House Plants

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Splitleaf Philodendron

This appears to be the juvenile foliage of the plant known as Split-leaf Philodendron. It is grown as a house plant most places, this survives outside in areas that are virtually frost free. In the wild, this epiphyte can grow 65 feet tall. Indoors provide bright, indirect light, regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer or organic food formulated for container houseplants. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. Give it something to lean against or brace itself on for the best display in a pot. It has aerial roots which can be trained onto a support or inserted in the soil. When roots begin coming out the bottom, it will need to be re-potted into the next size larger pot. By "next size larger" we mean a pot that is about two inches wider in diameter and deeper. Put it outside in the summer for best growth (in a sheltered spot!) but acclimate to higher light levels gradually or will sunburn.. The leaves begin heart shaped and split as they mature, but won't do so if it doesn't get enough light.

By | 2016-03-06T02:00:58-08:00 March 6th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Beefsteak Begonia

Although we have it categorized as a house plant, it makes an excellent shade house plant outdoors in areas that don't freeze. For lighting, it prefers bright shade. Strong light, especially during summer months can scorch the tender leaves. When you water, go slightly on the dry side. Beefsteak Begonias grow from a very succulent, water storing rhizome which will rot if it stays too wet. Let the potting mix dry out pretty well between waterings. You will likely notice that the leaves take on a grayish cast when the plant needs water. If the plant goes too long without water and wilts, it will usually come right back if you water it right away. Fertilize your Beefsteak Begonia regularly but carefully. The fertilizer salts can be harmful to the plant’s roots if they are applied to strongly. Standard houseplant fertilizer will do when applied at the rate and frequency indicated on the packaging.

By | 2016-03-05T20:33:01-08:00 March 5th, 2016|House Plants|4 Comments
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Dracena Species

Not sure if you are remembering right about how your mother came to have this plant. This looks like one of the many species of Dracena but this wouldn't have been something she would have eaten. Although Dracena are not poisonous, they would cause stomach irritation. Once the foliage comes out more we can identify it better for you, or you can look on this website to match up what you remember the foliage to be like from before it snapped off: http://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant?hpl=D If it looks like one of the Dracenas pictured on that site you'll know that we're on the right track. Otherwise, once the foliage is open and much larger send us another photo and we'll give you another ID.

It might be that she started other plants from a seed or pit that she ate and somehow the story about something else got transferred to this plant?

Give it bright light, let top of potting mix dry before watering again, and feed with houseplant food according to package directions.

By | 2016-03-05T04:05:41-08:00 March 5th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Splitleaf Philodendron Problem

Indoors Philodendrons need bright, indirect light and regular water when the soil feels dry to the touch down to the first knuckle. However, the leaf tip browning may be due to either the quality of water or if it is allowed to sit in water. If the plant is in a saucer, make sure you water in a sink so that the water drains out completely before returning to the saucer. And since many houseplants are endemic to the tropics, they are susceptible to salt build-up as well as salts in tap water. Suggest you flush out the plant with water several times in the sink to get the excess salts out of the soil and if the problem continues, switch to steam iron water available at your grocery store. Also feed with a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants. And look for insect infestation such as aphids, mealybugs or scale on leaves and stems. We do not see any insect problem from the photo and believe it is more of a cultural issue - watering, light and nutrient. Hope your plant thrives again.

By | 2016-03-04T03:51:41-08:00 March 4th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Ginseng Ficus Bonsai

Its form resembles the Ficus genus, possibly F. microcarpa also known as F. retusa. Ficus are known for their dramatic roots that survive above ground resembling bulbous structures. It makes an ideal houseplant/bonsai provided there is bright indirect light, regular water, and a slow release or organic fertilizer formulated for container plants. Make sure the plant does not sit in water because this may lead to root rot. Feed with a water soluble organic or slow-release fertilizer formulated for container plants at 1/2 the recommended dilution rate during its growth cycle. Again, make sure the container has adequate drainage and allow to drain out completely, but do not allow it to sit in water. Also be aware that most Ficus do not like their locations changed and will show their displeasure by dropping its leaves. Once you find a good site with bright, indirect light and it is thriving, try to keep it there.

