PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS Podocarpaceae BUDDHIST PINE

If this slow-growing plant is to live successfully indoors, it must be kept in an unheated room; since it will tolerate a drafty situation, it is ideal for a cool hall or passageway. The upright stems bear narrow, straplike, glossy 3-in/8-cm- long leaves, but the catkin-like flowers are not produced indoors.

The plant is also known as Japanese yew or Kusamaki; indeed, the variety most frequently seen as a houseplant is ‘Maki'’ whose growth is compact and whose leaves are only V2in/13mm long.

FACT FILE PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS Podocarpaceae BUDDHIST  PINE

ORIGIN: Japan.

HEIGHT: 6ft/1.8m in a container.

POTTING MIX: Soil- or peat-moss-based.

REPOTTING: In spring, when roots have filled the current container.

PROPAGATION: In late spring or summer, take stem cuttings or sow seeds (the latter is the more difficult of the two methods).

KEEPING PLANTS: The plant’s slow-growing habit means that it requires little attention, but it can be kept compact by regular pruning.

PLANT CARE PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS Podocarpaceae BUDDHIST  PINE

• Bright light to partial shade. 
• Cool to normal indoor conditions, with a winter minimum of 40°F/4°C. 
• Keep the soil moist at all times; water sparingly in winter. 

• Mist the plant regularly during hot weather. 
• Feed once a month from spring to fall with a standard liquid fertilizer.

POLYSCIAS SCUTELLARIA ‘BALFOURIl’ Araliaceae MING ARALIA

Previously known as Po/yscias balfouriana, this is an excellent specimen plant when placed in a decorative container. The dark green, rounded leathery leaflets, up to 3in/8cm wide, are carried on stems speckled with a pale green or grey. 

It is not an easy plant to grow in normal room conditions

and in a less than ideal environment will readily drop its leaves. Large plants are prohibitively expensive, so it is better to buy a small plant and look after it well.

FACT FILE POLYSCIAS SCUTELLARIA ‘BALFOURIl’ Araliaceae MING ARALIA

ORIGIN: New Caledonia.

HEIGHT: 6ft/1.8m in a container.

POTTING MIX: Soil-based.

REPOTTING: Repot every spring in a pot one size larger until maximum desired pot size is reached; thereafter, top-dress annually. 

PROPAGATION: By stem tip cuttings or pieces of stem in summer. Cuttings root readily in a closed environment with bottom heat.

KEEPING PLANTS: Humidity is essential, so mist the plant daily in warm weather and stand the pot on a tray of damp pebbles.

PLANT CARE POLYSCIAS SCUTELLARIA ‘BALFOURIl’ Araliaceae MING ARALIA

• Bright light, but no direct sunlight. 
• Normal to warm room conditions with a minimum of 65°F/18°C.

• Water moderately during the growing season; give less water in winter.
• Apply a standard liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks when the plant is in active growth.

PSEUDERANTHEMUM ATROPURPUREUM Acanthaceae PSEUDERANTIIEMUM

Sometimes still sold under the name of Eranthemum atropurpureum, this small erect shrub is grown chiefly for its brightly coloured oval leaves. These are dark green marked with purple or wine red, about 5in/13cm long. 

The varieties ‘Variegatum’ and ‘Tricolor’ have splashes of pink, cream, and purple on the leaves. The plant requires warmth <^nd high humidity, and if conditions are right a mature specimen will produce tubular purple-eyed white flowers 3/4in/2cm wide in late spring and summer.

atropurpureum 

FACT FILE PSEUDERANTHEMUM ATROPURPUREUM Acanthaceae   PSEUDERANTIIEMUM

ORIGIN: Polynesia; naturalised in tropical America.

HEIGHT: 1.2m/4ft.

POTTING MIX: Soil- or peat-moss-based. 

REPOTTING: In spring, but only when roots fill the container.

PROPAGATION: Take tip or stem cuttings in spring or summer.

KEEPING PLANTS: Cut the plant back if necessary to maintain its shape and size.

PLANT CARE PSEUDERANTHEMUM ATROPURPUREUM Acanthaceae   PSEUDERANTIIEMUM

• Bright light; partial shade. 
• Warm room conditions, with a minimum winter temperature of 60°F/16°C. 

• Allow the surface of the soil to dry out between waterings. 
• Mist the plant daily and stand the pot on a tray of moist pebbles. 
• From spring to fall, feed every 2 weeks with a standard liquid fertiliser.

Pteris cretica Adiantaceae JABLE FERN

Also known as Cretan brake and ribbon fern, this long-lived plant should thrive in most indoor situations, provided it is never allowed to dry out. Its main feature is the elegant, compact fronds that die back from time to time; but if they are cut back to the base, new ones will form. Do not use leaf shine.

Two good varieties are Pteris cretica ‘Albolineata,’ variegated table fern, with deep green leaf edges and a broad white central stripe, and P.c. Alexandrae,’ cristate table fern, which has lighter green pinnae tipped with a cockscomb of leaflets.

FACT FILE Pteris cretica Adiantaceae JABLE FERN

ORIGIN: Old World tropics; subtropics.

