How Not to Kill Your Houseplant Page 4
tepid. Feed once a month during spring and
probably going dormant,
summer. Water more sparingly in winter.
especially if temperatures
fall below 15ºC (60°F). If it
CARE
isn't winter, it’s not happy
Alocasias love high humidity,
with its conditions.
so stand the plant on a pebble-filled tray
SAVE IT If dormant, your
of water and mist the leaves frequently.
plant should re-sprout in spring
Ensure that the pot has good drainage.
– continue to care for it as
Repot in spring, but only if the roots are
normal. Otherwise, check
significantly outgrowing the pot.
location, light, and watering
regimes (see left).
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BUG ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
Prone to mealybugs,
scale insects, and
red spider mites
on the foliage.
BROWN, CRISPY
LEAVES?
Either the humidity is too low,
or watering with hard tap
water is causing issues.
SAVE IT Place it on
a tray of moist pebbles
and mist the leaves
frequently. Switching
to distilled, filtered, or
rainwater may help.
Brown, crispy leaf
PLANT WILTING?
This could be due to under- or
overwatering. Overwatering can
lead to root rot.
SAVE IT Check the compost
and adjust your watering regime if
it is too dry or wet. If the problem
persists, check for root rot. Remove
Alocasia x
any affected areas, treat with
amazonica
fungicide, and repot in new compost.
Height &
For more information, see Plant
spread: up
diseases (pp.28–29).
to 1.5m (5ft)
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38
ALOE VERA
Aloe vera
BUG ALERT!
ouseplants
This easy-to-grow succulent has
(see pp.24–27)
spiky, fleshy leaves. The sap is used
Prone to scale
The H
to soothe burns and skin irritations.
insects on
the foliage.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
Keep it in a room that is 10–24°C
SHRUNKEN,
(50–75°F). Happy, mature plants will
WRINKLED LEAVES?
produce yellow flowers.
Your plant needs watering.
SAVE IT
LIGHT
Water lightly and mist
the leaves. Do the same the following
Place in a bright spot (e.g. a south-
day, and the day after that – the leaves
facing window). It will cope with some direct should plump up again. Don’t let your
sun, but acclimatize it gradually.
plant sit in very wet compost.
WATERING + FEEDING
In spring and summer, water when
the top 2–3cm (1in) of compost has dried
out – this may be once a week, depending on
its position. In winter, water very sparingly.
LEAVES TURNING BROWN,
Feed once in spring and once in summer.
RED, OR REDDISH BROWN?
Your plant could be getting too much
CARE
sun in the middle of the day during
Aloes like well-drained compost,
summer, or it may be overwatered.
The roots may also be damaged.
so add potting grit or perlite when planting, or use cactus compost. A layer of grit on the SAVE IT Move your plant
top will keep the neck dry and prevent rot.
to a bright spot with less direct
Only repot if the plant has outgrown its pot.
sunlight. Reduce watering. If it
The plant will produce baby “offsets” – these doesn't recover, check the roots.
can be left on the plant, or cut off at the base Reddish brown leaf
with their roots and planted individually.
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PALE OR YELLOWING
SHARE
LEAVES?
THE CARE
If your whole plant is pale or
yellowing, it has been overwatered,
or it isn't getting enough light.
SAVE IT Ensure that you
are watering the plant
correctly (see left). Move
it to a brighter spot.
AGAVE
Agave
Ideal for a sunny windowsill,
this succulent needs the
same care as an aloe.
Some varieties have
very sharp spines.
DARK SPOTS?
BROWN OR
MUSHY LEAVES?
This is most likely due
to overwatering.
SAVE IT Do not water
Al
until the compost has dried
oe vera
out. Ensure that the pot has
Height
s
&
drainage holes. Avoid spilling
pread:
t
u
o
p
1
water on the foliage, as it
m (3ft)
will gather at the base
HAWORTHIA
and cause rot.
Haworthia
Another spiky succulent
Dark spots
with the same care needs.
In direct sun, the leaves
may turn red.
