Tropical Tiki Dumbcane

Tropical Tiki Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia maculata 'Tropical Tiki') is a leafy tropical foliage plant with long, tapering silvery-green leaves patterned with bright white spots and striped with dark green. It grows about 1.3m tall and 50cm wide in a pot, and reaches 2 to 3m outdoors in a frost free garden. The sap is toxic if chewed or swallowed, so it suits homes without curious pets and small children.

Why you'll love it

• Shimmering foliage. Silvery-green leaves with bright white spots and dark green stripes look elegant in any light, and every leaf is marked differently.
• An unusual leaf shape. The leaves are long and tapering, unlike the broader leaves of many dieffenbachias.
• Made for containers. It is an ideal pot plant for a shaded patio or a well lit room indoors.
• Tropical garden filler. Outdoors in warm gardens it works as underplanting beneath taller tropical plants.
• A simple routine. Regular water and an annual slow release feed are the main jobs.

Where it works best

Shaded patios and verandas. In a large pot with indirect light it gives a lush, tropical look to an entry or outdoor seat, well away from direct sun.

Indoors. Place it in a well lit room, out of direct sun and out of reach of pets and children. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them clear of dust.

Tropical style gardens. Plant 60cm apart as underplanting in frost free gardens. Outdoors it can reach 2 to 3m, so allow it space.

Growing Tropical Tiki Dumbcane in Australia

Position and climate. A shady position with indirect sunlight is ideal. It needs temperatures above 5°C, so it grows outdoors in tropical and subtropical gardens and as a pot plant elsewhere. In cooler regions, keep it indoors or on a sheltered patio in the warmer months only.

Soil. Plant into free draining soil, or use a good quality potting mix in a pot.

Water and feed. Water regularly during the first 12 weeks, then whenever the soil seems dry. Apply a slow release fertiliser once a year and a liquid feed every three months for healthy foliage.

Pruning. Remove old leaves for a quick tidy. Wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards, because the sap can be harmful if swallowed.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Tropical Tiki Dumbcane as tube stock, a young plant in an 80mm deep tube that establishes quickly in a shaded position. Expect a small plant with a few spotted leaves, which grows on into a taller, leafier plant.

Tube stock comes from our grower and is not always available. When the grower has none, the tube shows as sold out on this page, and the notify button on the page emails you the day it is back.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Browse our dieffenbachia range
• Low light indoor plants
• More tropical plants
• Indoor exotic plants guide

Common questions

Is dumbcane poisonous?

Yes. The sap can be harmful if swallowed and numbs the mouth, which is where the name dumbcane comes from. Keep it away from pets and small children, and wear gloves when pruning.

Can I grow it outdoors?

Yes, in a frost free garden in a shady position. It needs temperatures above 5°C, and outdoors it can reach 2 to 3m.

How much light does it need?

Bright but indirect light. A shady patio or a well lit room suits it. Direct sun is too much, and a very dark corner makes the growth sparse.