HEIGHT: 3ft/90cm.

POTTING MIX: Soil-based with low acidity. 

REPOTTING: Repot in spring only when pots become congested; the plant grows best*when pot-bound. Do not bury the crown of the plant.

PROPAGATION: Divide large plants into two or three pieces in spring.

KEEPING PLANTS: Fronds will turn yellow if the air is too warm and dry; mist regularly to maintain high humidity.

PLANT CARE Pteris cretica Adiantaceae JABLE FERN

• Bright indirect light. 
• Average temperatures, ideally 60°—75°F/16°—24°C. 

• Keep the soil moist, but not sodden, at all times. 
•  Feed every week in spring and summer with a dilute standard liquid fertiliser.

Radermachera sinica (syn. Stereospermum sinicum) Bignoniaceae Emerald tree

This treelike plant succeeds indoors because of its tolerance of the dry atmosphere in most homes. It has shiny, pointed, veined leaves up to IbAn/b.SCM long. 

In its natural habitat, it has sweetly scented, yellow bell­shaped flowers—hence its other common name, Asian bell tree—but these are not usually produced on young plants grown in the home.

FACT FILE Radermachera sinica (syn. Stereospermum sinicum) Bignoniaceae Emerald tree

ORIGIN: China.

HEIGHT: 4ft/1.2m.

POTTING MIX: Peat-moss-based.

REPOTTING: Repot in spring, but only if roots have filled the pot.

PROPAGATION: Take stem cuttings in summer. 

KEEPING PLANTS: Keep away from open fires and smokers: a smoky atmosphere will make the leaves drop. Prune after flowering to keep the plant compact. Put the plant outdoors in summer in a protected spot.

PLANT CARE Radermachera Sinica (syn. Stereospermum sinicum) Bignoniaceae Emerald tree

• Bright, indirect light. 
• Normal room temperature, with a minimum of 50°F/10°C in winter. 

• Keep the soil moist at all times.
• Mist frequently to maintain humidity.
• Feed every week in spring and summer.

Rhipsalis BACCIFERA (syn. R. CASSUTHa) Cactaceae MISTLETOE CACTUS

One of the epiphytic forest cacti, this plant hangs from trees in its natural habitat. Indoors, its long, light green, cylindrical branching stems trail over the rim of the pot. 

Insignificant greenish flowers about V4in/6mm wide appear in winter and spring are followed by slightly smaller, translucent whitish fruits, which look rather like the berries on mistletoe.

FACT FILE Rhipsalis BACCIFERA (syn. R. CASSUTHa)  Cactaceae MISTLETOE CACTUS

ORIGIN: BrazilPeru; USA (Florida); Africa; Madagascar; Sri Lanka.

HEIGHT: Stems trail to 6ft/1.8m indoors.

POTTING MIX: Slightly acid epiphyte-type medium composed of equal parts of organic and inorganic matter.

REPOTTING: Repot annually in a small pot after the spring blooms have faded,

PROPAGATION: Take cuttings in summer or sow seed in spring.

KEEPING PLANTS: The stems are fragile and may break off at the joints if this plant is roughly handled.

PLANT CARE Rhipsalis BACCIFERA (syn. R. CASSUTHa)  Cactaceae MISTLETOE CACTUS

• Bright light, but shade from direct sunlight, which causes stems to shrivel and turn reddish.
• Normal to warm room temperature, with a cool winter rest at a minimum of 50°F/10°C.
• In spring and summer; allow the surface of the potting mix to dry out before watering; water less in winter. 

•  Mist frequently; otherwise, the stems will dry out and become soft. 
• Apply a high-potash fertiliser every 2 weeks from the time the buds form until the end of flowering; once a month at other times.

ROCHEA COCCINEA (syn. Crassula coccinea) Crassulaceae ROCHEA

A small shrubby bush, rochea carries masses of leathery, oval, pointed leaves lin/2.5cm long in pairs along the many-branched stems. In summer, showy clusters of scented tubular red flowers, each about lin/2.5cm long, appear at the ends of the stems. 

The varieties ‘Alba,’ with white flowers, and ‘Bicolor,’ with red-and-white flowers, are also popular.

FACT FILE ROCHEA COCCINEA (syn. Crassula coccinea) Crassulaceae ROCHEA

ORIGIN: South Africa (Cape Province).

HEIGHT: 18in/46cm.

POTTING MIX: Soil-based.

REPOTTING: In spring, but only if necessary. 

PROPAGATION: By stem cuttings in spring or summer. Allow the cuttings to dry for 2 days before inserting them into fresh potting mix.

KEEPING PLANTS: Rochea coccinea needs plenty of ventilation, light, and water in summer and a period outdoors in a sheltered spot. Watch out for mealybugs and scale insects.

PLANT CARE ROCHEA COCCINEA (syn. Crassula coccinea) Crassulaceae ROCHEA

• Bright light with some direct sunshine. 
• Cool to normal room temperature. 

• Water well during the growing season; give less water in winter. 
• Feed every 2 weeks with a standard liquid fertiliser in the period of active growth.