Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia, also called dumb cane or leopard lily, is a genus of tropical flowering plants in the Araceae family. It grows naturally in the New World Tropics, ranging from Mexico and the West Indies down to Argentina. People often grow certain species as decorative houseplants, and in a few tropical islands, these plants have become established in the wild.

This plant is a perennial herb with a straight stem and simple leaves that grow alternately. The leaves have white spots and flecks, which makes them attractive indoors. Dieffenbachia is popular as a houseplant because it can tolerate shade. The common names "dumb cane" and "mother-in-law's tongue" (also used for some Sansevieria species) come from the plant's raphides—needle-like crystals that can cause a temporary inability to speak if chewed. Heinrich Wilhelm Schott, who directed the Botanical Gardens in Vienna, named the genus after his head gardener, Joseph Dieffenbach (1790–1863).

As of January 2026, Plants of the World Online lists 60 accepted species.

In an ecological study that began in 1998 in Costa Rica, researchers found that the strawberry poison frog, *Oophaga pumilio*, placed nearly all (89%) of its tadpoles in the leaf axils of Dieffenbachia. The frog population then rose and fell with the abundance of the plant, especially in secondary forests. By 2012, when researchers returned, most of the Dieffenbachia plants were gone—only 28% of the numbers seen in 2002 remained. They concluded that the decline was due to an increase in collared peccaries (*Dicotyles tajacu*), small pig-like animals that feed on Dieffenbachia and other plants, at the La Selva Biological Station.

For cultivation, Dieffenbachia needs a minimum temperature of 5 °C (41 °F), so in temperate areas it must be grown indoors. It requires light, but filtered sunlight through a window is usually enough. The soil should be moderately moist and regularly fertilized with a houseplant fertilizer. Leaves will periodically roll up and fall off to make room for new ones. Yellowing leaves often signal a problem, like a nutrient deficiency. The plant does well in hot temperatures and dry climates. It prefers medium sunlight, moderately dry soil, and average home temperatures between 62–80 °F (17–27 °C). Most need watering about twice a week. Since *Dieffenbachia seguine* comes from tropical rainforests, it likes moisture at its roots and constant water, but the soil should be loose and well aerated. The cultivars 'Camille' and 'Tropic Snow' have received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

The plant's cells contain needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals called raphides. Chewing a leaf can cause a temporary burning sensation and redness. In rare cases, swelling of exposed tissues has been reported. Chewing and swallowing usually cause only mild symptoms. For children and pets, contact—typically from chewing—can lead to intense numbness, mouth irritation, excessive drooling, and localized swelling, but these effects are rarely life-threatening. Most cases are mild and can be treated with pain relievers, antihistamines, or medical charcoal. Severe cases can occur if the plant stays in contact with the mouth's lining for a long time, causing severe pain that may last days to weeks. Hospitalization may be needed if the throat is affected, as severe swelling could make breathing difficult. Stomach pumping or lavage is rarely necessary. Among patients exposed to toxic plants, 70% are children under five. Stories that Dieffenbachia is a deadly poison are urban legends.