How to Grow Houseplants

Houseplants as Decorative Assets

2011-04-26T01:18:00.000-07:00

Houseplants as Decorative Assets - Lately, indoor plants have become very popular as part of your home or office decorative assets. This is especially true in city homes with lack of enough outside greenery. It is amazing the variety of foliage that now blooms in homes or offices. It is now very common to find flowering plants, evergreens, shrubs, small trees, even palms and rare species from the Orient and deserts, in home indoor gardens. Most of the house plants can bloom year round, so that one can now create a feeling of spring even when snow is falling outside.

The decorating possibilities of house plants are endless. Just a single house plant can highlight a fireplace mantel, a coffee table or a piano and with a large collection of indoor plants foliage and flowering plants one can beautify a bay window in a dramatic way.

You also can sparkle up your kitchen with the addition of an indoor herb garden or create that sense of spring in your entrance foyer with the addition of the flowering bulbs plant and their captivating fragrance. Do you have a teacart? Then bring it to life by adding a potted plant. Now I can feel your decorative juices flowing because you now realize there are hundreds of places in your home where indoor plants will serve not only a decorative function, but also assist you in creating a healthy living home environment.

It is just so easy to create your own indoor garden. It can also be fun, especially after you make the right decision to buy the first one. You now realize you can create your own seasons indoors by buying or growing another indoor plant, for that special location in your home. Please stick to living plants, as the plastic artificial plants are virtually useless and cannot serve as decorative assets. The only talent you need is your imagination and the desire to enhance your living space in healthy way. You just need to use the same basic sound judgment you would employ in planning and using any of the materials, furnishings or accessories that compliment the beauty of your home.

Indoor plants can be classified into two basic types. The first one is the flowering plant that may either produce flower all at one time or keep flowering over several periods of time. Some of best known indoor flower plants are begonias, hydrangeas, geraniums, azaleas, lilies, roses, gardenias, tulips, poinsettias, daffodils, hyacinths and African violets.

The second basic type of plant is the foliage or green plants; they are mostly tropical and professionally conditioned to grow in almost any climate. The most popular ones are ferns, philodendrons, jade plants, Chinese evergreens, dracaena, begonias, bromeliads and other known wonderful plants.

While some gardeners might swear to the advantages of using clay pot, I for one, have had good experiences from using well draining regular containers. In the beginning, if funds are low, just stick to regular containers and your plants should thrive with some love and care. While red clay pots make good decorative pieces, you can also find many other colors of pots in different shapes and sizes that will add to and enhance your home decorative value.

The care for your indoor plants can be easy if you follow this simple common sense rules. Give your plants regular water, but do not over water them. I usually water my heavy foliage leaves plant every other day in the winter and every three days in the summer months. The flowering plants I water sparingly depending on the growth stage. Every three days is fine for them too. Do start out with plants that don't have yellowed, browned, curled or falling blossoms or leaves and drooping stems, which are the most common signs that a plant's root structure is not very healthy. Luckily, most plants come with some care instructions, do follow them carefully.

It is best to use well draining pots because you will be able to tell if you're over watering your plants. Most indoor plants prefer temperatures with range of 60 to 80 degrees. Apply liquid organic fertilizer once a month to help with proper growth. Please do not use chemical fertilizers, which in my opinion is deadly for humans to smell and breathe the odor. Watch out for occasional mealy bug or plant insects. Use only organic products, which you can find in most greenery store to eliminate the parasites.

You can start by visiting some of the online stores with detailed pictures about the best indoor plants to choose. When you consider all the health benefits of an indoor garden, then you would want to get started immediately.

The Norfolk Island Pine

2011-04-23T13:51:00.000-07:00

The Norfolk Island Pine makes a great addition to any decor because of its dwarf tree appearance. Plus, with tiered branches containing soft needles appearing like small brushes its appearance is appealing to many as a houseplant.

The Norfolk Island Pine prefers medium lighting so keep the plant within 5 - 8 feet of a window. The plant also prefers cooler household temperatures in general. Watering this houseplant is also quite simple. Water thoroughly once a week or when the soil becomes dry to touch and be sure to discard the extra water in the drain pan after a half hour or so. Also, I have found this houseplant prefers to be watered at the same time week after week. The Norfolk Island Pine also requires high humidity levels, so if humidity is low in your home, be sure to mist the plant with cool water at least once a week.

If the needles begin to fall, it may be 1 of many reasons. The first to check is that you are not over or under watering the plant. Secondly, be sure the pine is receiving enough sunlight, so you may want to try and move it closer to a window.

The Norfolk Island Pine is a medium to low maintenance houseplant, plus with its attractive appearance makes a great addition to any plant room. The only down side to this popular houseplant is that it is a slow grower so be sure to purchase the size you prefer.

