Plant of the August
The personality of Diaffenbachia

The Dieffenbachia’s Deal
Like an indoor oasis, the Dieffenbachia provides a green, tranquil background and fresh air – and it does it all with what looks like a sense of humour.

A pleasant personality
When it comes to finding fast growing houseplant, you can’t go wrong with a Dieffenbachia. With the right approach (and a large pot) this green marvel will waste no time turning into an indoor shrub with gorgeous light green leaves sporting beautiful markings. The asymmetric and delightfully rambling structure of its leaves gives it a pleasant personality that adds to a room’s charm: it is delightfully green and fits in anywhere. Besides this, it’s never obtrusive and not such a ‘designer plant’ that it will clash with a rather lived-in look.

Oh, Vienna!
The Dieffenbachia is stately from a distance, but surprisingly charming and lively when seen up close because that’s when you notice the leaf markings in greater detail. These plants are endemic to Central America and the northern regions of South America. This tropical foliage plant gets its name from Mr Dieffenbach who was the head gardener of Schönbrunn, Sissi’s favourite Viennese palace. For parents of curious young children, it’s good to know that the Dieffenbachia has a black belt in self-defence in the form of poisonous sap.

Happy Housemate
Best location: indirect light or partial shade but not in direct sun
Best temperature: never cooler than 15C; try to avoid draughts
Best care: plenty of water from spring to autumn but somewhat less during the winter. Place the plant on an upside-down saucer or lid inside its pot to keep its roots from being submerged
Best tip: sponging to perk up dull leaves

Bet you didn’t know
Research shows that the Dieffenbachia is an air-purifying plants, perfect for near the computer or other electronic devices, or in rooms where lots of people congregate.
Since Dieffenbachia leaves reflect light so beautifully, it is one of the most popular plants on film sets. You can see a strapping bright green specimen stealing the show in practically every living room set in Hollywood.