Easy Houseplants for Anyone to Grow

Aglaonema Firecracker

Top Ten Easy Care Houseplants 

As an interior landscape technician for more than 20 years, I have learned which indoor tropical plants are the best houseplants. When you work in the interior plant care industry, plant care is what you do all day and everyday. Dealing with plants that are in less than optimal growing conditions has become second nature. You also learn which plants are most adaptable and durable under adverse growing conditions.

These are some of the most commonly used plants in the interior landscape industry and for good reason. Check links for more specific plantcare information.

Here is my list of top-ten best indoor houseplants.

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Chinese Evergreen Houseplant Care

Aglaonema Emerald Beauty - Question from Linda

Aglaonema Emerald Beauty

What could be wrong with my #aglaonema emerald beauty #plant if some of the leaves have started turning yellow. My plant is also a lot less full than it used to be. I am not sure how to prune it. Do I prune the leaves from the top to help the bottom get full again. Do I need to use new soil?

Here are some photos of my plant. I have had it for at least 5 years. It used to be much fuller and healthier. My watering has been pretty consistent. It has been in a bay window which faces a covered patio.

Aglaonema Emerald Beauty - Houseplant Answer

Thanks for the pix. This is assuming it is not a problem from too much water...

You can, and should, cut back a stalk or two of an aglaonema every once in a while. I would cut back the most bare, or the tallest and (or) anything that seems to be falling over. Just cut the stalk, about 2-3 inches above the soil level. You can root the cut stalk(s) in water or moist sand if you like propagating your plants.

I am not sure what that is I am seeing on the top soil. Is it a crusty buildup of some kind or you have pebbles on the top? Or maybe it is old moss? Anyway, if that is soil you should remove it, then if you can remove the plant and rootball from the pot without damaging the plant, add fresh soil to the bottom of the grow pot, (check the roots while you have the plant out and make sure they aren't rotting or anything) then replace plant in the pot and add soil around the sides and just a little on the top. That will give your plant some fresh nutrients.

Remove any yellow leaves and continue regular care. It really looks okay considering it is five years old. It is a good habit to prune back the plant a little every year or 2 just to keep some new growth at the base of the plant. You will end up with a fuller plant in the long run. If you let it grow taller and taller, it will lose the lower leaves and fall over eventually.

You can let it grow tall if you want, that is your decision.

The leaf loss may just be normal. If it continues, really check your watering as that is often the problem with houseplants. Checking the roots to make sure there is a lot of firm healthy roots will tell you alot. If the roots are minimal, you may be keeping too wet. It usually takes some time for problems with too frequent watering to show up. Unlike underwatering where you will see immediate wilting.

Make sure you are checking the soil before you water if you don't already It will make a difference.

Thanks for visiting PlantAndFlowerInfo.com and let me know how she does!

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Pothos Houseplants

Question from Kate...

Pothos Marble Queen

 I'm wondering if there is any way to revive a pothos plant? I received it in beautiful, healthy condition - about 6 vines? ranging from 1-3ft long. I promptly left it in my un-garaged car for 3 days in 30-50 degree temps. I remembered it, brought it inside, watered it but many of the leaves & vine stems are now dark green & limp - not completely wilted, but getting there. I feel awful and am hoping it can be resurrected. Any advice will be very much appreciated, as is this forum -thank you!

Answer... 

Hi Kate,

The best advice I can offer would be to cut back the vines and hope there was no root damage. If the roots are okay the plant should regrow. The damaged foliage will not recover and needs to be removed, in any case. I know many people balk at cutting their plants back. In my experience, the plants that I keep pruned on a regular basis are also the best looking plants. Pruning promotes new growth and new growth is healthier and better looking than older, faded leaves.

 

Usually, I would prune a few vines at a time but since most of the foliage is damaged, now would be the time to cut them back. Leave a few leaf nodes on each vine. If the vines are damaged, you should cut them back.

If you don't want to cut back the vines, you need to, at least, remove all of the damaged leaves with stems. Give proper watering and light. (no direct sun) Then wait and see what happens.

Hope your Pothos houseplant recovers and does well.

Thanks for visiting the website and let me know if I can be of any further help to you..

