A bold variegated houseplant with large oval leaves, each one creamy white in the centre and edged in rich green.
Dieffenbachia 'Camilla' is grown entirely for its foliage. The leaves are big, soft and boldly patterned, and the plant forms an upright clump that makes a real statement on a table or the floor of a living room, bedroom or office. It was one of the plants in the NASA clean air study, which is why it is so often recommended for indoor spaces.
Give it bright, filtered light out of direct sun, which turns the leaves yellow. It wants warmth between about 16C and 27C, a spot away from cold draughts, and reasonably high humidity, so mist it or stand it on a tray of damp pebbles in a dry room. Water when the top two to three centimetres of compost feel dry and make sure the pot drains freely. Repot in spring when the roots fill the container.
Supplied as one plant with a 3 litre root ball, ready to pot into your own container. Every part of this plant is toxic if eaten and toxic to pets, and the sap causes painful swelling of the mouth and throat, which is where the name dumb cane comes from. Keep it well away from children, cats and dogs, and wear gloves when you take cuttings.
Cultural Information
Common Name: Dumb cane
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 40 to 60cm x 30 to 40cm indoors, up to 1m in ideal conditions
Growth Habit: Upright and clump forming
Perfect For: Living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and offices
Foliage: Large oval leaves with creamy white centres and green margins
Flowering Time: Grown for foliage; rarely flowers indoors
Planting Position: Bright to medium indirect light indoors
Soil Type: Free-draining houseplant compost
Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 15C
Maintenance: Moderate; needs humidity, warmth and careful watering
Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage
Type: Evergreen foliage houseplant