Common Name: Norfolk Island Pine
Scientific Name: Araucaria heterophylla
Lighting: Moderate
Watering: Moderate to Low

Types of Houseplant Bugs and Ways to Control Their Infestation

2011-04-18T00:57:00.001-07:00

Sooner rather than later, houseplant bugs will infest your indoor plants, thereby causing them to wilt and shed their leaves prematurely. It is very essential you know more about the different types of house plant bugs and the most effective ways to control their infestation.

Your house plants are susceptible to attacks from assorted mite pests and insects. Bugs on houseplants are very capable of causing enormous damage to the health and appearance of the plant. When your houseplants are infested by mites, they will look weak or appear not to be growing vigorously. Usually, houseplants bugs can be traced to recently purchased plants or plants received as gifts. To prevent this, try to put your new plants at an isolated spot for at least a period of two weeks. Within the isolation you can easily determine the presence or absence of bugs on houseplants.

Some of the most popular houseplants bugs are:

Greenhouse Whiteflies: They are known to prefer greenhouse grown vegetables, such as tomatoes, cucumbers. Plants such as lantana, hibiscuses are also vulnerable to this pest. They are called whiteflies because they are usually covered with fine white wax. They like to suck sap from the plant, thereby causing damage to the plant. During infestation your houseplant will lack vigor and will have dull looking appearance. To subdue the infestation, one can resort to using sticky cards so as to trap adult whiteflies. It is better to apply, organic insecticides, horticultural oils and insecticidal soaps directly, to the leaves by using a sponge.

Twospotted spider mites: They are one of the most common pests infesting houseplants. They prefer all plants, because they crawl from one plant to another, thereby infesting all the indoor of nursery plants. Twospotted spider mites like to feed on plant sap and will produce small wounds appearing like white flecks on the outer plant cells. The beginning of the infestation more or less looks like small patches on the underside of the leaves, at the base of the leaf veins. Bit by bit, as the infestation grows, the leaves develop a grayish appearance.

You can easily spot the webs, if the infestation is major. Heavily infested leaves will drop prematurely. Unless caught in the very early stages of infestation, spider mite infestation is usually deadly. They are very difficult to eliminate and your best recourse is to discard all the plants infested, since these will serve as breeding grounds for new infestations. Sanitize the infected area and try to maintain top quality growing conditions to keep them at bay. Another way to control their spread is by repeatedly washing the small plants with jet of water. This will pressure the eggs and nymphs to get washed off.

Mealy bugs: They look soft but deadly effective at sucking sap from plants, thereby weakening it and causing its leaves to shed prematurely. They generally prefer, poinsettia, jade, lantana, coleus and cactus. These pests are known to affect various regions of the plant, from the root to the leaves. While infestation on the leaves is the most visible; frankly, these pests are mostly seen in the roots. The best way to get rid of bugs on the leaves of your houseplant is to swab individual mealy bugs with alcohol or insecticidal soap to curb their population. You can also apply insecticides like disulfoton and imidacloprid, which are also quite effective soil applicants.

Fungus Gnats: They look tiny and are dark colored. They like to fly across the soil surface. While a nuisance, the fungus gnats do cause little or no damage to the houseplants. Best ways to control them is to change soil moisture conditions. Since the fungus gnat larvae feed mostly on decaying plant material, changing soil moisture conditions will help. Apply yellow sticky cards to help capture the adult gnats.

Other known houseplant bugs are Aphids, Thrips, soft scales, armored scales and springtail. There are several ways to get rid of bugs on houseplants. You can start by washing your plants repeatedly with jets of water, which will help curb aphid and spider mite population. Hand picking method can be used to control larger houseplant bugs like mealy bugs. Vacuuming can help get rid of whiteflies. Furthermore, trapping some of these insects using bright colored sticky cards can also be very useful.

The Parlor Palm

2011-04-14T03:07:00.000-07:00

The Parlor Palm - is probably one of the most available indoor plants today. You can find it in many garden centers. It is sometimes called by the scientific name “Chamaedora elegans”. Parlor palm is just one of those tropical plants that will blossom indoors. Compared to all indoor palms, the parlor palm is certainly the slowest growing.

Small seedlings are often sold as terrarium plants and may take years to outgrow their allotted space. It is not surprising to see a plant only three feet high, but can be decades old! It is known to bloom readily indoors, but the branching flower stems have some decorative effect.

Parlor Palms do best with some filtered light, but direct sun isn't necessary. These plants are known to survive in shady areas and so they are a great choice for not just the home, but the office as well.