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40
FLAMINGO FLOWER
Anthurium
ouseplants
Also called oilcloth flower, this easy-to-grow houseplant has wavy, exotic, brightly coloured The H
flowers (spathes) that can last for weeks.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
A flamingo flower is a tropical plant,
so needs warmth and humidity. Place the
BUG ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
plant in a warm room (15–20°C/60–68°F)
and away from draughts.
Prone to mealybugs
and red spider
LIGHT
mites on the
Position it in bright light, but out of
foliage.
direct sun, such as 1m (3ft) or so away from
a sunny window.
Sunburn
WATERING + FEEDING
marks
Water moderately from spring to
autumn, whenever the soil surface feels
dry. After watering, the compost should
feel moist but not soggy. Water less in
winter. Feed monthly in spring and summer.
LEAF TIPS
GOING BROWN?
CARE
The air isn’t humid enough or your
To provide humidity, mist the leaves
plant has too much direct sunlight
regularly (avoiding the flowers) or stand the
– the leaves can burn easily.
plant on a pebble-filled tray of water. Clean SAVE IT Increase humidity by
the leaves frequently with a damp sponge,
misting the leaves regularly,
or place
and gently pull off spent flowers. Repot in
the pot on a pebble-filled tray of water.
spring into a slightly larger pot.
Move to a bright spot that is out of
direct sunlight.
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LOTS OF LEAVES
BUT NO FLOWERS?
Your plant may not be getting enough
sunlight, it might be in too large a pot,
or it may be underfed.
SAVE IT Move to a brighter
spot. Repot in a smaller pot if there is
more than 1–2cm (1/2–3/4in) between
num
the edge of the pot and the root ball.
Anthurium
Feed once a month to encourage
andraea
Height &
flowering (see left).
spread: up to
50cm (20in)
YELLOWING LEAVES?
This could be due to too much
watering or overfeeding.
SAVE IT Don’t allow your plant
to sit in water, and only water again
when the top of the compost is dry.
If necessary, stop feeding for a
month or two.
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42
EMERALD FERN
Asparagus densiflorus Sprengeri Group ouseplants
Not actually a fern but a member of the
lily family, this easy-care plant has
The H
graceful, feathery foliage.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
LOCATION
Place the plant in a coolish
room (7–21°C/45–70°F),
away from direct heat,
such as a radiator. It
likes some humidity, so
does well grouped with
other plants. It’s a good
choice for a bathroom.
LIGHT
Ideally, provide
bright, indirect light.
WATERING + FEEDING
Water when the top 2–3cm (1in)
of compost has dried out. Don’t let the
compost dry out completely, or allow it to
become waterlogged. Reduce watering in
winter. Feed monthly in spring and summer.
Aspar
d
a
e
g
CARE
n
u
s
s
ifl
S
o
p
ru
r
In winter, mist the leaves
e
s
nge
G
r
r
i
o
occasionally if the room is centrally heated.
up
Heig
Cut away any yellowing stems at the base.
h
s
t
p
&
read
Repot the plant in spring if the root ball
:
t
u
o
p
30c
comes into contact with the edge of the pot.
m
(12in)
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SHARE
YELLOW FOLIAGE?
THE CARE
Older foliage at the bottom of the plant will yellow naturally. If yellowing is widespread, the room temperature may be too high, there may be too much light, or your plant may be under- or overwatered. Ensure the compost is not waterlogged, as this leads to root rot.
SAVE IT Move it away from a radiator or to a cooler room, and place it in a slightly shadier spot. Allow the compost to dry out if it is waterlogged and ensure you let the top 2–3cm (1in) dry out between waterings. Check for root
rot (see Plant diseases, pp.28–29).
Widespread
yellowing
ASPARAGUS FERN
Asparagus setaceus
It has similar care needs,
but this plant likes higher
humidity than its cousin
and can tolerate less light.
BUG ALERT!
(see pp.24–27)
Prone to red
spider mites
on the foliage.
BROWN EDGES
ON THE LEAVES?
Your plant has had too much sun,
or the compost has dried out.
SAVE IT Move it to a
shadier spot. Water, letting
SHAMROCK PLANT
any excess drain away.
