Photo: Poinsettias are a Christmas favourite but are notoriously difficult to keep.It’s been a while since I’ve talked about houseplants. With the weather being so warm and sunny we have spent more time out of doors. Some houseplants will benefit by a spell outside too ( April onwards). If the plants aren’t too big then lift them outside and put them in a sheltered spot on the patio or in the yard. Keep an eye on the weather though and bring them in if it gets cold. Rainwater will perk up most houseplants as well.
Keeping plants in the house is important these days. Houses are far better insulated now and because of this fumes that come off furniture, carpets, plastic and glues, linger in the house for longer. It can be especially bad for young children and asthma sufferers. Below is a list of plants that are known to absorb the harmful chemicals when you can’t open the windows. They are all common and you will be able to get a fine specimen from good garden centres or florists.
Spider plant. These are easily cultivated from off shoots of the parent plant.
The Dracaena plants. These look like the cordylines in the garden. Some are said to be better than others at absorbing pollutants. The variegated deremensis warneckei is said to be top of the list.
English ivy.
Rubber plant.
Mother in laws tongue.
Lady palm (Rhapsis excelsa)
Peace lily. (These are potted up, smaller versions of the ones we see in the garden in summer.
PLANT PROBLEMS
Growing houseplants can be a hit and miss affair. If you get the right plant in the right place (and don’t forget about it) then it could last years. I had a fine selection of plants at one time. Every room in the house had at least ten plants in them and I made them into displays in the corner of the rooms. They had to be moved around as lot as some preferred shade and some wanted full sunlight, but I found this very rewarding (I didn’t get out much even then!). I went away on holiday one week though and forgot to turn the central heating off. Needless to say all the plants perished except one. This was a desert plant. I forget the name of it but when there was no water available it would roll up into a ball and the wind would blow it around the desert until it finds water then it would put down fresh roots. You see them floating around in the streets in old western movies. That plant was indestructible. Somehow I lost it though a few years later, it must have blown away!
Radiators: are a problem for plants as they produce very dry air. Mist the plants if the heating is on to get the humidity up. There can be loads more problems for the plant indoors. Here are a few problems that can affect them.
Wilting leaves: The most common cause is the lack of water or too much water. These are the two main killers of your prized specimens. Check them regularly. If you see the plant swimming in water then don’t let them sit in it, empty the saucer. You might have to take the plant out of the pot and wring the root ball out (be careful with the roots though) The leaves might wilt if they are left in direct sunshine as well, if this happens put them in the shade. Finally, if it is none of the above, check the leaves for pests.
Brown tips or edges on the leaves: This problem could literally be anything from the leaves being bruised when you walk past them, too much light or draughts. The temperature could be a factor too. Try moving the plant to a place where it will not be disturbed and out of any draughts.
Leaf curl and fall: Curling leaves followed by the leaf falling are a sign that there is too little heat, over watering or cold draughts.
Leaves turn yellow and drop off: This can be quite normal on plants such as the rubber plant. If a few turn yellow at the same time though this could mean that there is a cold draught or it has been over watered. If the top leaves turn yellow this is a sign that calcium has been used in the compost of lime hating plants. Change the compost to lime free.
Weak growth: Most plants in the house will need repotting either every year or every other year. If the plant gets pot bound then it will cause the plant to get spindly. The growth will be weak and the colour will fade from the leaves. You could feed the plants often if the plant is too big to move but most plants will thank you by flourishing in the new pot and compost. Note: Spider plants throw out more off shoots when they are pot bound.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion to keeping healthy houseplant in the house is, first of all to find out the growing needs of the plant. If you buy the plant from the garden centre then it will probably have a label on it telling you its requirements. Try to copy the plants natural environment. Then take all the other factors into consideration. Keep the soil moist, don’t over water or under water, keep a constant temperature, even at night (more or less) Don’t let the air dry out, keep out of draughts and strong sunshine. Add to this regular feeding and good quality compost and you should have the healthiest houseplants in Inishowen!
Horticultural.
Keeping plants in the house is important these days. Houses are far better insulated now and because of this fumes that come off furniture, carpets, plastic and glues, linger in the house for longer. It can be especially bad for young children and asthma sufferers. Below is a list of plants that are known to absorb the harmful chemicals when you can’t open the windows. They are all common and you will be able to get a fine specimen from good garden centres or florists.
Spider plant. These are easily cultivated from off shoots of the parent plant.
The Dracaena plants. These look like the cordylines in the garden. Some are said to be better than others at absorbing pollutants. The variegated deremensis warneckei is said to be top of the list.
English ivy.
Rubber plant.
Mother in laws tongue.
Lady palm (Rhapsis excelsa)
Peace lily. (These are potted up, smaller versions of the ones we see in the garden in summer.
PLANT PROBLEMS
Growing houseplants can be a hit and miss affair. If you get the right plant in the right place (and don’t forget about it) then it could last years. I had a fine selection of plants at one time. Every room in the house had at least ten plants in them and I made them into displays in the corner of the rooms. They had to be moved around as lot as some preferred shade and some wanted full sunlight, but I found this very rewarding (I didn’t get out much even then!). I went away on holiday one week though and forgot to turn the central heating off. Needless to say all the plants perished except one. This was a desert plant. I forget the name of it but when there was no water available it would roll up into a ball and the wind would blow it around the desert until it finds water then it would put down fresh roots. You see them floating around in the streets in old western movies. That plant was indestructible. Somehow I lost it though a few years later, it must have blown away!
Radiators: are a problem for plants as they produce very dry air. Mist the plants if the heating is on to get the humidity up. There can be loads more problems for the plant indoors. Here are a few problems that can affect them.
Wilting leaves: The most common cause is the lack of water or too much water. These are the two main killers of your prized specimens. Check them regularly. If you see the plant swimming in water then don’t let them sit in it, empty the saucer. You might have to take the plant out of the pot and wring the root ball out (be careful with the roots though) The leaves might wilt if they are left in direct sunshine as well, if this happens put them in the shade. Finally, if it is none of the above, check the leaves for pests.
Brown tips or edges on the leaves: This problem could literally be anything from the leaves being bruised when you walk past them, too much light or draughts. The temperature could be a factor too. Try moving the plant to a place where it will not be disturbed and out of any draughts.
Leaf curl and fall: Curling leaves followed by the leaf falling are a sign that there is too little heat, over watering or cold draughts.
Leaves turn yellow and drop off: This can be quite normal on plants such as the rubber plant. If a few turn yellow at the same time though this could mean that there is a cold draught or it has been over watered. If the top leaves turn yellow this is a sign that calcium has been used in the compost of lime hating plants. Change the compost to lime free.
Weak growth: Most plants in the house will need repotting either every year or every other year. If the plant gets pot bound then it will cause the plant to get spindly. The growth will be weak and the colour will fade from the leaves. You could feed the plants often if the plant is too big to move but most plants will thank you by flourishing in the new pot and compost. Note: Spider plants throw out more off shoots when they are pot bound.
CONCLUSION
The conclusion to keeping healthy houseplant in the house is, first of all to find out the growing needs of the plant. If you buy the plant from the garden centre then it will probably have a label on it telling you its requirements. Try to copy the plants natural environment. Then take all the other factors into consideration. Keep the soil moist, don’t over water or under water, keep a constant temperature, even at night (more or less) Don’t let the air dry out, keep out of draughts and strong sunshine. Add to this regular feeding and good quality compost and you should have the healthiest houseplants in Inishowen!
Horticultural.
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