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Green Plant Care Tips
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BOSTON FERN
Many cultivars of Boston fern are available some are compact forms,
others are large spreading plants with graceful fronds up to two feet in
length. Ferns like bright diffused light and moist soil. Prune dead
fronds from the plant immediately and keep humidity near the plant high
for best results.
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BROMELIADS
Native to Central and South America, bromeliads are a large family of
plants – all with a similar rosette of stiff leaves and some kind of
bright central flower spike or colored leaf area. They're tough,
easy-going plants, preferring bright, indirect light or direct sun.
Keep their soil moist to dry, and pour the water in the center of the
plant where the leaves join together, allowing it to drain into the
soil. Avoid letting the plant sit in water. If you live in a hard water
area, use rainwater or distilled water whenever possible, as bromeliads
are very sensitive to salts, which may cause their leaves to turn brown
at the tips.
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DIEFFENBACHIA
Dieffenbachia are popular plants because they thrive so well indoors and
handle a wide range of light conditions, though they do best when you
place them in bright, indirect light. In the winter, make sure they
receive more light.
Water your dieffenbachia thoroughly, allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil
to dry out in between waterings. Allowing the plant to become bone dry
will cause it to wilt.
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IVY
Although ivy can survive in a range of temperatures, it's more
vulnerable in the winter with dry air from heating. To make sure it gets
enough moisture, set the planter on a tray or saucer filled with pebbles
and water.
Display your ivy in a bright spot with indirect sunlight. In the summer,
you can move it outdoors to a protected area, but make sure it's out of
direct sunlight, which can burn its leaves.
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PHILODENDRON
Native to the jungles of tropical America, your philodendron prefers
medium, indirect light and it will do best in a bright spot with
indirect sunlight. (If its new leaves develop smaller and farther apart,
it's a sign that it's receiving too little light.) Many types exist
including large split-leaf varieties, and the distinctive ruffled-edge
philodendron xanadu. Keep its soil evenly moist, but allow it to dry out
in between waterings. In the winter months, when growth slows, keep it
slightly drier. Over watering will cause the leaves to turn yellow,
while under watering will cause them to turn brown and fall off.
Philodendrons tolerate the natural levels of humidity found in most
homes, but because of their tropical origin, they respond particularly
well to high humidity, so mist them regularly to promote lush growth and
shiny foliage. Dust their leaves with a damp cloth and feed them
houseplant fertilizer in the spring and mid summer.
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SCHEFFLERA ARBORICOLA
Your new schefflera plant may thin out a bit and loose some leaves as it
adjusts to its new home. This is normal, and with proper care, it will
begin to thrive again in no time. Although it adapts to a wide variety
of light levels, the schefflera arboricola prefers medium to higher
light, which keeps it full and more compact. If your plant does stretch
out, don't be afraid to prune it – it can handle even an occasionally
radical pruning and come back strong.
Scheffleras don't like to sit in water, but do best when their soil is
kept moist. If its leaves begin to turn black and drop off, it's a sign
that the soil has stayed too moist. On the other hand, if you notice
that the tips of the plant begin to wrinkle, you've allowed it to get
too dry. Wipe its leaves-both the tops and undersides-with a damp cloth
to remove dust and prevent spider mites.
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SPATHIPYLLUM aka PEACE
LILY
With dark green leaves that can be more than a foot long, the
spathiphyllum plant produces hood-shaped white blooms, and in some
cases, can grow up to 4 feet tall (although many varieties are developed
to be compact).
These plants can wilt easily, so it's important to keep the soil moist,
providing good drainage and emptying excess water from trays or saucers
to prevent their roots from rotting. Display them in a spot with bright,
indirect light. Low light slows their blooming cycle, and too much
direct sunlight may cause burn spots on their leaves. Wipe their leaves
with a damp cloth to remove dust.
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