Houseplant: 11 Things You're Leaving Out
Tall Houseplants
Large plants can make a statement indoors and bring natural texture to the space. They often require less care than smaller houseplants, too.
Plants with large green leaves, such as the Bird of Paradise, are quick-growing and thrive in bright sunlight. They also provide color to your home.
Dragon Tree 'Madagascar'
The Madagascar Dragon Tree (or Dracaena marginata) is a very popular tall houseplant because of its easy care and beautiful foliage. The plant is part of the Dracaena Genus, and is identified by the red blood-like resin it produces when damaged or cut it is believed to resemble the blood of a dragon from its native Madagascar home.
The Madagascar Dragon Tree, like many other members of dracaena's family, is very adaptable and hardy. This plant grows well in containers and can grow to 6 feet or more not pruned. However, it can be cut down by trimming it regularly. If it is given enough light and water it will thrive in most conditions and should not suffer from excessive watering.
The ideal spot for your Madagascar Dragon Tree is a bright, well-lit room with indirect light. Keep it out of direct sunlight as this can scorch the leaves, and cause the red resin to fade. The ideal place to plant your Madagascar Dragon Tree is a north-facing window ledge, or a location that receives shade from the East or West or South windows.
Dragon trees like a reasonable amount of humidity. This can be accomplished by misting the leaves regularly in most homes. This is especially crucial if you live with the plant in a room that tends to be dry, like your bedroom or office.
If the soil becomes too dry it is when a Madagascar Dragon Tree begins to produce brown leaves. Try adding more water to your container to keep it humid. You can also increase humidity by placing it in a group of plants that release moisture through their leaves or by placing it on a tray filled with water and pebbles (so the bottom of the plant is above the water level). This is a very forgiving plant and can be easily revived in the event that the root ball stays healthy.
Propagating a Madagascar Dragon Tree is easy as can be and this plant is often offered at retail nurseries as cuttings from the mature plant to be sold as new plants. It also develops quite easily by air layering a stem, which is an easy process to do and will soon result in a fully-grown plant.
Dwarf Umbrella Plant
The Dwarf Umbrella Plant is a favorite among houseplant growers. It is among the fastest growing plants that can reach six feet or more in adequate light levels. It can also adopt tendencies to climb and is suitable for rooms with high ceilings. The foliage is beautiful dark green with creamy streaks. It is available in many variegated and all-green varieties.
Umbrella plants can withstand different conditions, but it is advised to give them plenty of sunshine and avoid low temperatures. They also can grow quickly and grow to be overgrown in just one season. To keep them looking great cut them back regularly and trim any dead leaves. It is easy to repot these plants since they thrive in small pots.
It is vital to keep your dwarf umbrella plants watered using a watering hose or watering can that emits fine mist. This will ensure that the soil is evenly moistened. This method of hydration can help prevent root rot. Wait until the top inch of the soil is dry before watering again and don't allow the soil to remain damp. The amount of watering needed can vary based on humidity and temperature. In summer, it is more frequent to water and in winter, less often.
Fertilize your dwarf umbrella plant every two weeks with a general household fertilizer that has been formulated for foliage plants. This will help it to produce healthy, lush growth and support the growth of flowers if you so wish. You can do this while you irrigate your plant.
low maintenance house plants of your Dwarf Umbrella Plant is also a good idea. This will stop it from becoming tangled and leggy and will also ensure that it has the healthiest and most vibrant foliage. It's also a good idea to remove any blooms that appear and to deadhead any flower that is faded as soon as you notice them.
If you're planning to propagate your Dwarf Umbrella Plant, the University of Florida recommends snipping off 1-inch stems with no foliage from just below the uppermost leaves and putting them in a sterile environment such as seed starting mix or rooting gel. Keep them warm and damp until they start to grow. It typically takes between 1 and 2 months.
Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree
Fiddle Leaf Figs are the latest houseplant that is the 'it' plant however they can be a little difficult to take care of. tall house plants require plenty of sunshine and don't enjoy extreme temperatures or drafts. potted house plants is normal for them to shed their leaves when they experience changes in the environment. If the plant sheds a large amount of leaves, its surface area for absorbing sunlight could be reduced, which can slow its growth.
Fiddle Leaf Fiddles can reach to as high as a foot each year if the conditions are right. If a ficus plant starts growing too slow, it is an indication that something isn't right. It could be that the plant isn't getting enough light, or the soil or the container aren't suitable for it.
The key to taking care of a Fiddle Leaf Fig is to provide it with filtered, bright light. In an indoor environment it may be difficult to supply enough light of this kind and you may have to add LEDs or other lighting for your plants. This way, the plant can thrive without being exposed to excessive direct sunlight, which can damage the leaves or cause them to become brown.
This type of plant requires high-quality and well-draining potting mix. It is essential to not over-water, as this can cause root rot as well as other problems. It is recommended to let the soil dry a bit between waterings, but when it is time to do so, make sure you use water that isn't hot or too cold.
Give the plant more light to encourage branching. This will allow it to stop growing straight up toward the sky and start branching out from the sides. To encourage branching, trim the plant regularly. Remove any overgrown or damaged foliage, and trim branches crossing each other to keep it neat.
Mast suggests using the touch test to determine the right time to water your plant. If you still feel moisture on your fingers after pressing your finger into the dirt until it's at the middle finger It's likely time to water.
Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum Comosum) are a wonderful tall houseplant to use in a conservatory, sunroom, or any other space that is tall. They are a fairly simple plant to grow and propagate and also perform a fantastic job of cleansing the air inside your home. Their green flowers are beautiful and can add color to any room.
They can be tolerant of low light levels however, they prefer bright indirect sunlight. They can tolerate low levels of light, but their growth and health will be affected if they stay in dark areas for a long period of time. Watering is crucial since these plants don't like being overly dry. It is also essential to mist your plants regularly to avoid fungal problems. You can also put pebbles on a tray under the pot to provide moisture.
One of the most appealing aspects about these plants is their capacity to produce baby plants very easily! It is best to remove the trailing spiders from the mother plant once they have roots that are at least one inch in length. Then you can plant them in pots that have well-draining potting soil. The plants will begin to root in the next few weeks. You can then remove the plants to allow them to grow.
This is a very resilient plant that doesn't require frequent pruning, however, it is best pruned in the spring to encourage the growth of flowers and new leaves. It can be placed in the middle of an erect basket, and they look especially beautiful cascading down from the ceiling. Spider plants are safe for homes with children or pets because they are nontoxic.
They are susceptible to brown leaf tips that are usually caused by excessive direct sunlight or low humidity, or too much salt and chemicals in the water. They may also be affected by bacterial leaf blight and pest infestations. It is essential to check the plants regularly and move them to places in your home that are safe from the reach of pets and children.