Dumb Cane

Dieffenbachia 'Sublime'

£9.99
Hard to kill
Pot size
12cm £9.99

FREE tracked delivery on orders over £60

Complete the set up
Jungle Mix - Premium Houseplant Potting Mix
The perfect soil Jungle Mix - Premium Houseplant Potting Mix · 2.5L · £4.99
Description

Dieffenbachia 'Sublime' is a dumb cane with real presence: large, broad leaves splashed and speckled in deep green, cream and creamy white, a pattern busy enough that it is sometimes sold as leopard lily. The markings become more pronounced as the plant matures, and the leaves are carried on a thick, upright stem that builds into a full, leafy plant. It is a reliable way to add bold Dieffenbachia foliage to a room without needing a sunny window.

Origins

Dumb canes are aroids from the tropical forests of Central and South America and the Caribbean, where they grow in the shade of taller trees. 'Sublime' is a cultivated variety, usually attributed to Dieffenbachia seguine, the species behind most dumb canes. It joins our compact, cream centred Dieffenbachia 'Camilla' and the rest of our aroids.

Care

Give it bright, indirect light for the strongest pattern. It copes with a shadier spot, but in too little light the cream fades and the leaves turn plainer, and direct sun scorches them. Water thoroughly once the top few centimetres of compost have dried, and water less in winter; soggy compost is the usual cause of yellow leaves and root rot. It appreciates humidity, so mist it or stand it on a pebble tray in a heated room. Keep it warm, above 15C, and away from draughts and radiators. The sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that burn the mouth and irritate skin and eyes, so wear gloves when handling it and keep it away from pets and children. Our Jungle Mix suits it, and it sits easily among our other houseplants.

Live Arrival Guarantee

All plants are covered by our 7-day live arrival guarantee. We pack every order in protective, sustainable packaging designed to keep your plants safe in transit, and every plant is checked before it ships. On the rare occasion something is not right on arrival, we will make it good, provided the plant is still in its original nursery pot.

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Delivery & returns

Order by 1pm Monday to Friday for same day dispatch. Every plant travels in protective, plant-safe packaging with tracked delivery.

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How to care for Dumb Cane

Give me bright light out of the midday sun and water me when the top of my soil feels dry.

In their words

What our customers say

Arrived just like the photos - maybe even fuller. Healthy, well-acclimated, and straight into my collection with no issues.

Emily P.

Flawless leaves, stunning variegation, and clearly cared for by experts. It’s already a talking point in my home office.

James R.

Hard to find rare plants that are pet-safe. Ours arrived in perfect condition and looks amazing without any worry.

Sophie L.
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About Dumb Cane

Dieffenbachia 'Sublime' is an easy-care houseplant. It needs bright indirect light, watering once the top 2 to 3cm of compost has dried out, a little extra humidity and a minimum temperature of 15°C. It is harmful to pets and small children if eaten.

Good for

Living Room Kitchen Bathroom

Care level

EasyChallenge

Easy care

Light

ShadeFull sun

Bright, indirect light

Bright, indirect light keeps the cream and white speckling strong. It tolerates a shadier spot, but the pattern fades in low light. Keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves. Read moreShow less

Bright, indirect light keeps the cream and white speckling strong. It tolerates a shadier spot, but the pattern fades in low light. Keep it out of direct sun, which scorches the leaves.

Watering

Evenly moistDries out fully

Let the top few centimetres dry out

Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of compost are dry, then let the excess drain away. Water less in winter. Soggy compost causes yellow leaves and root rot. Read moreShow less

Water thoroughly when the top few centimetres of compost are dry, then let the excess drain away. Water less in winter. Soggy compost causes yellow leaves and root rot.

Humidity

Average homeHigh humidity

Prefers a little extra humidity

It prefers higher humidity than most rooms offer. Mist regularly or stand it on a pebble tray, especially near central heating. Read moreShow less

It prefers higher humidity than most rooms offer. Mist regularly or stand it on a pebble tray, especially near central heating.

Temperature

Keep above 15°C · Likes a warm room

Keep it warm, ideally 18 to 23C and not below 15C in winter. Avoid cold draughts and keep it away from radiators. Read moreShow less

Keep it warm, ideally 18 to 23C and not below 15C in winter. Avoid cold draughts and keep it away from radiators.

Feeding

Feed monthly with a balanced fertiliser from spring to autumn, and let it rest over winter.

Growth habit

Upright →

Plant type

Aroid →

Toxicity

Harmful if chewed or swallowed. Keep it out of reach of pets and small children, and wash your hands after pruning.

Also known as

Dieffenbachia 'Sublime'

Genus

Dieffenbachia →
Good to know

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Dieffenbachia called dumb cane?

The sap contains needle-like calcium oxalate crystals. Chewing the leaves or stem causes painful burning and swelling of the mouth and throat that can make speaking difficult, which gave the plant its common name.

Is Dieffenbachia 'Sublime' toxic to cats and dogs?

Yes. The ASPCA lists Dieffenbachia as toxic to cats and dogs. Chewing it causes intense burning of the mouth, drooling, vomiting and difficulty swallowing. Keep it out of reach of pets and children, and wear gloves when handling it, as the sap irritates skin and eyes.

Can a dumb cane grow in low light?

It tolerates a shadier spot, but the cream and white pattern is strongest in bright, indirect light. In too little light the leaves turn plainer and growth slows. Keep it out of direct sun.

Why are the leaves on my Dieffenbachia turning yellow?

