Anthurium –
Anthuriums make popular gifts for all occasions, due to their open, heart-shape and long-lasting characteristics. The Anthurium plants have more than 1000 species, and are the largest genus in the arum family. They are characterized by their bright tropical appearance. A few good things to know are that they can re-bloom all year. They can last for several months with very little maintenance, making them perfect plants for new plant owners. The interesting thing about Anthuriums is that their heart shaped “flowers” are not actually flowers. They are leaves, called spathe, which come in many colors. One thing to remember is that Anthurium are toxic plants, so please be aware if there are pets or children present in the home where the plant will be housed.
Grow your anthurium in a spot that gets plenty of bright, indirect light but no direct sunshine. Anthuriums do best in a warm room that’s around 15-20°C, away from draughts and radiators. High humidity is best, so a bathroom or conservatory is ideal for them. Grouping plants together can help to raise humidity. Your anthurium will do best when the soil has a chance to dry out in between watering. Too much or too frequent watering can lead to root rot, which could severely affect the long-term health of your plant. For best results, water your anthurium with just six ice cubes or a half cup of water once a week.
Sansevieria –
Sansevieria are evergreen perennials that can grow anywhere from eight (8) inches to 12 feet high. Their sword-like leaves are approximately two (2) feet long. The foliage is stiff, broad, and upright, in a dark green color variegated with white and yellow striping. Sansevierias are part of the Dracaena genus. There are many different varieties of Sansevieria. These plants are considered succulents, thus they are easy to grow and maintain for several years. They do not require much water, making them great plants to be able to maintain even for a new plant owner. These plants are survivors even if you are a self-confessed “plant killer”. Caring for the Sansevieria is easy as it only needs to be watered once every few weeks. Overwatering them can be detrimental to their typical long lives. Like Anthurium, Sansevieria are toxic plants and should not be kept around children or pets.
It prefers medium to bright indirect light, but can also tolerate lower light as well as direct sun. Water your Sansevieria only when the soil is completely dry. Water them until liquid flows through the drainage hole and discard any water that accumulates in the saucer. Your Sansevieria prefers a dry environment.
Bromeliad –
Bromeliads are low-maintenance plants that can be grown as houseplants. Native to tropical areas, bromeliads make excellent houseplants and add an exotic touch to your decor. They require little care, are easy to grow and produce long-lasting colorful leaf crowns. The Bromeliad plant is large and varied. Two of its most popular members are pineapples and Spanish moss, showing how diverse this family of plants is. Bromeliads will last for years with proper maintenance. They are easy to grow and maintain, even for the most novice plant owner. They are attractive and come in many colors with flowers that can last for months. Although Bromeliad flowers last for up to six (6) months, an interesting fact is that Bromeliad flowers only bloom once. The original “Mother” plant will continue to produce new plantlets (called “pups”), which allows your Bromeliad to be constantly in bloom, even if original plant is not flowering anymore. All varieties of bromeliad are safe for cats and dogs, but it is a good idea to keep your cat or dog away from these plants—if they get their paws on a bromeliad, it may give them a stomach ache.
Bromeliads are adapted to withstand drought, but are much less tolerant of being over-watered which can cause root rot. It is important that your bromeliad is planted in a medium that allows for fast drainage. Each time you water the potting medium, thoroughly soak it so that the water runs from the drainage holes. This will remove any salt build up in the potting media. Don’t water the bromeliad again until at least the top two inches of potting media are dry. Any more often than this and the plant will be sitting in too much water and could succumb to root rot.
Additional Plants We Use
What is a foliage plant? Foliage plants are decorative with big leaves and are used mostly to give color to the piece. They were discovered in the early 1900s by a group of farmers in Africa. They make good office plants because of the minimal amount of watering needed; typically only water these plants every two weeks. You want to gradually move the plant from a shady area to a sunny area, as it may shock the plant. This type of plant would not grow in a cold environment; however, a room-temperature environment and plenty of sunlight will provide the best results for the plant. This type of plant is tropical and needs water gradually. Here is the rule of thumb for keeping a plant alive for longer periods:
- Always keep a good size pot for bearing purposes.
- Water the base per the plant instructions.
- Always keep them in bright daylight.
- Talk to them at all times.
- For a better appearance, wipe the leaves perfectly.
- Study and educate yourself about the plants.
- Keep them out of the reach of household animals.
Dracaena can be used as office plants as well as house plants. The origin of this plant is Africa, and there are over fifty types of Dracaena in the world. They are good for indoor use. To keep Dracaena longer, keep them indoors and in a sunny and well-lit area. For a longer lifetime for the plant, water it every two weeks and keep the soil moist. Dracaena has its own fragrance; however, it has some toxins so it may not be good for household pets, such as dogs and cats. The plant may cause vomiting with blood, and anorexia in household pets. Always give the plant a bath. Cut the yellow leaves off with scissors and trim the tips of the leaves to look fresh. In the wild, the height of the plant may be over fifty feet tall and they may live for over 150 years. For indoor purposes, they are dwarf and may grow up to five or six feet tall. Do not overwater them, it may kill the plant. Watch for dark brown leaves because it is an indication of overwatering.
The prayer plant is unique. It raises its leaves during the day and, at night, the leaves go up together like a little kid’s hands in prayer. Taking care of prayer plants is not difficult; their oval leaves need the right temperature, humidity, lighting, and water. Because city water has so many chemicals, water general house plants with filtered water. The prayer plant is an easy house plant to take care of. Water them once a week and always talk to them, clean them, and enjoy the beauty of the plant. Too much direct light can be hard on delicate leaves, causing issues like leaf scorching or fading leaf colors. However, prayer plants will rarely flower in low-light situations. So, if your goal is to get your plant to flower, you’ll need to find an appropriate balance between too much and too little light.
Snake plants are grown in any low or high light. They grow more if they are in a brighter area, especially outdoors. Snake plants like the light because it allows for more growth. This plant needs a warm, suitable temperature that is above 55°F (12°C). Watering should be about five days apart. Before watering the soil, make sure it is dry and then spread the water all over the soil. Unlike some household plants, the snake plant produces oxygen throughout the night, while also taking in carbon dioxide (CO2), a natural byproduct of breathing. This characteristic makes the snake plant perfect for home or bedroom decoration because of its ability to improve air quality. These tough plants thrive in any light level, from low to high. Typically, they grow quickly in brighter light, but strong direct sunlight burns the leaves, especially when the plants are outdoors. An ideal spot indoors is about ten feet away from a west or south window. Are snake plants toxic to the skin? Snake plants have low-severity toxicity for humans due to the presence of saponin chemicals, which can poison anyone who ingests its leaves. Symptoms of poisoning may include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. Physical contact does not cause any adverse reaction. The snake plant, commonly referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue, is a resilient succulent that can grow anywhere from six inches to several feet. In addition to providing a bit of ambiance, snake plants have several health benefits:
- They filter indoor air.
- They remove toxic pollutants.
- They may help boost mental health.
- They are easy to care for.
- They are effective against allergies.
- They may help enhance the “energy” of a space.
- They can help with minor ailments.
Bromeliads are great indoor plants. They can grow outside in warm weather, as in California and Florida. This plant needs to be watered every ten days or up to weeks apart. These plants will make multiple pups: up to five beautiful ones. It is good for the plant to be at room temperature and in light. Follow the instructions given for better care of the plants. Please do not give it direct sun, but bright light is perfect.
- Keep the soil moist.
- Keep the air flowing.
- Fertilize often.
- Use good-sized pots and good drainage.
- Water it with filtered water rather than sink water.
