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What Are The Gray Spots On My Dieffenbachia?

Ask the Expert: dieffenbachia problems
tiny round silver spots on top of leaves what is causing it???
BJ



Flower Shop Network
Plant Expert Reply:

In the first photo, you can see the gray spots that are appearing on several of the dieffenbachia leaves. Exposing dieffenbachia leaves to direct sunlight can cause issues like gray spots. Which is what it looks like to me.

In the second photo, I noticed that the leaf is wilted and may indicate that the plant is under water-stress. Under watering a dieffenbachia can cause wilting and make the plant more susceptible to light stress issues. It appear that the dieffenbachia is in a dish garden with other plants which may not be compatible in regards to light and water. I recommend removing the dumb cane (dieffenbachia) from the dish garden in to its own pot.

Place the newly potted dumb cane in a partial light or filter light and create a humid environment for the plant. Mist the plant every couple of days with lukewarm water. Once a week check the soil and water as need. Soil should be moist to the touch but the plant should not be soggy.

Keep an eye on the spots. They will not go away. Watch for any spreading of the spots. Although the spots seem to be caused by over-exposure to direct light, one of the fungal or bacterial diseases that effect Dieffenbachia could be an underlying cause. Although must fungal or bacterial issue have a reddish/brown center with a yellow halo or a different type of lesion.

Read the Caring For Dieffenbachia for more information about light, water and the pests and disease that effect dumb cane.

This plant care question was brought to you by local Salem Florists. Not in Salem OR? Use Flower Shop Network to find a real local florist near you.

Be Smart. Choose Dumb Cane.

This particular “dumb” decision is the smartest decision you’ll ever make. Not surprisingly, I have a dumb cane story (“dumb” story for short).

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia picta)

Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia picta)

My grandma is all about houseplants. She’s 82 now and has been keeping houseplants growing in her home as long as I can remember. She’s pretty good at it but age is starting to creep up on her. That’s the nice way of saying that she’s bound to her motorized scooter and can’t really care for plants herself anymore. Since she’s only an hour away at any given time, my mother, sister and I usually rotate turns going over there to visit and to water her houseplants.

I was around 18 when she had hip replacement surgery and I stayed with her for a week to help out. She was so funny! All I remember was receiving instructions on how to do everything. If I decided to water the plants, I had to be shown how it was done 70 years ago. If I was dusting the furniture, I needed to know how it was done 50 years ago and why the 50 year old furniture still looks good. She’s a hoot and a headache all at the same time.

I’d never seen houseplant leaves polished the way Gram did it. A military spit shine would’ve left something to be desire compared to this woman’s plant care skills. She has Dieffenbachia all over her house so the first thing I remembered when I saw Dumb Cane plants in the photo gallery was the image of her bending over from her then hand-powered wheelchair to show me how experts care for Dumb Cane.

She gently rubbed the leaves of her dumb cane with the ease of a bomb deactivator but none of the steadiness. She mixed up some concoction of soap and water that I’m sure was repeated to me but it just seemed like soap and water. She washed the leaves and turned to me with a phrase I’m trying to forget but can’t. It was too funny. Her brow was furrowed and a bit sweaty. Her hair was mussed from the day’s chores. She looked at me with as deadpan an expression as she could’ve had and said “that’s why I’ve had this plant since 1991.” Knowing my grandmother, she was probably right. I still couldn’t stop laughing, probably to keep from crying.

I’ve loved Dumb Cane since that day. One look and I’ll always remember my Grammie.

What do you think of when you look at dumb cane houseplants? Did you receive one as a gift? Ever given one as a gift? Let us hear your Dumb Cane comments below!