More article about Palms:

Growing Palms

Mimosa

2011-04-14T01:17:00.000-07:00

Mimosa - Genus of about 400 species of annuals, evergreen perennials, shrubs, and small trees, from forest to dry savanna in tropical regions worldwide. Mimosa folds up its leaves when touched or exposed to a flame. At night the leaves fold naturally. The plant requires a medium light exposure, an evenly moist soil, and temperatures between 60 and 85 F. Use caution when handling seedlings as the plant dislikes root disturbance. Mimosa may be difficult to grow and is sensitive to over-watering. The ball-like pink flower-heads appears during the summer months.

Growing Condition
Warm - minimum 60F in winter. As much light as possible. Shade from hot sun. Grow in soil-based potting mix.

Watering
Keep compost moist at all times - reduce watering in winter. Mist leaves frequently.

Special Helps
Sow seedat 64-75 F (18-24 C) in spring. Root softwood cuttings with bottom heat in early summer.

Pandanus

2011-04-14T00:58:00.000-07:00

Pandanus - Genus of about 250 species of dioecious, evergreen shrubs and trees occuring in dry and moist sites throughout tropical regions of Africa, India, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific islands. Pandanus becomes a rather large plant. Prop roots that reach down from the branches provide support and give the plant a unique appearance. It grows best in bright light but needs shade from bright summer sun. An east window would be a good location. Keep the soil evenly moist in the summer but drier in winter to prevent root rot. Ideal temperatures are 62 to 65 degrees at night and 80 to 85 degrees during the day. The plant tolerates low humidity. The small and petalless male and female flowers are produced on separate plants.
Pandanus veitchii is wide-spreading and reaches a height about 4 ft.

Growing Condition
Average warmth in summer - minimum 55F in winter. Brightly lit spot. Grow in soil-based potting mix.

Watering

Keep compost moist at all times but never waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter. Use soft, tepid water. Misting is necessary.

Special Helps
Propagation is by removing and rooting suckers when repotting. Root them in slightly moist medium with 70 degrees bottom heat. Sow seed at 64 F (18 C) as soon as ripe or in spring, first soaking them for 24 hours.

More article:
growing houseplants

Lady palms

2011-04-11T13:17:00.000-07:00

Lady palms are very adaptive thus their popularity as a houseplant. Lady palms foliage is characterized by thick green leaves with blunt tips radiating from the center of a stem. Picture your hand with your fingers spread out. The stems are covered with a brown fiber. Lady palms as a houseplant are slow growers. Outdoor varieties grow at a much faster rate.

There are many varieties of Lady Palms. Here are some of the most popular:
Thailand Lady Palm - Rhapis subtilis
Large Lady Palm - Rhapis excelsa
Miniature Lady Palm - Rhapis excelsa
Laos Lady Palm - Rhapis laosensis
Slender Lady Palm - Rhapis humilis

Lady palms prefer bright, indirect light so keep within 3 to 5 feet of a window. Variegated varieties require lower light levels. This houseplant is not very picky about its temperature or humidity. So normal indoor temperatures should suit these plants.

Lady palms prefer to dry out in-between watering however the Thailand Lady Palm (Rhapis subtilis) prefers to be moist at all times. This houseplant like many others is extremely touchy when it comes to water. Use un-treated water containing no fluorides or chlorine. If the tips of the leaves brown, the water may not be pure enough or you may be over fertilizing the plant. You can trim the brown tips off, just keep the leaves same shape when doing so.

Common Name: Lady Palms
Scientific Name: Rhapis species
Lighting: Bright Light
Watering: Moderate to Low

If the entire leaf is browning it could be due to one of many causes. One is that the plant is not receiving enough water. Another common mistake is that the plant has been placed to close to a draft or heat source.

Scale insects are main pest for this houseplant however can be hard to identify and get rid of. The best method is using an insecticide which is absorbed through the roots. Visit your local garden center to find the right product.

See also :
Growing Palms

Shamrock plants

2011-04-11T13:13:00.001-07:00

Shamrock plants come in a wide variety of species. Varieties include those with deep burgundy foliage with white or pink flowers to green foliage as well. Shamrock plants form a mound like appearance by continually sprouting new shoots. One thing to be aware of, is that generally within 2 months of receiving your Shamrock plant, the plant will appear to be dying and actually seem dead. Don't throw it out! It is a bulb and goes into a dormant state.

Shamrock plants prefer low light levels in most cases. Some varieties like higher levels, so be sure to follow the tag for your specific variety. If your plant is stretching or becomes lanky in appearance, it is probably not receiving enough light.

Shamrock plants prefer to have their soil somewhat moist at all times. However you do not want the soil to be soggy, so be careful not to over water. Generally, if the soil does dry out, this houseplant will spring back from a wilted state quite quickly. But do not make a habit of under watering the plant. If the foliage begins to yellow, you may be over watering the plant.

