The H
their varied and interesting leaves.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
Provide temperatures of
18–25ºC (65–77ºF) from spring to
autumn, and a minimum temperature
of 10ºC (50°F) in winter.
LIGHT
Place it in a bright or
partially shaded spot, out of
direct sun – filtered light from
an east- or north-facing
window is ideal. It will do well
under fluorescent light, so is a
good choice for an office.
WATERING + FEEDING
Water with tepid water,
whenever the compost is beginning
to dry out. Water from below to avoid
Peperomia
wetting the leaves (see Water it, pp.18–19).
metallica
In winter, water sparingly. Feed monthly in
BUG ALERT!
He
(see pp.24–27)
ight &
spring and summer.
spread: up to
2
Prone to
0
mealybugs
cm (8in)
CARE
under the leaves and
It needs good drainage. Stand it
around the plant.
on a pebble-filled tray of water as it will
appreciate humidity.
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Corky swellings
LEAF DROP?
SHARE
CORKY
This can be caused
THE CARE
SWELLINGS
by a lack of water,
UNDER THE LEAVES?
or if the plant is
too cold.
This is oedema, caused by too
SAVE IT Water
much watering in winter.
your plant. If it is
SAVE IT Ensure you water
located in a room
your plant sparingly in winter.
cooler than 10ºC
For more information, see Plant
(50ºF), move it to
diseases (pp.28–29).
a warmer spot.
CREEPING BUTTONS
Peperomia rotundifolia
A pretty, trailing peperomia
with small, fleshy, button-
like leaves. It has the same
care needs.
PLANT WILTING
BABY RUBBER PLANT
DESPITE WATERING?
Peperomia obtusifolia
Care for this upright plant as
You may have overwatered
you would a radiator plant.
your plant, causing root rot.
Its leaves are often splashed
SAVE IT
with gold, grey, or cream.
Check your plant for root rot
and remove any affected areas. For more
information, see Plant diseases (pp.28–29).
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102
MOTH ORCHID
Phalaenopsis
ouseplants
The orchid family is enormous. Moth
orchids are the easiest to grow, and
The H
their flowers last for many weeks.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
Place the plant in a room with a
BUD DROP
temperature of around 18–26°C (65–80°F).
This could be due to under- or
overwatering, low humidity,
LIGHT
or temperature fluctuation.
Put it in bright, but indirect
SAVE IT Water normally
light – near an east-facing window is ideal.
(see left), and place your plant on
a pebble-filled tray of water. Avoid
WATERING + FEEDING
moving your plant when it is in bud.
Water by dipping and draining
(see Water it, pp.18–19). Do this about once
a week in spring and summer, and around
every 2 weeks in winter. Ideally, use distilled, filtered, or rainwater. Provide orchid feed
once a month during spring and summer,
but every 2 months in autumn and winter.
BUG ALERT!
CARE
(see pp.24–27)
Grow in orchid compost in a
Prone to scale
transparent container so that light can reach
Ph
insects and
ala
the roots. Don‘t cut off or cover the roots that
en
mealybugs
op
H
s
u
e
i
are sticking into the air – they will rot. Once on the foliage.
p
i
s
g
t
h
o
t
1
:
m
the flowers fade, cut back the flowering stem Sp
(
r
3
e
f
a
t
3
d
)
to a bud lower down, and it should produce a
0
:
c
u
m
p
(
t
1
o
new flower spike within a few months.
2in)
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NO FLOWERS?
It may take several months for your plant to reflower. However, a lack of flowers can also be due to a lack of bright light, over-or underfeeding, or excessive temperature fluctuations. Your plant may need repotting.
SAVE IT Move your plant to a brighter spot, ensuring you feed it monthly in spring and summer and every 2 months in autumn and winter. Repot if necessary. Lower night-time temperatures (13–18ºC/55–65ºF) can stimulate reflowering, so put it on a windowsill or in a cooler room for a few weeks.
CHANGE IN
LEAF COLOUR?
