Numerous types
More than 50 different types of Dieffenbachia are known, but they are difficult to distinguish from one another for the layman. These plants are available in countless color variations and leaf patterns. They are almost always hybrids of these varieties:
- Dieffenbachia seguine
- Dieffenbachia bowmannii
- Dieffenbachia oerstedii
also read
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- Shortening a Dieffenbachia - how should I proceed?
The following are some cultivated forms that are very common in stores:
Dieffenbachia maculata
This is probably the most widespread hybrid form, characterized by the elliptical, relatively broad leaves with tapering ends. The ivory white pattern stands out beautifully from the dark green base color.
The cultivated form Dieffenbachia maculata “Julius Roehrs” has a peculiarity: The leaves of the young plants are creamy white and only get a strong green colored central rib, green edges and green leaf spots with age.
Dieffenbachia amoena
This leafy plant has slightly more elongated foliage than D. maculata, which is also elliptical in shape. A pretty cream-white marbling stands out along the central main vein.
Dieffenbachia imperialis
The leaves of this cultivated form have a slightly leathery structure and reach impressive dimensions of up to sixty centimeters in length and thirty centimeters in width. They are tinted deep dark green and have irregularly distributed, yellowish green spots.
Dieffenbachia bowmannii
Leaf shape and size of this variety are identical to those of D. imperialis. However, leaf spots are colored light green.
Dieffenbachia Exotica
This is smaller, this Dieffenbachia has a maximum of 25 centimeters long and 10 centimeters wide leaves. The dark green foliage has a strong light green to creamy white pattern.
Dieffenbachia X bausei
This Dieffenbachia also has slightly smaller leaves. In contrast to Exotica, the leaves of this cultivated form are yellow-green with deep dark green spots and light spots. The dark green colored leaf margins stand out attractively from the leaf color.
Tips
All Dieffenbachia species are slightly poisonous. Therefore, wear gloves when taking care of the plants and place the plant out of the reach of children and pets.
