How Not to Kill Your Houseplant
Page 12
crannies of stems.
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LEAVES TURNING RED?
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This is a sign that your plant
THE CARE
is getting too much sunlight.
SAVE IT Move it out
of direct sun.
Reddish
leaves
EASTER CACTUS
Schlumbergera
gaetneri
This species flowers in
spring. Like a Christmas
cactus, it likes a spell
outside in summer,
followed by a rest period
to encourage reflowering.
gera
mberid
SchluHybr
Height &
spread: up to
m (14in)
35c
BUDS DROPPING?
This can be caused by moving your plant when in bud, MISTLETOE CACTUS
incorrect watering, or fluctuating temperatures.
Rhipsalis baccifera
SAVE IT
With the same care needs,
Move your plant from its rest position to this succulent is great for a
its regular position when in early bud, then don’t move hanging planter. Mature
it again. Check your watering regime (see left).
plants may produce fruit.
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BABY’S TEARS
Soleirolia soleirolii
ouseplants
Baby’s tears has a spreading mat of tiny leaves that spill over the edge of a pot. Forms with variegated The H
or golden leaves are also available.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
It is comfortable in temperatures
from 10–21°C (50–70°F), but it will be
happiest at the cooler end of this range.
LIGHT
Place it in bright, indirect light.
WATERING + FEEDING
Keep the compost moist, but not
soggy from spring to autumn, and just moist
in winter. Feed once during spring and once
during summer.
CARE
Stand the plant on a pebble-filled
BROWN FOLIAGE?
tray of water to provide humidity, especially Either your plant isn’t getting
in a warm room. Trim into shape with
enough water, the air is too dry
scissors. Baby’s tears is sometimes
or hot, or it has been scorched
recommended for terrariums, but be
by the sun.
warned: it has a tendency to take over.
SAVE IT Keep the soil moist
from spring to autumn, and just
moist in winter. Raise the humidity
by standing your plant on a pebble-
filled tray of water. Ensure it is not
in direct sunlight.
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PLANT WILTING?
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This may be due to over- or underwatering.
THE CARE
SAVE IT Ensure you’re keeping the compost moist from spring to autumn, and just moist in winter – it should never be soggy. Check the roots for root rot, removing any affected areas. For more information, see Plant diseases (pp.28–29).
PIGGYBACK PLANT
Tolmiea menziesii
Care for this plant as you
would baby’s tears. It
produces tiny plants on top
of its mature leaves.
Soleirolia
soleirolii
Height: up to
10cm (4in)
Spread:
LEGGY PLANT?
indefinite
Your plant may become leggy
if the temperature is too high.
BEAD PLANT
Nertera granadensis
SAVE IT Move to
With similar needs to baby’s
a cooler spot – 10–16°C
tears, this likes plenty of
(50–60°F) is ideal.
light and doesn't mind cool
rooms. Don’t let it dry out.
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PEACE LILY
Spathiphyllum
ouseplants
With glossy, green leaves and occasional
white flowers, this is a forgiving plant
The H
that is good for beginners.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
WHOLE PLANT
DROOPING?
LOCATION
Your plant needs water.
Provide a warm room with a
SAVE IT Plunge
temperature of 13–26°C (55–80°F).
your plant into a bucket
Keep the plant away from cold draughts.
of water for half an hour
or so and allow it to
LIGHT
drain – it should recover
quickly (see Water it,
Place it in bright, indirect light.
pp.18–19).
WATERING + FEEDING
Water when the top 2–3cm (1in) of
compost has become dry. Feed monthly from
spring to late summer. You may need to use
YELLOW
distilled, filtered, or rainwater if you live in LEAVES?
an area that has hard water.
Old leaves yellow
naturally. Yellowing
CARE
younger leaves are a
Place the plant on a pebble-filled
sign of stress.
tray of water. You could also mist the leaves SAVE IT
once or twice a week, especially if the plant Check your plant is in
is in a warm room. Snip off any fading
a good location and
flowers and yellowing leaves. Repot the
you are watering and feeding
plant each year in spring.
it correctly (see left). Repot if
the root ball has filled the pot.
