The Dracaena Marginata
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Dracenas are among the most common, ornamental, and durable house plants. Most require medium light intensity. In sunny locations Dracena needs protection from summer sun. The soil may be any good potting soil kept evenly moist. In summer use a dilute house plant fertilizer. Ideal temperatures are from 62 to 65 degrees at night and 80 to 85 degrees during the day. As plants age they drop lower leaves. Repotting is done in February or March. Old plants in large pots, are top-dressed rather than repotted.
Propagation may be by stem section cuttings. Thickened underground stems called toes may also be used for propagation.
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Lemon Lime Dracaena this upright, spiky plant prefers low to medium light. The soil surface should dry slightly between waterings. Fertilize half-strength, all-purpose product monthly through spring and summer
There are many lovely, easy to grow varieties of Dracena. You will find the Dracena Marginata, Corn Plant, Lemon Lime Dracena as well as other varieties at Garden Heights Nursery.
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Antheriums need just a bit more care than many of your other plants. Given the right care they will provide you with many months of blooms. They enjoy a warm atmosphere of high humidity, so the foliage should be misted occasionally during the dryness of winter.
Don't overwater. These plants like to be kept slightly on the dry side and never allowed to become soggy. Suggested watering is once weekly or as needed to keep the soil moist. You should decrease water during cooler periods.
While antheriums are more tolerant of cool temperatures than you might think, they will grow faster and produce more flowers if given bright light and warm temperatures between 68° and 86° days.
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Don't over fertilize. Too much food may reduce growth and flowers. A general purpose fertilizer mixed at half the recommended strength will help to encourage continuous blooming, but be sure to provide sufficient drainage and an occasional "soil flushing" to help prevent a salt buildup in the soil.
Repot in the spring every 2 or 3 years as needed. Propagate by dividing the plant at repotting time.
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'Neon' Pothos prefers medium to bright, indirect light. The soil surface should dry slightly between waterings. Fertilize monthly with a water-soluble, all-purpose product. This trailing plant is one of the easiest, fool-proof house plants. It's relatives, the 'Marble Queen' and 'Golden; are every bit as easy to grow.
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Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Foliage Plant of the Year 2002) is commonly called the "ZZ plant" in the trade. Interior plantscapers are finding the ZZ to be an exceptional performer in any light. Especially the low light levels where few plants perform well.
This plant has very dark green, shiny foliage. In fact you would think that the plant has been shined. The ZZ carries a unique look which allows it to be used as a stand alone specimen but can also be used in mass plantings as well.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is different in a few ways than most foliage plants. It has an underground tuber like potato that stores water. This allows the plant the ability to go for months with no water at all. The thick leaves hold water as well as the fleshy stems. Light to moderate watering every 7-14 days will keep this plant at peak health. Do not allow a ZZ to sit in water or rot may occur. Pest are basically a non-issue with a ZZ.
The perfect plant…low light and very little care! |
Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreens
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Lance Leaf Aglonema
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Indoor plants offer the home and office a variety of virtues and aglaonemas have almost every one of them. More commonly known as Chinese evergreens, these plants are versatile and rugged, adapting to many different settings. Overall, the plant has a compact, bushy habit with lots of stems and leaves emerging from the crown. The leaves are fairly large, long and pointed and come marked by various patterns of green and creamy white. And on occasion, they do send up a bloom or two.
Ideally te Aglaonema would prefer medium to high light without any direct sun in the afternoon. But they are very tolerant of lower light, and will survive almost anywhere there is light enough to read comfortably. In the summer when it is warm, keep them evenly moist. Water thoroughly and discard the excess water. During the winter when it is cooler and the plants aren't growing much allow the plant to dry slightly between watering.
Chinese evergreens do well in average indoor temperatures. If they are kept outdoors in the summer and the temperatures are higher, be sure the plants are kept moist. They do well in almost any level of humidity. To provide extra moisture, use a humidity tray or a humidifier. The plants may be misted with room temperature water. Feed them every two or three weeks through the spring and summer and once every month or so during the winter. Use a water-soluble fertilizer.
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