If you're Shamrock plant has not bloomed, you can try to cut back water levels on the plant to force it into a dormancy state. Then in 2 to 3 months begin to increase the water levels.

I have never had this plant, so any tips or advice are welcomed and encouraged to assist my readers in caring for this houseplant.

The Zebra plant

2011-04-06T01:48:00.001-07:00

Common Name: Zebra Plant
Scientific Name: Aphelandra squarrosa
Lighting: Bright Light
Watering: Moderate

The Zebra plant receives its name according to its zebra looking foliage. Oversized, green with stripes of white foliage with bright exotic looking bright yellow flowers is the character appearance of the Zebra plant. Once the flowers are done blooming, prune out the old bloom giving room for the growth of future blooms.

The Zebra plant does best in bright, indirect light. Due to its South American home the Zebra plant prefers warm temperatures with high humidity levels. So the plant loves to be misted once or twice a week to provide for its humidity needs.

Watering the plant once a week should be sufficient however, do not allow the plant to dry out. If the leaves start to drop, you are probably under watering.

This is a medium maintenance houseplant with the main concerns being the humidity and watering needs, which are can easily be accommodated once you have it down. I personally have never had any problems with mites or bugs, but if they appear lightly spray the plant with a soapy water mixture daily.

The Madagascar Dragon Tree

2011-04-06T01:46:00.000-07:00

The Madagascar Dragon Tree is to me one of the most popular houseplants, yet one of the hardest to identify. I looked through many houseplant books before actually finding the name of this particular Dracaena. Needless to say, this is a great houseplant and one of my favorites. Long, narrow, spike like foliage characterize this plant. Foliage is usually green with a red outline, thus giving the houseplant its drama.

The Madagascar Dragon Tree is fairly easy to care for. The greatest thing I like about the Madagascar Dragon Tree is that it allows you to create your own look with it. As you can see from mine, I just let them go at will. However you can brace your stalks up, twist them or create your own attraction with them.

Common Name:Madagascar Dragon Tree
Scientific Name: Dracaena marginata
Lighting: Moderate to Low
Watering: Moderate

The Madagascar Dragon Tree requires moderate to low light levels. This Dracaena can usually withstand lower light levels than some of the other Dracaena's. As with many Dracaena varieties, if the dramatic coloring or variegation on the foliage begins to fade, the plant may not be receiving enough light.

This houseplant prefers to have moderate water levels. So keep the soil fairly moist at all times. Dracaena's are native to the African jungles, so they do require higher humidity levels. If the tips of the foliage begin to brown, it may be a sign that there is not enough humidity in the air. In the winter, simply running a humidifier may be enough to supplement their high humidity requirements. Otherwise you can also give your plant a nice daily misting instead.

Keep in mind, this houseplant sheds its bottom foliage frequently. This does not mean you are doing anything wrong in terms of caring for it. Just as the plant grows the bottom leaves shed.

The Hawaiian Ti

2011-04-06T01:41:00.000-07:00

The Hawaiian Ti's appearance truly is exotic. Plus it is commonly known as the Good Luck tree. The Hawaiian Ti plant grows in canes with maroon spear shaped foliage. The Hawaiian Ti can grow anywhere from 2 to 5 feet in height. This houseplant makes a colorful addition to any sunroom.

The Hawaiian Ti plant prefers bright light so keep the houseplant within 3 to 5 feet of a sunny window. Also keep it away from any drafts and heat vents. This houseplant requires high levels of humidity, so misting with water daily will help keep your Hawaiian Ti plant healthy and beautiful.

Common Name: Hawaiian Ti, Good Luck Tree, Red Sister
Scientific Name: Cordyline terminalis
Lighting: Bright Light
Watering: Moderate to Heavy

The hardest part about keeping your Hawaiian Ti plant healthy is the watering. Keep the soil moist at all times, however, do not flood the plant. You need to keep the soil moist but not soaked. Water the plant thoroughly at least twice a week. Do not let the plant dry out in between waterings so watch it carefully.

I have also found the Hawaiian Ti to be particular on what kind of water it is given. Fresh water, free of chemicals has been the best source for myself. If foliage begins to fall, chances are the plant is not receiving enough water.

Goldfish Plant

2011-04-06T01:39:00.001-07:00

Common Name: Goldfish Plant
Scientific Name: Nematanthus wettsteinii
Lighting: Bright to Moderate Light
Watering: Moderate to Heavy

The Goldfish plant is characterized by bright orange flowers radiating from glossy green foliage. The flowers looking like orange goldfish thus the name. This houseplant prefers a little more work than others due to the high humidity it requires.

The Goldfish plant prefers bright light. A nicely lit area out of direct sunlight will work perfectly. If the leaves begin to curl up, your plant is most likely not receiving enough light. Try moving it to a more lighted area.

