Dieffenbachia soft stems

A dark, mushy cane base can follow rot or cold injury. Unpot the plant and find where tissue becomes firm; collapsed cane will not recover its structure.

Remove rot or take a cutting

Use clean tools and gloves because the sap is irritating. Retain firm roots and cane only, replacing contaminated mix and cleaning the pot. If the base is lost, a healthy top or cane section with a node can be rooted separately.

Place cuttings in lightly moist propagation mix, warm and out of direct sun. Keep the medium aerated rather than soaked. If no firm cane remains, discard the plant and its mix.