Dieffenbachia 'Crocodile'
Dieffenbachia seguine 'Crocodile' · Crocodile Dumb Cane
Typical UK price
£6
Limited data
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 0
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- 17 Jun 2026
- On record
- 2
Cutting/cormEstimate
7cm2 sold
12cm1 on record
MatureEstimate
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
for a 7cm pot
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About Dieffenbachia 'Crocodile'
Crocodile is a Dieffenbachia seguine cultivar named for the rough, raised, reptilian texture of its leaf surface: a much bumpier, more tactile blade than the smooth, glossy foliage typical of most Dieffenbachia cultivars. It shares the same cane-forming, upright growth habit and easygoing care needs as the rest of the seguine family, distinguished mainly by this distinctive leaf texture rather than colour patterning.
Native range
Cultivated selection of Dieffenbachia seguine.
Classification
- Genus
- Dieffenbachia
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Cultivar
- Growth habit
- Upright, cane-forming
- Form of
- Dieffenbachia seguine
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- Broad ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base.
- Leaf length
- 25-40 cm
- Leaf width
- 15-25 cm
- Petiole colour
- Green
- Venation
- Prominent, raised, giving a rough textured surface
- Texture
- Rough, raised, reptilian, distinctly bumpier than typical Dieffenbachia foliage
- Variegation
- Cream-green mottling typical of the seguine group, secondary to the leaf's textured surface
- Growth habit
- Upright, cane-forming
Recent UK sales
For sale in the UK
By month
| Month | Median | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 2026 | £6 | 2 |
Before you buy
- Sap contains calcium oxalate crystals that cause temporary numbing of the mouth and throat if chewed; keep well away from pets and children, and wash hands after handling cuttings
- Widely available and inexpensive; be cautious of collector-level pricing for the plain species
- For a mature, tree-like specimen, check the cane is thick and self-supporting rather than thin and floppy
- Confirm you're buying the plain seguine species rather than the 'Camouflage' or 'Crocodile' named forms, which are priced and patterned differently
Dieffenbachia 'Crocodile' care
- Substrate
- A well-draining, coir-based potting mix amended with perlite provides the right balance of moisture retention and aeration. Standard houseplant compost works adequately if mixed with a third perlite or pumice to prevent compaction.
- Watering
- Allow the top third of the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Overwatering quickly leads to cane rot, so it is better to keep the plant slightly dry than permanently saturated.
- Humidity
- Average household humidity is usually sufficient, though it adapts well to higher moisture levels. Grouping with other plants or using a pebble tray helps maintain local humidity without the need for a dedicated humidifier.
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half strength once a month during the active growing season. Suspend feeding entirely over winter when the plant's growth naturally slows down.
- Repotting
- Move to a pot one size larger every 12–18 months as the thick roots fill the container. Ensure the new pot has plenty of drainage holes to prevent water from pooling at the base of the cane.
Common problems
Soft or mushy stem base
Cause: Overwatering or poor drainage leading to bacterial cane rot
Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, cut away the rotted section of the cane, and propagate the healthy top portion in fresh mix or water
Yellowing lower leaves
Cause: Inconsistent watering, typically staying too wet, or a stress response to cold draughts
Fix: Ensure the top third of the substrate dries out between waterings and move the plant away from cold windows or air vents
Loss of leaf variegation
Cause: Insufficient light exposure causing the plant to produce more chlorophyll
Fix: Move the plant to a brighter location with medium to bright indirect light, avoiding direct afternoon sun which can scorch the foliage
Gear for this plant
- Natural Rooting Powder, 3 x 75gRooting hormone powder for stem and leaf cuttings.
- Precision Bonsai Pruning Scissors, 200mmFine-bladed snips for clean node cuts when taking a cutting.
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Dieffenbachia 'Crocodile'
- Methods
- Stem cutting, Air layering. Step-by-step guide
- Difficulty
- Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
- Time to establish
- 3–6 months
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Older, leggy plants can be cut back hard, as the remaining stump will resprout readily from the base. Top cuttings and stem segments root reliably in water or damp sphagnum moss. Wear gloves when handling cut stems to avoid skin irritation from the calcium oxalate sap.