Notes

Common Houseplant Tips From The Best In The Business
Common Houseplants

Pothos is one of the most sought-after indoor plants. It thrives in light conditions. It is also a tough and easy-to-use house plant.

Mist the soil often. Keep soil moist, but not soggy. Pests like mealy bugs and scale can cause leaves to be distorted. Inspect carefully and treat with insecticidal oil or neem soap.

Pothos

Pothos is a stunning plant that comes in a variety of different styles and colors. Its leaves are smooth and glossy and its stems can reach up to 10 feet as an evergreen. The plant is easy to propagate, which makes it an ideal option for a basic hydroponic system. It doesn't require much feeding so it is perfect for those who don't have time to maintain their plants. The plant grows well in almost every climate, but it can struggle when temperatures fall that are below 55oF.

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

Cuttings can be used to propagate plants. To accomplish this, you need to cut off the stem that is healthy and attractive from the plant. It should measure between 4-6 inches in length and have a few attached leaves. Make sure that you cut it above a node, which is the place where aerial roots develop. Place your stem in a glass 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.

To help best houseplants thrive make sure you provide them with bright indirect lighting. Direct sunlight can make them dull or brown, and could also burn their leaves. Pothos is tolerant of low light levels, but it won't be able to produce the full spectrum of shades in this situation.

In the wild, pothos may reach an elevation of more than 1 foot, however it tends to stay smaller in homes. The most popular color is jade green but there are many different cultivars of this plant with various leaf variations. Some, such as the 'Golden,' have heart-shaped leaves that are colored in white. Other varieties, like the 'Marble queen' or the 'Neon', have vibrant yellow-green leaves.

Schefflera

For a long time umbrella plants (scheffleras), with their lush tropical appearance and capacity to thrive in a variety of environments, have been popular. They come in a range of colors and styles which make them a perfect option for offices or home. These tropical beauties require minimal maintenance, but if do not follow the instructions certain issues could arise.

To keep from overwatering, scheffleras require to be watered very sparingly. This plant thrives in a soil that drains well, which is why it is crucial to let the soil dry between waterings. Overwatering can cause root rot, and the plant could begin to lose leaves. Try rubbing best houseplants with your fingers to see if it is too moist. If it feels sandy and brittle, you'll need to give the plant less water.

It's also important to keep the schefflera plant trimmed to encourage growth. This plant is likely to appear leggy without regular pruning. It is best to use gloves when handling the sap of this plant because it is a source of calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation to your skin. Pruning encourages branching which prevents the plant from becoming too excessively sluggish.

The ideal temperature for a schefflera to thrive is between 15 to 21 degrees Celsius, and the plant must be kept away from drafts and air cooling units. The plant can tolerate just a bit of direct sunlight in the morning and evening but too much sunlight can cause scorching of the leaves.

Scheffleras also attract pests. These include aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. If you spot an infestation of pests, you can try washing the leaves using soapy water or the oil of neem.


If your schefflera begins to exhibit signs of disease, it may be necessary to repot it. Signs of disease include brown spots and the roots becoming mushy. You'll need a lighter, looser soil to repot your plant if this happens. Overwatering and poor drainage can cause root rot in the schefflera. This problem can be easily resolved by not watering the soil overly and only during the evening. If this does not work, you could employ a fungicide based on copper.

Maranta

Maranta plants are long, low-growing tropical houseplants with interestingly patterned leaves. The leaf pattern varies between species, with some featuring red fishbone-patterned veins, silvery central stripes, and light or dark blotches. The leaves are in a straight line with the ground during the day, and then elevated perpendicularly at night. This makes the plant popular with its name of prayer plant. These plants require partial shade, high humidity and moist soil.

The most common of these species is Maranta leuconeura "Tricolor" or herringbone plants, which has herringbone patterns along its extended leaf. Other cultivars of this species include the 'Silverband' and a 'Green Stripe,' which both feature dark green leaves that have an elongated silver stripe running through the middle. Herringbone patterns are also seen on the leaves of 'Maranta leuconeura variant. erythroneura', which are also called the red prayer plant and red nerve plant. Other Maranta variegated 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 stem-tip or head cuttings easily root in water. To root a Maranta stem-tip cutting is to cut a healthy plant just below the node and put the cutting's end in rooting hormone. Place the cutting in a glass of water that is plain and then locate an area that is warm and well-lit to keep it. Change the water frequently to help the cutting adjust to growing in soil and move it to soil when roots begin to form.

Like many tropical plants, prayer plants prefer moderate to high levels of humidity to flourish. Try misting the plant or putting it in a humidifier, to ensure a high humidity level. Ensure low maintenance house plants is well-draining and not soggy to prevent root rot. You should also use an abundant multi-purpose potting mix which is nutrient-rich enough. It is essential to regularly prune your plant by removing dead or yellowed leaves and stems when they appear. This will encourage new growth, and help keep the plant healthy. A balanced water-soluble fertiliser may be applied every two to three weeks during the growth period, but only once a month if growth is slow.

Hoya

Hoya plants boast beautiful flowers that appear in small, rounded clusters on stems that are short known as peduncles. Each flower is a miniature piece of art. They can be white, red or pink. In certain species, such as the genus Hoya kerrii the flowers bloom in clusters near the ends of vines that can grow to 13 feet (4m) in length.

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

Hoya publicalyx vines can also bear fuchsia flowers in spherical bunches at the tips their peduncles. The blooms have a creamy-white color, with a yellow ring in the middle. They can be very attractive in a hanging planter. This variety is easier to grow than some other species of Hoya, and it also sets blooms earlier in the season than many others.

Like all epiphytes, Hoyas require bright but indirect light as well as plenty of humidity. They also need regular watering to stop the growing medium from drying out. However, Hoyas dislike over-watering, and they should be allowed to dry out in between waterings. This will help to keep rot at bay. Hoyas prefer warmer climates and work best in indoors, although they can be grown outdoors in tropical regions.

These plants can be found in the wild in moist forests along riverbanks, and on trees. They attach themselves by long tendrils to other species and trees. Stem cuttings root easily in water or on a moist growth medium. Hoyas are also able to be developed from seeds. The seeds germinate rapidly and grow faster than seedlings that are grown from cuttings. Hoyas aren't harmful to children or pets, making them a good choice for households with animals or children.

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