---
title: "Please help me with my dieffenbachia. She was beautiful and full when…"
description: "Please help me with my dieffenbachia. She was beautiful and full when I bought her a few weeks ago. Her leaves started to droop and brown all of a sudden. I…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/JqOI0oLxS_mUTAz8-zZqiA"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Kelly"
published: "2024-11-24T15:34:40.073647Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/IO0CmCMV47_5iP0cqq6SJrSEwh0NIVlr4Q-RAGQMXXQ/7dtktOQwQ7KEzmO0M7Imlw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Please help me with my dieffenbachia. She was beautiful and full when…

_Posted by Kelly on 2024-11-24_

Please help me with my dieffenbachia. She was beautiful and full when I bought her a few weeks ago. Her leaves started to droop and brown all of a sudden. I moved her to another location and wrapped the pot in bubble wrap to keep her warm. (My family thinks I'm nuts). There are a few healthy leaves and I see signs of new growth. Should I cut off the withering leaves? I'm desperate to help her grow. This is my 3rd dieffenbachia and I'm determined not to fail. Please any advice

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/IO0CmCMV47_5iP0cqq6SJrSEwh0NIVlr4Q-RAGQMXXQ/7dtktOQwQ7KEzmO0M7Imlw.webp?size=large)

## 14 comments

### Thea commented on 2024-11-24

I have this same issue! So I would also love to know

### candissjean commented on 2024-11-24

i would certainly prune the dead leaves!!

#### Kelly replied on 2024-11-24

I will do that

### candissjean commented on 2024-11-24

honestly looks like he got overwatered and then dried up..

#### Kelly replied on 2024-11-24

I think so too

### Kades commented on 2024-11-24

How often were you watering?

#### Kelly replied on 2024-11-24

I was watering every week

### Aisha commented on 2024-11-24

Prune the leaves and then check the soil/roots. Did you repot when you brought it home? Most stores put their plants in too dense of a soil mix and it holds water too tightly. The roots may be rotting. If that’s the case you need to unpot, cut off all the dead roots, rinse in hydrogen peroxide and then repot in a soil with more drainage.

#### Kelly replied on 2024-11-24

Thank you! I will prune her. I did repot when o first brought the plant home. I put gravel and a bit of charcoal under the soil.

#### Aisha replied on 2024-11-24

I don’t hold much virtue with gravel under the soil. It isn’t as helpful as a lot of people think.  
Essentially the pot should only be 1”-2” larger than the root ball, and the most important thing is simply that the soil allows the roots to breathe.

#### Phil replied on 2024-11-24

If you did this as a substitute for a drain hole, it doesn’t work. The water will just fill in that area cause no roots to use it. The plant needs to drain out excess water.

#### Kelly replied on 2024-11-24

The pot has drain holes. When I water it I let the pot properly drain and there is no water in the drain pan

### Kelly commented on 2024-11-25

Pruned her

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/IO0CmCMV47_5iP0cqq6SJrSEwh0NIVlr4Q-RAGQMXXQ/_LnyjFSNTWelsgdW4i6vig.webp?size=large)

### Jezzy commented on 2025-08-31

i learned that my Dieffenbachias tell me when they need water by drooping lol. it’s hard to over or underwater when they literally tell me when they are thirsty. they are drama queens just like peace lilies. i seen you pruned and repotted and i realized this post was made about a year ago so i hope your plant bounced back better than ever !

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