SAVE IT Check
that the compost isn’t
Hoya
waterlogged. Water
carnosa
more sparingly. Move
‘Variegata’
the plant if it is too cold.
Height: up to
4m (13ft)
Spread: up to
70cm (28in)
Blackened
leaf
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FLAMING KATY
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
BUG ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
ouseplants
These succulent plants are sold all year
round and have long-lasting red, pink,
Prone to
mealybugs and
The H
orange, white, or yellow flowers.
red spider mites
on the foliage.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
NO MORE FLOWERS?
The flowers will fade after around
8 weeks, but you can try to get
LOCATION
your plant to flower again.
Keep it at 18–24ºC (65–75ºF),
and above 10°C (50°F) in winter.
SAVE IT Put your plant outside
in summer, then bring it indoors in
autumn as temperatures start to fall.
LIGHT
Place in a cool but bright location,
Place it in bright light, including
stopping feeding, and watering less.
some direct sun – close to an east- or west-
It will then need 14 hours of darkness
facing window in spring or summer, and a
each night for at least a month to
south-facing one in winter.
reflower – place it in a cupboard every
evening if it is in a room with artificial WATERING + FEEDING
light. Resume feeding and watering
Water when the top 2–3cm (1in)
around 8 weeks later when the
plant forms flower buds.
of compost is dry, but more sparingly in
winter. Ensure the pot has good drainage
so the plant isn’t sitting in soggy compost.
If you keep the plant after it has flowered,
feed it once a month in spring and summer.
CARE
Pinch off the flowers as they fade.
BROWN PATCHES
After flowering, cut back all the flowered
ON LEAVES?
stems. Most people discard their plant after
flowering, but it is possible to make it flower This is probably sunburn.
again if you follow a specific care regime
SAVE IT Move your
(see No more flowers?).
plant so that it receives
Brown patches
less direct sunlight.
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LEAVES HAVE
PLANT WILTING?
SHARE
A RED EDGE?
Your plant may have got
THE CARE
This is nothing to worry
too cold, or it might be
about – the leaves turn
over- or underwatered.
red if they are in the sun.
SAVE IT Move it to a
SAVE IT Your plant
warmer spot (such as away
is happy, but watch for
from a windowsill that gets
sunburn on the leaves.
too cold at night) and out
of cold draughts. Check
your watering regime
(see left).
CALANDIVA
Kalanchoe
Calandiva ® series
Bears masses of small, rose-
like, fully double flowers.
Treat in exactly the same
way as you would a
flaming Katy.
STEM TURNED
BROWN OR
Kalanchoe
BLACK AND
blossfeldiana
MUSHY?
Height: up to
This is stem rot,
30cm (12in)
due to overwatering.
Spread: up to
20cm (8in)
SAVE IT Remove
affected areas of the plant.
For more information,
see Plant diseases
(pp.28–29).
Black and
mushy stem
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SENSITIVE PLANT
Mimosa pudica
ouseplants
This plant has a charming party
trick – when you touch it, its leaves
The H
fold up and its stems droop.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
PLANT REACTS
SLOWLY WHEN
TOUCHED AND IS
LOCATION
SLOW TO RECOVER?
Keep it at 18–24ºC (64–75ºF),
You’ve been touching it too
and above 15°C (60°F) in winter.
much, making it less “ticklish”.
After being touched, the
LIGHT
leaves can take up to half
Provide plenty of bright light,
an hour to unfold.
including some direct sun.
SAVE IT Give your plant a
break from being touched for a
WATERING + FEEDING
while – it might need several
Keep the compost moist but not
weeks to become sensitized again.
soggy, and just moist in winter. Feed once
a month during spring and summer.
Leaves
when open
CARE
Sensitive plants like humidity,
so place the plant on a pebble-filled tray
of water. Often sold in a planting kit,
they are easy to grow from seed. It will
produce pretty, pink flowers in summer.
Prone to red
Leaves
BUG
spider mites
when closed
ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
on the foliage.
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Whole plant
PLANT GETTING
LARGE AND LEGGY?