Try switching to distilled,
BUG
Prone to mealybugs
filtered, or rainwater.
ALERT!
on the undersides
(see pp.24–27)
of the foliage.
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BROWN
SHARE
PATCHES
THE CARE
ON LEAVES?
This is leaf scorch.
SAVE IT
Move your plant out
of direct sunlight
to a shadier
position.
brown
patches
CHINESE EVERGREEN
Aglaonema
This plant has similar
care needs as a peace lily,
but can tolerate shade and
temperature change – great
for a hallway.
BROWN
LEAF TIPS?
This could be due to lack
of humidity, or erratic
watering and feeding.
It could also be due to
hard water.
SAVE IT Increase
humidity around the
Spathiphyllum
plant and ensure you are
Height
feeding and watering it
CAST IRON PLANT
& spread:
correctly (see left). Try
Aspidistra eliator
up to 60cm
(24in)
switching to distilled,
Has similar care needs. Wipe
filtered, or rainwater.
the leaves occasionally, and
/>
only repot if absolutely
necessary. It hates wet soil.
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126
TOP 5 PLANTS FOR
YOUR LIVING ROOM
ouseplants
Don’t relegate
houseplants to a dusty
The H
corner of your living
Snake plant
Sansevieria trifasciata
room – bring them to
This low-maintenance
the fore and grow them
favourite has a
in containers that
strong, architectural
complement your space.
look that will allow
it to stand out in any
Here are five great
room. It is also a great
plants to consider.
air purifier.
See Snake plant,
pp.114–115.
Fiddle leaf fig
Ficus lyrata
This sought-after plant is a favourite with interior designers and has lush, paddle-like leaves. Don't move it after you’ve found the perfect spot for it, as it has a tendency to drop its leaves if moved.
See Fiddle-leaf fig, pp.76–77.
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TOP 5 PLANTS FOR
ZZ plant
Kentia palm
YOUR LIVING ROOM
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Howea fosteriana
This striking plant with
This easygoing palm will bring
its lush foliage can really
an air of elegance to your living
create a point of interest
room. Given good light (but
in a room. It doesn’t take
avoiding direct sun) it will grow
up much space and is
green and lush. Wipe and mist
easy to grow.
the leaves occasionally.
See ZZ plant, pp.138–139.
See page Kentia palm, pp.84–85.
Swiss cheese plant
Monstera deliciosa
This Seventies favourite
is back in fashion and is a great
statement plant. Give it a bright
or lightly shaded spot and plenty of space
– it can grow quite large.
See Swiss cheese plant, pp.88–89.
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BIRD OF PARADISE
Strelitzia reginae
ouseplants
It’s easy to see how this stunning plant gets its name – the blue and orange flowers look like
The H
the head of an exotic, crested bird.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
NO FLOWERS?
Your plant won't flower unless it is
mature (at least 4 years old), and is
LOCATION
given light and plant food. It will do
Provide warmth (at least 20°C/
best if slightly pot-bound.
68°F) and humidity. A bright bathroom or
SAVE IT Check your plant
conservatory can be ideal. It also likes good has enough light and is adequately
air circulation, so you could put it outside in fed. It also likes to be snug in its
summer. It needs a minimum of around 10°C
container, so check the plant isn't in
(50°F) in winter.
too large a pot.
LIGHT
Place in as much light as possible,
but keep out of direct summer sun.
BROWN LEAVES OR
LEAF TIPS AND EDGES?
WATERING + FEEDING
There might not be enough humidity
Water freely when the surface of the
in the room, or your plant may be
compost feels dry but don’t let the compost
underwatered or overfed.
become soggy. Water sparingly in winter.
Feed monthly in spring and summer.
SAVE IT Check that there is
enough humidity and that the plant
has been watered and fed correctly
CARE
(see left).
