Peperomia obtusifolia, Peperomia
| Temperature: Average warmth, minimum 50-55o F in
winter |
Light: Bright or semi-shady spot, away from direct sunlight |
| Water: Dry out between waterings |
Humidity: Mist occasionally in summer, never in the winter |
| Propagation: Cuttings between spring and late summer |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Philodendron selloum, Lacy Tree Philodendron
| Temperature: Average warmth, minimum of 55o F in
winter |
Light: Light shade or moderate brightness |
| Water: Water thoroughly all year except in winter when it
needs to have the compost kept just moist |
Humidity: Keep air moist in summer and in heated rooms in
winter, mist leaves regularly |
| Propagation: Cuttings in summer months |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Plectranthus oertendahlii, Swedish Ivy
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Bright light or semi-shade; avoid direct sunlight |
| Water: Keep moist at all times, reduce watering in winter |
Humidity: Mist leaves occasionally |
| Propagation: Stem cuttings in the spring or summer |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Saintpaulia spp., African Violet
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Bright light, protect from strong sunlight |
| Water: Keep compost moist, wait until surface is dry before
watering |
Humidity: High humidity is essential, |
| Propagation: Leaf cuttings or seeds in the spring |
Grown as: Flowering house plant |
Sansevieria trifasciata laurentia, Snake Plant
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Bright light |
| Water: Water moderately from spring to autumn, water every
1-2 months in the winter |
Humidity: Misting is not necessary |
| Propagation: Remove offset by cutting off at base, or leaf
cuttings for all green varieties |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Schefflera actinophylla, Umbrella Tree
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Bright but not direct sun |
| Water: Water liberally from spring to autumn, sparingly in
the winter |
Humidity: Mist leaves frequently |
| Propagation: Stem cuttings in the summer |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Strelitzia reginae, Bird Of Paradise
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Full sun; shade from hot summer sun |
| Water: Water freely then let compost surface dry out; reduce
watering in winter |
Humidity: Mist leaves occasionally |
| Propagation: Divide plants at repotting time |
Grown as: Flowering house plant |
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, Kalanchoe
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Full sun |
| Water: Water thoroughly, let surface dry out between
waterings |
Humidity: Misting is not necessary |
| Propagation: Stem or leaf cuttings in spring or summer |
Grown as: Flowering house plant |
Maranta leuconeura, Prayer Plant
| Temperature: Average warmth, |
Light: Partial shade |
| Water: Keep moist at all times |
Humidity: Mist leaves regularly |
| Propagation: Divide plants at repotting time |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Neanthe bella, Parlor Palm
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Partial shade |
| Water: Keep slightly moist in winter, water more liberally
in spring and summer |
Humidity: Mist leaves if room is heated |
| Propagation: From seed |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Nematanthus gregarius, Goldfish Plant
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Bright light, avoid direct sunshine |
| Water: Keep moist during growing season; water sparingly in
winter |
Humidity: Mist leaves frequently |
| Propagation: Stem cuttings after flowering |
Grown as: Flowering house plant |
Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis', Boston Fern
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Indirect light |
| Water: Keep compost moist at all times |
Humidity: Moist air is necessary |
| Propagation: Divide the plant |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Orchids spp., Orchid
| Temperature: Day temperature of 70oF in summer,
60oF in winter with a drop at night of 10oF. |
Light: Good light, shaded from direct sun |
| Water: Keep compost moist, reduce watering in winter |
Humidity: Moist air is essential |
| Propagation: Divide plants at repotting time |
Grown as: Flowering house plant |
Pandanus veitchii (utilus), Screw Pine
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Brightly lit spot away from direct sun in summer |
| Water: Water liberally from spring to autumn, sparingly in
winter |
Humidity: Mist leaves frequently |
| Propagation: Remove basal suckers when they are 6" long and
treat them as a stem cutting |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Beaucarnea recurvata, Ponytail Plant
| Temperature: Average warmth |
Light: Bright indirect |
| Water: Water thoroughly, then allow compost to dry out |
Humidity: Misting is not necessary |
| Propagation: Plant up offsets at repotting time |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Bromeliad spp., Bromeliads
| Temperature: High temperatures are required to bring it into
flower; average warmth is fine for foliage types |
Light: Brightly lit away from direct sunlight |
| Water: Never overwater, keep the center vase filled with
water |
Humidity: Mist leaves in summer |
| Propagation: Offsets from base of plant |
Grown as: Foliage or Flowering house plant |
Cissus rhombifolia, Grape Ivy
| Temperature: Cool or average warmth |
Light: Brightly lit spot away from direct sunlight |
| Water: Water liberally from spring to autumn, sparingly in
winter |
Humidity: Mist leaves occasionally |
| Propagation: Stem cuttings in spring or summer |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Crassula argentea, Jade Plant
| Temperature: Average warmth; cooler in winter |
Light: Bright light |
| Water: Water throughly when dry, then allow it to dry out
before watering again |
Humidity: No misting needed |
| Propagation: Cuttings |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |
Dieffenbachia amoena, Dumbcane
| Temperature: Average or above average warmth |
Light: Partial shade in summer; bright light in winter |
| Water: Water regularly from spring to autumn, sparingly in
winter |
Humidity: Mist frequently |
| Propagation: Cane cuttings; daughter plants; remove and pot
up top crown of leaves |
Grown as: Foliage house plant |