Erica x hiemalis Ericaceae French Heather Plant Care, Benefits and Propagation

  Erica x hiemalis Ericaceae French Heather Plant Care, Benefits and Propagation

This winter-flowering heather, which forms a small shrub, has erect stems with whorls of tiny deep green leaves. The ³/Vin/2-cm- long tubular flowers are pink with white tips and are borne in clusters at the ends of the stems. Erica carnea, winter heath, is another popular winter-flowering houseplant. 

It has more slender stems, which are densely clothed in small, round rose-pink or purple flowers. Because they need cool conditions, winter heaths are difficult plants to keep in the home, and they should be discarded after flowering.

  Erica x hiemalis Ericaceae French heather FACT FILE

ORIGIN South Africa (Cape Province); hybrids. HEIGHT 12-18in/30-46cm.

POTTING MIX Ericaceous (acidic) medium. REPOTTING Plants are usually discarded before repotting is necessary.

PROPAGATION By semiripe stem cuttings in late summer; these are difficult to root successfully in the home.

KEEPING PLANTS Ericas lose their leaves rapidly in a dry atmosphere and tend to be short-lived in centrally heated houses.

Erica x hiemalis Ericaceae French heather PLANT CARE

Bright light with some direct sun. • Keep cool, preferably at a maximum of 50°F/10°C. • Keep the medium moist at all times; never allow it to dry out. Use lime-free water where possible.

• Spray the plant frequently and stand the pot in a tray of moist gravel.

Graptophyllum Pictum Acanthaceae Caricature plant

Raptophyllum pictum Plant Benefits raptophyllum pictum Care and Propogation Details

Although rarely seen, this evergreen shrub would prosper in the home, especially in a sunroom.

The laurel-shaped leaves, arranged opposite each other along the stalk, are up to 6in/l5cm long. Each leaf is shiny deep green, marked in the center with a creamy white or yellow blotch that is sometimes thought to resemble a human face, hence the common name. There is occasionally a pinkish tinge along the central leaf vein.

The lV2-in/4-cm-long tubular crimson or purple flowers open wide at the mouth.

FACT FILE

ORIGIN Australasia; Pacific Islands.

HEIGHT To 6ft/1.8m.

POTTING MIX Soil-based.

REPOTTING In spring, move to a pot one size larger.

PROPAGATION Take stem cuttings in late spring or summer.

KEEPING PLANTS Pinch off the growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness. Replace the plant after 3 or 4 years, when it becomes leggy.

PLANT CARE

Bright filtered light with some direct sun except on the hottest days. »
Average room temperature. •
Water thoroughly, particularly in summer. 
 Apply a standard liquid fertilizer once a month between spring and fall.

Oplismenus hirtellus Gramineae Basket grass Benefits, Care & Propagation

The wiry, creeping stems make this an attractive plant for a hanging basket, since the stems will trail. It has yellowish green lance-shaped leaves, 2-6in/5-l5cm long, with sharply pointed tips and a slightly undulating, or wavy, surface. Oplismenus hirtellus ‘Variegatus’ has white, green, and rose-red striped leaves. Pinch off the insignificant flowers as soon as they appear.

FACT FILE Oplismenus Hirtellus Gramineae  Basket grass

ORIGIN: Southern USA; West Indies; Mexico; Argentina.

HEIGHT: 3ft/90cm.

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

REPOTTING: Move in spring, if plants are kept for a second year.

PROPAGATION: The long runners root spontaneously; detach and pot up the resulting plantlets. Take tip cuttings in spring.

KEEPING PLANTS: As it ages, this plant loses some of its leaves and becomes straggly; cut it back severely or replace it after a year or two.

PLANT CARE Oplismenus Hirtellus Gramineae   Basket grass

• Bright light, but direct sun only in winter.
• Normal room temperature.
• Keep the soil moist at all times. 

• The plant will lose its leaves if the soil is allowed to dry out. 
• Liquid-feed every 4 weeks in summer; overfeeding is detrimental to the appearance of the plant.

✅ ORBEA VARIEGATA OSMANTHUS HETEROPHYLLUS VARIEGATED FALSE HOLLY Benefits, Care & Propagation

Also known as Osmanthus ilicifolius (Holly- leafed osmanthus), this dense, woody- ’ stemmed shrub has prickly, glossy leaves that are arranged in pairs. 

The leaves of ‘Variegatus’ are about 21/2in/6.5cm long and have creamy white markings, sometimes with a tinge of pink at the margins. The shape of the leaves varies, even on the same plant.

Some may be almost egg-shaped with smooth edges and a single spine at the tip, while others may be elliptic, with a number of large spiny teeth, including a long spine at the tip. 


Plants grown indoors only rarely produce small, white, scented flowers in fall.

FACT FILE ORBEA VARIEGATA OSMANTHUS HETEROPHYLLUS ‘Variegatus’ Oleaceae   VARIEGATED FALSE HOLLY

ORIGIN: Japan; cultivar.

HEIGHT:  6ft/1.8m in a container.

