Dieffenbachia seguine
Dumb Cane
Typical UK price
£10
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 0
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- 11 Jul 2026
- On record
- 4
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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About Dieffenbachia seguine
Dumb Cane gets its common name from the calcium oxalate crystals in its sap, which cause a temporary numbing of the mouth and throat if chewed, a defence mechanism that has done little to dent its popularity as a bold, easy-care foliage plant. Its broad, cream-and-green mottled leaves grow from a thick, cane-like stem that closely resembles a small tropical tree by maturity. Native to the understorey of Caribbean and northern South American forests, it favours warm, humid conditions but adapts readily to average indoor environments. Older canes can be air-layered or cut back hard, since the plant readily resprouts from the base or along the remaining stem.
Native range
Native to the West Indies and northern South America; widely grown as an interior foliage plant across temperate climates.
Classification
- Genus
- Dieffenbachia
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Wild
- Growth habit
- Upright, cane-forming
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Broadly ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base. to oblong
- Leaf length
- 25-45cm
- Leaf width
- 12-20cm
- Petiole colour
- Pale green, sheathing
- Venation
- PinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein.
- Texture
- Semi-glossy
- Variegation
- Cream and green mottling/blotching
- Growth habit
- Upright single or clumping cane
Recent UK sales
- 11 Jul 2026
Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia sp.)
size not stated · 11 Jul 2026 £9 - 4 Jul 2026
Ideal Tropical Houseplant Dieffenbachia Indoor Dumb Cane Supplied in 12cm Pot
12cm pot · 4 Jul 2026 £15 - 14 Jun 2026
Dieffenbachia Mexican Dumb Cane Tropical Indoor House/Office Plant 12cm Pot
12cm pot · 14 Jun 2026 £15 - 15 May 2026
dieffenbachia seguine Houseplant Unbranded Easy Care
size not stated · 15 May 2026 £9 - 3 May 2026
Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia Indoor Big & Healthy Plant Green & Cream Colour With Pot
size not stated · 3 May 2026 £16 - 21 Feb 2026
Dieffenbachia Amy - Dumb Cane
size not stated · 21 Feb 2026 £10
For sale in the UK
UK shops
| Shop | Stock | Checked | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conservatory Archives 19cm pot | In stock | 19 Oct 2026 | £35 |
| Conservatory Archives 19cm pot | Sold out | 19 Oct 2026 | £19 |
By month
| Month | Median | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2026 | £9 | 1 |
| May 2026 | £13 | 2 |
| Feb 2026 | £10 | 1 |
Before you buy
- Sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause temporary numbing of the mouth and throat if chewed; keep well away from pets and children, and wash hands after handling cuttings
- Widely available and inexpensive; be cautious of collector-level pricing for the plain species
- For a mature, tree-like specimen, check the cane is thick and self-supporting rather than thin and floppy
- Confirm you're buying the plain seguine species rather than the 'Camouflage' or 'Crocodile' named forms, which are priced and patterned differently
Dieffenbachia seguine care
- Substrate
- A well-draining, coir-based potting mix amended with perlite provides the right balance of moisture retention and aeration. Standard houseplant compost works adequately if mixed with a third perlite or pumice to prevent compaction.
- Watering
- Allow the top third of the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering quickly leads to cane rot, so it is better to keep the plant slightly dry than permanently saturated.
- Humidity
- Average household humidity is usually sufficient, though it adapts well to higher moisture levels. Grouping with other plants or using a pebble tray helps maintain local humidity without the need for a dedicated humidifier.
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength once a month during the active growing season. Suspend feeding entirely over winter when the plant's growth naturally slows down.
- Repotting
- Move to a pot one size larger every 12–18 months as the thick roots fill the container. Ensure the new pot has plenty of drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the base of the cane.
Common problems
Soft or mushy stem base
Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage leading to bacterial cane rot
Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, cut away the rotted section of the cane, and propagate the healthy top portion in fresh mix or water
Yellowing lower leaves
Cause: Inconsistent watering, typically staying too wet, or a stress response to cold draughts
Fix: Ensure the top third of the substrate dries out between waterings and move the plant away from cold windows or air vents
Loss of leaf variegation
Cause: Insufficient light exposure causing the plant to produce more chlorophyll
Fix: Move the plant to a brighter location with medium to bright indirect light, avoiding direct afternoon sun which can scorch the foliage
Gear for this plant
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Dieffenbachia seguine
- Methods
- Stem cutting, Air layering
- Difficulty
- Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
- Time to establish
- 3–6 months
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Older, leggy plants can be cut back hard, as the remaining stump will resprout readily from the base. Top cuttings and stem segments root reliably in water or damp sphagnum moss. Wear gloves when handling cut stems to avoid skin irritation from the calcium oxalate sap.