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It’s time to repot my Dieffenbachia camouflage! Follow along with this easy step-by-step guide and video tutorial on how to repot dieffenbachias.
Dieffenbachias are also called dumb cane plants because they contain a toxic sap that, if ingested, causes temporary mouth numbness and inability to speak (the “dumb” part of dumb cane). Be sure to wear gardening gloves when working with this plant.
Water the plant
Prepare the plant to be repotted by watering it beforehand. It’s best to water it the day before, but if that’s not possible then try for at least a few hours beforehand. This will help mitigate the shock to the roots from being transplanted.
Prepare the potting mix and new pot
Prepare the new pot and potting mix. Typically, you want to use a pot that is only one to two sizes up from the current pot. Overpotting can lead to overwatering.
Dieffenbachias like a potting mix that holds some moisture but is still well draining so that the roots don’t stay wet for too long. I used a mix of around 60% coco coir to 40% perlite. Using a bag of pre-made houseplant potting mix is also totally fine!
Add a small amount of water to the mix so that it’s lightly damp. I find this makes it easier to work with. Then, add the bottom layer of potting mix into the new pot.
Transfer the plant
Gently shimmy the dieffenbachia out of its current pot and place it in the new pot. The top of its rootball should be about level with the top of the pot.
Don’t disturb the roots unless the plant is severely rootbound. If that’s the case then you can massage the rootball to help loosen things up. You do not need to be rough and break up the roots though.
Fill in the remaining gaps
Once the rootball is sitting at the correct height, fill in the remaining gaps around it with potting mix. You can lightly press down to make sure any hidden air pockets are filled.
Let the plant rest
Put your dieffenbachia back into its normal spot and allow it to adjust for a few days to any transplant shock it may have experienced. Since you watered your plant before repotting it, you do not need to water it again afterward.
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