How to Grow Dieffenbachia from Cuttings | Propagating Dumb Cane Plant

Learn How to Grow Dieffenbachia from Cuttings in simple steps and include this striking foliage plant in your houseplant collection!

If you love the large variegated foliage of the dumb cane plant, then learn How to Grow Dieffenbachia from Cuttings and propagate its clones easily!

Here’s all you need to know about dieffenbachia care

Best Dieffenbachia Varieties to Grow from Cuttings

While you can propagate any dieffenbachia variety from cuttings, some of the best are ‘Hilo,’ ‘Tropic Snow,’ ‘Camille,’ and ‘Compacta.’ Either take cuttings from your friends or neighbors or buy a plant from a nursery or online, which you can later multiply using cuttings!

Learn about the incredible dieffenbachia varieties here

Best time to Propagate Dieffenbachia

If you are planning to propagate the plant, then do it after winter, as this is when the plant’s growing season starts. However, if you live in a tropical climate, you can propagate the plant at any time of the year.

Propagating Dieffenbachia in Soil

Always wear rubber gloves before cutting the stems, as dieffenbachia produces sap from the cut end, which can cause skin irritation.

1. Sterilize pruning shears or razors before trimming the stems to safeguard the cuttings from any future infection.
2. The plant stem can be long and becomes leggy over time, with whirls of leaf covering it. You can cut the lower sections in 3-4 inches and use them for propagation.
3. Alternatively, you can also take cuttings measuring 5-6 inches from the middle section as stem tips root quickly when taken from this area.
4. Remove any leaves from the lower end of the cuttings and allow them to heal by drying overnight or keeping them in bright indirect light for a day.
5. Dip the ends in rooting hormone and prepare the planter with a potting mix made up of half peat moss or coco peat and half sand or any light potting mix that is not rich in plant nutrients.
6. Water the soil mix to moisten it.
7. Plant the cuttings in the pot and place them in a warm location. Your normal room temperature above 60 F (15 C) and below 85 F (30 C) should be fine.
8. Cover the cuttings with plastic sheets as it will help to maintain humidity while keeping the soil moist.

In ideal conditions, the stem cuttings will root in 4-8 weeks. You can then transplant them into individual pots.

Check out our article on different types of dieffenbachia here

Propagating Dieffenbachia Cuttings in Water

This propagation method is comparatively easier, faster, and rewarding.

1. Cut 4-6 inches long stem cutting and remove the bottom leaves.
2. Now, take a glass jar or vase and fill it with fresh water; you can use tap water (non-chlorinated) or distilled water as well.
3. Place the cuttings into the jar. Make sure to change the water once every 3-5 days or when the water becomes murkier.
4. Keep the glass jar in a bright spot but avoid placing it in direct sun, which can wither the rooting plant.

The roots will grow in a few weeks. At this point, you’ll have two options: One is to keep them growing in water and use them as low-maintenance centerpieces or transplant each cutting in a separate pot filled with a well-drained and moist potting mix.

Keep in mind to transplant the cuttings when a just few roots formed as if you allow the roots to grow in water for long; it will be difficult for the plant to get accustomed to an entirely different growing medium, like soil.

Have a look at dieffenbachia benefits and uses here

Some Precautions to Take

The plant is also famously known as the dumb cane because it contains calcium oxalate crystals that can cause skin and throat irritation if ingested or handled without care.

• Wear hand gloves while propagating dieffenbachia plant.
• Always wash your hands after handling the plant and never touch your face and eyes after touching the plant as it can cause itching and burning sensation.
• Keep the plant out of reach from curious pets and toddlers.