Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreen
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Lance Leaf Aglaonema
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Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreen
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 the 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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Chamaedorea Seifrizii
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Chamaedorea Seifrizii
Commonly Known as the Bamboo or Reed Palm
Once your plant has become acclimated to its new interior home it can be enjoyed for a long time. Just remember to not over water the plant and provide as much bright indirect light as you can.
This plant likes to stay uniformly moist, NOT wet. Make sure the excess water that can accumulate in the bottom of the planter is removed. These plants do not like to sit in water.
If you are over watering, you'll usually notice the leaf tips begin to turn yellow and fall off as well as the new growth coming out very pale. The plant may also experience stem rot.
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On the other side if you're under watering the tips of Seifrizii will turn brown as well as the new growth. As with most palms the biggest problem with pest is mites. Regularly cleaning the plant's foliage with a soapy solution will help reduce their attack.
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Dracaena 'Marginata'
Dracaena marginata commonly called Red-edge Dracaena or Madagascar dragon tree can grow to 15 feet in height, supported by a long, slender truck or "cane" and it is also one of the top indoor plants.
They require medium light intensity. In sunny locations Dracaena 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.
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Dracaena 'Marginata'
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Wipe leaves regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust. Although most Dracaenas have few problems with pest, occasionally mealy bug and scale can attack the plant. Treat with Safer Insecticidal Soap or Horicultural Oil Spray for scale. The temperature requirements for Dracaena marginata is a comfortable 75 degrees and the water requirements are low. Dracaenas are shown to help remove Formaldehyde from the air.
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Dracaena 'Massangeana'
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Dracaena 'Massangeana'
Commonly called the Mass Cane or Corn Plant
This slow-growing dracaena eventually reaches 9 feet tall or more, making it an impressive addition to any indoor garden. It is easy to grow, tolerating some drying out.
The Corn Plant requires low to medium light and well-draining soil. Water when top 2 inches of soil are dry. Fertilize every 2 to 3 months.
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Dracaena 'Warneckii'
These upright, spiky plants 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 Dracaena. You will find the Dracaena Marginata, Corn Plant, Lemon Lime Dracaena as well as other varieties of these air freshening plants at Garden Heights Nursery.
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Dracaena 'Warneckii'
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Dracaena 'Warneckii' Lemon Lime
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Ficus Benjamina
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Variegated Ficus Benjamina
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Ficus Benjamina
Commonly known as the Weeping Fig
This Air Freshening plant is available in many forms including standard, braided and spiral.
Good light essential to prevent leaf drop but avoid full sun. Prefers moist soil.
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Ficus elastica
Commonly know as the Rubber Tree, can get very large with proper care. They thrive with neglect and do not mind at all if you stick them in a dark corner.
A Rubber Tree does best with medium light and medium damp soil. Keep them away from direct light and away from drafty windows. Water them when the top inch or so of soil is dry when you press your finger into it.
You can prune it back when it gets too large by cutting off the tips of the stems. It will get bushier and fill out nicely if you do this.
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Ficus elastica
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Hedera Helix
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Hedera Helix
Common known as English ivy is actually classified as a high climbing shrub. English ivy is considered by everybody - except taxonomists - to be a clinging vine with aerial rootlets to anchor it! Leaves may be widely different shades of green or have striking yellow or white variegation.
Although Hedera is quite adaptable, it grows fastest and thrives best in rich, moist soil, which can be either acid or alkaline. Somewhat salt tolerant, too. Ivy does like good air circulation and drainage to avoid fungus.
The Hedera Helix prefers part sun to shade and average to moist soil.
This plant is extremely long lived, which might account for its depiction in art and legend throughout the ages. It is also known for its versatility and air freshening quality.
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Nephrolepis exaltata `Bostoniensis’
More commonly known as the Boston fern has ruffley fronds that make an eye-catching display in a hanging basket. This fern fairly easy to grow.
