Common Houseplants
One of the most popular house plants Pothos is a forget-it-forget-it plant that thrives in dim light. It is also a very durable and beginner-friendly plant.
Water: Keep soil slightly moist but not soaked; mist frequently. The distorted leaves could indicate pests like mealy bugs or scale; inspect them carefully and treat with insecticidal soap or oil.
Pothos
Pothos is a beautiful plant that comes in many shades and styles. Its leaves are glossy and smooth and its stems can grow up to 10 feet as a vine. It is easy to propagate and makes it an ideal option for a hydroponic system. It also doesn't require any feeding, which means it's a great houseplant for those who don't have plenty of time to care for their plants. The plant will grow well in most climates but will start to suffer when temperatures drop below 55oF.
The vine can be grown as a hanging vine or be trained to climb a trellis or wall. 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 create plants. To do so, cut a healthy looking piece of stem from the plant. It should be between 4-6 inches long and have some leaves attached. Make sure to cut it at the level of a node which is where aerial roots develop. Place the stem in a glass with water or a moist mixture of rooting. The roots should develop within a month. Once potted house plants have grown, you can plant them into soil.
For your plants to thrive ensure that you provide them with bright indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause them to become dull or brown and also burn their leaves. Pothos is tolerant of low light levels, but it will not produce the full spectrum of its shades in this situation.
Pothos can grow to an elevation of more than one foot in the wild. However it is generally kept at a lower height in the home. Pothos is typically found in jade green. However, there are many cultivars with a variety of leaf colors. Some, such as 'Marble Queen and 'Golden' have heart-shaped green leaves variegated with white, while others, like 'Neon' and 'Joy' are characterized by vibrant yellow-green leaves.
Schefflera
Since many years, umbrella plants (scheffleras), with their lush tropical appearance and capacity to thrive in a variety of environments, have been popular. They are available in a variety of styles and colors which makes them a great choice for any office or home. These tropical beauties require little maintenance, but if don't follow the directions, some problems can occur.
Scheffleras need to be only watered infrequently to avoid overwatering. This plant thrives in soil that drains well, therefore it is essential to allow the soil to dry between waterings. Overwatering may cause root rot and cause the plant may lose its leaves. Squeeze the soil gently between your fingertips to check whether it's too wet. If the soil is spongy and crumbly, you need to give it less water.
To encourage growth, it's important to trim the schefflera. If you don't regularly prune it the plant could develop a leggy look. It is best to use gloves when handling the sap of this plant, since it has calcium oxalate crystalline crystals which can cause irritation to your skin. Pruning can help to create more branches which can keep the plant from becoming too excessively sluggish.
The ideal temperature range for a schefflera is between 15 and 21, and it should be kept from air conditioners and drafts. The plant can tolerate a little direct sunlight in the early morning or late evening however, excessive exposure could cause burns to the leaves.
Another problem that is common to scheffleras is their tendency to attract pests. These include aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. If you see signs of pests wash the leaves using neem or soapy water.
good house plants is possible to plant your schefflera again if it begins to show symptoms or signs of disease. The signs of disease are brown spots and mushy roots. If this occurs, you'll need to repot the plant with a looser, lighter soil. Overwatering and poor drainage can also lead to root rot in the schefflera. Fortunately, this problem is easily solved by avoiding excessive watering and only watering the soil in the evening and if that doesn't work, try a copper fungicide.
Maranta
Maranta plants are low-growing long-legged tropical houseplants known for their curious leaf patterns. The leaf pattern can vary between species. Some have red fishbone-patterned leaves, while others have silvery central stripes, dark or light streaks and even silvery central stripes that have a central stripe. The leaves are tethered parallel to the ground by day and then elevated into the perpendicular 'prayer' pose at night, giving the plant its common name, prayer plant. They are moderately simple to maintain, and require partial shade, high humidity, and constantly moist soil.
The most common of these species is the Maranta leuconeura "Tricolor" or herringbone plant, which has herringbone patterns on its leaves that are elongated. Other varieties of this species include the 'Silverband' and Green Stripe cultivars each with dark green leaves with a silver central stripe. 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 variegated Maranta varieties include 'Fascinator tricolor' and 'M. leuconeura var. Both plants have lighter green leaves compared to the darker herringbone plants.
It is a simple plant to propagate, since stem-tip or head cuttings easily root in water. To root a Maranta stem-tip cutting is to cut the healthy plant just below a node and dip the end in rooting hormone. Place the cutting in a glass of plain water and then locate a warm, well-lit spot to keep it. Change the water frequently to acclimatize it to growing in soil. Transfer it to the soil when roots begin to appear.
Like many tropical plants that thrive in high humidity prayer plants are also at this level. Try misting the plant or placing it in a humidifier to maintain a high humidity level. Ensure the soil is well-draining and not soggy to prevent root rot. Use an abundant, multi-purpose potting mix that provides adequate nutrients. Regularly prune your plant to eliminate dead or yellow leaves and stems. This will encourage new growth, and help keep the plant healthy. A balanced water-soluble fertilizer can be applied every two to three weeks during the growth period, but only once a month when growth is slow.
Hoya
Hoya plants are famous for their stunning flowers, that appear in rounded clusters at end of short stems referred to as peduncles. Each tiny flower resembles an original work of art. They are translucent white or colors ranging from orange to pink. In certain species like Hoya kerrii the flowers grow in clusters at the ends of vines that can be up to 13 feet long.
Other Hoya species are more erect and have rosy hues, like the H. carnosa, and the elongated leaves of the H. kerrii cultivar 'Tricolor.' Other species, such as the Hoya Publicalyx are also elongated, sword-shaped, or rounded, leaves. The leaves of this type are dark green with elegantly curved, slender and slightly wrinkled edges and they grow alternately along thin and draping, tangled vines.
Hoya publicalyx vines also bear the fuchsia flower in spherical clusters at the tips of their peduncles. The blooms are a creamy white hue with an orange yellow ring around the center. They can be highly decorative in hanging baskets. This variety is a little more easy to grow than other varieties of Hoya and also has flowers earlier than many other varieties.
Hoyas, like all epiphytes require bright, indirect lighting as well as plenty of moisture. They also need 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. low maintenance house plants will help keep rot at bay. Hoyas do best in a warmer climate, and are best grown indoors. However, they can be grown outdoors in tropical regions.
In the wild the plants are typically found in moist forests and along riverbanks, where they attach themselves to other plants and trees through long tendrils. Hoyas are easy to propagate from stem cuttings which root readily in water or in a slightly damp growing medium. Hoyas are also able to be created from seeds. The seeds germinate relatively quickly, and they develop faster than seedlings from cuttings. Hoyas do not harm pets or children, making them a good option for households with pets or children.