The Goldfish plant requires moderate to heavy water levels. Keep the soil moist at all times, however prevent the soil from being soggy. This houseplant is in the same family as African violets and thus requires high humidity levels. Mist the plant daily to help fulfill its humidity requirement.

This houseplant also needs warmer temperatures. Keep temperatures above 60 degrees. Be sure to also avoid vents and drafty areas. Another area of caution. This houseplant can go into a resting period. If your plant begins to drop healthy looking leaves, keep the plant dryer than usual for about a month, then begin normal watering again. This should spring the plant back into gear.

Seeing as this houseplant can be a tricky one, please share any tips you have with everyone!

Rex Begonia Planting Media

2011-04-04T03:08:00.000-07:00

Planting medium is a key component when it will grow crops. Planting medium that will be used must be tailored to the type of what to plant crops. Determine appropriate planting medium and standard for different types of plants native habitat is difficult. This is because each region has its humidity and wind speed are different. In general, the planting medium must be able to keep moisture around the root area, providing enough air, and may withhold the availability of nutrients.
To get a good planting medium and according to the type of crop to be planted, a hobbyists must have an understanding of the characteristics of growing media which may vary from each type. Especially for begonia rex is the most suitable media bamboo leaves which had almost rotted included in the category of organic matter use of organic materials as planting media is far superior compared with inorganic materials. That's because organic material is able to provide nutrients for plants. In addition, organic materials also have pores macro and micro are nearly balanced so that the resulting air circulation is good enough and has high water absorption.
Organic materials will undergo a process of weathering or decomposition by microorganisms. Through this process, will produce carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O), and minerals. Minerals produced is a source of nutrients that can be absorbed by plants as a food substance. However, the process of decomposition is too fast can lead to the emergence of seedling disease. To avoid this, the planting medium must be frequently replaced. Therefore, the addition of nutrients should be given before the material must still planting medium underwent decomposition.
Based on the author's experience with the media bamboo leaf begonia plant roots is very easy to develop because if there is excess water would be easily wasted and also available free air in the media because there are a lot of air cavity.

Begonia

2011-04-04T03:01:00.000-07:00

His name is Begonia. At first glance, some of these plants somewhat oval shaped with a strong fiber. If you look at it, we are reminded by the figure of the tongue. But the feather-like leaves are smooth and thick carpets Like silk. And not infrequently, some fans call it plant tongue ornamental plant that carpets made from fine-smooth as silk.

If plants anthurium and aglaonema still high-priced, it could not hurt if you attempt this one crop. The shape is cute, but still in character, both in color and in structure leaves a lot overgrown with fine hair. The leaves are somewhat oval, with a joint firm fingers, and a distinctive color pattern, color basically on top and some red (below).

Besides hair, a few other Begonia species are also formed with a waxy leaf surface and soft, some are rough and full of wrinkles. Almost all of Begonia leaves produce a creeping rhizome, or in the soil.

Begonia is a wild plant that grows in wet forests or sometimes planted as an ornamental plant. Begonia can grow well in moist places, humus soil, and in a slightly shaded, ranging from 900 m to 2300 m above sea level. Begonia usually will bloom from June until September. Proper harvest time is September to November.

As the trend of growing ornamental plants, begonia climbed caste. Had not responded because of its existence spread in all public places until the forest, are now increasingly Begonia makeup. As the use of growth media is more exclusive, that is in the pot, Begonia started ogled people.

Temperature

2011-02-27T22:12:00.000-08:00

Temperature. The most favorable temperature for interior plants during the day is 65 to 70° and during the nigh, 60 to 65° F. During the summer, plants that are located in direct sunlight may need to be moved or shaded during midday to avoid extreme heat and injury.

During the winter, plants may need to be moved away from the window. The window is the colder part of the room, especially if there are no storm windows. If the plants are to be kept near the window, some sort of protection such as plastic or paper is needed.

Houseplants may be moved outside if done gradually. It should be done until the night temperature is regularly above 60° F. Do not put plants directly in the sun. It can be a great shock to the plants and will do them no good. Slowly put them into direct sunlight. It takes time for plants to get used to the different light intensities and the higher temperatures. When the outdoor temperatures begin to go lower than 60° F., the plants should be brought back inside.

Geraniums (Pelargonium)

2011-02-24T01:50:00.000-08:00

Many new kinds of this popular pot plant have been developed, the best known of which is the zonal type named for the markings in the foliage. Mainly, leaves are green, but the colorful zonal sub-group called fancy-leaf geraniums sport variegated foliage. Ivy-leaf varieties, another group of geraniums, perform masterfully in hanging baskets. The scented foliage types give you nutmeg, peppermint, lemon, rose, or other fragrance to enjoy.

