Interior Plants

1. Interior Plants

• Crystal Price

2. ARALIACEAE

• 2 ARALIACEAE

3. Slide 3

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4. Topiary Training

5. Hedera helix - English Ivy

Description

Evergreen aerial rooting vine.  Has juvenile & adult leaves.  Leaves are slightly to extremely 3- 5 lobed.  Colors range from medium to dark green and includes variegated forms with green and white or green and yellow.  Some cultivars are self-branching; some require pinching to bush out.  Leaves are simple & alternate.

Aerial roots that cling (climbs 50 ft or more) Origin:

• West Asia, West Africa, Europe, Russia

6. Environment & Culture

Temperature

• Low to medium, 7 C to 26 C (consistent is better)

Does better in cooler temperatures - Min. 4 C Light:

Medium to high - bright indirect light In winter plants may accept some direct sunlight

When placed in south-facing window Water

Moderately & evenly moist Allow 25-30% soil to dry out before watering again

Red foliage in fall (outdoors) High tolerance to fluorides

Humidity

High - helps to retain leaf appearance Higher RH at night with cooler temps.

• Frequent misting
• Especially in the winter
• Humidifier, stone baths, group plants 6

7. Soil:

• Well drained potting mix

Mulch to keep cool and moist Fertilizer

• Little feeding

Spring & summer ½ the recommended strength Monthly in winter

Never feed in extreme cold or hot temps.

• Or if soil is too dry

Higher nitrogen bi-weekly in growing season 7

8. Special Care

Benefits from regular pruning to make it branch out

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9. Slide 9

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10. Insects:

Spider mites, mealybug, scale, aphids Diseases

• Fungal & bacterial leaf spot

11. Pruning:

Regular pruning to keep plant bushy and full Propagation:

• Tip or stem cuttings
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12. Common Problems with English Ivy

AGGRESSIVE WOODY EVERGREEN Direct sun burns leaves

Leaves will be small in low light Leaf shed as a result of water stress

Don’t let dry out Most die from being over-watered

Crispy leaves from over & under-watering Protect from harsh winter drafts & excessive summer heat

• Prefer cooler nights
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13. Slide 13

14. Toxicity

Very toxic.  Level #3 One of the top indoor plants to improve air quality!

• 20XX 14

15. ASPARAGACEAE

16. Dracaena deremensis compacta - Dracaena Compacta

Description

Erect, thick single stemmed shrub-like plant.  Slow growing, clump like growth.  Short dark green leaves 2 - 4” long.

Origin

Species originates from all over Tropical Africa

Height

• 1 foot tall

17. Environment & Culture

Temperature

• High

Leaves will curl if temperature is too low Minimum 16 C

Light

Grows best in medium light.  Grows very slow in low light & easily overwatered (stagnant)

Can tolerate high levels of light (will require more watering)

Even light distribution around the plant Water

• Moderately moist - on the drier side Do not let dry out

Allow top ¾ to dry out before watering Clean water source

The more light the higher the moisture requirements

Lower the light the less watering required Keep evenly moist

Humidity 40% or higher Soil:

Tropical plant mix (peat, loam, bark chips, perlite & vermiculite)

18. Fertilizer

Very little fertilizer required as they are very slow growing

Feed twice a year (Spring & Summer) Dilute to ½ the recommended strength

Avoid fertilizers with fluorides Maintain high levels of calcium to offset fluoride damage pH at 6.5 - 6.8

• Special Care

Gentle dusting on a regular basis Remove dead or dying canes

Prune yellow or brown leaf tips with scissors Tips & stems are fragile, take care when transporting

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19. Insects & Disease

Mealy bug (most common) & spider mites Occasional thrips

Leaf spots (fungal & bacterial), fusarium (circular reddish brown spots circled by yellow margins

Anthracnose small dark spots (Fungal leaf spot) 22

20. Propagation

• Tip of cane cuttings
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21. Slide 21

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22. Toxicity

Low toxicity (level #1), intestinal issues for dogs & cats.

