Houseplant Spotlight: Dumb Cane

Houseplant Spotlight: Dumb Cane

Diffenbachia (Dumb Cane) The first question I get when I show people my big, beautiful Dumb Cane is always, "Why is it called Dumb Cane?" The reason is that the stem of the plant contains toxins that, when chewed, render the person unable to speak as their tongue and throat swells and becomes numb. The [...]

Houseplant Spotlight: Pink Nanouk Tradescantia

Houseplant Spotlight: Pink Nanouk Tradescantia

Today's spotlight is the Pink Nanouk Tradescantia, once upon a time referred to as "Wandering Jew" - a stunningly beautiful plant with waxy, firm leaves. I treat my pink nanouk like a child. I even bought her a special matching pink ceramic planter and I am notorious for reusing or painting old planters. I hadn't [...]