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Great Houseplants, Dracaena Janet Craig

Houseplants and Care, Dracaena Janet Craig

Dracaena Houseplant

A member of the Dracaena family, Janet Craig, or Corn Plant, is one of the more common Dracaena found in homes and interiorscapes. Dracaena Janet Craig is grown in a variety of forms including the tip, bush and cane. This glossy, dark green plant can be anywhere from one foot tall to twenty feet tall, though it is uncommon to find them at that height except in interior landscapes or the tropical jungle.
If you are trying to find a nice looking houseplant that will tolerate lower light, the Dracaena Janet Craig...read more about this great indoor plant

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Indoor Plants Indoor Cats

House Cat, Wheat Grass

Houseplants, Cats and Dogs

I have recently posted some information from the ASPCA about #houseplants that may or may not be toxic to your beloved #pets. Here is that link again. ASPCA list of toxic and non-toxic plants, including houseplants.
I know that all of my pets like to eat grass. If they can't get to grass, they will eat your houseplants, if they can get close enough to them. That can make your plants look really bad (if there is anything left to look bad ;}) and some of these plants may be harmful to your pets, so it is best to keep them out of reach.
You can also grow grass specifically for your pets. This is great when you keep them indoors. One thing I have found is you need to plant your "pet" grass in a fairly heavy pot or they may knock it over and damage the plant (before they get a chance to nibble on it).
Here is a link for more information on growing wheat grass for your pets, both cats and dogs.
For information and help with houseplant care, come on over and browse through my website. You can send a message if you don't find what you need on the site. I am happy to help as I am able. No strings attached!
Thanks everyone! May your #houseplants and your #pets co#exist in #peace and #harmony...Gotta go, the cat is playing with the #Philodendron runners! Meow

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Trillium Flowers - A Rare Breed But Not a Housplant

Grandfather Mountain NC

These are a couple of photographs I took of Trillium flowers. The first one to the right was growing on the East coast, near Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. From what I have read, this particular Trillium is fairly rare and Grandfather Mountain is one of the few places that it grows. That may or may not be so. Any information about Trilliums?
The next photo of what I assume is a Trillium was taken in the forests of Oregon. I happened upon it as I was taking a little hike with the dogs and spotted it on the side of the trail. There were only a few but they are kind of pretty.

Oregon forest

I just thought I would post these, even though my website is about the care of indoor houseplants. Any one out there an expert on Trilliums or have any information to offer about them?
Houseplant care and information available here. If you need some advice, I would be happy to help out. Hope everyone's new year is going great.

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Houseplant Care Fittonia

Fittonia Plant

If you walk into your neighborhood greenhouse or house plant retailer and you see a Fittonia plant, you will want to have it in your collection of indoor plants. It is an attractive, creeping plant with either red, pink or white veins throughout the leaf and hairy stems.
Mosaic Plant, Nerve Plant or Painted Net Leaf are some other common names for Fittonia . The larger leaf varieties can be difficult to grow and require a warm, humid environment. The dwarf variety, Fittonia argyroneura nana, is less demanding and may have a better chance at surviving the average household conditions.
Houseplant questions or problem? Read more about Fittonia and houseplants and their care...

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Orchids Flowers Plants - Photo Submissions

Purple Orchids

Submit Photos of Tropical Plants and Flowers

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone...

I have recently posted a pictures of Orchids page to my website. I would love to have pictures that others have taken to add to the gallery. If any readers have some favorite Orchid pictures or even houseplant pictures that they would allow me to post to my plant pictures page, I would love to have them.
You can email information and upload photos by visiting my website www.PlantAndFlowerInfo.com and going to the contact page. Please note that pictures must be under a certain size or they will not upload. Information about your plants type, variety, etc. will help in adding a page and picture description. And your name, website link information if you would like that to be included. I hope to see some great Orchid and houseplant photographs...
A great way to add a touch of color to your home is to use elegant and beautiful Orchids. Phalaenopsis Orchids are quite easy to find as they are one of the easier to care for Orchids and they are usually tolerant of most indoor environments as long as they have good lighting and temperatures.
Read more about Orchids care...
Have a great 2014!

Thanks

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Houseplant Care Ficus Trees

Ficus tree braided trunk

Fickle Ficus Losing Leaves...Help!

#Ficus trees are fantastic #houseplants and very easy to care for after the initial trauma of  being moved to a new location. They have a tendency to drop all of their pretty green leaves on the floor when you first bring them home.
Ficus are notorious for being difficult to acclimate to a new environment. In fact, I would have included it on the list of best house plants if it were not for the problems many people have bringing a Ficus tree successfully through its transition to a new and different environment.
Even those that work in the interior landscape business know what a pain in the fig a Ficus tree can be. However, on the positive side, if you know that it will most likely happen (some Ficus trees barely lose a leaf), you may be a little more prepared to deal with it when it does happen.