• ASPCA Poisonous Plants

23. Common Problems with Dracaena

Browning of the leaf tips or leaf edges

Low light & under or over watering Sensitive to fluorides and too much chlorine

Yellowing of the leaves

• Under or over watering

Loss of bottom leaves & stunted Low light Can become one sided & loose beautiful shape

• Rotate weekly
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24. Chlorophytum comosum - Spider Plant or Ribbon Plant

Description

Thick fleshy rhizomatous roots.  Leaves sessile, linear to lanceolate.  45 m long, 2 m wide, medium green.  Inflorescence panicle of white flowers, simple or branched.  Plantlets borne at nodes.

Origin

• South Africa
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25. Environment & Culture

Temperature

• Medium to high 7 - 26 C

Light

Medium to bright indirect light Short day plant Water:

• Moderately moist

Allow 50% of soil to dry before you water Leaves start to fade when it needs water

A good way to tell when it needs water Use a clean water source

• Will tolerate drier soils

Leaves may become smaller & tips & margins may brown

Humidity

• High humidity

Does well in homes, prefers some extra RH Especially during winter

Soil

Good organic soil or African Violet mix 28

26. Fertilizer

Monthly balanced fertilizer ½ the rate Add calcium pH 6.5 - 6.8

• Special Care

Best in a shallow pot which gives root system room to expand

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27. Insects & Disease

Insects

Aphids, spider mites, scale, mealy bug Diseases

• Rare, root rot is possible 30

28. Propagation

Propagation

Seed, division, plantlets developed under short days

Cut off plantlets when leaves are 2-3” long

Pruning

Cut off brown leaf tips that develop from too much fertilizer or chemicals in water

Trim babies and start new plants 31

29. Slide 32

30. Toxicity

Not poisonous & excellent for cleaning the air of harmful toxins.

31. Common Problems with Spider Plant

Numerous long stems with baby plants at the ends:

• Root bound

Leaves can turn brown if root bound for a long period

• Fast growing plant

Most of their energy is directed toward producing plantlets

• Like to be root bound

Wait till you see rhizomes popping out of soil Burned leaf tips:

• Low light

Direct sun will cause this too Never put in direct sun,

• Results in scorching
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32. Dracaena trifasciata - Snake Plant

Description

Dense stands, spreads by creeping rhizomes (above & below ground). Stiff vertical leaves rise from a basal rosette. Blade is dark green with irregular grey-green marbling is edged with wide golden band.

Origin

Tropical West Africa from Nigeria to the Congo 36

33. Environment & Culture

Temperature

High. Winter temperatures should not go below 15C.

Protect from drafty windows and doors in the winter time.

Light

Bright, indirect light. Can tolerate some direct sunlight (low to high).

Can do well in low-light areas, such as a shady corner of an office or home.

Moving from low light to bright light may cause leaf burn.

Water

Allow soil to dry out mostly between waterings, especially under low light.

This plant does better on the drier side.

Bottom watering to encourage roots to grow downward. This will help stabilize the thick, tall leaves.

Plants are not as active in the winter, water less often to avoid potential root rot issues.

Lower humidity is fine. 40% is preferred.

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34. Soil:

Well-drained potting mix, Cacti and succulents soil is ideal (fast drying). Terra cotta pots work well for snake plants, as they allow the soil to dry out more easily than plastic.

Fertilizer

Good quality plant food, 10-10-10 in the spring. Avoid overfertilizing, Snake plants are native to poor rocky soils.

Special care

This plant likes to be root bound and will produce more offsets in this condition.

Do not damage the acuminate leaf tip or that leaf will stop growing.

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35. Insects & Disease

Fungus Gnats, scale & mealy bug.

Root rot is the most common issue.

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36. Propagation

Division, rhizomes, leaf sections in peat or sand, offsets, cane cuttings.

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37. Slide 41

38. Toxicity

Can cause gastrointestinal upset to pets. Level 2 toxicity.

39. Yellow leaves, signals overwatering.

Allow the soil to dry out thoroughly, remove dead leaves.

Root rot reveals itself as soft, mushy discolored leaves. Yellow-white roots are healthy, dark smelly roots are not.

Try again, divide plants, replant roots in a healthy fresh soil.

• 43 Common Problems with Snake Plant

40. Snake plant falling over isn't always bad

Snake plant falling over isn't always bad.

Plants may splay open when they need repotting or more light.

Collapsing leaves could be advanced root rot.

Examine the roots.

You can trim brown tips on healthy firm leaves.

Use sharp shears and follow leaf shape to keep natural look.

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41. Closing Slide

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42. Thank you

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