General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Partial or Dappled Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 10a -1.1 °C (30 °F) to +1.7 °C (35 °F)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 11
Plant Height: 3 to 4 feet
Leaves: Evergreen
Other: Light green with dark green and white splotches
Suitable Locations: Houseplant
Resistances: Humidity tolerant
Toxicity: Other: All parts of plant contain calcium oxalate crystals, an irritant to the mouth and esophagus. Toxic to cats and dogs.
Propagation: Seeds: Other info: Remove seed(s) from berry which contains chemicals that inhibit germination.
Propagation: Other methods: Cuttings: Stem
Containers: Needs excellent drainage in pots
Miscellaneous: Patent/Plant Breeders' Rights: PP9,050 (1995)

Image
Trade name information:
Trade Name: Sparkles
Cultivar name: '695-1'
Common names
  • Dumb Cane
  • Dumbcane

Photo Gallery
Location: Monte Verde, Costa Rica | Old Photo
Date: 2022-12-20
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Date: 2017-06
after 1 year growth remains compact and with good variegation
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Date: 2016-06
young plant in 3" pot

Date: March 2020
Location: Jersey City, NJ
Date: 2017-06
white stems and offsets at the base
Comments:
  • Posted by skylark (JC NJ/So FL - Zone 7b) on Jan 22, 2018 1:21 PM concerning plant:
    I have 2 pots of this plant: one was much smaller then the other, both sitting on a table in the middle of a very bright corner room (windows west/north/north-east).
    after I put the smaller one closer to the west window - in the dappled shade under my Ficus lyrata - it quickly outgrew the bigger plant, the leaves are also larger.
    so even though it can do just fine (maintaining variegation) without sunlight, in partial sun it grows much bigger and faster.
    so if you want it growing slow - keep it in bright light, no sun. If you want a bigger plant growing much faster - put it in dappled moving sun light : west or east window, about 2 feet from the window, so it won't get hot.
  • Posted by skylark (JC NJ/So FL - Zone 7b) on Jun 8, 2017 9:39 AM concerning plant:
    Excellent habit - plant remains compact, maintains variegation in the middle of a very bright room (10' away from window) with an hour or so of late and low western light.
    After 1 year from purchase of a small 3" pot , grew to about 16" tall and 16" wide with oldest leaves reaching 7-8" in length and 3" wide.
    Very attractive White stems and white central vein.
    Many offsets growing at the base, clump forming.
    Plant is pest free and grows very slowly, taking up very little water - very easy to grow.
Plant Events from our members
skylark On June 15, 2022 Cuttings took
1 small pot left
skylark From June 8, 2016 to June 8, 2017 Obtained plant
beingannamarie On March 13, 2020 Obtained plant
» Post your own event for this plant

« Add a new plant to the database

» Search the Dieffenbachias Database: by characteristics or by cultivar name

« See the general plant entry for Dieffenbachias (Dieffenbachia)

« The Dieffenbachias Database Front Page

« The Plants Database Front Page

Today's site banner is by Murky and is called "Ballerina Rose Hybrid"

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.