Yellow leaves
The leaves should be a grassy green. Yellowing of older leaves is natural, but for younger leaves it can be a sign of too much bright sunlight or underfeeding. The leaves becoming darker can
be a sign of a lack of bright sunlight.
SAVE IT Adjust your plant’s light Shrivelled
levels accordingly. If it is spring or summer, leaves
ensure you feed your plant once a month.
SHRIVELLED LEAVES?
This probably means that not enough water is reaching the leaves. This is often due to underwatering, but can be caused by root damage. Limp leaves could also be a sign there is not enough humidity.
SAVE IT Healthy roots are silvery or green, while brown, mushy roots indicate overwatering and hollow, crispy roots are a sign of underwatering. If roots are damaged, trim off the worst of the damage and repot in fresh compost.
Raise the humidity by standing your plant on a pebble-filled tray of water.
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104
PYGMY DATE PALM
Phoenix roebelenii
ouseplants
A more delicate version of its cousin, the Canary Island date palm (Phoenix canariensis), the pygmy date palm The H
(Phoenix roebelenii) has elegant, arched fronds.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LEAVES NOT
DARK GREEN?
This could be due to underfeeding.
LOCATION
The pygmy date palm likes room
s
SAVE IT Feed your plant once a
that are around 18°C (65°F) – warmer than
month from spring to late summer.
many other palms. It grows to around 1.8m
(6ft) so needs a fair amount of space.
LIGHT
LEAF TIPS
Place it in bright but indirect light,
GOING BROWN?
out of direct sun.
The air could be too dry. Underwatering
or cold air may also be the cause.
WATERING + FEEDING
SAVE IT If your plant is standing Water freely in summer when the
near a radiator, move it away. Check the
top 2–3cm (1in) of compost feels dry. Keep
temperature isn’t too low (less than
the compost barely moist in winter. Feed it
10ºC/50ºF) and water if the compost is
monthly from spring to late summer.
dry. Cut off the brown tips with scissors.
CARE
Stand it on a pebble-filled tray of
water to increase humidity around the plant,
BROWN SPOTS
especially in summer or in a heated room.
ON THE LEAVES?
This could be caused by overwatering or
exposure to cold.
Prone to scale insects,
SAVE IT Remove the affected foliage and BUG
mealybugs, and red spider
check your plant’s position and care (see left).
ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
mites on the foliage.
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SHARE THE
CARE
Pho
LADY PALM
ro
e
e
n
b
ix
e
Rhapsis excelsa
le
H
n
e
i
s
i
i
This palm needs similar care
p
g
r
h
e
t
a
d
&
to a pygmy date palm, but
1.
:
8
u
m
p
will tolerate lower light levels.
(
to
6ft
LEAVES GOING
)
BROWN?
If only the lower leaves are
affected, don’t worry – it’s
natural for old leaves to turn
brown and die. But check
that you haven’t overwatered
the plant, rotting the roots.
SAVE IT Cut off the
unsightly brown leaves at
the base using secateurs or
scissors. Ensure you are only
watering when the top 2–3cm
(1in) of the compost is dry.
Brown
If the problem persists, check
spots
for root rot, removing
any affected roots.
DWARF FAN PALM
For more information,
Chamaerops humilis
see Plant diseases
Provide this slow grower with
(pp.28–29).
the same care, but it will
tolerate lower temperatures.
It will only reach 1.2m (4ft).
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106
TOP 5 PLANTS FOR
Bird’s nest fern
LOW
Asplenium nidus
This easy-care fern has a rosette of lush,
shiny leaves. It copes well in low light,
but wipe the leaves occasionally to keep
them shiny and allow light to get to them.
ouseplants
LIGHT
See Bird's nest fern, p.97.
The H
All plants need some light
in order to grow, but some,
especially those with
larger leaves, are better
at coping with a shadier
spot. Here are five shady
characters to try.
Peace lily
Spathiphyllum
Peace lilies are forgiving plants
with glossy green leaves and striking white
flowers. They don’t mind low light levels and can also put up with erratic watering.
