Tag: growing house plants

Nothing brings life to a home like a beautiful plant. Resting the eye on a bit of nature if you live in the city, or on something green in the midst of snowy winter, lifts the spirits. Plants help clean the air and provide oxygen, too.

Houseplant care is similar to that for outdoor plants. Start by learning and providing your plant with the essentials it requires to flourish. In a container, it is best to allow the soil to dry as much as the plant will tolerate before watering again to ensure plants are not left standing in pools of water. Because the indoor environment is more sheltered, you will find that houseplants do not need to be watered as frequently as plants which are grown in containers outside. Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes commited by novice gardeners.

Decide where you plan to put your container before you choose your plant. The amount and type of light that falls on the area will determine the best plant for the spot. Some plants need bright, direct light and others need only low, filtered sunlight. Use the list on the following pages as a guide in choosing plants.

Fertilize houseplants with a good, all-around, water-soluble fertilizer on planting. Look for an N:P:K ratio of 20-20-20 (or 15-30-15 for flowering plants). Never fertilize dry soil. Always water the plant and then add the fertilizer. Fertilizer sticks and slow-release fertilizer granules also work very well with houseplants.

Favourite Standing House Plants:

Names	Light	Water	Flowers/Foliage	Features/culture
CHINESE EVERGREEN Aglaonema commutatum	Medium to low light	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Lance- shaped leaves with many variegations	Several varieties including Silver Queen. Easy to grow; for home or office.
MONEY TREE Pachira	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil to dry out moderatly before watering.	Elongated leaves.5 per stem.	5 leaves symbolize 5 elements of Feng shui.
PINE-NORFOLK ISLAND Araucaria excelsa	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Soft Needles	Coniferous evergreen with tiered branches. Can be decorated as indoor Christmas tree.
PEPEROMIA Peperomia species	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil to dry out thoroughly before watering.	Round fleshy leaves.	Several species are semi-succulent such as watermelon, emerald ripple, pepper face.
DRACAENA Dracaena species	Medium sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Green or striped, lance-shaped leaves.	Janet Craig/warnecki/corn cane/marginata. Accent plants used for interior landscapes.
SNAKE Sansevieria trifasciata Sansevieria zeylanica	Bright indirect sunlight Tolerates midlow light.	Allow soil surface to dry out throughly before watering. Provide good drainage.	Erect, lance shaped, variegated rosette of leaves.	One of the hardiest of all indoor plants. Semi succulent plants such as bird’s nest. Easy to care for, popular plants.
SUCCULENTS Agave, Aloe, Haworthia, etc.	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out throughly before watering. Provide good drainage.	Various colored flowers. Fleshy succulent leave	Various species of varying forms and hangers. Needs cool dry, dormancy period in winter. Needs well drained sandy soil. Easy to grow.
FERNS Asplenium, Pellaea, etc.	Filtered sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Various shaped fronds!	Shade tolerant, moisture loving plants.

Standing House Plants:

Names	Light	Water	Flowers/Foliage	Features/culture
AIR Tillandsia species	Bright filtered sunlight	Mist frequently to increase humidity.	Colored, long lived flowers. Rosette of narrow leaves.	Plant absorbs moisture from air! Epiphytic bromeliad in wild grows on trees.
ARALIA BALFOUR Polyscias balfouriana	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry Out slightly before watering.	Variegated round leaves.	Foliage plant. Extra humidity is beneficial.
ARALIA FALSE Dizygotheca elegantissima	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out slightly before watering. Unique leaf shape & color.	Compound leaves with dark slender leaflets.	Delicate elegant slender foliage.
ARALIA PARSLE Polyscias fruticosa ‘Parsley’	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out slightly before watering.	Delicate, dark green leaves.	Shrub with aromatic, lacy leaves. Extra humidity is beneficial.
BEGONIA-REX Begonia rex	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out slightly before watering. Keep leaves dry.	Decorative leaves.	Colorful foliage plant. Many interesting
BONSAI Buxus, Ficus, etc.	According to specie	Frequent watering. Stunted growth because of restricted rooting.	Foliage pruned to form.	Outdoor varieties require cold treatment. Tropicals are easier to care for. Examples are fig, boxwood & natal plum.
BOUGAINVILLEA Bougainvillea buttiana	Direct sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out slightly before watering. Reduce in the winter.	Colored bracts on paperyflowers. Climbing leaves.	Excellent climber for direct sunlight loca tions. Woody, climbing shrub.
BROMELIADS Aechmea, Neoregalia	Bright filtered sunlight	Keep cup-like reservoir filled with water. Stemless rosette of leaves.	Colorful flowers and bracts.Various variegated leaves.	Prefer warm temperatures & high humidity. To propagate remove and plant offsets.
CALATHEA Calathea makoyana	Medium sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Benefits from extra humidity.	Ornate leaves.	Intricately patterned, colorful foliage.Similar looking & culture as Prayer Plant.
CAST IRON Aspidistra elatior	Medium to low light	Allow soil surface to dry out thoroughly before watering. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid wet feet.	Lance-shaped leaves.	Tough-as-nails plant for low light and temp. Requires least care of house plants. Keep leaves free of dust.
CHINA DOLL Radermachera sinica	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. glossy leaflets.	Compound leaves with Delicate exquisite foliage.	This plant is as pretty as a China doll.
CHINESE EVERGREEN Aglaonema commutatum	Medium to low light	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Lance- shaped leaves with many variegations	Several varieties including Silver Queen. Easy to grow; for home or office.
DUMB CANE Dieffenbachia species	Medium sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Variegated oblong leaves.	Decorative foliage plant.Low maintenance plant tolerates low light
DRACAENA Dracaena species	Medium sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Green or striped, lance-shaped leaves.	Janet Craig/warnecki/corn cane/marginata. Accent plants used for interior landscapes.
FERNS Asplenium, Pellaea, etc.	Filtered sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Various shaped fronds!	Shade tolerant, moisture loving plants.
FIG-WEEPING Ficus benjamina	Medium sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Wavy oval leaves.	Graceful weeping tree. Favorite foliage plant for interior landscapers.
FLAMINGO FLOWER Anthurium species	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is beneficial.	Red or pink spathes. Ovate leathery leaves.	Long-lasting cut flower of Hawaii.
HOMALOMENA Homalomena species	Low to med. sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out thoroughly before watering	Heart-shaped leaves.	Similar to Philodendron. Em gem cultivar is available.

