Question
I had stepped out to get a new pot for my plant because it was leaning against my wall for support, so I was told to buy a bigger pot and a stick for support, when I got home, my plant has broken in half.  It's about 6 ft tall and now I don't know what to do to save it,please tell me there is hope for this plant. What do I do?  I taped it back together b/c I am not a plant person outside of giving it water, talking to it and playing music for it....

Answer
Hi Nancy,

You have inadvertently stumbled onto the best solution for your overgrown Dieffenbachia. Let me explain.

Dieffenbachias when grown as potted plants, grow tall and become very top-heavy due to their very large leaves. After a while they start to lean. A larger pot will not solve the problem and a stake will only work temporarily. Sooner or later the brittle stem will snap under the weight of the leaves. Apparently, that is what happened with yours.

The only solution is to cut the Dieffenbachia down when it gets too tall. The stem can be cut at any height above 6 inches from the soil. In fact, the lower the cut, the more room there is for it to grow. The new growth emerges just below the cut on the stem and grows upward from there. For a month or two it won't look like much, but after that it will look quite presentable, although shorter.

The top portion with the leaves can be rooted in water or in moist potting soil or at the base of the original plant.

I have several Dieffenbachias that I have pruned back numerous times and they always come back healthy and strong.

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

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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