constant temperature. In many apartments, this ends in a constant struggle to restore the good condition of the plant, which instead of decorating the living room, after several failed attempts, it ends up in the trash anyway.
Against this background, dieffenbachia works as a more predictable replacement for people who do not have time or conditions to care for sensitive species. It comes from the tropical forests of Central and South America, where it grows in diffused light and high humidity, so it tolerates typical room conditions and adapts quite freely to different lighting levels. In apartments, it does well both in the back of a room with a bright window and closer to the glass, as long as it is not in full sun, and in a pot with drainage and permeable soil, it forgives occasional drying much better than . With such a minimum of care, it grows evenly, maintains the intense color of the leaves and does not require constant “saving” with interventional procedures.
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Dieffenbachia gives a very similar visual effect to the Spathiphyllum, although unlike it it does not need flowering, because its greatest decoration is large, shiny leaves. Depending on the variety, they can be from a dozen to over forty centimeters long and create a compact, elegant shape that looks good in the living room or bedroom. Various varieties – including: ‘Tropic Snow’, ‘Camilla’ or ‘Green Magic’ – allow you to match the plant’s size and leaf pattern to the place where the Spathiphyllum previously grew.
This species grows best in bright rooms where the light is diffused and it doesn’t fall directly on the list. In apartments, it is most often best to place it two or three meters from the southern window or closer to the glass on the eastern and western sides, which allows you to avoid burns and at the same time maintain intense color. Dieffenbachia functions best at temperatures of 18-24°C, therefore, it should not be exposed to draft or cold near an open window.
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The right substrate and the right pot are just as important as the plant it does not tolerate heavy, compact soil that retains water. The safest is a light, permeable and slightly acidic mixture (pH 5.5-6.5), preferably based on universal soil with the addition of perlite, bark or sand so that the roots have constant access to air. The pot should have a drain and a small drainage layer, and it is better to increase its size gradually, only when the root ball fills the interior. In such conditions, watering becomes easier – just wait until the top layer of soil dries and avoid soaking the leaves, which reduces the risk of fungal spots, especially in the soil.
Care is usually limited to moderate fertilization. We feed dieffenbachia once every two weeks in spring and summer, remembering that varieties with light leaves require fertilizers with less nitrogenso that they do not lose contrasting patterns. Due to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals in the juices, the plant should be placed out of reach of children and animals and should be handled with gloves. which allows you to safely use its advantages for many years.