This is normal. The plant becomes less
attractive over time, and most people
discard their plant in autumn, after it
has finished flowering.
SAVE IT Cut it back to the
desired size, or sow or buy a new
plant in spring.
LEAVES CLOSED BUT
THE PLANT HASN’T
BEEN TOUCHED?
The plant can react if shaken or
brushed by a breeze. The leaves
will also fold up naturally at night.
SAVE IT Do nothing!
Mimosa
LEAVES TURNING YELLOW
pudica
AND FALLING OFF?
Height: up to
Your plant is probably too cold.
60cm (2ft)
SAVE IT Move it to a warmer spot.
Spread: up to
30cm (1ft)
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SWISS CHEESE PLANT
Monstera deliciosa
ouseplants
A 1970s favourite, the Swiss cheese plant is making a comeback. It will instantly give any
The H
room a fun, jungle look.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
YELLOW LEAVES?
Overwatering is the most
likely cause, especially if
LOCATION
the leaves are also wilting.
It will survive at 10–24°C (50–
This may have led to root rot. If you’ve
75°F), but will only grow if over 18ºC (65ºF).
watered your plant correctly, it may
Provide space as it can get pretty large.
need feeding.
SAVE IT Reduce watering if you
LIGHT
have overwatered. Feed your plant once
Place it in a bright or lightly shaded
a month in spring and summer. Check
spot, such as a few feet from a window. Keep
for root rot, removing any affected
out of direct sunlight.
roots. For more information, see
Plant diseases (pp.28–29).
WATERING + FEEDING
Water after the top of the compost
has dried out a little. Feed once a month
during spring and summer.
LEAF TIPS
AND EDGES
CARE
TURNING BROWN?
Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep
This may be due to dry air or
them free of dust, and mist them from time
compost, low temperatures, or because
to time. Once the plant reaches 75cm (30in)
your plant has become pot-bound.
tall, it will need support, such as a moss pole SAVE IT If your plant is in a
or bamboo cane. Tuck the long aerial roots
warm room (over 24ºC/75ºF) with
into the compost or the pole. Repot every
dry air, stand it on a pebble-filled
spring when young. When your plant gets
tray of water and mist the leaves
too big to repot easily, remove the top 5cm
regularly. If it is near a radiator,
(2in) of compost and replace with fresh.
move it away. Check the room isn't
too cold. Repot if necessary.
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THE PLANT IS “CRYING”?
SHARE
Water will sometimes drip from
THE CARE
the leaves of your plant if the
compost is too wet.
SAVE IT Increase the time
between waterings, making sure
that you allow the compost to dry
out slightly each time.
BUG ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
Prone to
HORSEHEAD
mealybugs on
PHILODENDRON
the undersides
Philodendron
of the leaves.
bipinnatifidum
An impressive plant with
the same care needs. Ensure
you give it plenty of room.
UNCUT
LEAVES?
Young plants and
new stems do not
produce cut leaves. Uncut leaves
on mature stems are a sign your
plant is unhappy.
SAVE IT If you have a
young plant, be patient! If not,
Monstera
deliciosa
ensure your plant is in a good
SWISS CHEESE VINE
location that is over 18ºC (65ºF)
Height &
Monstera obliqua
and you are providing the
spread: up
With the same care demands
correct watering, feeding,
to 1.8m (6ft)
as a Swiss cheese plant,
and care (see left).
this variety has unusual,
oval holes in its leaves.
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96
BOSTON FERN
Nephrolepis exaltata ‘Bostoniensis’
ouseplants
This graceful fern looks great on a pedestal or in a hanging planter – its broad, arching fronds The H
will hang down below the level of the vase.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
The plant will love moisture and
humidity – so is a great choice for a
bathroom. Keep the room's temperature
at 10–21°C (50–70°F).
LIGHT
Provide good, but indirect light,
as direct sunlight will burn the leaves.
WATERING + FEEDING
Keep the compost moist (but not
wet) at all times. Feed once a month from
spring to autumn.
CARE
Stand the plant on a
pebble-filled tray of water and
mist the leaves every few days
in summer, or if the central heating is on.
Remove any dead fronds. Repot in spring
if the roots have filled the existing pot.
BUG
Prone to scale insects,
ALERT!
mealybugs, and red spider
(see pp.24–27)
mites on the foliage.
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PALE FRONDS?
BROWN FROND
SHARE
Your plant may need
TIPS? FRONDS
THE CARE
feeding, or it might be
DYING BACK?
in too bright a spot.
Some older fronds will die
SAVE IT Ensure you
back naturally. If the
feed your plant once a
problem is widespread,
month from spring to
the air is probably too dry,
autumn. Move it to a
or your plant isn’t getting
shadier spot if necessary.
enough water.
SAVE IT Increase
the humidity by standing
your plant on a pebble-
filled tray of water and
misting the leaves
every few days.
Ensure that the
compost is moist
but not soggy.
BIRD’S NEST FERN
Asplenium nidus
This fern has similar
requirements to a Boston
fern, but copes well with lower
light levels. Wipe the leaves
to keep them shiny.
FRONDS TURNING
YELLOW?
Nephrolepis
The air may be too dry
exaltata
or too warm.
'Bostoniensis'
SAVE IT Mist the
Height &
SILVER LADY
leaves regularly and reduce
Blechnum gibbum
spread: up to
the temperature of the
This large fern has similar
75cm (30in)
room if necessary.
needs, but will tolerate dry
air and prefers soft water.
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98
DESERT CACTI
Opuntia
ouseplants
The many types of cacti come in a range of
shapes. Opuntia is a common genus within
The H
the cactus family.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
SHRIVELLING
This is due to underwatering.
Contrary to popular opinion, cacti
LOCATION
do need watering!
Put a cactus somewhere warm
(13–29°C/55–85°F). In winter, move it
SAVE IT Water the compost
to a cooler spot to encourage flowers.
a small amount every day for
the next few days, but don’t let
LIGHT
the plant sit in wet compost.
Place it in bright sunlight, but
shield it from strong, direct sun in the
middle of the day in summer. Provide air
circulation on hot days. If moving the plant
MUSHY PLANT?
into direct sunlight, acclimatize it gradually.
The mushy areas of the plant are
areas that have rotted. This is
WATERING + FEEDING
due to overwatering, often
In spring and summer, keep the
combined with low temperatures.
compost moist using tepid water. In autumn
SAVE IT Depending on how
and winter, keep the compost almost dry.
far the rot has spread, you
Feed once in spring and again in summer.
could try repotting your
plant into fresh cactus
CARE
compost. Cut away
Grow in cactus compost. Wear
any rotted roots.
thorn-proof gloves when handling, or
carefully wrap the plant in newspaper.
Soft,
Prone to mealybugs
rotten
BUG
and scale insects.
areas
ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
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NO FLOWERS?
SHARE
It is possible to coax some cacti into flowering (such as THE CARE
mammillaria, opuntia, astrophytum, and rebutia) when they are a few years old.
SAVE IT Stop watering in autumn, then in winter place your plant in a cool, light
room, and keep the compost dry. In spring,
bring into a warmer spot before resuming
gentle watering and feeding. Keeping the
plant in a small pot will also encourage
it to flower.
BROWN/WHITE
DISCOLORATION?
This is sunburn, and
occurs if the plant is in
very strong sunlight.
MONK'S HOOD
SAVE IT Move your
Astrophytum ornatum
plant out of very strong
This small cactus has a
midday sun in summer.
round shape and can
produce yellow flowers.
CACTUS
SPLITTING?
This is due to
overwatering.
SAVE IT Stop
watering – the scar
should heal over. Check
your watering regime
Opuntia
(see left). Also check
that the compost and
Height &
CROWN CACTUS
pot are well-
spread: up to
Rebutia
drained.
50cm (20in)
This popular cactus
produces pretty, tubular
flowers close to its base.
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100
RADIATOR PLANT
Peperomia metallica
ouseplants
Radiator plants hail from the floors of tropical rainforests. There are many types, grown for
How Not to Kill Your Houseplant Page 9