Frequently Asked Questions - Houseplants and Indoor Gardening
Most houseplants, including the schefflera, experience stress when moved from one location to another. Environmental conditions in the average home are dramatically different (less favorable) than those in a greenhouse. The less…
Yes. Philodendrons and closely related species contain calcium oxalate crystals which are toxic to humans, dogs, cats, and other animals. When any part of the plant is eaten, it may cause pain and swelling in the lips, mouth, tongue,…
Forcing flower bulbs indoors is an excellent way to brighten the cold, gray days of winter. Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses, and other spring-flowering bulbs can be forced indoors. After planting, spring-flowering bulbs need to…
Houseplants have received much attention as options for improving indoor air quality. In 1989, scientists from NASA discovered that plants could remove VOCs (volatile organic…
Cleaning houseplants improves their appearance, stimulates growth, and may help control insects and mites. Large-leaved plants may be cleaned with a mild dishwashing soap solution (add a few drops of dishwashing soap to lukewarm water) and…
Spider mites are tiny (about 1/50 inch long when mature). As a result, they are difficult to see with the naked eye. A convenient detection technique is to hold a sheet of white paper under a stem and then shake or tap the stem…
Gather the fruit (capsules) of the buckeyes as soon as they fall to the ground. Dry the fruit for 1 or 2 days at room temperature until the capsules split, then remove the shiny, brown seeds.
Christmas cacti are easy to propagate. Remove sections of the plant consisting of 2 to 5 flattened stem segments. Cut or pinch off each section at a joint. Allow the cut/pinched ends of the cuttings to callus overnight. …
The common rubber tree (Ficus elastica) can be propagated by air layering. Air layering is a procedure used to induce roots to form on a plant stem while it is still attached to the parent plant. Complete or partial girdling…
African violets are easily propagated by leaf cuttings. Select a firm, healthy leaf and cut it off with a sharp knife. Leave 1 to 1½ inches of the leaf stem (petiole) attached to the leaf blade. Fill a pot with a moistened 50:50…
An English ivy (Hedera helix) can be propagated by stem cuttings. Using a sharp knife, cut off 4- to 5-inch-long shoots. Pinch off the leaves on the bottom portion of the cuttings. Dip the cut ends in a rooting hormone…
Many houseplants prefer a relative humidity of 40 to 50 percent. Unfortunately, the humidity level in many homes during the winter months may be only 10 to 20 percent. Humidifiers are an excellent way to increase the relative humidity…
The Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla) is a popular houseplant. During the holiday season, many individuals turn their plants into living Christmas trees by decorating them with miniature lights, ribbons, and ornaments.…
Philodendrons are native to the low-light understory of tropical forests, primarily in Central and South America. Because of this, they prefer indirect or dappled light. Some varieties, like heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron…
Place the poinsettia in a plant sleeve or carefully wrap it before transporting the plant home. Exposing the poinsettia to freezing temperatures, even for a few minutes, may cause its bracts and leaves to blacken and drop. As soon as…
The ponytail palm or elephant-foot tree (Beaucarnea recurvata) is an easy to grow, low maintenance houseplant. Plant characteristics include a swollen, bulb-like base and long, strap-like leaves which arch out from the stem…
Mealybugs on houseplants are difficult to control. Unless the plant is particularly valuable, it’s often best to throw away the infested plant before the insects spread to other houseplants. The standard remedies for houseplant pests…
Spider mites are a common pest of houseplants. Spider mites use piercing-sucking mouthparts to puncture the plant tissue and feed on the liquid within the cells. In light infestations, the foliage appears to be speckled with very tiny…
Whiteflies are common insect pests of hibiscus, poinsettia, chrysanthemum, and a number of other indoor plants. They are most often noticed when watering or handling a plant. When disturbed, whiteflies flutter about the plant for a…
Some orchids bloom annually, others will bloom continuously. Providing all the proper environmental conditions (light, temperature, water, fertilizer, etc.) will allow for the orchid to bloom well.
Common or edible figs (Ficus carica) are not reliably cold hardy in Iowa. The stems of ‘Chicago Hardy’ (considered one of the hardiest edible fig cultivars) are hardy to 10 degrees Fahrenheit and the plant’s roots are hardy to 15 to 20…
When planting an amaryllis bulb, select a pot which is approximately 1 to 2 inches wider than the diameter of the bulb. The container may be clay, ceramic or plastic, but should have drainage holes in the bottom. Plant the bulb in…
Trailing types of philodendron propagate easily from stem cuttings. Stem sections 3 to 6 inches long with the lower leaves removed will readily root in water or rooting media, like perlite or well-drained potting soil. If rooting in…
Remove the seed from the center of the fruit and wash it in water. For propagation purposes, the broad end of the seed is the bottom. The pointed end is the top. Insert 3 or 4 toothpicks into the sides of the seed. They…
The Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), pitcher plant, and sundew are carnivorous plants that are occasionally grown as houseplants. Carnivorous plants don’t survive solely by “eating” insects and other prey. Carnivorous…
In general, houseplants require less frequent watering during the winter months than in spring and summer. Watering frequency depends upon the plant species, the composition of the potting mix, environmental conditions (temperature, light,…
Amaryllis bulbs coated in…