Heartleaf Philodendron

Common Name:
Heartleaf Philodendron

Light:
Bright light

Water:
Moderate

Origins:
South America



The Heartleaf philodendron has thick dark green heart shaped leaves. It prefers bright light. East windows have always been good for my plant. If it does'nt get enought light it will slow in growth and get spindly and have smaller leaves. If it gets proper light the newer leaves will be more of a burgundy color. They are fast growers given the right light. They seem happiest in Eastern exposure. They don't like to be too dry so don't let it go too long without water. I keep mine moist but not soggy. I mist mine once and awhile to raise the humidity and it seems to like it. They have little aerial roots that can cling to walls if you want it to climb a wall. It does'nt seem to mind being in a small pot. They are wonderful plants and grow fast. If you want to propagate just cut about a piece off and stick in some water until a good root system forms and then plant in it's own pot. Any questions just ask.

-Ducky Layne-

Kalanchoe

Common name:
Kalanchoe

Light:
Bright light

Water:
Low

Origins:
Madagascar












Kalanchoe is usually sold around christmas time. They have think fleshy leaves. They are succulents and need to dry out some before watering again. A easy way to tell when they are ready to be watered again is the leaves will get thin feeling. They like lots of light so put them in an east or west window. When they flower they get long stems with a cluster of little flowers. Theres several colors of flowers. There's also several different types of Kalanchoes. Some are more shrubish while others vine. Some have big leaves some have small one. Some have smooth edged leaves while other have jagged edges. They really are wonderful plants.

-Ducky Layne-

Wax plant

Common Name:
Wax plant

Light:
Brigtht light

Water:
Moderate

Origins:
India and South China












Wax plant is one of my all time favorites. They are kind of slow growers. In the summer time they shoot out new stems from the base of the plant that can get very long. You could plant it in with a small trellis or something for it to wrap around and grow up. If it's close to something it can wrap around and grow up it will. It likes a lot of bright light but not a lot of direct sun. Let it dry out a little bit between waterings but don't let it get completely dry. I let mine get on the dry side then sit it in the sink and soak it. It gets flowers on last years growth in cluster. The flowers are star shaped and come in pink, white, and yellow. Once the flowers fall off the little stem it shoots out for the flowers don't cut it off because it will continue to flower year around on it. It will keep flowering in that spot. It has a pretty strong smelling flower. I don't know how to describe the smell. It makes me think or a spicy floral smell. It's an interesting (I have'nt decided weather I like the smell or not)smell. The flowers are kind of waxy. I have an old variety that came from my great grandma's plant. They live forever and just get better with age. I also have a little varigated one that I bought last summer at a florist shop. It's really an amazing plant. Any questions just ask.

-Ducky Layne-

Madagascar Palm

Common Name:
Madagascar Palm

Light:
Full Sun

Water:
Low

Origins:
Madagascar












Closer look at the new branch that sprouted up last summer.






Madagascar Palm is easy to take care of in my opinion. They do hold water in their trunk so they don't need a lot of water during the winter. During the summer you can water more often. Treat them like a cactus. I only water mine two or three times during the winter. They need a lot of sun so be sure to put them somewhere they will recieve direct sunlight. In a East or West window has always worked for me. They prefer a more sandy soil mix. I usually use miracle grow mixed with sand. They can stay in the same pot for awhile. Their roots don't grow that fast and won't fill the pot that fast. They lose some leaves during the winter but will feel back out when summer comes. Sometimes they go completely dormat and lose all their leaves (mine never has but I know they sometimes will) so don't worry if yours loses all it's leaves.

-Ducky Layne-

Spider Plant

Common Name:
Spider Plant
Airplane Plant

Light:
Medium Light

Water:
Moderate

Origins:
South Africa




Bonnie spider plant. The Bonnie spider plant or curly spider plant is different from other spider plants because the leaves curl. The older and bigger the plant gets the curlier the leaves are.




These are the two spider plants above. They have really grown. The one has shot out tons of runners but the bonnie(curly spider plant) spider palnt has'nt shot any out. It's grown a lot though.








It's gotten tons of runners since I put it out this summer!



Spider plants are easy plants to take care of and are fun to watch grow from a baby plant. Spider plants have long runners that shoot out of the middle of the leaves and have Little white flowers on them where the baby plants will grow. This is how they reproduce. The baby's are easy to start. Just cut one off and either put it in some water or plant in moist soil. If you place in water don't put the whole plant under the water because it could rot. If given the right care they will grow pretty fast. East or west windows have always worked for me. Let them dry out a little before watering again. The leaves usually appear kind of translucent and paler green when they are in need of a drink. Proper care of this plant will reward you with a beautiful plant.

-Ducky Layne-

Peace Lily

Common name:
Peace Lily

Light:
Low light

Water:
Keep moist

Origins:
Central and South America




The Peace Lily is one of the easiest house plants to take care of. It can tolerate low light levels but has to have some light. If you give it some bright indirect light it will do better than lower ight conditions. Don't give it any direct sun because it will burn the leaves. It likes moist soil so don't let it dry out too much. At the same time you should'nt keep the soil soggy either. It will let you know when it is thirsty. The leaves will start to droop when it wants a drink. It likes humidity so it's good to mist the plant a coupld times a week unless you have a humidifier going. It blooms pretty much whenever it feels like it. It has white flowers on long stems that shoot up from the middle of the foilage. It does'nt like the cold and should be kept away from drafts. Cold is really hard on the foilage.

-Ducky Layne-

Pothos

Common name:
Pothos, Devils ivy

Light:
Bright indirect light

Water:
Moderate

Origins:
Asia



Satin Pothos




Marble Queen Pothos



Golden Pothos



Golden and Marble Pothos hanging outside. They are enjoying the warm weather and growing like crazy!



Pothos are one of the easiest house plants to take care of. It likes bright indirect light. Too much direct sun burns the leaves. Not enough light and they lose their varigation. They can handle lower light conditions, but the better light they recieve the better the varigation will be in the leaves. Any room in your house is good as long as it has a window. I only have three types but there's several different ones. Golden Pothos which has a yellow gold varigation in the leaves. Marble Queen pothos has white varigation marbled through the leaves. The Marble Queen has more varigation than Golden pothos. Satin Pothos has silver splotching varigation in the leaves. They don't like to be dry and will droop when they are thirsty. They will even grow in water but don't water too much if planted in soil. They like humidity so mist them a couple times a week unless you have a humidifier. If given the right care will grow quite quickly. They are a tropical so they don't like cold so try to keep away from drafts. Any questions just ask.

-Ducky Layne-