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Are you a fan of Dieffenbachia, commonly known as Dumb Cane? If you’ve ever wanted to expand your Dieffenbachia collection or share the joy of growing this stunning plant with friends, then propagating it in water is an excellent method to try.

This guide walks you through the step-by-step process of propagating Dieffenbachia in water, allowing you to create new plants from cuttings. Join us as we delve into the fascinating world of Dieffenbachia propagation and unlock the secrets to successfully multiplying this beautiful houseplant.

2 Ways to Propagate Dieffenbachia

You can start collecting new Dieffenbachia plants by propagating clippings and cuttings from the parent plant.

There are two ways to propagate Dumb Cane plants: rooting in soil or water. We went with propagating in water as it’s more convenient and quicker.

dumb cane cutting in a box — A snapshot from my Instagram Stories when we first got our Dumb Cane cutting. **Follow me @House_Fur**

What You Will Need for Propagation

A healthy Dieffenbachia plant
Pruning scissors or trimming shears
Rooting hormone if you want your Dumb Cane to propagate quicker
A vase or container in which to put your cuttings

dumb cane leaf close up — Dieffenbachia, also known as the dumb cane plant, is a tall houseplant that can add an air of tropical flair to your home. They have pointy leaves and grow taller with time, so they may lose their bottom leaves and start looking more like palm trees over time.

How to Propagate Dumb Cane in Water

Step 1: Sterilize Your Cutting Equipment

Before snipping the stems, clean and sterilize your pruning shears or razor; this ensures that the fresh cuttings remain unharmed by bacteria or infection.

Step 2: Slice the Base of a Stem

Use a sharp knife or trimming shears to cut a mature part of the stem, preferably the base, to avoid leaving a bare stub. The larger stems will start rooting much faster than smaller ones since they contain more stored “food.”

Then cut the stem into short pieces of about 4-6 inches and remove the bottom leaves. Ensure each piece has a bud beginning to develop as the buds grow into new shoots.

Step 3: Fill Your Glass Vase with Water & Soak Your Cutting

Now, fill a glass jar or vase with fresh water. You can use tap water or distilled water but ensure the tap water is non-chlorinated since chlorine can damage young plants.

Carefully place the dieffenbachia cuttings into it and ensure the stems stay upright. Put the vase in a warm and bright spot, but out of direct sunlight, as that can wither the plant.

Step 4: Refresh Your Cuttings

Change the water every 4 to 5 days and scrub away at the dirt before placing your cuttings back into the jar. Remember to use room-temperature water to avoid shocking your growing cuttings.

Step 5: Transplant Your Cutting

After a few weeks, the cuttings will form new roots, and you can now transplant them. Take each cutting and transplant it into a separate 4-inch pot filled with a moist, well-drained, and peat-based potting mix.

Be sure to transplant the cuttings right when a few roots have formed. If you wait and let the roots grow longer, it’ll be much harder to transplant the stems.

After transplanting, monitor your new Dieffenbachia plants and wait until the baby plants have new green shoots growing before transplanting them into bigger containers.

Safety Tips for Propagating Dieffenbachia Plants

Though Dieffenbachia is a beautiful plant, it produces a poisonous sap. The sap contains calcium oxalate, which can cause severe throat, eye, and skin irritation.

Here are some precautions to take when cutting a Dieffenbachia plant:

Always wear protective clothing, gloves, and a face mask.
Wash your hands often during the cutting process
Keep the plant out of reach of pets or small children.
Never touch your eyes or face mouth after touching the plant, as it can cause a burning and itching sensation.
Always wash your hands after handling a Dieffenbachia plant.

Follow these steps to have your own endless dumb cane plants to brighten your home! Don’t you have a Dieffenbachia yet? Get your Dumb Cane Plant on Etsy. I love buying from the shops that have the best reviews.

FAQS

How long does it take for Dieffenbachia to root in water?

Depending on the size of the cuttings, it usually takes around three weeks for Dieffenbachia to form new roots when propagating in water.

Is propagating Dieffenbachia in water difficult?

Propagating Dieffenbachia in water can be done easily with just a few simple steps.

Just ensure to keep your cutting tools sterile by cleaning them after every use, monitor the water levels often, and use room-temperature water to soak the cuttings. With patience and care, you’ll soon have many new Dumb Cane plants!

We hope this guide has helped you understand the process of propagating Dieffenbachia in water and inspired you to try it yourself. Don’t forget to follow safety tips when handling your Dieffenbachia plants, and enjoy the beauty they add to your home! Good luck!

How to Propagate Dieffenbachia Dumb Cane in Water