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Giant Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia amoena

Phonetic Spelling
def-en-BAH-kee-ah am-oh-EN-uh
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Leopard lily is an erect, broadleaf evergreen, perennial in the Araceae (arum) family that is native to Central and South America. The common name dumbcane comes from its ill effects on the vocal cords if ingested.  The large variegated leaves come in a variety of patterns with beautiful cream and yellow markings some say resemble a leopard's spots.

Plant it in a loose, fertile, high organic soil and provide indirect light, and high humidity. Water the plant thoroughly, then allow the top 1 inch surface of the soil to dry completely before watering again to prevent root rot. Propagate by division or stem cutting. 

Leopard lily is typically grown in a container as a houseplant and can add interest and brighten up the dark corners of a room. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Scale, whiteflies, fungus gnats, and aphids are pests. Wear gloves when pruning or repotting as the plant’s sap may cause contact dermatitis.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Camille’
    Cream color in the middle of each leaf
  • ‘Hilo’
    L::ime green and green variegation
  • ‘Tropical Tiki’
    Heavily variegated with silver, cream and green
  • 'Tropic Snow'
    6 ft tall very variegated with cream and green
‘Camille’, ‘Hilo’, ‘Tropical Tiki’, 'Tropic Snow'
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#showy leaves#interiorscape#large leaves#interesting leaves#spadix#exotic looking#humidity tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#tropical feel#contact dermatitis#container plant#perennial
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • ‘Camille’
    Cream color in the middle of each leaf
  • ‘Hilo’
    L::ime green and green variegation
  • ‘Tropical Tiki’
    Heavily variegated with silver, cream and green
  • 'Tropic Snow'
    6 ft tall very variegated with cream and green
‘Camille’, ‘Hilo’, ‘Tropical Tiki’, 'Tropic Snow'
Tags:
#poisonous#houseplant#showy leaves#interiorscape#large leaves#interesting leaves#spadix#exotic looking#humidity tolerant#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#tropical feel#contact dermatitis#container plant#perennial
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Dieffenbachi
    Species:
    amoena
    Family:
    Araceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central and South America
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    high humidity
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Medium
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit rarely develops, when it does it is berry-like in appearance.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Insignificant
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Spadix
    Flower Description:
    Rarely flowers, when it does it is a green spadix.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Its leaves are large (up to 20 inches), oblong, with cream, or yellow dots and stripes with deep green stripes and bands around the outer edge.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    The sap of the plant is acrid, and, when ingested, will numb the throat and vocal cords, rendering the victim mute for up to two weeks until the poison wears off. The sap is highly irritating to the skin, and any interactions with the plant which result in sap exposure should be washed thoroughly. If it gets in the eyes it can damage the cornea. It may be fatal to livestock and pets, but it is not commonly available to them. Livestock may experience excessive drooling, vomiting (not horses), and difficulty swallowing.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Oxalic acid and Asparagine, Insoluble calcium oxalates, proteolytic enzyme
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Leaves