Ball-shaped heads of colorful small blooms arise on tall stalks. Zonal kinds come in pink, red, salmon, and white. Ivy-leaved geraniums range from rose-carmine to white.

Light

Geraniums are high-light intensity plants ; they thrive in a south or southwest window.

Water

Since they have thick, succulent stems, geraniums can withstand some drought. But for healthy, vigorous growth and blooms, water plants every time soil surface becomes dry. Drainage must be good; they resent waterlogged soil.

Special Helps

New geraniums are commonly rooted by taking three-to five-inch growth cuttings from healthy mature plants.

Geraniums bloom best when slightly pot-bound. Without a daily dose of at least three or four hours of sunshine, your plants will become leggy and refuse to bloom.

Don’t feed your geraniums unless they have stopped growing or the foliage is pale. Even then, use only a small amount of any water-soluble fertilizer (overfeeding will result in leggy plants that produce few blooms).

Source : Growing Houseplants

Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula; Venus flytrap)

2011-02-23T08:03:00.000-08:00

This small, novelty houseplant can catch and digest flies and other insects, but does not need them to survive. The hinged traps naps shut when an unsuspecting insect touches the sensitive hair inside. Digestive juices secreted by the plant finish off the victim, and the rap is set again. Cut off the small flowers that appear in June on tall stems, as they weaken the plant.

Light

Venus flytrap grows in sun in its native Carolinas. Full sun bring out the red coloring inside the leaf traps; if grown mostly in shade, they will be green only.

Water

Never let this plant lack moisture; water every other day. Flytrap prefers high humidity.

Special Helps

This is one plant that doesn’t need drainage. It grows along the edges of moist sandy bottom land in its natural habitat. In the home, use a wide shallow container without drainage and plant the specimen-not too firmly-in loose, live sphagnum moss. When watering, fill the sallow container with water to wet the moss thoroughly, then pour off excess water. Never fertilize the Venus flytrap.

Propagate by root division. Plants do die naturally as they mature, but new ones will normally take the parent’s place. An improper environment-shade, poor potting medium, or air that is too dry-will stunt the flytrap’s growth.

Source : Growing Houseplants

Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

2011-02-23T08:01:00.000-08:00

This low creeping plant comes handsomely “decorated” with white, pink, or red veins in the leaves. When flowers appear, they grow erect as white spikes.

Light

Grow shade-loving fittonia in a north window or away from sun in near east, south, or west exposure.

Water

Keep the soil moist at all times. Unless your fittonia is growing in the humidity of a terrarium-for which it’s admirably suited-set the potted plant on a pebble tray containing wet gravel to help raise the humidity.

Special Helps

Feed lightly once or twice a year. Fittonia prefers a porous soil mixture containing plenty of organic matter. Prune to keep under control. Propagate by taking stem cuttings, preferably in the spring.

Source : Growing Houseplants

Firefern (Oxalis hedysariodes rubra)

2011-02-23T07:58:00.000-08:00

This shrubby plant is an oxalis, but unlike others in the family, it has red foliage. Little yellow flowers contrast nicely against satiny wine-red leaves.

Light

Firefern needs a sunny window for its foliage to remain a rich red color.

Water

Keep soil evenly moist. Firefern resents soggy soil, so be sure pot has adequate drainage in bottom.

Special Helps

Use standard potting mixture. Like most houseplants, the main requirement is a porous medium to allow enough air to get to the roots. Feed sparingly; a light feeding every two or three months dhould be enough.

Source : Growing Houseplants

Ficus

2011-02-23T07:16:00.000-08:00

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

Ficus elastica (rubber plant) and F. elastica ‘decora’ (with broader leaves and red new growth) have long been rated as easy to grow, but really they’re not. The assumption has been that the rubber plant would grow in the poorest light and with minimum water. Untrue! A rubber plant needs bright light and regular watering. In its natural environment, it’s a big tree, growing in full sun.

Celeste fig

F. lyatra (fiddleleaf fig) sports huge, stiff, glossy leaves that demand constant moisture or they turn brown and drop. F. benamina (weeping fig) has small, waxy leaves on pendant branches and is the easiest of his group o manage. Although less fussy about light and water than the others, it will go into a decline if you put it in too dim a light and treat it like a desert plant.

The celeste fig boast bold, handsome leaves that are decorative from spring through fall. They drop just a deciduous trees are losing leaves outside. After they go, however, the angular stems offer their own peculiar beauty throughout dreary winter months.

Light

All ficus species like bright, indirect sun. full sun through glass will burn the leaves.

Water

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

Keep the soil moist to the touch. Frequency of watering depends (as with any houseplant) on the size of the plant and pot and whether the container has drainage and is made of clay, plastic, or ceramic.