By | 2016-03-02T06:56:12-08:00 March 2nd, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Pruning Jade

To get this Jade to fill out and be more tree-like, you'll first clip off all branches that hang down past the edge of the pot. After that, pinch the tips of all the new growth up on top back by at least two leaves and sometimes a bit more if that growth is lean and thin. This will cause the plant to double the growth everywhere you pinch, which will create a fuller plant on top. Those things are step one.

Let the plant grow for a year after that pruning before doing more - if you do too much all at once the plant will respond by lots of leaner, weaker growth which isn't what you want. So doing it in two year stages will be good. Don't fertilize much. If you have a place to put this plant outside for "summer camp" that would thicken the growth - move it out to a location with just a couple of hours of morning sun for the first month, then move it to a location with about four or five hours of sun after that. Bring the plant indoors again before frost. If you can't put it outside, place it where it will get the strongest sun possible.

By | 2016-02-29T21:03:57-08:00 February 29th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Peace Lily

This is a peace lily plant prized for its white blooms (actually spathes, the real flower is the spike in the center of the spathe) and characteristic of this plant. It grows best in bright, indirect light indoors, never direct sunlight. If the plant doesn't get enough light, it won't bloom, but if it gets too much direct sun on the leaves, it may get leaf burn. Give it regular water and feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for blooming container plants. Must have good drainage. If the first few inches are dry, water it until water runs out the bottom and let drain thoroughly. Do not allow plant to sit in water as this may lead to root rot. It is sensitive to chlorine, so if your water is chlorinated allow the water to sit for a day before using it to water the plant. Also, it is a houseplant and will not tolerate frost or cold temperatures, so do not place outdoors this time of year. With proper care, peace lilies can live as long as eleven years.

By | 2016-02-29T15:17:18-08:00 February 29th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Watering

We think you may be overwatering this plant...not fatally, but let's see if we can stop the damage. The insects sound like fungus gnats (which resemble fruit flies). They live/feed on soils that are consistently moist and don't dry out between waterings. Your peperomia is a succulent plant and glazed clay pots are non-porous so the soil in them dries out pretty slowly. When you water, water until water runs out the drainage hole in the bottom (if you have no drainage hole, please repot into a pot with drainage), then pour off any excess so the plant doesn't sit in water. Cut the stem right above the last good (undamaged) leaf, and move the plant into an east or west facing window. From now on, wter only when the soil in the pot feels dry down to your first knuckle. We can't see how big your pot is (and the size will influence how often you need to water) but you may only need to water once every 10-14 days. Good luck!

By | 2016-02-29T04:32:51-08:00 February 29th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Not Enough Water

It is never appropriate to give a plant a set amount of water at a set interval. You need to water the entire volume of soil in the pot in order to encourage root growth throught the pot. If you only give a little water, many roots will die. Plants' water needs change with the season as temperature, humidity, and number of daylight hours vary. The same plant may need water every 5 days in summer and every 8 days in winter. To correct your problem, water your plant. Until water comes out the bottom of the pot. (If you don't have a drainage hole in your pot, transplant your houseplant to a container that does.) Don't let the pot sit in water or this may cause root rot. You'll have to pour off the extra water if there's more than a half inch in the saucer so it's better to water slowly so you don't have too much overflow. Water whenever the soil surface feels dry to the touch. good luck!

By | 2016-02-28T19:57:29-08:00 February 28th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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Houseplant Palm Problem

Your Phoenix palm will do best outdoors but we think you brought it for the winter. Here are some care tips: Indoors it needs bright indirect light, regular water, and feed with a slow-release fertilizer formulated for container palm plants. Yellowing or browning of the fronds or dried out fronds may be the result of: insufficient light, lack of humidity or insect/disease problem. From your description however the main problem was putting it near a heating vent. The palm dried out and we do not know if it will come back. If you do not see any signs of insect infestation (spider mites are common leaf undersides-fine webbing), then perhaps there is alsoa watering problem. If the plant is in a saucer, do not allow the plant to sit in the water as this may lead to root rot and make sure the plant is in well-draining soil - palms do not like soggy soil conditions. Also fertilize only with a slow-release or organic food formulated for container palm plants. Remove any brown leaves. Hope this helps your palm to recover.

By | 2016-02-27T18:41:05-08:00 February 27th, 2016|House Plants|0 Comments
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