POTTING MIX: Soil-based.

REPOTTING: Move into a pot one size larger each spring.

PROPAGATION: Take tip cuttings, with a heel, in spring or summer.

KEEPING PLANTS: Pinch off growing tips regularly to prevent the plant becoming lanky.

PLANT CARE ORBEA VARIEGATA OSMANTHUS HETEROPHYLLUS ‘Variegatus’ Oleaceae   VARIEGATED FALSE HOLLY

• Full sun.
• Cool temperature, ideally between 55°-65°F/13°-18°C at all times.

• Water moderately throughout the year. 
• Feed actively growing plants every 2 weeks

✅Pandanus veitchii Pandanaceae VEITCH’S SCREW PINE Benefits, Care & Propagation

The best known of the five or so commonly grown pandanuses, the screw pine is a stately plant, especially when it grows older. It has leaves up to 3ft/90cm long, the lower ones arching, with coarse spines along the margins. 

A feature of the foliage is the lengthwise creamy white striping. Mature plants develop beautiful stiltlike aerial roots. This pandanus enjoys very humid air and warmer temperatures. It is, therefore, better suited to a greenhouse, but properly looked after it will thrive in the living room.

FACT FILE Pandanus veitchii Pandanaceae VEITCH’S SCREW PINE

ORIGIN: Polynesia.

HEIGHT: 7ft/2m.

POTTING MIX: Soil- or peat-moss-based with good drainage.

REPOTTING: Young plants may require repotting more than once a year, but after the plant is a year old, repotting each spring will be sufficient. 

PROPAGATION: Remove suckers from older plants and pot these up individually.

KEEPING PLANTS: High humidity is essential for luxuriant leaf growth.

PLANT CARE Pandanus veitchii Pandanaceae VEITCH’S SCREW PINE

• A well-lit location; no full sun. 
• A minimum temperature of 65°F/18°C.

• Water moderately, using water at room temperature; keep the soil a little drier from mid-fall until mid spring.
• Stand the pot on a tray of moist pebbles and spray the plant daily. © Feed every 2 weeks from spring to fall.

Paphiopedilum spp. Orchidaceae - LADY’SSlipper orchids Benefits, Care & Propagation

Several species of this orchid, particularly Paphiopedilum callosum and P. sukhakulii, and some of the smaller hybrids will do well in a living room, preferably near a window that does not receive too much sunlight. Wherever slipper orchids are sited, they require plenty of humidity as well as good ventilation during the hotter months. 

Paphiopedilums do not require a dormant Paphiopedilum season, but if the temperature drops in winter, the water supply must be decreased. The blooms of these popular orchids have a striking sepal, usually called the flag; the lip of the flower is called the “slipper” because its pouch-like shape resembles a house slipper. Many hybrids are available from specialist suppliers, and new ones are being added constantly.

FACT FILE Paphiopedilum spp. Orchidaceae   LADY’SSlipper orchids

ORIGIN: Tropical Asia; hybrids.

HEIGHT: 15in/38cm.

POTTING MIX: Special orchid medium.

REPOTTING: Repot annually in late winter. Always provide excellent drainage in the bottom of the pot. P. callosum should be kept completely dry for a few weeks after being repotted. 

PROPAGATION: Divide when repotting.

KEEPING PLANTS: High humidity (65-75%) and a daytime temperature some 9°F/5°C above the night temperature are needed.

PLANT CARE Paphiopedilum spp. Orchidaceae   LADY’SSlipper orchids

• Bright light, but the full sun only in winter. 
• Normal room temperature, but not below 65°F/18°C at night. 
• Water once a week throughout the year. 

• Spray the plant daily and stand the pot on a tray of moist gravel to maintain humidity. 
• Never allow water to lie on the leaves or in the center of the growth; this will encourage botrytis and cause the plant to rot. 
• Apply a weak foliar feed once a month from spring to fall.

Passiflora caerulea Passifloraceae Common passion FLOWER✅

The common, or blue, passion flower grows in tropical conditions, clinging by tendrils to the trunks of jungle trees. Indoors it needs heat, the sun, and good ventilation in order to do well.The hand-like leaves are large and glossy dark green. The 3-in/8-cm-wide flowers, give the plant its name. They have five white petals, five white sepals, and fine purple-blue filaments surrounding prominent gold anthers. 

Jesuit missionaries who discovered the plant in Brazil in the 18th century likened its white petals and sepals to the Ten Apostles who witnessed Christ’s crucifixion. The anthers were seen as the five wounds, the rays of the corona of filaments as His crown of thorns, and the three stigmas as the nails that pinned Him to the Cross.

FACT FILE: Passiflora caerulea Passifloraceae Common passion FLOWER

ORIGIN: Brazil to Argentina.

HEIGHT: 16V2ft/5m, but as a houseplant, it is frequently sold trained around a hoop. 

POTTING MIX: Soil-based.

REPOTTING: Repot in spring for 2 or 3 years, then top-dress instead; the plant flowers best if its roots are restricted.

