5 Common Houseplant Lessons Learned From The Pros

Common Houseplants

One of the most sought-after house plants pothos is a simple-to-set-it-and-forget it plant that thrives under low light. It is also a sturdy and easy-to-use house plant.





Water: Keep the soil damp, but not wet and mist it frequently. The distorted leaves could indicate pests such as mealy bugs or scale; be sure to inspect the area and treat with insecticidal soap, or neem oil.

Pothos

Pothos is a stunning plant that comes in many shades and styles. Its leaves are smooth and glossy, and its stems can be as long as 10 feet as an erect vine. The plant is easy to propagate, which makes it an excellent option for a basic hydroponic system. It also does not need much care, so it's an ideal houseplant for people who don't have plenty of time to tend to their plants. The plant is able to thrive in most climates, but it will begin to be affected by temperatures that are below 55oF.

The vine can be planted as a hanging vine or it can be trained to climb a wall or trellis. It can be used to cover the ground in an indoor garden. It can be placed around furniture like a desk or mantel.

Cuttings can be used to help propagate plants. To do this, cut a healthy-looking piece of stem from the plant. It should be 4-6 inches long and have some leaves tucked into it. Cut it at the point that the node is where aerial roots form. Place your stem in a glass filled with water or a moist rooting mixture. In a month, the roots should have developed. Once they've rooted, you can plant them in soil.

For your plants to thrive make sure that you provide them with bright indirect lighting. Direct sunlight can cause them to become dull or brown, and it could also burn the leaves. Pothos tolerates low light, but it is not able to create the full range of its shades in this situation.

Pothos can reach the height of 1 foot in the wild. However, it is usually kept in smaller sizes at home. Pothos is typically found in jade green. However, there are many cultivars that have different leaf varieties. Some, such as 'Marble Queen' and 'Golden', have heart-shaped green leaves that are covered in white, whereas others, like 'Neon' and 'Joy' are characterized by vibrant yellow-green leaves.

Schefflera

Umbrella plants (scheffleras) have been popular for many years because of their lush, tropical appearance and their ability to thrive in a wide variety of conditions. They come in a range of styles and colors that make them an excellent option for offices or home. These tropical beauties are easy to take care of, but some problems may occur if you don't follow proper guidelines.

To avoid overwatering, scheffleras have to be watered only sparingly. This plant thrives in a soil that drains well, so it is crucial to let the soil dry between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, and the plant could begin losing leaves. To check if the soil is too wet, gently squeeze it between your fingers. If it feels dry and brittle, you'll need to give it less water.

To increase growth, it is important to prune the schefflera. This plant will often develop a leggy appearance without regular pruning. It is advised to wear gloves when handling the sap of this plant, because it is a source of calcium oxalate crystals that can cause skin irritation. Pruning can help to create more branches which helps keep the plant from becoming too excessively sluggish.

The ideal temperature for a schefflera is between 15 and 21 degrees Celsius, and the plant must be kept out of drafts and air cooling units. The plant can tolerate a little direct sunlight in the early morning or late in the evening however, excessive exposure could harm the leaves.

Scheffleras are also known for their ability to attract pests. This includes aphids as well as spider mites. If you spot an infestation of pests, try washing the leaves with soapy water or the oil of neem.

You may need to repot your schefflera if it begins to show signs or disease. Brown spots and mushy roots are signs of disease. You'll require a lighter, looser soil to repot your plant if this happens. Overwatering and poor drainage can also cause root decay in the schefflera. Fortunately, this issue is easily cured by avoiding excessive watering and only watering the soil in the evening, and if that doesn't work, try copper fungicide.

Maranta

Maranta plants are tall, low-growing tropical [1] [2] [3] houseplants with curiously patterned leaves. The leaf pattern varies between species, with some featuring red fishbone-patterned veins, silvery central stripes, and light or dark streaks. The leaves are in a straight line with the ground during the day, and later raised perpendicularly in the evening. This gives the plant its common nickname of prayer plant. They are moderately easy to maintain, and require moderate shade high humidity, and always moist soil.

The most well-known of these species is Maranta leuconeura "Tricolor" or herringbone plant. It has herringbone patterns on its long leaves. Other cultivars of this species include the 'Silverband,' and a 'Green Stripe,' which both have dark green leaves and an elongated silver stripe running through the middle. The herringbone pattern can also be seen on the leaves of "Maranta Leuconeura Var. Erythroneura', which is also known as red prayer plant or red nerve plant. Other varieties of Maranta varieties include 'Fascinator Tricolor' and 'M. leuconeura var. kerchoveana', both of which have lighter green leaves than the darker herringbone plants.

Propagation of this plant is fast and simple by using stem-tip cuttings, or head cuttings readily rooting in water. To root a Maranta stem-tip cutting, cut the healthy plant just below the node and put the cutting's end in rooting hormone. Place the cutting in a glass of plain water and locate an area with a good temperature and light to keep it. Change the water often to acclimatize it to growing in soil. Move plants house to soil once roots start to form.

Like many tropical plants, prayer plants require moderate to high humidity for optimal growth. To maintain a high humidity it is suggested to place the plant in a humidifier for the room or misting it frequently. Make sure the soil is draining and not soggy to avoid root rot, and use a rich multi-purpose potting mix that provides adequate nutrients. Regularly prune your plant to eliminate dead or yellow leaves and stems. This will encourage new growth and keep the plant looking healthy. A water-soluble, balanced fertilizer could be applied every two weeks during the growing season, but lowered to once per month during winter when growth is slow.

Hoya

Hoya plants are adorned with beautiful flowers that appear in small, rounded clusters on stems that are short known as peduncles. Each tiny flower resembles a hand-carved work of art, and they can be transparent white or have colors that range from pink to orange. In some species, like Hoya kerrii the flowers grow in clumps on the ends of vines that can be up to 13 feet long.

Others Hoyas are more upright like the rosy H. carnosa and the long-leaf H. kerrii cultivar Tricolor'. Other types, like the Hoya Publicalyx are also elongated, sword-shaped or rounded leaves. The dark green leaves have slender, slightly wrinkled edges and are gracefully curving. They are alternately arranged on thin draped vines.

The vines of the Hoya publicalyx also bear fuchsia-like flowers in spherical clusters at the tips of their peduncles. The flowers are a creamy white hue with the lemon yellow ring in the center. They can be highly decorative in hanging baskets. This variety is easier to grow than other varieties of Hoya and blooms earlier than other varieties.

Hoyas, like all epiphytes, require bright, indirect lighting as well as plenty of moisture. Regular watering is also necessary to avoid the medium drying out. Hoyas are not a fan of be over-watered, and so they should be allowed a bit of time between waterings in order to dry out. This will help to stop rot. Hoyas thrive in warmer climate and should be grown indoors. However they can be cultivated outside in tropical areas.

These plants are found in the wild in humid forests, along riverbanks and on trees. They attach themselves with long tendrils to other species and trees. Hoyas are easy to propagate from stem cuttings that easily root in water or in a slightly damp growth medium. In addition, Hoyas can be grown from seed. The seeds germinate quickly, and they expand faster than seedlings from cuttings. Hoyas do not harm pets or children and are a good option for homes with children or animals.