The Boston Fern prefers partial shade to shady outdoors and bright, filtered light indoors and rich, fertile soil. Keep soil evenly moist and fertilize monthly. Boston fern likes a moist but not soggy, soil, rich in organic matter. This is the most drought tolerant of the commonly cultivated ferns, but it thrives only under conditions of high humidity. In containers, put a couple inches of pebbles beneath the potting medium and keep them (but not the potting medium itself) wet to increase humidity. The Boston fern will love to be misted every day.
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Nephrolepis exaltata `Bostoniensis’
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Phoenix Roebelenii
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Phoenix Roebelenii
Or more commonly known as the Dwarf Date Palm is another tough palm, it will thrive in full sun, but keep a lookout for red spider mite. It will cope with low overnight temperatures and makes a great conservatory plant.
This palm prefers full sun to medium light. Keep wet in Summer and dryer in Winter. Good drainage is essential
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Sansevieria trifasciata Laurentii
More commonly known as the Variegated Mother-in-Laws Tongue, is native to Africa. The sword-like leaves of this easy-to-grow succulent make a striking focal point in the interior. These plants will forgive the most neglectful of gardeners. They are very durable to a wide range of condition. This plant has flowers that are greenish-white and are on 18-inch spikes.
Sansevieria trifasciata "Laurentii" will survive in a wide range of conditions. They tolerate the low to bright light and are very drought tolerant. Plants can be watered every other week during the growing season. During the winter months, the plants are given only enough water to keep the foliage from wilting.
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Sansevieria trifasciata Laurentii
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Scindapsus aureus 'Golden'
Golden Pothos
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Scindapsus aureus 'Neon'
Neon Pothos
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Scindapsus aureus,
more commonly known as the Pothos are amongst the easiest houseplants to grow. Anybody can keep one alive and thriving, even those with a black thumb!
There are four main varieties of this very popular houseplant; Pothos Gold, Pothos Marble Queen, Jade Pothos and the chartreuse green Neon Pothos. They are all equally easy to care for.
The Pothos can be kept virtually anywhere in the home or office. If there is enough light to read by, you can grow a Pothos in that location. About the only place a Pothos won't thrive is full hot sun and total darkness. The Marble Queen prefers a bit more light to keep the white in the foliage from turning green.
The Pothos is not finicky about water quality, so regular tap water will be just fine.
This trailing plant is one of the easiest, fool-proof house plants. These are foolproof air fresheners!
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Scindapsus aureus 'Marble Queen'
Marble Queen Pothos
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Spathiphyllum wallisii
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Spathiphyllum wallisii
Last but not least of the top air fresheners, is most commonly known as the Peace Lily. The striking white flower bracts of this elegant plant make a pleasing focal point in any room.
The peace lily asks only for filtered or low-light levels in the home, temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees, and to be watered when thirsty. Keep the soil moist, but never water logged. Fertilize monthly.
The peace plant rewards tender care with fragrant white flowers that appear like small calla lilies turning from pale green to white as they open.
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There isn't a house plant that is bad for freshening the air! One of our favorites
is the absolutely fool proof Easy ZZ plant. The Zamioculcas Zamifolia. Another
favorite is the Alocasia Polly.
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Zamioculcas zamiifolia
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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! |
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Alocasia Polly
More commonly known as the African Mask, a bit harder to take care of, but a must for the fanatic! Polly is a spectacular houseplant. With bright white veins protruding from a dark background the arrow shaped leaves can reach over a foot in length! The back side of the leaves are a striking burgundy color. Polly will flower periodically with strange yellow colored spathes sometimes followed by red berries. Perfect for a bright bathroom.
Polly prefers a bright position out of direct sunlight and warm temperatures with a minimum of 60F. The warm summer temperatures will promote faster growth.
Polly needs to be well watered in summer and infrequently in winter. Humidity is the main requirement if you really want a happy Alocasia, mist as much as you can and if possible place the container on a tray of wet pebbles/gravel. Polly likes to be fed a liquid fertilizer every 3 weeks or so.
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Alocasia Polly
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