Overwatering is the most common cause. Let the top few centimetres of compost dry before watering and never leave the pot standing in water. Cold draughts and temperatures below 15C also cause yellowing, and the odd older lower leaf yellowing is normal.

What species is Dieffenbachia 'Sublime'?

It is a cultivated variety. Several sellers list it under Dieffenbachia seguine, the species behind most dumb canes, while the RHS lists it under the genus only, as Dieffenbachia 'Sublime'. We use the RHS form of the name.

Are your plants treated with pesticides?
We aim to avoid using pesticides where possible, but we can't control the whole supply chain.

If the plant is going into a vivarium, terrarium or aquarium with live animals, rinse the leaves and roots well, remove any soil and let the plant dry out before adding it. We'd also suggest keeping it away from animals for a month first.
Can I see a photo of the exact plant I'll receive?
We're not able to send photos of individual plants or let you choose a specific one, as plants are selected by our team when your order is packed. Our photos show the variety and the kind of plant you can expect, and yours may vary a little in height, shape or fullness.

If a size has a code next to it, such as 9cm / B2, you're buying the exact plant pictured.
Does my plant come with a pot?
Your plant will arrive in its nursery grow pot — the plastic pot it's been growing in. We don't include a decorative pot as standard, and there's a good reason for that: it means you get to choose one that fits your space and style, rather than being stuck with something that doesn't suit your home.

It also means you're not paying extra for a pot you might not want. The nursery pot is perfectly fine to keep your plant in for a while, just pop it inside a decorative cover pot or cache pot and you're good to go. When you're ready to repot (usually after a growing season or when roots start poking out the bottom), you can move it into something more permanent with fresh soil.

If you're not sure what size cover pot to go for, check the pot selector tool listed above, you'll want a decorative pot that's a centimetre or two wider than that to give it a comfortable fit.
How big will my plant be when it arrives?
Every plant on our site includes the pot size (e.g. 12cm) and, where possible, an approximate height. That's the most reliable way to set your expectations, photos can sometimes make a plant look larger or smaller than it really is.

If you're thinking "that sounds quite small for the price," here's something worth knowing: younger, smaller plants almost always adapt better to your home than larger ones. They adjust faster to your light and humidity, put out new growth more quickly, and tend to establish stronger root systems long-term. A plant that grows into your space will usually outperform one that was already big when it arrived.

That said, every plant is an individual. The one you receive may vary slightly in height, shape, or fullness compared to the photo, that's the nature of living things, not a quality issue. We select healthy, well-established specimens, and if you ever feel your plant doesn't match what you were expecting, just get in touch and we'll take a look.
What makes your plants different from the supermarket or garden centre?
There's a big difference between a plant that's been sitting under on a retail shelf and one that's been looked after and cared for by people who specialise in exactly this.

Our plants are grown in house or sourced from specialist nurseries, many of them varieties you simply won't find at your local garden centre or supermarket. Before anything leaves us, it's checked over by our horticultural team to make sure it's healthy, well-rooted, and ready to thrive in your home. We're not shifting volume off a pallet, we're choosing plants we'd want to keep ourselves.

When you buy from a supermarket, you get a plant and a generic care label. When you buy from us, you get the knowledge that comes with it, detailed care guidance, a team you can actually contact if something isn't going right, and the confidence that what's arriving has been looked after properly from the moment it was grown to the moment it reaches your door.

We're a specialist nursery first, not a retailer that happens to sell plants. That's the difference, and you'll see it the moment you open the box.
What should I do when my plant arrives?
First things first, unbox it as soon as you can. Plants don't love being in dark boxes any more than you would, and the sooner yours is out and breathing, the better.

Remove all the packaging carefully, give the soil a check with your finger, and water lightly if it feels dry. Then find it a spot with appropriate light, but avoid putting it straight into harsh direct sun or next to a radiator. Think of it like arriving somewhere new after a long journey: it needs a moment to adjust.

It's completely normal for your plant to look a little tired or droopy after transit. This is called transit stress, and most plants bounce back within a week or two. You might see a yellow leaf or some drooping, don't panic, and resist the urge to overwater or start repotting straight away.

Our advice for the first couple of weeks: leave it in its nursery pot, water it only when the top layer of soil feels dry, and let it acclimatise to your home's light, temperature, and humidity. Once it's settled in and showing signs of new growth, you can think about repotting or moving it to its permanent spot.

Every plant we sell comes with a care guide on the product page so you'll know exactly what it needs going forward. And if anything doesn't look right, get in touch with our team, we're always happy to help.
Will my plant survive being shipped?
Yes! and we go to serious lengths to make sure of it. Every plant is hand-packed by our team with protective wrapping and secure, custom-designed boxes to keep it stable and safe in transit. We've shipped hundreds of thousands of plants across the UK and our packaging methods have been refined over years to handle the bumps and jolts of delivery.

During colder months, we monitor weather forecasts and offer heat packs where needed to protect against frost. In extreme conditions, we may hold your order for a day or two rather than risk sending it out, we'd rather you wait an extra day than receive a stressed plant.

That said, plants are living things, and the occasional transit wobble can happen. If your plant arrives damaged or isn't in the condition you'd expect, just get in touch within 7 days with a photo, and we'll make it right, whether that's a replacement or a full refund. No fuss.

The short version: we treat every box like it's going to someone who really cares about what's inside, because it is.
Meet the family

Everything about Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is a fast-growing tropical that handles lower light well, but hates cold draughts and wet roots. Here is how to grow it well in a UK home.

More about Dieffenbachia care
Dieffenbachia Care Guide
Why Grow Tropicals

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Dieffenbachia 'Sublime'
£9.99