![]() Growing conditions: Ficus elastica tolerates less light than most other plants of its size, but is happiest in bright, reflected light. It’s one of NASA’s standard houseplants for improving indoor air quality, too. Where conditions permit, the rubber plant can reach ceiling height. New leaves unfold from rosy pink sheaths that soon wither and drop. Thick, glossy, and leathery, its dark green leaves are 8 to 12 inches long, 4 to 6 inches wide. Dracaena will tolerate a pot-bound condition for long periods and is rarely bothered by pests or diseases.įicus elastica is one of the most foolproof of all indoor plants. If your plant develops brown tips, simply cut them off with a pair of scissors, making sure the trimmed leaves still have a natural shape. To keep Dracaena in good health and looking its best, regularly wipe leaves off with a damp cloth or move your plant to a location where it can be given a gentle shower. During autumn and winter, water less frequently and stop fertilizing. ![]() Keep soil moist (like a squeezed-out sponge) but not soggy fertilize regularly during spring and summer with a complete fertilizer. The plant grows well with standard indoor potting soil and average house temps and humidity. Growing conditions: Dracaena prefers bright, indirect light it tolerates dimmer light, but growth slows as a result. Dracaena is a great houseplant for darker spaces, looking especially nice in pairs for flanking doorways. Leaves are deep glossy green, edged in purplish red. Stems end in crowns of narrow, leathery leaves ½ inch wide and up to 2 feet long. This plant is remarkably free of pests and diseases, and is quite long-lived.ĭracaena marginata has smooth gray stems, slender and erect, eventually growing to 20 feet. Brown or burned tips usually result from too much water or fertilizer, particularly during autumn and winter. Don’t use commercial leaf shine products. Large, smooth leaves attract dust in a hurry-keep them clean with a soft, damp cloth. Allow it dry out somewhat during the autumn and winter rest period. Keep it evenly moist except in autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. It’s one of the best choices for low-light locations, but keep it away from direct sunlight. Growth conditions: Though very tolerant of a wide range of conditions, Aspidistra prefers high humidity, cool temps, and a standard, porous potting soil. If you don’t see them among the low light houseplants at the nursery, look among outdoor shade-loving plants. Cast-iron plants aren’t always classed as houseplants. Its tough leaves, glossy and dark green, 1 to 2½ feet long and 3 to 4 inches wide, arch elegantly the leaves are pointed at the tips. Small plants at the ends of stems grow complete with roots, so you can snip them off and plant them.Īs its common name implies, cast-iron plant is strong-one of the sturdiest and most carefree of all houseplants, though somewhat slow-growing. If you grow Chlorophytum in a hanging basket, rotate the basket a half-turn every week or so to produce even, well-spaced growth. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. Though it will tolerate the low humidity of most homes, it does benefit from frequent misting. Growing conditions: Chlorophytum prefers bright, reflected light, standard potting soil, and average house temps. To best protect these offspring, grow spider plant as a hanging plant. Tiny white flowers appear at the ends of the 2-foot-long stems before miniature plants sprout. The mother plant, a clump of curving leaves that resemble long, broad grass blades, sends out long stems with “baby” plants at their ends. Spider plants, native to tropics around the globe and the first houseplant for innumerable people, probably owes its popularity to its unique growth habit (and for its ease of growth as a low light houseplant). Clean leaves regularly with a damp cloth. If the plant becomes leggy, cut it back to 6 inches from the soil line. And sudden changes from low to high light levels usually inflict sunburn on leaves. Dieffenbachia will not survive constant overwatering. Turn plants occasionally for even growth. Except in autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Water it when soil feels dry to the touch. It’s happy with standard potting soil, average home temps, and average humidity. Growing conditions: Dieffenbachia likes filtered light or a northern exposure. Acrid sap from the leaves, if eaten, burns the mouth and throat and may actually paralyze the vocal cords, hence its common name (dumb is an archaic word that means “mute”). Flowers that look like odd, narrow calla lilies form on mature plants. Young plants generally grow on single stems, but older plants may develop multiple stems. Leaves are variegated in greens and cream colors. Offering generous size, fascinating foliage, and good tolerance of indoor conditions, Dieffenbachia is a fan favorite, especially as a houseplant for darker spaces.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |