Dieffenbachia stopped growing - Ask Extension
The newest leaf on this Dieffenbachia stopped growing when preceding leaf was damaged during relocation, then latter broke off. Is there anything that...
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Dieffenbachia stopped growing #876545
Asked July 09, 2024, 4:52 PM EDT
The newest leaf on this Dieffenbachia stopped growing when preceding leaf was damaged during relocation, then latter broke off. Is there anything that I can do to stimulate the tiny early new leaf to resume growing? Does lack of new leaf growth mean stimulation of growth of an off-shoot lower down on stem will occur instead?
Howard County Maryland
Expert Response
There isn't a way to directly speed-up development of new growth, assuming the plant is getting enough light and moisture (when it dries out enough to need watering, since Dieffenbachia don't like to stay soggy). If you haven't fertilized yet this spring/summer, or if it's been several weeks since you last used a liquid-type fertilizer, you could give it a dose now (follow product label directions). It's hard to predict when lower growth points will initiate (start to grow), but generally they don't until the uppermost growing point is lost due to pruning or dieback, which does not appear to be the case here.
Miri
Miri
But what would you expect to happen now, since zero growth from newest leaf due to broken preceding leaf, as per above?
There are no issues with light, water or fertilizer
We would expect that still-expanding new leaf you pictured to emerge; it just might take a few weeks. The part of the broken leaf that remained on the plant is still photosynthesizing and providing it with food, so it's not under urgent need to replace foliage since the rest of the plant's foliage seems to be in good condition.
Miri
Miri
