Kinds of Dumbcane Plants

Toxicity

• Dieffenbachia, which is native to South American jungles, is toxic to animals as well as humans. According to "The Merck Veterinary Manual," death is uncommon after ingestion; however, pets experience a range of symptoms including intense pain, mouth and throat inflammation, burning sensation and vomiting. Sometimes contact dermatitis occurs from handling plants. Although there are different kinds of these plants, displaying a variety of foliage color combinations and leaf patterns, all kinds of dumbcane are toxic. Gardeners must exercise caution when placing these plants within reach of children and pets.

Green and White

• Color patterns and leaf forms create a wide selection of cultivars from which to choose. Colors come in shades of green, cream and gold. Leaves can be streaked, splashed or mottled. Katrina is a cultivar that is 90 percent mottled white against green leaves. Tropic Snow is a floriculture standard for dieffenbachia, with a green midrib and cream variegation on green leaves. The Sterling cultivar shows stark contrast with a white midrib against green leaves. Sparkles also has a white midrib, but with very pronounced splashed cream variegation against green leaves.

Green and Gold

• Dieffenbachia cultivars with green and gold coloration are plentiful. Golden Sunset is a cultivar with green leaf margins and heavy gold coloration against green leaves. Some dieffenbachias, including Ely, have a more compact form and lend themselves to smaller pots and smaller spaces. Ely has dark-green leaf margins and golden variegation. Splash has very large leaves with wide green leaf margins and heavy gold variegation. Dumbcanes can live in separate pots, or in mixed groupings with different sizes and color combinations.

Unusual Cultivars

• Star Bright is one of many patented dumbcane cultivars. Typically, dumbcane leaves are broad, but Star Bright's are narrow. Nearly half the width of standard dieffenbachia leaves, Star Bright offers a stunning combination of white leaves, green margins and green speckles. Camouflage is aptly named, having wide leaves with blotches of green, yellow and white. Cultivars with lots of white coloration in their leaves perform best with medium light but not in full sun, which can burn light leaves.