See Peace lily, pp.124–125.
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Heart-leaf
philodendron
Philodendron scandens
This philodendron has glossy,
heart-shaped leaves. It’s a climber,
so train it up a mossy pole.
See Heart-leaf
philodendron, p.63.
Japanese aralia
Fatsia japonica
This striking plant, with its large, lush, glossy leaves, copes well in low light levels and can survive temperatures as low as
0ºC (32ºF) in winter.
See Japanese
aralia, p.81.
Cast iron plant
Aspidistra eliator
As its name suggests, this plant has a strong constitution.
Wipe the leaves to allow maximum light to get to them. It’s forgiving of under-watering, but it has one pet hate – very wet compost.
See Cast iron plant, p.125.
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108
MISSIONARY PLANT
Pilea peperomioides
ouseplants
Also known as a Chinese money plant, this
sought-after houseplant is grown for its
The H
pretty, lily pad-like leaves.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
Keep it in a room that is
18–24°C (64–75°F), but no cooler than
12ºC (54ºF) in winter. It enjoys humidity,
so a bathroom would be ideal.
LIGHT
Place it in bright light
or partial shade, but avoid direct
sunlight, which will damage
the leaves. The leaves will grow
bigger in partial shade than
in bright light.
WATERING + FEEDING
Water to keep the compost
moist, but let it dry out a little between
waterings. Feed the plant every 2 weeks in
spring and summer.
Pilea
peperomioides
CARE
H
Ensure the plant has good drainage
eight &
spread:
and don’t allow it to sit in wet compost.
up to
30cm (12in
Occasionally, wipe the leaves with a clean,
)
damp cloth to keep them dust-free and
shiny. Your plant will appreciate having its
leaves misted.
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LEAVES FACING IN
LEAVES
SHARE
ONE DIRECTION?
TURNING
THE CARE
The leaves will grow towards
YELLOW OR
the light.
DROPPING
SAVE IT Rotate your plant
OFF?
regularly so that it keeps its
If the leaves are
mounded shape.
turning yellow at
the base of the
plant, don’t worry
�
�� these are just
ageing leaves. If the
leaves are yellow all
over, this could be
due to overwatering
or underwatering.
FRIENDSHIP PLANT
SAVE IT
Pilea involucrata
Check your watering
‘Moon Valley’
and care regime
This striking perennial has
(see left).
similar needs to a missionary
plant, but likes higher
humidity. Try keeping
it in a terrarium.
POWDERY,
WHITE PATCHES
ON THE LEAVES?
This is powdery mildew. It
won’t kill your plant, but
it does look unsightly.
SAVE IT Remove the affected
leaves promptly. Try to improve the
air circulation around
your plant. For more
information, see
ALUMINIUM PLANT
Plant diseases
Pilea cadierei
(pp.28–29).
This plant can be cared
for in the same way as a
friendship plant, as it also
adores high humidity. Mist
White
the leaves often and place on
patches
a pebble-filled tray of water.
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110
STAGHORN FERN
Platycerium bifurcatum
ouseplants
These ferns grow like air plants in the wild.
At home, they can be grown with or without
The H
compost, and are often sold on a mount.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
Keep in a humid
environment – a bathroom could
be ideal. Ensure the temperature
BUG ALERT!
is 10–24°C (50–75°F).
(see pp.24–27)
LIGHT
Prone to scale
Place it in very
insects on the
undersides of
bright, but indirect light.
the leaves.
Direct sunlight will scorch
the leaves.
WATERING + FEEDING
Staghorn ferns absorb water
through their roots and fronds. Keep the
compost lightly moist at all times. To water
mounted plants, place them upside down
in a bath of tepid water and leave for 20
P
minutes, or run under tepid tap water. Drip
lat
b
y
i
c
f
e
dry before re-hanging. Water weekly if
u
r
r
i
c
u
a
m
H
tu
in a hot, dry room, every 2–3 weeks
e
m
i
s
How Not to Kill Your Houseplant Page 10