10 Houseplants Poisonous To Dogs, Cats, or Children

Ask the Expert: what are the names of plants and flowers that are poisonous.
I work as a floral designer and I am asked all the time what plants and flowers are poison to animals and humans. Kelly

Reply:

Kelly,

First I want to clarify the difference between “poisonous as in deadly” and “poisonous as an irritant”. Many plants listed as poisonous are not deadly or really toxic, but rather cause an irritation to the mouth, stomach, skin or respiratory system. Why is this important? Because the classification of plants being poisonous is matter of interpretation and myths. For example, poinsettias are considered poisonous which is not all together true. There is no documented case where someone has died from ingesting a poinsettia. Secondly, the amount one a would have to ingest in order to accumulate the toxin level for death would be immense. However, poinsettias can cause great irritation to the skin or mouth.

When we discuss poisonous houseplants, we should take the approach that the American Animal Hospital Association takes on its Healthypet.com site with regards to its guide to toxic plants and foods. They state, “If you have these plants or foods, you need not dispose of them-just keep them away from pets and children.” Of course, plants that are deadly may not need to be in the home of small children or young pets. However, plants that can cause irritation or stomach upset may only need to be placed somewhere pets and children can’t reach them.

Here is a quick top 10 guide to plant toxicity for florists (note there may be plants that are carried by florists that are not listed. In these cases you will have to research that specific plant or email me and I will find out and add it to the list).

Houseplants with High Poison Plant Classification

Dwarf Schefflera

Dwarf Schefflera

Green Schefflera

Green Schefflera

Variegated Dwf Schefflera

Variegated Dwf Schefflera

Dumb Cane

Dumb Cane

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe

Cyclamen

Cyclamen

Heartleaf Philodendron

Heartleaf Philodendron

Tree Philodendron

Tree Philodendron

Red Princess Phildendron

Red Princess Phildendron

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

According to many sources these ten houseplants are highly toxic to dogs, cats or children. The toxicity resides in ingesting the plants. So it is important to keep these away from dogs, cats or children who might chew on them. They are all wonderful plants and should not be excluded from our lives as long as we keep them under appropriate supervision.

Flowers that are considered highly poisonous are: Foxglove (Digitalis), Amaryllis bulb, Bleeding heart, Lily-of-the-valley, Delphinium, Larkspur, Monkshood, Anthurium, lilies and Calla lily. Many times with flowers it is the bulb from which they come that is toxic if eaten by a dog or a cat.

There are other houseplants and flowers that are considered a mild or moderate risk. Although not a complete list by any means, this is a short break down of plants or flowers that cause a mild or moderate irritation or toxicity in dogs, cats or children:

Peace lily, Chinese evergreen, Benjamin fig, Corn Plant, Dracaenas, Nephthytis, rubber plant, Pothos,
English Ivy, Mother-in-law tongue, Azlaea, Croton, Easter Lily, Hyacinth, Daffodils, Chrysanthemum, Bird of Paradise, iris, lupine.

You can find more information on the Healthypet.com prevent poisonings page or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Page.

Hopefully this information will help you and your customers select the appropriate houseplants and flowers for their specific situation.

I have had many of these plants and flowers in my home. Fortunately for me my puppies found that these plants were not interesting and did not taste good. I don’t worry about having “poisonous” plants in my home or yard. I do make a mental note of plants that can be harmful in case my vet needs to know my dogs have been exposed to.

Click on the button below to find the right house plant for your home. Flowering house plants keep us smiling and cheery; green house plants ease our minds and provide comfort, while tropical house plants make us feel composed and sophisticated.

If you don’t see a particular plant on the lists above. Contact me for a more comprehensive list.


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Dumb Cane’s Growth Has Stalled

Hi Jamie,

I have a dumb cane that was given to me.  I sat it in water to root.  Once it rooted I potted it.  The plant has not grown and still have the same 9 leaves as it did when I started.  Where did I go wrong and how can I correct it?

Thank you

Sharon in Chicago

Is This Palm Tree Looking Plant Poisonous?

Ask the Expert: What is my plant and is it poisonous?

It looks like a tiny palm tree with various stems.
It is a house plant. Janelle

Parlor Palm

Chinese Evergreen chinese evergreen

Dumbcane Dumbcane

Schefflera schefflera

Dieffenbachia (Photo From Berneckers) photo from Bernecker’s Nursery