Dieffenbachia Repotting – What You Need to Know

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Dieffenbachia Repotting - What You Need to Know

Houseplants aren’t fond of change; one such plant is the Dieffenbachia, also known as the Dumb Cane. However, moving them from one pot to the next is sometimes necessary.

So, how do you figure out if it’s time to repot your Dumb Cane? Here, we will examine some indicators that it’s about time you repotted your Dieffenbachia in the USA.

Dieffenbachia Repotting: A Few Things You Must Know

Some of the most common signs you need to repot your Dieffenbachia include impeded growth, constant dehydration, and roots coming out of the drainage holes.

Moreover, if the soil takes longer than usual to dry after watering, you must repot the plant immediately. Slow drying of the soil signifies that the potting mix is unnecessarily dense.

When repotting your Dumb Cane, ensure you use soil that drains perfectly and a pot that drains on time.

Remember, no matter how perfect the pot and the potting mix are, the leaves will wilt for the first few days. Plants don’t adapt well to transplantation, so the leaves might wilt out of shock.

Check out: Can You Grow Dieffenbachia From Cuttings?

Signs It’s Time to Repot Your Dieffenbachia

Sign#1: Hindered Growth

As the Dumb Cane grows taller, its roots also grow and spread across the soil.

When the roots get to the walls of the container, they start curling and eventually snake around the edges of the container.

This isn’t an issue during the first few days. However, as the roots get bigger, they get entangled and prevent each other from receiving their fair share of nutrients and water.

The plant is said to be pot-bound or root bound in this situation.

There comes a time when the plant stops growing. A dieffenbachia plant grows two feet every year.

If you observe sluggish growth, there is something wrong, and this might indicate the need for repotting. However, there are some exceptions.

A Dumb Cane’s growth can slow down during the winter due to the unavailability of sunlight. Also, the growth can slow down if you aren’t watering or fertilizing the plant enough.

Ideally, if Dieffenbachia is placed in a well-lit room and gets the right amount of water and nutrients, it will have a healthy growth cycle.

However, if you notice stunted foliage, a thin trunk, and impeded growth, these are signs that your plant is root bound and needs repotting.

Also read: How to Keep Cats from Pooping in Your House Plants?

Sign#2: The Pot Can’t Hold Water

Even with the best drainage, it takes some time before the water drains. However, if the plant is root bound, there isn’t any space for water to stay.

As a result, the water escapes from the bottom of the pot almost as soon as you water the plant.

You might even notice the plant wilting and drooping, even though you watered it only a few days ago.

Other signs of dehydration include crunchy edges and tips. The leaves also turn brown due to a lack of water.

However, none of these signs are definitive. The wilting can also occur due to excessive moisture. It is better to check if the potting mixture is still wet.

Sometimes, the potting mixture has ample mineral residues from the tap water. Minerals and salts prevent a plant from receiving nutrients and affect root functions.

There is an easy way to check if your plant is root bound. Just push the plant out of the pot and hold the trunk at the bottom.

Then, tip the pot over. Sometimes, the plant is wedged in those areas. Therefore, you must tap the base firmly to get it out.

Roots that are pot-bound take the shape of the container. With time, the shape solidifies, making it difficult for water and air to escape because the gaps are narrower.

If you see this happening with your Dieffenbachia, you know it’s root bound and you must repot the plant.

Read here: Houseplants That Like Wet Soil

Sign#3: The Root Is Pushing Its Boundaries

As we have discussed, the lack of space makes the roots snake toward the edges. Sometimes, in search of space, these roots exit through the small holes in the pot.

There are other reasons for this as well. For example, if the saucer beneath the pot isn’t emptied, the roots may push their boundaries.

Still, if you observe the roots poking out of the bottom of the pot, you should check if the plant is root bound or not. The technique we have mentioned above must be used to take the plant out.

To poke back the emerging roots, you may need a long toothpick or a chopstick. You can also use a pencil to push them back in.

Sign#4: The Soil Is Always Soggy

This is the complete opposite of what we discussed in the first part. It also alludes to a very different problem.

If the soil in your pot remains wet a week after watering, it signifies that the pot has drainage problems.

Unlike the English Ivy, Dumb Canes need water. However, too much water blocks the water supply, and the plant starts to die out.

Moreover, overwatering can also cause fungal growth, which can result in root rot. There are ways out of this problem.

Firstly, water the plant only when the upper two inches of its soil are dry. However, even the best watering routines can’t help a plant that resides in a moisture-retentive and dense potting mixture.

Your best bet is to pot your plant in a loose and coarse mix. This problem can also arise if the pot is too big for your plant.

Typically, when the container is much bigger than the roots, it takes much longer for the water to evaporate before it is absorbed.

The result remains the same; improperly functioning roots and waterlogged soil.

Soils and Pots for the Dumb Cane

If you decide to shift the plant to a new pot, you will have to decide the kind of container and the potting mix you need.

As discussed before, the best potting mix is loose and rough, with ample space for the water to drain.

If you must choose a readymade potting mix from a store, choose the one designed for African Violets.

Also, you aren’t bound to use only the mix that comes out of the package. Feel free to mix some of your ingredients into the mix. However, it is better to stick to the following recipe.

  • Coarse Perlite=40%
  • Coconut Coir=25%
  • Orchid bark=25%
  • Vermicompost=10%

Also, don’t forget to ensure enough drainage in your pot. A vessel with no holes will only bottle up the water. The risk of drowning will increase, even if you have the best potting mix.

As discussed, repotting a Dieffenbachia plant in the USA is necessary when the roots have grown too much.

If such is the case with you, choose a pot whose diameter is two inches larger than the one you currently have.

Also see: Which Tropical House Plant Is Poison for Cats?

How Often Does Dieffenbachia Need Repotting?

Until now, we have highlighted the issues that might arise if the plant is left in the pot for too long. However, if you want to be proactive about it, you can avoid these issues altogether.

Ideally, one must repot their Dumb Cane once every two years. While changing the pot, it is better to provide your plant with some fresh soil rather than using the old one.

What happens is, with time, the organic ingredients in the soil begin to die out. Consequently, the drainage and nutrient count tend to go down.

How to Repot Your Dieffenbachia

The roots will expand when you move your Dumb Cane to a new pot. But, they will need some time to grow.

Repotting is easier when the plant uses most of its energy to fuel its roots and contribute to its growth.

Root-bound plants can also survive by the time spring comes. However, if the problem is severe and the foliage begins to die, things will be different.

However, if the soil remains soggy and the pot doesn’t drain, you mustn’t delay repotting the plant. The danger will be much greater if you overwater the plant, especially in the winter.

Here are some steps to repot your plant.

  • Before adding the potting mix to the new container, moisten it a little.
  • Get rid of the dying leaves so the roots don’t have to waste energy on them.
  • If the soil is stuck to the container, a butter knife will allow you to cut out the soil from the edges.
  • You can also gently tap on the container’s side or bottom.
  • Separate the roots from the soil gently and rinse the soil if necessary.
  • If the roots are pot-bound, separate them very gently with your fingers.
  • Also, check for root rot. If some roots are rotten, remove them with pruning scissors.
  • The new soil must be damp, but it shouldn’t be soggy.

Final Thoughts

The best way to keep your Dumb Cane in good shape is to use a slightly bigger pot, but not too big. Also, pay close attention to the growth rate of your plant.

If you find your plant growing slower than usual, act on it immediately. Also, if you give it ample space to grow, your Dieffenbachia will grow and flourish.

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