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EMERALD FERN
EMERALD FERN
Asparagus densiflours Sprengeri Group
Not actually a fern, but a member of the lily family, this easy – care plant has graceful, feathery foliage.
HOWNOT TO KILL IT
Location – Place the plant in a coolish room (45-70F / 7-21C), away from direct heat, such a heat register. It likes some humidity, so does well grouped with other plants. It’s a good choice for a bathroom.
Light – Ideally, provide bright, indirect light.
Watering + Feeding – Water when the top 1in ( 2-3cm) of potting mix has dried out . Don’t let the mix dry out completely, or allow it to become waterlogged, Reduce watering in winter. Feed monthly in spring and summer.
Care – In winter, mist the leaves occasionally if the room is centrally heated. Cut away any yellowing stems at the base. Repot the plant in spring if the root ball comes into contact with the edge of the pot.
YELLOW FOLIAGE?
Older foliage at the bottom of the plant will yellow naturally. If yellowing elsewhere, the room temperature may be too high, there may be too much light, or your plant may be under- or overwatered. Make sure that the potting mix is not waterlogged, which leads to root rot.
SAVE IT – Move it away from a heat register or to a cooler room, and place it in a slightly shadier spot. Allow the mix to dry out if it is waterlogged and make sure let the top 1in (2-3cm) dry out between waterings. Check for root rot.
BROWN EDGES ON THE LEAVES?
Your plant has had too much sun, or the potting mix has dried out.
SAVE IT – Move it to a shadier spot. Water, letting any excess drain away.
ANTHURIUM
ANTHURIUM
Also called flamingo flower, this easy-to-grow houseplants has wavy, exotic, brightly colored flowers (spathes) that can last for weeks.
HOW TO NOT KILL IT
Location – An anthurium is a tropical plant, so it needs warmth and humidity. Place the plant in warm room (60-68F / 15-20C) and away from drafts.
Light - Position it in bright light, but out of direct sun, about 3ft (1m) or so away from a sunny window.
Watering + feeding – Water moderately from spring to fall, whenever the soil surface feels dry. After watering, the potting mix should feel moist, but not soggy. Water less in winter. Feed monthly in spring and summer.
Care – To provide humidity, mist the leaves regularly (avoid the flowers) or set the plant on a pebble filled tray of water. Clean the leaves frequently with a damp sponge, and gently pull of spent flowers. Repot in spring into a slightly larger pot.
LEAF TIPS TURNING BROWN?
The air isn’t humid enough or your plant has too much direct sunlight – the leaves can burn easily.
SAVE IT – Increase humidity by misting the leaves regularly, or place the pot on a pebble-filled tray of water. Move to a bright spot that is out of direct sunlight.
LOTS OF LEAVES BUT NO FLOWERS?
Your plant may not be getting enough sunlight, it might be in too large a pot, or it may be underfed.
SAVE IT - Move it to brighter spot. Repot it in a smaller pot if there than ½ - ¾ in (1-2cm) between the edge of the pot and the root ball. Feed once a month to encourage flowering.
YELLOWING LEAVES?
This could be due to too much watering or overfeeding.
SAVE IT – Don’t allow your plant to sit in water, and only water again when the stop of the potting mix is dry. If necessary, stop feeding it for a month or two.
ALOE VERA
ALOE VERA
This easy-to-grow succulent has spiky, freshy leaves. The sap is used to soothe burns skin irritations.
HOW NOT TO KILL
Location – Keep in a room that is 50-75F (10
Wzter-24C). Happy, mature plants will produce yourself flowers.
Light – Place in a bright spot (e.g. a south facing window). It will cope with some direct sun, but acclimate it gradually.
Watering + Feeding – In spring and summer, water when the top 1in (2-3cm) of potting mix has dried out – this may be once a week, depending its position. In winter, water very sparingly. Feed once in spring and once in summer.
Care – Aloes like well-drained potting mix, so add potting sand or perlite when planting, or use cactus mix. A layer of sand on the top will keep the neck dry prevent rot. Only repot if the plant has outgrown its pot. The plant will produce baby “offsets” – these can be left on the plant, or cut off at the base with their roots and planted individually.
SHRUNKEN, WRINKLED LEAVES?
Your plant needs watering.
SAVE IT – Water lightly and mist the leaves. Do the same the following day, and the day after that – the leaves should plump up again. Don’t let your plant sit in very wet potting mix.
LEAVES TURNING BROWN RE, OR REDDISH BROWN?