Stand on a pebble-filled tray of
water and mist the leaves from time to time
to increase humidity. Don’t repot until the
roots are visible at the top of the compost
BUG
Prone to scale insects,
or are growing out of the drainage holes.
ALERT!
mealybugs, and red
Wipe the leaves with a clean, damp cloth
(see pp.24–27)
spider mites on
to keep them dust-free.
the foliage.
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YELLOW
LEAVES?
This is normal on the lower
leaves of the plant – they will
eventually drop off. Yellow
leaves elsewhere on your
plant may be due to under- or
overwatering, or there’s some
aspect of its location that the
plant doesn’t like.
SAVE IT Gently pull away
the yellowed leaves. Check your
watering regime and that the
plant has enough light and
warmth (at least 20ºC/68ºF).
ROTTING AT THE BASE?
Stre
r
l
e
i
This is root or stem rot, caused by the
t
g
z
H
i
i
n
a
e
a
compost being too wet.
t
i
e
o
g
1
h
.
t
8
:
m
u
S
p
SAVE IT Try repotting into fresh
p
(
r
6
e
t
a
ft
compost. Ensure that the pot drains well.
o
d
)
:
7
u
(
5
3
c
p
Don’t overwater. For more information,
0
m
in
see Plant diseases (pp.28–29).
)
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CAPE PRIMROSE
Streptocarpus
BUG ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
ouseplants
Cape primrose is a charming houseplant
that has fresh, green leaves and pretty
Look for
mealybugs on
The H
flowers in a range of colours.
the undersides of
the leaves.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
BROWN MARKS
ON THE LEAVES?
LOCATION
The leaves could be scorched or
splashed with water.
Place in a bright room. It likes a
moderate temperature of 13–21°C (55–70ºF).
SAVE IT Move your plant
out of direct sunlight. Take care
LIGHT
not to wet the leaves when
Provide indirect light. An east- or
watering your plant.
west-facing window is ideal. Keep the plant
Scorch
out of direct sunlight during summer.
marks
WATERING + FEEDING
Water whenever the top 4–5cm
(2in) of compost feels dry – aim to make
the compost moist, not wet, and let any
excess drain away. Reduce watering in
winter. Feed every 2 weeks in spring and
summer – a high-potash feed (or specialist
streptocarpus feed) will encourage flowers.
LEAVES ROTTING
CARE
AT THE BASE?
Repot every year in spring, into a
This may be due to overwatering, your
slightly larger, shallow pot. Cut off the spent plant sitting in water, or poor drainage.
flowers to keep the blooms coming. In
autumn and winter, the ends of the leaves
SAVE IT Remove any affected
die back. This is nothing to worry about –
leaves and allow the compost to dry out.
just snip the ends off.
Check the pot is draining excess water. Let the compost dry out between waterings.
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GREY MOULD
WILTING PLANT?
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ON LEAVES?
This is either due to over-
THE CARE
or underwatering.
This is a plant disease
called botrytis.
SAVE IT If you think
you might have overwatered
SAVE IT Remove
your plant, leave the
affected areas and treat
compost to dry out – it
with fungicide. For more
needs to dry out between
information, see Plant
waterings. If you think you
diseases (pp.28–29).
have underwatered it,
water your plant.
GLOXINIA
Sinningia speciosa
Gloxinia has similar needs
to cape primrose. Place in
a bright room and keep
away from draughts.
It can reflower – wait
for it to die back
before removing
any yellowed stems
or leaves, and reduce
watering. In spring, repot
and resume watering.
However, people often
discard after flowering.
LARGE
LEAVES BUT FEW FLOWERS?
Your plant has been fed incorrectly,
or is not getting enough bright light.
Streptocarpus
SAVE IT Ensure you feed your plant Height: up to
every 2 weeks in spring and summer, using 30cm (12in)
the correct feed. If it’s in a gloomy place, Spread: up to
move your plant to a spot with brighter,
45cm (18in)
indirect light.
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AIR PLANTS
Tillandsia