I find that houseplants are very adaptable as long as changes are made slowly. This even applies to the fickle Ficus tree. Ficus trees are often difficult to acclimate because they are quite sensitive to environmental changes and will often react by dropping most of their still green leaves quite suddenly.
Read more about Ficus plant care and acclimation...

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Pothos Plant Care

My Pothos Plant

Pothos - A Plant by Any Other Name...

Hi Plant People! While there really are NOT very many different types of #Pothos #plants, there does seem to be quite a few different names given to this particularly popular #houseplant.

Let's see...I call it a Pothos, its botanical name is #Epipremnum aureum, some call it a #Scindapsus aureus and I know that in some areas of the world, Pothos are called the #Devil's Ivy. I am curious to know why you would call this innocent looking plant Devil's Ivy. Anyone know? My understanding is that this name is most often used in #Britain. Are there any #British folks out there that know how or why the name "Devil's Ivy" originated? Post in comments below, if you do, I really do wonder...

Pearls and Jade

Okay, I know this is a really popular plant because I work in the interior landscape business and this plant, the Pothos plant, is the one I see most often as the personal plants people bring to work to decorate their cubicles, reception desks and offices. 

The varieties of Pothos most common are the Golden Pothos, Marble Queen Pothos (my favorite, a picture of my Marble Queen here in the post) and Jade Pothos. The is also a Neon Pothos, Pearls and Jade Pothos, the Silver Satin and Silver Splash Pothos. These last four are less common.

This is really an easy plant to keep looking good but often they become thin, pale and leggy looking. The trick to keeping your Pothos plants looking great is simply correct watering, lighting and a little bit of pruning now and again.

Read more about how to keep your Pothos houseplants looking great...

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English Ivy - A HousePlant for All Seasons

My Indoor English Ivy

Question: I need a low growing ground cover type of plant that will do well in lower light and can be kept in a container on the patio or indoors. What type of plant would work?

Answer: 

English Ivy, or Hedera helix, is a great indoor or outdoor plant. It generally requires little care if given the right conditions, preferring bright, indirect light, cooler temperatures and some humidity. It doesn't mind very cold temperatures if "hardened off" first. It will survive temperatures below freezing.
You have, no doubt, often seen English Ivy growing outside on the side of a house or on a fence. There is some English Ivy planted in a clay pot outside my front door and it has survived snow, ice and drought without much care. It is much easier to grow outside than inside but can be kept inside with some TLC. 
English Ivy tends to be more difficult when you first bring it home, especially if it is an immature plant with a weak root system. Read more about English Ivy plant care...

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Beautiful Easy Care Houseplant, Aglaonema Silver Queen

Aglaonema Silver Queen

Question: I need an easy to care for houseplant that has some variegation and light coloring but will do well in lower light. What is the best houseplant to use?

Answer:

One of the best houseplants to use for a beautiful look is the visually appealing and easy to care for Aglaonema Silver Queen. Also known as Chinese Evergreens, most Aglaonemas are tolerant of lower light levels and do well in the conditions of the average home or office. For these reasons, they make great additions to any home or professional space.

Aglaonema Silver Queen is one of the standards of the interior landscape industry. With its fantastic coloring it will brighten up any indoor area and can be grown in medium to bright indirect light, no direct sun, please! It is one of my favorite Chinese Evergreens.

Read more about Aglaonema Silver Queen plant care...

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Cast Iron Plant Care, Aspidistra Elatior

Cast Iron Plant - Aspidistra

Question: I need to find a tough indoor plant that can double as an outdoor patio plant for a shaded area. What kind of plant would work?

Answer: A great plant for both indoor and outdoor areas is the Aspidistra. Also known as Cast Iron plant, this plant will survive in lower light but will flourish in bright, shaded areas, even out of doors. These plants can withstand temperatures below freezing and they have earned the name of Cast Iron Plants.
Aspidistra elatior is the variety generally used as a houseplant. Most often found is the all-green foliage but you may also be able to locate a variegated type of this plant, Aspidistra Milky Way, from specialty plant shops or special order through an interior landscape company.
They can be used outdoors but should be kept out of the sun as the leaves will tend to become pale and scorched looking.
Read more about Cast Iron plant, Aspidistra plant care... 