Names	Light	Water	Flowers/Foliage	Features/Culture
JADE PLANT Crassula argentea	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out thoroughly before watering	Delicate white flowers. Succulent leaves.	Popular succulent with jade green leaves. Jades like to be pot-boun
JASMINE Jasminum species	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is beneficial.	White fragrant flowers. Small leaflets.	Several climbing varieties available. Use on trellis or as a hanging plant.
MONEY TREE Pachira	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil to dry out moderatly before watering.	Elongated leaves. 5 per stem.	5 leaves symbolize 5 elements of Feng shui.
PALM PONYTAIL Beaucarnea recurvata	Bright indirect sunlight	Require good drainage. Allow soil to dry out thoroughly before watering.	Arching narrow leaves.	Many varieties with several leaf shapes. Swollen stem base stores water. Not a true palm; actually a succulent.
PASSION FLOWER Passiflora species	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is beneficial.	Intricate flowers. Lobed leaves.	Unusual flowers. Beautiful exotic varieties.
PEACE LILY Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’	Med to low sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	White spathe on long stem. Lance shaped leaves.	Easiest flowering plant for low light area. Interior landscape plant. Called white flag.
PEPEROMIA Peperomia species	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil to dry out thoroughly before watering.	Round fleshy leaves.	Several species are semi-succulent such as watermelon, emerald ripple, pepper face.
PINE-FERN Podocarpus gracilior	Bright filtered sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Linear leaves.	Graceful coniferous evergreen tree.
PINE-NORFOLK ISLAND Araucaria excelsa	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Soft needles.	Coniferous evergreen with tieredbranches. Can be decorated as indoor Christmas tree.
POLKA DOT Hypoestes phyllostachya	Bright filtered sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Lavender flowers. Pink spots on leaves.	Adds a splash of color to the home or office. Prune to retain bushiness.
RUBBER Ficus elastica	Medium sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Thick oval leaves.	Old-fashioned, sturdy house plant. Good drainage. Keep leaves clean.
SCHEFFLERA Schefflera actinophylla Schefflera arboricola	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Compound leaves.	Popular foliage plant for interior landscapes. Two species are umbrella tree and Hawaiian. Small tree or large shrub for home or office.
SENSITIVE Mimosa pudica	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Compound lacy leaflets.	Unique feature of folding leaves if touched. Popular plant with kids to show plants move.
SNAKE Sansevieria trifasciata Sansevieria zeylanica	Bright indirect sunlight Tolerates midlow light.	Allow soil surface to dry out thoroughly before watering. Provide good drainage.	Erect, lance shaped, variegated rosette of leaves.	One of the hardiest of all indoor plants. Semi-succulent plants such as bird’s nest. Easy to care for, popular plants.
SUCCULENTS Agave, Aloe, Haworthia, etc.	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out thoroughly before watering. Provide good drainage.	Various colored flowers. Fleshy succulent leave	Various species of varying forms and hangers. Needs cool dry, dormancy period in winter. Needs well drained sandy soil. Easy to grow.
TI PLANT Cordyline terminalis	Medium sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Variegated, lance shaped leaves. Rosette of leaves.	Hawaiian or Polynesian plant. Similar culture to Dracaena.
VENUS FLY TRAP Dionaea muscipula	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is required.	Rosette of leaves.	Novelty carnivorous plant feeds on insects. ‘Mouths’ do not reopen once closed.
YUCCA Yucca elephantipes	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Lance-shaped leaves.	Durable plant tolerates adverse conditions. Evergreen accent or specimen shrub.

Favourite Flowering House Plants:

Names	Light	Water	Flowers/Foliage	Features/culture
AFRICAN VIOLET Saintpaulia ionantha	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow to partially dry. Do not get leaves wet.	Available in many colors, continuous blooming.	Fertilize with African Violet fertilizer or one with a higher middle number. Popular, reliable flowering houseplant.
HIBISCUS Hibiscus rosa-sinensis	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Likes extra humidity.	Large red, pink, white, yellow or orange ephemeral flowers.	Woody shrub with toothed leaves. Spectacular continuous blooms. Fertilizer with high last numbers.
LILY, CALLA Zantedeschia aethiopica	Bright filtered sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Likes extra humidity.	Pure white spathes.	Attractive leaves. Requires dry rest period
ORCHIDS Phalaenopsis, etc. Epiphytic & Terrestrial	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow potting media to dry before watering. Needs extra humidity	Various colors of exquisite flowers.	Keep away from heat registers. Care & culture depends on variety. Moth orchid is the easiest to bloom. See our Orchid page for more info.
ROSE, MINIATURE Rosa chinensis	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Likes extra humidity	Mini fragrant flowers. Available in various colors.	Great gift for loved ones! Remove spent flowers for reblooming.
LIPSTICK PLANT Aeschynanthus species	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Red tube-like flowers. Elliptic leaves.	Trailing stems suitable in a hanging basket. Blossoms resemble lipstick tubes!
FLOWERING MAPLE Abutilon hybridum	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist.	Red, pink, yellow or white. Maple-like leaves.	Evergreen woody shrub. Also called ‘Chinese Lantern’.
PRIMROSE-CAPE Streptocarpus species	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow soil surface to	Purple, pink or white tubular flowers.	Same family as African Violet. Fertilize for long-lived blossoms.

