Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia) – home flowers: description, properties and benefits

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Dieffenbachia (Dieffenbachia) is a genus of perennial rhizomatous herbs of the aroid family (Araceae), naturally growing in tropical rainforests of South and Central America. Many species are very decorative, used as houseplants.

  • Family: Araceae.
  • Origin: Central and South America.
  • Rhizome: powerful root system.
  • Stem: thick fleshy.
  • Leaves: alternate, large, variegated.
  • Fruit: berry.
  • Reproductive ability: propagated by apical or stem cuttings
  • Illumination: bright diffused light, tolerates partial shade.
  • Watering: plentiful in summer, moderate in winter.
  • Content temperature: thermophilic.
  • Flowering duration: rarely blooms inconspicuous flowers.

Description of home dieffenbachia: flowering, is dieffenbachia harmful at home

Evergreen herbaceous plants with thick straight fleshy stems and large oblong alternate leaves, shiny or matte. There are species with green and variegated leaves.

Variegated forms are outwardly very attractive, covered with a pattern of specks, stripes and spots of light green or yellow, due to which they began to be used as decorative leafy houseplants. Dieffenbachia has been grown in room culture for over a hundred years. Particularly popular are its two species, spotted (D. maculate) and striped (D. seguine). On their basis, many hybrids have been created that differ in the size and color of the leaf plates.

The flower is characterized by rapid growth, in favorable conditions a new leaf appears every week, while the tip of the next one is already visible inside the unfolded one.

The point of growth is usually located in the upper part of the shoot, in the house dieffenbachia can reach a height of 0.5 to 2 m, depending on the natural species from which the variety is obtained. Some varieties have dormant buds at the base of the stem and above; when they awaken, the plant begins to bush. Tall specimens grow as long as they have support, then the trunk can tilt and lie horizontally, after which the top rises and stretches up until it falls under its own weight.

In the rainforest in its homeland, dieffenbachia forms roots at the point of contact with the soil, and thus new plants appear. Fragile stems break easily from shock or even their own weight, in which case the broken top or parts of the trunk can be rooted.

Dieffenbachia room in the photo

The life of each individual leaf is short, it is shortened with a lack of moisture or nutrition. The leaves turn yellow, then dry up and fall off, exposing the trunk, therefore, dieffenbachia grown as an indoor flower often looks like a palm tree with a cap of juicy variegated leaves at the top. To avoid loss of decorativeness, the plant is re-rooted upon reaching a height of about 1.5 m, many species have to be updated at least once every 3 years.

Dieffenbachia blooms in the middle of summer, it is rare at room conditions, but under favorable conditions it can occur annually. Like all representatives of the Aroniev family, the flower consists of an ear and a veil, however, an inconspicuous light green veil often only slightly opens and almost completely hides the ear, where small flowers of a yellowish-white color are located on a fleshy, well-developed main axis, which also do not represent any decorative value. Further, small-sized fruits ripen in the form of bright orange-red berries. The formation of cobs and fruits weakens the home flower, dieffenbachia slows down or even stops the growth of stems, sheds the lower leaves, so experienced flower growers remove inflorescences that appear even in the bud phase.

Dieffenbachia in the photo

The history of the plant began in 1829, when the first description of dieffenbachia appeared, more specifically, the species D. Seguine, dieffenbachia of different stripes. A great contribution to the study and classification of the genus was made by the Austrian botanist Heinrich Wilhelm Short, who headed the botanical gardens of the Habsburg imperial palace in Vienna at the beginning of the 19th century. It was he who gave the name to the plant, in honor of the senior gardener of the Austrian monarchs, Josef Dieffenbach.

The benefits and harms of dieffenbachia: a description of the properties and whether or not to keep dieffenbachia at home

Dieffenbachia grown as indoor flowers are not only highly decorative, but also have a number of useful properties. They improve the chemical composition of the air, have the ability to absorb and neutralize such toxic substances as formaldehyde, xylene and toluene, released into the living quarters by modern finishing materials. The phytoncidal properties of dieffenbachia can significantly reduce the content of pathogenic microbes in the air, in particular staphylococci. The plant also contributes to an increase in humidity and a decrease in the amount of dust, that is, in general, it improves the ecological situation in the room.

One of the disadvantages holding back the spread of the flower in indoor culture is that the leaves and stems of dieffenbachia are poisonous. A number of species contain alkaloids, which, when in contact with mucous membranes, cause their swelling and irritation. In this case, the toxic effect does not appear immediately, but after several tens of seconds. There is evidence that in Brazil, in the homeland of dieffenbachia, it was used to punish slaves. The unfortunate man, who was forced to eat a piece of the stem, had a swollen tongue and oral mucosa so that he could not speak for a long time, for which the plant was called the “mute rod”. The juice of a damaged leaf or stem can cause burns and an allergic skin reaction. However, the question of whether dieffenbachia is so harmful that it cannot be grown at home should definitely be answered in the negative.

Dieffenbachia poisonous in the photo

Of course, if there is a small child in the apartment who can taste the plant, it is better not to risk it and get rid of the dangerous flower. You should not grow it in kindergartens, perhaps you should be careful in the presence of pets. In all other cases, the benefits of dieffenbachia and its attractiveness far exceed the possible harm. It is only necessary to take reasonable precautions, use gloves during care and pruning, wash your hands thoroughly after these procedures, and avoid getting the plant sap in your eyes, mucous membranes or damaged skin.

In our opinion, the role of the flower in the landscaping of premises is still not sufficiently appreciated. Dieffenbachia can be kept at home, it will perfectly fit into the interior of a medical institution, school or production workshop, office. This large plant, which allows you to purify the air of harmful impurities and microorganisms, can grow in conditions of relative shading and is quite unpretentious. It is difficult to find another fast-growing crop that is as easy to grow and can also effectively improve the air in conditions of large volumes of premises, high temperatures provided by central heating and lack of lighting. With proper care, Dieffenbachia flowers, which have varieties with a wide variety of leaf colors, can decorate any interior.

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