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Pothos Plant Care About Houseplants

My Pothos Marble Queen

Pothos plant is a household favorite and is on my list of the ten best houseplants, for their easy care and durability.  Also called Scindapsus Aureus or Epipremnum Aureum, they are known in some places as "Devil's Ivy". The Golden Pothos is the most common varieties. It has a glossy green leaf "painted" with yellow. It should stay that way in bright light but if kept in lower light it may start to lose some of the yellow in the leaf and show more of the green. Lower light will also mean less frequent watering of indoor plants. Other common Pothos are the Marble Queen Pothos, which is marbled with white and green with picture at bottom of page and the all green Jade Pothos. Read more...

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Re-Blooming Your Poinsettia-It's Almost Christmas!

Start Poinsettia Around the End of September...

Re-Blooming Your Poinsettia - When the holidays are over and your Poinsettia starts to decline, it is best to add it to the compost pile. If you can't bring yourself to toss it or you just enjoy a challenge, you might want to try re-blooming Euphorbia for the next holiday season. Cut stems back to just above a leaf node, about 3 to 4 inches high. Place the plant out of the sun and allow potting soil to dry between watering. When new growth starts to appear, you can begin monthly feeding. As a note, never feed or fertilize a potted plant when the soil is dry, always water first, then feed. Beginning around the end of September you will need to carefully control the light your Poinsettia receives. The plant will need to be kept in total darkness for 14 hours every night, continuing daily (or nightly) for 8 weeks. You can cover with black plastic and place in a dark area, returning it to its normal location during the day. After the 8 weeks of controlled lighting, return your Poinsettia to its place in bright, indirect light and continue normal care.
For more information on Poinsettia or houseplants in general visit Plant And Flower Info.com....
Thanks and have a great holiday season!

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My Indoor Plant Has Yellow Leaves... What is the Problem?

Question: My indoor plant has yellow leaves, what is the problem?

Answer: 

People have often asked me that question as I was working through an account taking care of the interior plants in their office. Sounds like a simple question, right? It's not and there is not a simple answer...in fact, there are many things that can cause yellow leaves on your indoor tropical plants. I will give the short list here on what I have found to be the most common cause of yellow leaves on interior plants and I have seen lots of yellow leaves in the twenty plus years I have been on the job, taking care of interior and exterior plants.

First let me say that if you just find a yellow leaf or two every once in awhile, don't worry about it. These should be the oldest leaves and it is normal for a leaf to eventually find its way to plant heaven, just like everything else, plants and their leaves age!

Reason Number 1 - If you seldom take care of your plants, leaving them to their own devices until you find them laid out on the floor...Well shame on you! That will cause yellow leaves, lots of them. Unless your plant is a cactus it will need to be watered on some kind of a schedule that you two work out between yourselves...You need some advice, click here!

Next reason...let me tell you a story, don't worry, it's really short. One day, while caring for plants on a big account, a woman came up to me and said she needed advice on a plant problem she was having at home. She said that her plant was turning yellow and she couldn't understand why because she was watering it everyday! I kind of laugh at things like this because it almost seems silly but sometimes folks don't realize you don't need to and you can't water your indoor plants everyday... Unless you want to kill them! If you are one of those people that believes the cure for what ails any plant must be MORE WATER....You need some advice, click here!

You get the point, don't be too extreme when caring for your plants, they will appreciate it.

Very low light can cause a plant, especially a fairly new plant, to turn yellow and lose foliage because a plant can support only a certain amount of foliage with limited light. The response to inadequate lighting is going to be turn yellow, turn brown and then...well you know what happens next. A plant will naturally thin itself until it has the amount of foliage it can support in the light it receives. PS...this doesn't mean you should put your indoor plants out on the patio to fry!  Click here if you want to!

These are really the main reasons that indoor plants turn yellow, believe it or not. If your plant has insect problems, you would most likely be able to see that and that is another reason too but not as big a problem as the other three listed above. 

Anyway, keep those indoor plants alive and growing because plants are good for us all...Thanks!

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Watering Your Tropical Houseplants

The amount and interval of watering for each plant is different and depends on a variety of factors. These include the type of plant, the grow pot size, the light intensity, the time of year, the amount of foliage, the growing medium, the micro environment and the overall health of the plant. For instance, a plant set next to an air vent is going to require more frequent watering than one that is not. Plants that have been moved to a new environment often use more water as they acclimate to new conditions. A plant with an abundance of foliage is going to require much more moisture than a very sparse plant. If your plant is in a plastic container, it will stay moist much longer than a plant in a clay or wood container. The clay and wood are porous and allow for good air circulation and therefore the soil will dry more quickly. All of these things should be considered as you make the decision on whether to water or not. To read more about indoor tropical plants and watering properly....Click here

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