Notes

The Time Has Come To Expand Your Common Houseplant Options
Common Houseplants

Pothos is one of the most well-known indoor plants. It thrives in dim light conditions. It is also a durable and a great house plant for beginners.

Water: Keep the soil damp but not completely soaked and mist it frequently. A distorted leaf could indicate a pest like mealy bugs and scale; carefully inspect and treat with insecticidal soap or oil.

Pothos

Pothos is a stunning plant that grows in many different colors and styles. The leaves are smooth and glossy and its stems can grow up to 10 feet as an erect vine. It is simple to propagate, making it an ideal option for a simple hydroponic system. It doesn't require much care, so it's a great plant for those who don't have lots of time to take care of their plants. The plant can flourish in almost every climate, but it can start to suffer when temperatures fall below 55oF.

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

Plants can be propagated from cuttings. To do so, cut a healthy-looking piece of stem from the plant. It should be between 4-6 inches in length and include a few attached leaves. Be sure to cut it just above the node, which is the place where aerial roots develop. Place your stem in a glass with water or a moist rooting mix. After a month, roots should be growing. Once they have rooted, you can plant them in soil.

If you want your plants to flourish, make sure you provide them with bright indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause them to turn dull or brown, and it could also burn the leaves. Pothos tolerates low light, but it won't be able to produce the full spectrum of its shades in this situation.

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

Schefflera

Since many years, umbrella plants (scheffleras) with their lush tropical appearance and the ability to thrive in a variety of settings have become popular. They come in a wide range of colors and styles making them an excellent option for your office or home. These tropical beauties are easy to maintain, however certain issues could occur if you don't follow proper instructions.

To avoid overwatering, scheffleras need to be watered very sparsely. This plant thrives in light soil that drains quickly, so it's important to let the soil dry between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot and the plant may begin losing leaves. Rub the soil gently between your fingers to see if it is too moist. If it feels dry and brittle, you'll need to give the plant less water.

It is also essential to keep the schefflera plant trimmed to encourage growth. The plant can grow leggy if it doesn't receive regular pruning. The sap of the plant is comprised of calcium oxalate crystals which can cause irritation to the skin, so it's best to wear gloves when handling it. Pruning allows for more branching which prevents the plant from becoming excessively sluggish.

The ideal temperature for a schefflera plant is between 15 to 21 degrees Celsius, and the plant should be kept clear of drafts and air conditioners. The plant can tolerate some direct sunlight in the early morning or late in the evening however, excessive exposure could burn the leaves.

Scheffleras are also known to attract pests. This includes aphids and spider mites, and mealybugs. If you spot an infestation of pests, try washing your leaves with soapy water or Neem oil.

If your schefflera begins exhibit signs of disease, you may need to repotte it. Brown spots and a mushy root are symptoms of disease. You'll need a lighter, looser soil to plant your plant again if this occurs. Overwatering and poor drainage can also lead to root rot in the schefflera. This issue can be easily resolved by not irrigating the soil overhead and only during the evening. If this doesn't work, you can employ a fungicide based on copper.

Maranta

Maranta plants are low-growing, long-legged tropical houseplant s renowned for their unique patterns on their leaves. The leaf pattern differs between species, with some having red fishbone-like veins, silvery central stripes and light or dark blotches. The leaves are anchored parallel to the ground by day and raised into a perpendicular 'prayer' position at night, which gives the plant its common name, prayer plant. They require shade, high humidities and moist soil.

The most well-known species is Maranta leuconeura "Tricolor" or herringbone plants. It has herringbone patterns on its elongated leaf. Other varieties of this species include the 'Silverband' and the cultivar 'Green Stripe each with dark green leaves that have a silver central stripe. The herringbone pattern can also be seen on the leaves of "Maranta Leuconeura Var. erythroneura', which are also known as the red prayer plant or the red nerve plant. Other variegated Maranta varieties include 'Fascinator tricolor' and 'M. leuconeura var. kerchoveana', both of which have lighter green leaves than herringbone plants, which are darker in color.

It is simple to propagate, since cuttings of the head or stem tip will quickly root in water. To root a Maranta cutting is to cut the plant below the node. Dip the stem's tip in the rooting hormone. Place the cutting in a glass of water and then place it in a warm, well lit area. Change the water frequently to allow the cutting to adjust to growing in soil and move it to soil when roots begin to grow.


Like many tropical plants that thrive in humid conditions prayer plants are also at this level. Try misting the plant with water or putting it in a humidifier, to ensure an elevated humidity. To prevent root rot and to ensure that the soil drains properly, it should not be damp. Make use of a multi-purpose potting mixture that is rich in nutrients. Regularly trim your plants to remove any yellow or dead leaves and stems. This will encourage new growth, and help keep the plant healthy. A balanced water-soluble fertiliser can be applied every two to three weeks during the growth period however, only once per month when growth is slow.

Hoya

Hoya plants are famous for their stunning flowers, which appear in rounded clusters at end of the short stems, also known as peduncles. Each flower is a miniature piece of art. They can be white, red or pink. In certain species like Hoya kerrii these flowers bloom in clusters on the ends of vines that are up to 13 feet long.

Other Hoya species are more upright, such as the rosy-hued H. carnosa, and the elongated leaves of the H. kerrii cultivar 'Tricolor.' There are other varieties like the Hoya publicalyx has elongated or sword-shaped leaves. The leaves of this variety are dark green with slender, elegantly curved and slightly wrinkled edges and they grow in a variety of ways along thin and draping, tangled vines.

Hoya publicalyx vines also bear fuchsia flowers in spherical bunches at the tips of their peduncles. The flowers are a creamy white color with a lemon yellow ring around the center, and they can be very attractive in a hanging basket. This variety is more easy to grow than other varieties of Hoya and also has blooms earlier than many other varieties.

Like all epiphytes, Hoyas require bright but indirect light as well as plenty of humidity. They also require regular watering to prevent the growing medium from drying out. However, Hoyas dislike over-watering, and should be allowed to dry out somewhat between waterings. This will help prevent rot. Hoyas prefer an environment with a warmer temperature and do best indoors, even though they can be grown outdoors in tropical areas.

These plants are found in the wild in moist forests along riverbanks as well as on trees. They attach themselves by long tendrils to other species and trees. Hoyas are easy to propagate from stem cuttings, which root readily in water or in a slightly moist growth medium. Hoyas are also able to be grown from seeds. The seeds germinate quickly and develop faster than seedlings grown from cuttings. Hoyas aren't harmful to children or pets, making them a good option for households with pets or children.

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