Your plant could be getting too much sun in the middle of the day during summer, or it may be overwatered. The roots may also be damaged.
SAVE IT – Move your plant to a bright spot with less direct sunlight. Reduce watering. If it doesn’t recover, check the roots.
PALE OR YELLOWING LEAVES?
If your whole plant is pale or yellowing, it has been overwatered, or it isn’t getting enough light.
SAVE IT – Ensure that you are watering the plant correctly (see left). Move it to a brighter spot.
DARK SPOTS? BROWN OR MUSHY LEAVES?
This is most likely due to overwatering.
SAVE IT - Do not water until the potting mix has dried out. Ensure that the pot has drainage holes. Avoid spilling water on the foliage, as it will gather at the base and cause rot.
MAIDENHAIR FERN
MAIDENHAIR FERN
(Adiantum raddianum)
This delicate, arching fern is quite fussy and can be tricky to grow – it needs moisture, warmth, and a shady spot.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION:
Keep it at 60°-70°F (15°-21°C) and above 50°F (10°C) in winter. Place it away from heat registers and drafts. It needs a lot of humidity, so is good for a bathroom.
LIGHT: Keep it out of direct sunlight – about 3ft (1m) from a north window, or in the diffused light of an east -facing one.
WATERING + FEEDING: Water when the top 1/2in (1cm) of potting mix is dry, but let excess drain away – the mix should be moist. Feed once a month in spring or summer.
CARE: Place it on a pebble-filled tray of water and mist the leaves regularly to provide humidity – more often in a hot, dry room. Snip off the old fronts at the base.
FRONDS TURNING BROWN AND CRISPY?
This is due to low humidity, drafts, close proximity to a heat register, bright sunlight, or because the potting mix is too dry
SAVE IT: Snip off the affected fronds. Check that your plant isn’t in too bright a spot, or near the heating. Mist your plant regularly and set it on a tray of damp pebbles. Keep the potting mix moist.
LEAVES TURNING PALE?
If the leaves are pale, your plant may be in too much direct sun – in this case, it may have scorch marks on the leaves too. Alternatively, it could also be in too dark a spot. Your plant may also need feeding.
SAVE IT: Move it to a spot with diffused light. Feed your plant if you haven’t been doing so.
YELLOW LEAVES?
This could be due to under- or overwatering, or exposure to temperature fluctuations.
SAVE IT: Check that the potting mix isn’t waterlogged and make sure your plant isn’t near a heat register or air-conditioning vent.
WATER IT
WATER IT
Incorrect watering is the main reason that houseplants die – particularly overwatering. Here are the best methods to water healthy plants and save wilted ones.
HOW TO WATER IT…
Most plants can be watered from above. If your plant has fuzzy leaves, however, or the foliage covers the potting mix, water it from below to avoid splashing the leaves. Orchids can be dipped and drained – this allows their coarse mix to absorb the right amount of water temperature doesn’t shock them. Its so also worth leaving a bucket outside (if possible) to collect rainwater. Some plants, such as bromeliads, prefer it, as they are sensitive to the chemicals in hard tap water.
FROM BELOW
Use this method to avoid splashing the leaves, which will create ugly marks and lead to the leaves rotting. Set the pot in a saucer of water for around 30 minutes. Drain any excess water from the saucer.
FROM ABOVE
For most plants, use a thin, long-necked watering can so that the spout can reach the potting mix easily. Water around the base of the plant so that the mix is evenly moist, and allow the excess water to drain away.
DIP & DRAIN
A good technique for watering orchids: place the pot in a container of lukewarm water and leave it to stand for around 10 minutes. Let it drain thoroughly.
HOW MUCH WATER…
Here are some things to consider when figuring out whether your plant needs watering, and how much water to give it.
- Overwatering is the number - one cause of houseplant death. But be sure not to underwater, eathier.
- Don’t water on a fixed schedule – get to know your plant’s needs instead. Most plants only need watering when the top ½ - ¾ in (1-2cm) of potting mix is dry – gently poke your finger into the soil to test it. If a rosette of leaves is will have dry mix.
- Aim to make the potting mix moist, but not wet. Most houseplants hate sitting in soggy potting mix, so always let excess water drain away.
- Potting mix in terra-cotta pots dries out more quickly than that in plastic or ceramic pots; this is because terra-cotta is a porous material.
- Most plants need less water in the winter because they are not actively growing. Some plants need this period of winter rest to reflower.
