|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For many people
today, growing houseplants is a fascinating hobby as well as a means
of improving the general appearance of the inside of the home.
Growing them successfully though can be tricky for beginners. This
small guide will help beginners and amateurs to grow houseplants
more successfully, rather than just trying to keep them alive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
| Beginners should
start off with the tried and tested types that are easy to look
after like Tradescentia, Crassula, Dracaena's, Peace
Lily, Ficus Elasticus and
Yucca's. |
| Remember
these plants are not hardy and if bought in winter make sure the
plant is wrapped up well for the journey home. It can be fatal for
plants like African Violets to spend as much as half an hour in
the cold.
|
| Make sure when
purchasing plants that they have a care label attached. |
| Don't be too kind to
them when you get them home, let the plant acclimatise to its new
surroundings before watering & feeding. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| Most
indoor plants are just like most people, they don't like being
cold. Most houseplants available on the market are happy at
room temperature, about 65F. One of the biggest factors of poor
development in houseplants is fluctuating temperatures. Most
houses are warm during the day and evening but at night the
temperature, if not constant, will drop substantially and this
can be harmful for some plants. |
|
 |
| Syringing
(spraying plants with clean water) removes dirt from the
leaves and increases humidity to a degree. Be sure to syringe
plants early in the day to allow the leaf surface to dry. Leaf
disease can develop if the leaf surface remains wet overnight.
High humidity areas such as bathrooms and kitchens are often ideal for plants. |
|
 |
| Most plants
indoors must have adequate light if they are to do well.
Generally speaking, plants with green foliage will fare better
in the less well-lit locations, and plants with colourful
foliage will do better in the lighter positions. Almost all
indoor plants will benefit from artificial lighting in the
evening, particularly in the short winter days. Due to
possible leaf scorch, spotlights should be at a reasonable
distance, but other forms of light should be suspended some
6ft above. |
|
|
 |
| Watering is
probably the most difficult subject on which to offer advice,
as most plants differ in their moisture needs. As a general
rule most plants like their soil damp, not wet, not dry, the
trick is keeping the fine line between. Personally with my own
plants (with a few exceptions) I only water when the compost
has almost dried out. Also, if its warm and raining pop your
plants outside for a good soak and wash. Reduce the amount of
watering in winter as the plants are dormant. |
|
 |
| All
houseplants benefit from feeding. Follow the instructions of
each different type of fertiliser for dosage amounts. The
compost should be watered in advance of feeding and you should
not feed sick plants or plants that have just been potted. |
|
 |
| Increase
your houseplant collection by taking cuttings. Click
Here for our cuttings guide. |
|
 |
| Save money:
Instead of using a chemical leaf cleaner to shine your
leaves, wipe them with cotton wool soaked in milk and
water (not tap water, used bottled or rainwater). |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Yucca Elephantipes |
| Spineless
Yucca |
| A
popular houseplant with several sparsely branched trunks and
leathery, lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. This giant or
'spineless yucca' is a fine specimen for the hallway or a
large room, and does need a deep, well-drained container. It
can be put outside in the summer but will need an unheated,
well-lit spot in winter. |
|
 |
 |
Crassula
ovata |
| Money Tree
aka Money Plant, Jade Plant |
| An
easy-to-grow house plant with thick, fleshy, succulent leaves
that are sometimes edged red, are borne on thick,
many-branched stems. It is the attractive tree-like shape and
foliage that they are grown for but sometimes they produce
star-shaped, white flowers in autumn too. |
 |
|
 |
Dracaena Marginata |
| Madagascar
Dragon Tree |
| The
upright and linear stems of this plant topped with grassy
leaves make it a striking focal point. It is an elegant plant
with beautiful, arching leaves that red margins. It can
tolerate low light levels but is best suited to a brightly lit
room. It is also an effective air cleaner and helps to promote
a healthy environment. |
|
|
|
|
 |
Alocasia
x amazonica |
| Elephant's
Ear Plant |
| Strikingly
dark green leaves which contrast with bold white veins.
