Green Magic Dumb Cane

Green Magic Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia 'Green Magic') earns its place indoors on foliage alone: deep green paddle leaves split down the middle by a clean ivory midrib. It settles at about 80cm tall and 60cm wide, large enough to anchor a corner but small enough for an apartment. Note before you buy: the sap is a strong irritant and the plant is toxic to pets and people if chewed.

Why you'll love it

• Bold pattern without fuss. The single white vein reads clearly across a room, so one plant does the work of a group of smaller foliage plants.
• Happy in ordinary indoor light. Bright indirect light suits it best, and it holds condition in the moderate light of a living room or office.
• Comfortable in humidity. It enjoys a steamy bathroom or a humid subtropical summer rather than sulking through it.
• Forgiving of a missed watering. It prefers even moisture but recovers well from drying out, which makes it a sensible first statement houseplant.

Where it works best

Indoors as a floor or table plant. Two to three metres back from a bright window is the sweet spot. Direct midday sun through glass scorches the leaves and bleaches the pattern.

Pots and containers. Pot into a container only slightly wider than the root ball, always with drainage holes, since Dieffenbachia rots quickly if the mix stays saturated.

Sheltered balconies and courtyards. In tropical and subtropical gardens it lives outdoors year round in full shade. Keep it out of wind, which shreds the broad leaves.

Growing Green Magic Dumb Cane in Australia

Position and climate. Bright indirect light indoors anywhere in the country. Outdoors it only suits tropical and subtropical zones in deep shade. It is frost tender, so in temperate and cool gardens treat it strictly as an indoor plant and keep it clear of cold draughts and unheated rooms.

Soil. A quality indoor potting mix with extra perlite or coarse bark for aeration. Repot every two to three years in spring, going up one pot size only.

Water and feed. Water when the top 3cm of mix feels dry, then let it drain fully rather than standing in water. Feed monthly through the warm months with a diluted liquid indoor fertiliser and stop over winter.

Pruning. Wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards, as the sap irritates skin, eyes and mouth. Remove lower leaves as they yellow, and cut a leggy stem back hard in spring to force fresh shoots from the base.

What to expect when it arrives

It is supplied as a single established plant in its grower pot, already carrying several full sized patterned leaves rather than seedling foliage. That means it looks finished on arrival and can go straight into a decorative pot.

Plants are packed upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Expect it to pause for two to three weeks while it adjusts to the light in your home, sometimes dropping one older leaf, then push new growth. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Keeping indoor plants healthy long term
• Browse the full indoor plant range
• Variegated and patterned foliage plants
• Plants for lower light rooms

Common questions

Is it safe around pets and children?

No. Dumb cane sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause painful swelling of the mouth and throat if chewed, and skin irritation on contact. Place it well out of reach, or choose a different plant.

Why are the lower leaves yellowing?

Usually overwatering or a pot without drainage. Let the top few centimetres dry between waterings and check that water runs freely out the base. Losing the odd bottom leaf as the stem lengthens is normal.

Why has the white pattern faded?

Too little light. Move it closer to a bright window, still out of direct sun, and the new leaves will come through with sharper contrast.