Flowering House Plants:

Names	Light	Water	Flowers/Foliage	Fearures/culture
AFRICAN VIOLET Saintpaulia ionantha	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow to partially dry. Do not get leaves wet.	Available in many colors, continuous blooming.	Fertilize with African Violet fertilizer or one with a higher middle number. Popular, reliable flowering houseplant.
BEGONIA-REIGER Begonia hiemalis	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry before watering.	Yellow, pink, orange, salmon, white and red.	Avoid getting water on leaves. Pinch to keep shape.
CYCLAMEN Cyclamen persicum	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist.	Purple, pink, red, or white stunning flowers.	Winter blooming and can be reforced. Gorgeous plant for gift giving.
FLOWERING MAPLE Abutilon hybridum	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist.	Red, pink, yellow or white. Maple-like leaves.	Evergreen woody shrub. Also called ‘Chinese Lantern’.
GLOXINIA Sinningia speciosa	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Do not get leaves wet.	Velvety blooms in purple, white, pink, or red.	Dry rest period for 3 mo., then repot. Old fashioned favorite.
HIBISCUS Hibiscus rosa-sinensis	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Likes extra humidity	Large red, pink, white, yellow or orange ephemeral flowers.	Woody shrub with toothed leaves. Spectacular continuous blooms. Fertilizer with high last numbers.
KALANCHOE Kalanchoe blossfeldiana	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry before watering.	Clusters of long lasting red or pink flowers.	Succulent plant with fleshy leaves. Xmas flower plant called ‘Flaming Katy’.
LILY, CALLA Zantedeschia aethiopica	Bright filtered sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Likes extra humidity.	Pure white spathes.	Attractive leaves. Requires dry rest period.
LILY, KAFFIR Clivia miniata	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Reduce water in fall.	Orange, trumpet shaped. Strap shaped leaves.	Requires cool, dry, winter rest period. Fabulous flowering plant.
MUM, POT Chrysanthemum morifolium	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist.	Various colored daisies in forms such as pompom.	Florists’ mums are long-lived blooms. Popular gift plant for moms!
ORCHIDS: Phalaenopsis, etc. Epiphytic & Terrestrial	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow potting media to dry before watering. Needs extra humidity.	Various colors of exquisite flowers.	Keep away from heat registers. Care & culture depends on variety. Moth orchid is the easiest to bloom. See our Orchid page for more info.
POINSETTIA Euphorbia pulcherrima	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry before watering.	Colorful bracts in red, pink, or white.	Traditional Xmas plant. Group together as a show piece. Adds a festive touch to any decor. See our Chrismas section of the guide for information on reblooming.
PRIMROSE-CAPE Streptocarpus species	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow soil surface to	Purple, pink or white tubular flowers.	Same family as African Violet. Fertilize for long-lived blossoms.
ROSE, MINIATURE Rosa chinensis	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil evenly moist. Likes extra humidity	Mini fragrant flowers. Available in various colors.	Great gift for loved ones! Remove spent flowers for reblooming.

Favourite Hanging House Plants:

Names	Light	Water	Flowers/Foliage	Fearures/culture
FIG-CREEPING Ficus pumila	Medium sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Heart-shaped, small leaves.	Self-clinging, climbing or hanging plant. Suitable for use as a ground cover or on pole.
GLORY BOWER Clerodendron thompsonae	Bright filtered sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	White sepals and red petals. Ovate leaves.	Tall twining shrub with trailing stems. Requires cool, dry, winter rest period. Also called bleeding heart vine!
CLERODENDRON THOMPSONAE Hypocyrta glabra	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Orange pouch flowers. Glossy green leaves.	Blooms resemble goldfish! Trailing vine is outstanding flowering hanger.
IVY-ENGLISH Hedera helix	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Green or variegated lobed leaves	Trailing, climbing vine with several varieties. Good hanging plant for bright location.
ARROWHEAD VINE Syngonium podophyllum	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Arrow-shaped, variegated leaves.	Easy to grow hanging houseplant. Suitable for lower light area.
BURRO’S TAIL Sedum morganianum	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil to dry out before watering.	Fleshy succulent leaves.	Hanging leaves look like donkey tail. Withstands low humidity of houses.
IVY-SWEDISH Plectrantus australis	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Aromatic, square stems. Small oval leaves.	Trailing, fast growing, hanging houseplant. Easy to prune & propagate.
LIPSTICK PLANT Aeschynanthus species	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Red tube-like flowers. Elliptic leaves.	Trailing stems suitable in a hanging basket. Blossoms resemble lipstick tubes!

