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Good Luck Plant - Cordyline

English name:

Good Luck Plant - Hawaiian Ti Plant - Baby Doll Ti

Latin name:

Cordyline Fruticosa Mambo

About me:

I am a wonderful colourful tropical foliage plant, with lovely glossy maroon tinged leaves that branch off a central stem.

I am form in a manner similar to Dracaena (we are both members of the same family), with our lower leaves dying to encourage new growth as the plant develops.

Origin:

Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific Ocean region.

Water:

Keep my soil moist at all times.

Allow the top of the soil to dry out slightly before re-watering & reduce watering in winter.

I will tolerate some degree of drought & don't allow the bottom of the plant to stand in water.

If possible use rain or filtered water to avoid the tips of the leaves turning brown.

Temperature:

Average to warm household temperatures from 18-27°C and always above 13°C. Avoid cold drought.

Height/Growth:

Ultimate height 100-150cm indoors, but don't you worry I don't grow to fast.

Feed:

Apply a weak solution of liquid fertiliser once or twice a month during the growing season.

Do not use fertilisers containing fluoride.

Light:

Best in bright, indirect light.

Direct sunlight should be limited to a few hours a day at most as it may scorch the leaves.

Can tolerate some degree of shade for part of the day.

Air Purifying:

This plant filters airborne toxins such as such as formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene from the atmosphere and is part of our clean air plant collection.

Toxicity:

The sap is considered poisonous.

Keep plants away from children and pets and take care when handling.

Care tips:

Wipe leaves with a damp cloth to remove accumulated dust.

Remove any dead leaves.

Tag:
Cordyline

Parlour Palm - Chamaedorea Elegans

English name:

Parlour Palm - Dwarf Palm

Latin name:

Chamaedorea Elegans

About me:

I have been popular with the Victorians and still very popular.

Also I have another Latin name, Neanthe bella.

I am elegant, easy to look after, with excellent air purifying qualities and definitely I am undemanding in terms of light, water, temperature, humidity and feed.

I have bright green leaves on slender, arching stems.

The leaves are pinnate, meaning it has feathered leaflets arranged on either side of the stem.

Small yellow flowers appear on mature plants if they have sufficient light.

Origin:

Mexico and Central America.

Water:

Water once the soil begins to dry out. Do not overwater and ensure the plant has proper drainage to prevent root rot.

Temperature:

Average household temperatures above 18°C. Needs a minimum of 10°C in winter and at night.

Height/Growth:

Ultimate indoor height 1-1.5m, but don't you worry I grow slowly!

Feed:

Feed with a weak solution every few weeks during the growing season.

Do not feed during the winter.

Light:

Shade tolerant. Brighter, indirect sunlight will encourage flowering.

Air Purifying:

This plant filters airborne toxins and is part of our clean air plant collection.

Toxicity:

I am children and pet friendly

Humidity:

Can tolerate some dry, indoor air, but does better with a little extra humidity and will appreciate the occasional misting with lukewarm water, which will also help keep the leaves free of dust. Brown leaf tips are an indication that the plant is not getting enough humidity.

Tag:
Chamaedorea Elegans

Swiss Cheese Plant - Monstera Deliciosa

English name:

Swiss Cheese Plant, Custard plant, Indian ivy, Fruit salad plant, Mexican breadfruit

Latin name:

Monstera Deliciosa

About me:

The Monstera deliciosa is one of the more popular houseplant for years and there's little wonder why!

A speedy grower and easy-pleaser, the Swiss Cheese plant is a great introductory plant for novices.

Origin:

Monstera are species of evergreen tropical vines/shrubs that are native to Central America.

Water & Light

Monstera likes to dry out a little between watering.

Give a drink whenever the top two inches of soil feel dry.

Normally every 1-2 weeks.

Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.

The Swiss Cheese plant will be ok in a semi-shaded spot, but she’ll grow much better somewhere that gets lots of light but not direct sun.

Temperature:

Average to room temperatures from 18-24°C but can cope with as low as 15°C but I'll grow really slowly at this temperature!

Height/Growth:

You can leave me trailing down or support me with a moss pole. My vines can get to lengths of up to 2 meter!

Feed:

One a month over the growing season, feed me with a balanced fertiliser.

Grooming:

Prune any dead leaves and re-pot me when I'm bursting out of my container.

Care:

Wipe my leaves to remove dust.

Toxicity:

Keep me away from children and pets.

Fact:

I'm a good air purifier, so I'll help filter airborne toxins.

If I'm getting to wild, you could train me to climb bamboo or a moss pole.

FAQ's about Monstera problems:

It is an easy-going plant and is generally pest-free.

Treat pests as soon as they appear with weekly sprays of horticultural (neem) oil and regular wipe-downs of the plant.

- Leaves turning brown and crispy at the edges

Thirsty plant, under watered or high salt build up

- Wilting plant, dry compost

Under watered or pot-bound

Yellowing leaves or black stems, wet potting mix

Over watered

Money Plant - Crassula Ovata

English name:

Money Plant - Jade Plant

Latin name:

Crassula Ovata

About me:

I am a popular succulent houseplant with fleshy, oval-shaped leaves and thick woody stems.

Treat me well and I will produce white flowers in late winter, making an attractive and mildly fragrant display.

Origin:

I am native to South Africa & Mozambique

Water:

During the summer and spring you should be water me often so the soil is moist but not wet, making sure drainage is immaculate. Reduce watering to monthly in the winter. And, please never let me sit in water.

Temperature:

Average to cool room temperatures from 15-24°C but can cope with as low as 10°C.

Height/Growth:

I can grow to about a 1.5 meter tall, but don't you worry I grow slowly!

Feed:

Feed me at the beginning of the growing season.

Grooming:

I don't need to be prune and re-pot me when I'm bursting out of my container.

Care:

Wipe my leaves to remove dust.

Toxicity:

I am toxic for animal and mildly toxic to humans.

Fact:

Once i was thought to bring good luck to their owners so i was often given as housewarming gifts.

Aloe Black Gem

English name:

Aloe Black Gem

Latin name:

Alworthia 'Black Gem'

About me:

I am an extremely hardy, evergreen and perennial succulent that generates many tight offset, creating a large, low clump.

My triangular foliage are green and they became darker and redder when the catch more sun.

Origin:

I am native to the mountain grasslands of Lesotho and southern Africa.

Temperature:

I'm not really fussy and I should be able to cope with most temperatures.

Water:

Only water me when my soil feels dry to the touch because I am draught resistant.

And please never let me sit in stagnate water.

Height/Growth:

I can grow up to 30cm in height with a spread of around 40-60cm. But don't you worry I am not in rush and I grow slowly.

Feed:

Feed me a balanced succulent fertiliser 2 or 3 times in the growing season

Care:

I am not a fast grower and I rarely need to be re-potted.

Toxicity:

Don't eat me, this could cause severe discomfort!