A distinctly uncommon houseplant originating from
tropical Asia that certainly arouses attention - the
massive leaves are arrow-shaped. Best kept in a
semi-shaded spot in summer in a warm room and then move
to a bright spot in winter. |
|
|
|
Monstera
Deliciosa |
| Cheese
Plant |
| This
has been a popular house plant for many years. The young
leaves are undivided and heart-shaped but develop their characteristic
split edges and holes with age. It needs to be
trained up a moss-covered pole so that the pencil-thick aerial
roots can be guided up the moss. A lush plant for a shady
room. |
|
|
 |
Spathiphyllum
Gigant |
| Peace
Lily |
| A
striking plant with arum-like flowers and large, lance-shaped,
glossy green leaves. The flowers, produced over the summer,
can last for up to six weeks or or more. It is perfect for a
shadier spot in the house but should be kept out of cold
draughts. |
|
|
 |
Schefflera
arboricola Gold Capella |
| Umbrella
Tree |
| This
umbrella tree has large glossy green leaves, splashed with
gold, that radiate from a central point, just like the spokes
of an umbrella. It makes a handsome specimen plant that is
easy to grow and loves being in a bright, sunny spot out of
direct sunlight. |
|
|
 |
Howea forsteriana |
| Kentia Palm |
| One
of the most elegant and interesting of all pot plants. It has
magnificent upright leaves which look especially stunning when
lit from below. Though its natural home is the South Pacific,
it is an easy to care for house plant which has been popular
since the 19th century. |
|
|
 |
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia |
| Aroid
Palm |
| An
unusual plant that looks remarkably similar to Zamia
furfuracea. It has bright greeny, shiny leaves on arching
stems and spreads by suckers from the base, eventually filling
up the pot. An exotic looking plant that is easy to look
after. It can cope with very low light levels and little
water, but is also happy in a sunny spot but needs watering
more often. |
|
|
 |
Epipremnum
aureum |
| Devil's
Ivy |
| A
striking plant grown for its large heart-shaped,
variegated leaves. It is a climber which needs a moss
covered pole to grow up, though it can also be grown in
a hanging basket. It is an easy plant to grow that makes
a lovely specimen, even in a shady corner. |
|
|
 |
Nolina
recurvata |
| Ponytail
Palm |
| One
of the most bizarre-looking houseplants available. A
ponytail-like tuft of narrow, green leaves sprouting
from the top of a long, woody stem. The swollen
bulb-like base adds to the unusual appearance. Ideal for
a bright spot in the house or office and it requires
very little attention too. |
|
|
 |
Phoenix
roebellinii |
| Pygmy
Date Palm |
| Slender,
dark green leaflets, grey-green when young, and clusters
of cream summer flowers, followed by edible, black
fruit. This miniature date palm makes a handsome,
evergreen house plant for office or home. Tolerant of
low light levels and neglect, it performs best grown in
full light, with shade from hot sun. |
|
|
 |
Stromanthe
Triostar |
| Peacock
Plant |
| This
house plant belongs to the Maranta group, which have one
outstanding feature - their spectaular foliage. This one
is no exception with dark green glossy leaves splashed
with cream and dark purple undersides. It isn't a
difficult plant to grow but does prefer to be out of
bright light, which fades the leaf colour, and cold
draughts. |
|
|
 |
Washingtonia
robusta |
| Thread
Palm |
| An
easy-to-care for palm that lends a tropical look to any
room, conservatory or patio during the summer months. It
is especially good when there is plenty of space as its
wonderful leaves grow up to 60cm (2ft) wide. The
fan-shaped leaves are bright green with fibrous threads
on the end of each blade. Happy to be indoors in winter,
this palm can also grow outdoors in summer in a sunny
spot. |
|
|
 |
Cycas
Revoluta |
| Cycad
- Sago Palm |
| Cycas
revoluta, one of the most primitive living plants, are
very unusual and popular ornamentals. A rugged trunk,
topped with whorled feathery leaves has lead to the
common name ''Sago Palm'', however it is actually
related to conifer and Gingko trees - all cone bearing
plants which trace their origins back to the ancient
flora of the early Mesozoic era. Often called ''living
fossils'', Cycads have changed very little in the last
200 million years. While various species of Cycads can
be found throughout the world, the subtropical Cycas
revoluta is native to the Far East and has been used as
a choice container and landscape plant for centuries. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