Hanging House Plants:

Names	Light	Water	Flowers/Foliage	Fearures/culture
ARROWHEAD VINE Syngonium podophyllum	Bright filtered sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Arrow-shaped, variegated leaves.	Easy to grow hanging houseplant. Suitable for lower light area.
BABY’S TEARS Soleirolia soleirolii	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is required.	Tear-sized, tiny round leaves.	Creeping ground cover with trailing stems. Great for gound cover in terrarium or hanger.
BURRO’S TAIL Sedum morganianum	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil to dry out before watering.	Fleshy succulent leaves.	Hanging leaves look like donkey tail. Withstands low humidity of houses.
FERNS Nephrolepis, Adiantum	Bright filtered sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is required.	Distinctive, dissected, delicate, lacy fronds.	Suitable for hanging basket or plant stand. Includes traditional Boston and unique staghorn.
FIG-CREEPING Ficus pumila	Medium sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Heart-shaped, small leaves.	Self-clinging, climbing or hanging plant. Suitable for use as a ground cover or on pole.
IVY-ENGLISH Hedera helix	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Green or variegated lobed leaves.	Trailing, climbing vine with several varieties. Good hanging plant for bright location.
IVY-GRAPE Cissus rhombifolia	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Compound leaves with 3 toothed leaflets.	Fast growing, climbing, trailing vine. Member of the true grape vine family.
IVY-KANGAROO Cissus antarct	Bright indirect sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Toothed ovate, glossy leaves.	Member of the grape ivy family.
IVY-SWEDISH Plectrantus australis	Bright indirect sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Aromatic, square stems. Small oval leaves.	Trailing, fast growing, hanging houseplant. Easy to prune & propagate.
LIPSTICK Aeschynanthus species	Bright direct sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist.	Red tube-like flowers. Elliptic leaves.	Trailing stems suitable in a hanging basket. Blossoms resemble lipstick tubes!
NERVE Fittonia verschaffeltii	Medium sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is required.	Small oval, veined leaves.	Creeping ground cover plant. Variegated veins look like nerves.
POTHOS-GOLDEN Scindapsus aureus	Medium sunlight	Allow soil surface to dry out before watering.	Heart-shaped, variegated leaves.	Easy to grow climbing or hanging plant. Also called devil’s ivy. Also marble queen.
PRAYER Maranta leuconeura	Medium sunlight	Keep soil uniformly moist. Extra humidity is required.	Ornate oblong leaves.	Suitable plant for trellis or hanger. Leaves bend up at night to pray!
SPIDER Chlorophytum comosum	Medium sunlight	Avoid getting foliage wet.	Arching, variegated, linear leaves.	Small spider-shaped, hanging plantlets. Colorful foliage that also cleans the air.
STRING OF PEARLS Senecio rowleyanus	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil t dry out ore watering.	Pea-shaped, succulent leaves.	Pearly unique, dangling leaves on a string. Withstands low humidity of houses.
WAX PLANT Hoya carnosa	Bright direct sunlight	Allow soil to dry out before watering.	Waxy scented flowers. Fleshy leaves.	Semi-succulent, climbing foliage. Prefers to be root bound.