Special Helps

Use a general potting soil lightened with a little sand or perlite. Feed three or four times a year with any complete solube or liquid houseplant food. If your plant grows too fast, space feeding at longer intervals or eliminate altogether. Do nont feed Celeste fig during its winter dormancy periode.

Source : Growing Houseplants

Fern

2011-02-21T07:34:00.000-08:00

Boston fern

The most popular fern for home decoration is the Boston (Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis), which comes in more forms than the other fern classes. Some grow leaves only eight inches long, while other kinds reach four to five feet.

Other interesting ferns for indoor use are small brake fern (Pteris), which features wiry leave. If you want a Victoria brake fern (Pteris victoriae), with its jade green fronds stripes silvery white, you will probably find it among plants sold for terrariums. This does not mean you must grow in terrarium, though, it’s beautiful anywhere.

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum) is a small type having wiry leaf stems with long fronds radiating from them in spoke fasion. Small, fan-shaped leaflets line each spoke.

Asplenium, another plant group from which a number of handsome ferns come, includes bird’s-nest fern (Asplenium nidus). Its bright green, lance-shaped leaves are whole rather than feathery, and arise stiffly in a whorl from a crown.

Asplenium myriophyllum, a lacy fern, puts up fronds of 6 to 15 inches and is suitable to grow in a cool greenhouse. Japanese holly-fern (Cyrtonium falcatum ‘Rochefordianum’) gets its common name from the stiff, varnished look of its 8 – to 10 – inch fronds. It’s easier to grow than the Boston fern and makes less demand for high humidity.

Staghorn fern

Staghorn fern (Platycerium vassei), with its antler-shaped leaves, never fails to attract attention. Its grows naturally on trees, so in cultivation attach it to a ball of sphagnum on aboard and hang it up.

Light

In nature,fern grow where light intensity is low. In the home, ferns do well under bright light, but not direct sun. in shout and west windows, hang a sheer curtain to dilute the intensity of the sun, but it’s not necessary. Never expose variegated Pteris ferns to sun, just bright light.

Water

Bird's-nest fern

Fern like an even moisture supply to thrive (water less during short, dark winter days). On sunny days, mist foliage early in the morning. Don’t mist on dark, damp days, though, or so late in the day that mist remains on leaves overnight. That could invite mold or fungus to form. Once one of these unwelcome guests appears, you might as well destroy the affected plant and start over.

Leaf wilting generally indicates a lack of water. Yellowing, other than that of natural aging or disease, is a sign of excessive moisture or poor drainage. To ensure good drainage for your fern-never allow it to stand in water-use about an inch of clay chips in the bottom of the pot.

To water a staghorn fern, suspend it from a shower head in your bathroom and turn a fine spray of water over the plant, sphagnum, and board. Leave in the shower until dripping stops. Follow this unusual watering procedure twice a week.

Special Helps

Feed ferns with care-once every six month with a slow-release should be enough. If you use a liquid houseplant fertilizer, be careful not to use more than stated on container label. And remember: always water your plants before applying a fertilizer.

Asplenium myriophyllum

Avoid extremes in temperatures and drafty conditions. Keep ferns away from hot air registers. Propagate ferns at any time of year by root division. Ferns dislike heavy soil. Use a commercial mixture high in peat moss, or make your own with two parts peat moss or leaf mold, one part garden loam, and one part perlite or coarse sand. Add a little crushed charcoal to the mixture.

Source : Growing Houseplants

Dracena (Dracaena)

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Corn Plant (Dracaena massangeana)

The great variety of dracenas available provide dramatic forms for interior design. These impressively large foliage plant make good choice for either formal or informal setting , regardless of whether you use them singly or as focal points for mass arrangement of plant collection. And as an added plus, they are easy to grow.

Dracaena fragrans massangeana often is called the corn plant because its wide leaves resemble those of a cornstalk. The yellow stripe that runs the length of each leaf will disappear if the plant stands too far from its light source, but the all-green foliage is still lush. Brown leaf tips indicate improper watering-either too little or too much.

Dracaena janet craig has several relatives of similar appearance, all of which often are called dragon trees. They do well in medium light and average house humidity if grown in porous soil and provide with good drainage.

Dracaena warnecki

The striking leaves of Dracaena warnecki make it popular in spite of its tendency to develop brown tips and edge. You can snip of these discoloration with scissors.

One of the most desirable of indoor plant, Dracaena marginata has narrow bottle-green leaves edged with red. This angular, sculptural plant will reach a height of six feet.

Dracaena godseffiana, called Florida Beauty, is a dwarf, maturing at 18 to 24 inches tall. Its wiry stems of green leaves mottled with creamy white grow in a haphazard manner.

Light

Florida Beauty (Dracaena godseffiana)

Grow in an east window or out of direct sun in south and west windows to maintain brightly colored foliage of the variegated types. Dracaena will survive with only remote artificial light, but growth will be much slower.

Water

Dracaenas withstand neglected for some time, but it’s best to keep soil just moist to the touch. Lower leaves of D. marginata will drop if you withhold water too long. Of course, old leaves will drop eventually, anyway, resulting in the angular stem structure that’s generally pleasing. As with all houseplants, always use unsoftened, room-temperature water.

Draceana janet craig

Special Helps

Loose, well-drained soil high in organic matter encourages good growth,; a general potting soil mixture will suffice. Feed with any complete soluble or liquid houseplant fertilizer every three month, year around.

Start new plants from stem cutting or by air layering. Rejuvenate an overly leggy dracaena by cutting it off four to six inches above ground. New growth will sprout on what’s left of the old potted stem.

Source : Growing Houseplants

Watering

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Most plants should be kept moist, but not super saturated. The soil should be drenched each watering, which means allowing the water to flow out of the container. Therefore, care should be taken when selecting a container. The planter should have drainage holes in the bottom so the excess water is able to drain out. If the plant is being watered through the bottom, remember to remove the plant from the water within an hour or as soon as the surface of the soil is moist. If the plant is left in standing water, damage may occur to the root systems. Tap water is generally safe for houseplants. If the water is softened, an adverse effect may occur. Most softeners contain sodium, which may build up in the soil and eventually become toxic. Another element which may be present in water is fluoride. Fluoride can cause injury in some foliage plants, especially those in the Lilaceae family.

Clay pots are good if one is prone to overwatering. Clay pots are porous, meaning that when the surface of the soil dries, the rest of the soil is also dry. Plants grown in plastic pots will require less watering because they are non-porous and hold water longer. Clay and plastic pots, with drainage holes, are the best containers in which to grow successful plants.

Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

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Different varieties of Adenium are similar in that they all produce attractive flowers and also usually produce a fat stem near the base (the caudex). However, although they all have beautiful flowers and fat/interesting stems, there is endless variation in these traits and little agreement amongst plant-lovers on which is the best!
Adeniums in general are well adapted to the hot dry conditions of southern Arizona from March through October, but have essentially no frost tolerance, so must be protected whenever cold temperatures are expected.
Because winter protection is required, Adeniums are almost always planted in containers, and moved when necessary to provide protection. As for all plants in containers, more attention is necessary than for plants in the ground. In containers, soil conditions change very quickly - soil in containers heats up and cools down much faster than does native soil; also, soil water content changes much more quickly in containers.

Light
Where native, Adeniums can grow in full sunlight, and if properly managed, they will also tolerate the full sun. Since we protect our plants in the winter by placing them under artificially warm conditions and under much lower light levels than exist outdoors, we cannot immediately place our plants in direct sun in the spring - they must be gradually adapted to higher light, and will likely do best if maintained under partial shade throughout the summer (20-40%). Exposure to full sunlight from noon to 5:00 PM in mid-summer can be especially dangerous. Under shade, leaves will be darker green and likely experience less damage from wind. Flower production may suffer if excessive shade is used.

Water
Proper watering is the key to keeping your Adenium healthy. Because every situation is unique, it is impossible to give a precise watering schedule that will lead to best results, but a few guide-lines will be given. Frequency of watering is determined by the soil mix and container which you use. A well-drained 'cactus' soil mix should be used to avoid excessive moisture around the roots, but such mixes will require more frequent watering. Plants in unglazed terra cotta containers will need to be watered more frequently than plants in glazed or plastic containers. Care should be taken to assure that drainage holes in the container are not blocked.

Special Helps
During the active-growing season (late-May through early September), application of a complete liquid fertilizer (one which contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) once or twice a month, or use of a controlled (slow) release fertilizer at the rates recommended on the package will satisfy nutritional needs. Slow-release fertilizers should not be applied after mid-summer.

Dizygotheca (Dizigotheca eleganissima; false aralia; thread-leaf)

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Botanically speaking, this indoor shrub, which reaches five feet tall, is a dizygotheca-but asking for it by that name wouldn’t get you far in the supermarket. In ordinary trade, it remains Aralia elegantissima. Elegant it is, but by no means as delicate as the foliage might lead you to believe.

Light

This plant need little light and will thrive for years with only artificial overhead light. However, a summer chance does it good. Put it outdoors under a tree where sunlight is well filtered. Tie plant to a stake to avoid wind damage.

Water

Water thoroughly once every week to keep your dizygotheca in peak shape. Supply good bottom drainage. Leaf drop may result from either too dry or waterlogged soil.

Special Help

Use a standard potting soil mixture. Feed established plants lightly every two weeks only during active growth period-early spring trough summer. Propagate by root division.

Source : Growing Houseplants