Question
I have a dieffenbachia that was doing well until about 2 months ago. The leaves started curling up and looking lifeless. I read online that it is good to trim it back to about 4-6 inches above soil level, which I did. It has been 2 months and not a single leaf has returned. The stalks look healthy except at the end where they were trimmed.. there they are dry and brown. I really would like to bring it back to it's former glory. Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Denise,

Pruning back your Dieffenbachia stem may have eliminated the unsightly, lifeless leaves, but it did not deal with the underlying cause of the wilted leaves. When plant leaves wilt, become discolored, become distorted or dry up, it is usually because the roots have been damaged. (Excessive heat above 95 degrees F. or cold below 40 degrees F. will also cause this damage, but I don't think that is likely in your case.)

Roots are most commonly damaged by unnecessary repotting into a pot that is too big; by not allowing the soil to dry out a quarter of the way deep into the pot between waterings; or by allowing the soil to dry out too deep into the pot before watering. Severely damaged roots are unable to absorb water from the soil that the plant needs, so the leaves discolor and become lifeless or wilted looking. Cutting off the leaves or the stem does not address the problem at the root level and that is why your Dieffenbachia has not responded.

Without more information, I cannot say just what caused the root damage to your plant. If you repotted to a bigger pot or replaced the soil, then that is the likely cause. If you watered the plant before the top quarter of the soil had dried out, then over watering is the cause. If you allow the soil to dry halfway down or more into the soil, then underwatering is the problem.

If you have not been watering correctly, then make the appropriate changes and perhaps the plant will slowly recover. If you repotted or changed the soil, the prospects are not good. Carefully unpot the plant and remove excess soil that you added and look for healthy roots. remove all soft, mush roots and leave just enough soil to barely cover the roots. Move it to the smallest pot big enough to accommodate the roots and a small amount of soil.

It is too bad that you did not receive proper advice two months ago when you first noticed the problem. If you had, the plant probably would be recoveed by now.

I have written articles on repotting, watering and on Dieffenbachia care that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who emails a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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