Oxalis triangularis
This pretty plant has similar
Brown leaves
care requirements. It is a
bulb, so dies back in winter.
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PAINTED-LEAF BEGONIA
Begonia rex
ouseplants
There are many varieties of painted-leaf begonia that have beautiful foliage in shades of crimson, The H
silver, purple, green, and red.
HOW NOT TO KILL IT
WHITE POWDER
ON THE LEAVES?
LOCATION
This is powdery mildew, often due to
Ideally, keep the plant at around
drought or too much heat, humid
18–21°C (64–70°F) all year round, but don’t
conditions, or poor air circulation.
let it get any hotter. They can survive at
SAVE IT Remove the affected
13°C (55°F) in winter, but no colder.
leaves and treat with fungicide.
For more information, see Plant
LIGHT
diseases (pp.28–29).
Place it in good, but indirect light.
Avoid direct sun, which can burn the leaves.
White
powder
WATERING + FEEDING
Water so the compost is moist, but
allow it to dry out a little in between
waterings during summer. It is best watered
from below to stop water accumulating at
the base of the stems (see Water it, pp.20–
LOSING
21). Keep just moist in winter.
LEAVES?
Your plant may be
CARE
overwatered, or too
Repot if necessary in spring. Turn
hot. If it’s going leggy
the pot regularly to ensure the plant grows
too, it doesn’t have
evenly. Make sure it has good ventilation.
enough light.
SAVE IT Move it to a brighter
BUG
Prone to aphids,
spot, out of direct sunlight. Check
ALERT!
red spider mites,
the temperature and your watering
regime (see left).
(see pp.24–27)
whitefly and thrips.
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YELLOWING
GREY FLUFF ON
SHARE
LEAVES?
PARTS OF THE
THE CARE
These could be due to too
PLANT?
much or too little water,
This is grey mould (botrytis),
or not enough light.
due to cool, damp, crowded
SAVE IT Check your
conditions, or water
plant’s care regime and
splashing onto the leaves.
position (see left).
SAVE IT Move the plant
away from other
begonias to
stop the infection spreading
and improve ventilation.
Remove any affected areas
and treat with fungicide (see
Plant diseases, pp.28–29).
ELIATOR HYBRIDS
Begonia Eliator Group
These have small, pretty
flowers in a range of colours.
Deadhead regularly to
prolong flowering.
TUBEROUS BEGONIAS
Begonia spp.
Deadhead regularly to
prolong flowering. At the end
of the season, cut back your
plant, remove the compost
from the tuber, store in a
cool, dry place over winter,
and repot in spring.
Begonia rex
Height: up to
60cm (24in)
Spread: up to
45cm (18in)
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TOP 5 PLANTS FOR
YOUR DESK
ouseplants
Greening up your
workspace is said to
The H
boost productivity and
reduce stress, with
scientific studies
revealing that certain
plants can remove toxins
from the air. A good desk
Lucky bamboo
plant is compact, and not
Dracaena sanderiana
too fussy about light levels.
We can’t guarantee that
this plant will get you a
pay rise or a promotion,
but it will bring cheer to
your working day. Grow it
in compost or even just
in a glass of distilled,
filtered, or rainwater.
See Lucky bamboo,
pp.70–71.
Blushing bromeliad
Neoregelia carolinae f. tricolor
This attractive plant is grown for its foliage, which blushes pink just before it flowers. Keep its central ”vase” topped up with bottled water.
See Blushing bromeliad, p.49.
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TOP 5 PLANTS FOR
YOUR DESK
African
spear
Sansevieria cylindrica
This striking foliage plant
is related to the spiky
snake plant, and has
cylindrical leaves. It’s a low
maintenance plant that
doesn’t need much
watering – so it can
tolerate a bit of neglect
if you go away.
See African spear, p.115.
Radiator plant
Peperomia metallica
Peperomias are attractive foliage plants. They are a great choice for your desk at work as they are compact, and do well under the fluorescent lights of office buildings.
See Radiator plant, pp.100–101.
Madagascar
dragon tree
Dracaena marginata
This easy-going plant is a good air
purifier, and doesn‘t mind erratic