Knowledgebase

Dumb cane is bare with some leaves drooping #613682

Asked February 17, 2020, 12:07 PM EST

Hi, i moved into a house with dumb canes that have been there since 1960. I revived them fo the most part, but they have no lower leaves and in one pot, the stem has no leaves at all. What can I do? Also, how to I help torn leaves? Do I just cut them off? If so, where? I don’t want to give up on these things because they are so beautiful.

County

Expert Response

Thank you for your question. Without knowing how the leaves were torn, I can't comment too much, except to say that if you find them to be unsightly, you can remove them. As to the other problems, the following Extension article gives you some ideas about the cause and cure of the other issues:  https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/houseplants/dieffenbachia.html

Hope this is helpful.  Good luck!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 17, 2020, 3:15 PM EST
Thank you!! Also, the leaves were torn by people bumping into them/my brother’s friend hits them purposely. Where would I cut off the leaf? Just anywhere? 
The Question Asker Replied February 17, 2020, 3:21 PM EST
If the wound has healed over, and is not weeping fluid, you can just leave it. If it is unsightly and you want to 'clean up' the plant, cut it as close to the origin of the leaf as possible. If you have a cat or a dog, their eating any part of the plant is toxic to the animal:  https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/dumbcane  You might want to move it to a more protected place, or put a fence around it.   Or put a cage around your brother's friend.
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 17, 2020, 3:54 PM EST
Hahah thank you so much! You have no idea how much you’ve helped my case
The Question Asker Replied February 17, 2020, 4:22 PM EST
Thumbs up!
An Ask Extension Expert Replied February 17, 2020, 4:26 PM EST

Loading ...