Spotted Dumb Cane Dieffenbachia amoena
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- def-en-BAH-kee-ah am-oh-EN-uh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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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:
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- ‘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’
- ‘Camille’, ‘Hilo’, ‘Tropical Tiki’, 'Tropic Snow'
- Tags:
- 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’
- ‘Camille’, ‘Hilo’, ‘Tropical Tiki’, 'Tropic Snow'
- Tags:
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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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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Fruit:
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit rarely develops, when it does it is berry-like in appearance.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Description:
- Rarely flowers, when it does it is a green spadix.
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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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