PROPAGATION: Take 7-in/18-cm tip cuttings in summer.

KEEPING PLANTS: Pruning does the plant no harm. Each spring, cut the stems of a young plant down to about 9in/23cm. Prune an older plant to keep it within bounds; cut side branches back to 3-4in/8-10cm.

PLANT CARE Passiflora caerulea Passifloraceae Common passion FLOWER

• Full sun; the plant will not flower if the light is not bright enough. 
• A temperature of about 70°F/21°C in summer, 50°F/10°C in winter.

• Water freely in summer; in winter water just enough to prevent the soil drying out.
• Feed with standard liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks in summer.

Pellaea rotundifolia Sinopteridaceae Button fern Benefits, Care & Propagation

A native of the temperate forests of New Zealand, the button fern produces a mass of thin dark stems that, close-up, are seen to be covered with brown scales and hairs. From these stalks arise small, arched fronds of leathery green leaflets, which trail over the edge of the pot, making it ideal for a hanging basket. Unlike most ferns, Pellaea tolerates relatively dry conditions.

FACT FILE Pellaea rotundifolia Sinopteridaceae Button fern

ORIGIN: New Zealand; Australia.

HEIGHT: Fronds to lft/30cm long.

POTTING MIX: Soil-based, with added peat moss and sand. 

REPOTTING: Use a shallow pot and repot only when roots fill the current container. 

PROPAGATION: In spring divides the plant into 2 or 3 sections with roots and top growth. 

KEEPING PLANTS: Mist when the temperature rises above 70°F/21°C; if the soil becomes waterlogged, the plant will die. If conditions are right, it will grow year-round, with no rest period.

PLANT CARE Pellaea rotundifolia Sinopteridaceae Button fern

• Bright light but not direct sunlight. 
• Normal room temperature, as constant as possible.

• Water freely in summer but allow the surface of the soil to dry out before rewatering.
• Feed once a week in summer with a weak solution of standard liquid fertilizer.

PENTAS LANCEOLATA (syn. P. CARNEA) Rubiaceae Egyptian star cluster Benefits, Care & Propagation

An upright shrubby plant with pale green, hairy oval leaves 2-4in/5-10cm long and lin/2.5cm wide, this is the most common species grown as an indoor plant. It thrives best in a heated greenhouse where the air is not too dry. And it should really be regarded as only a temporary plant in the home.

The flowers, which appear in late summer and fall, grow in terminal clusters on the many branches. They come in shades of pink, lilac, and carmine red to mauve and blue, and, occasionally, white. The corona has a narrow, 3/4-in/2-cm-long tube, widening slightly toward the top and ending in a five-lobed star.

FACT FILE PENTAS LANCEOLATA  (Syn. P. CARNEA) Rubiaceae Egyptian Star Cluster

ORIGIN: Tropical East Africa; Arabian Peninsula.

HEIGHT: 3ft/90cm.

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

REPOTTING: Move into a pot one size larger in spring.

PROPAGATION: In spring or early summer, take 2-3in/5-8cm stem cuttings.

KEEPING PLANTS: Pinch off the growing tips from time to time to encourage bushiness.

PLANT CARE PENTAS LANCEOLATA  (syn. P. CARNEA) Rubiaceae Egyptian Star Cluster

• Good light with 4 hours of direct sunlight.
• Normal warm room temperature, but never allow the level to drop below 50°F/10°C.

• Water moderately in the growing period; give less water when flowering is over. 
• Overwatering causes the leaves to turn yellow, and they will not recover. 
• Feed every 2 weeks in summer.

Phalaenopsis SPP. Orchidaceae MOTH ORCHID Benefits, Care & Propagation

A free-flowering epiphyte, the moth orchid blooms throughout the year. Its branched spikes bear up to 30 flowers at a time. Individual blooms can be as much as 5in/13cm wide, but in many varieties they are smaller. The flowers vary in colour from white through pinks to red and yellow, often with stripes or spots. 

The moth orchid tends to suffer if conditions are too cool. The movement of air from an electric fan, combined with a humid atmosphere while the plant is in bloom, will help. Numerous hybrids are available, and the number is increasing each year.

FACT FILE Phalaenopsis SPP. Orchidaceae MOTH ORCHID

ORIGIN: Asia; Australasia; hybrid.

HEIGHT: Foliage to 8in/20cm; flowers to 4ft/1.2 m.

POTTING MIX: Special orchid medium.

REPOTTING: About every 2 years, when the current pot becomes crowded.

PROPAGATION: Not applicable.

KEEPING PLANTS: These orchids grow well in wooden or wire baskets that have been lined with sphagnum moss.

PLANT CARE Phalaenopsis SPP. Orchidaceae MOTH ORCHID

• Bright filtered light or partial shade. 
• Normal room temperature, with a minimum of 70°F/1°C. 

• Water well all year-round. 
• Apply a special orchid fertilizer once a month all year- round; overfeeding will produce leaves at the expense of flowers.

Piper nigrum Piperaceae BLACK PEPPERBenefits, Care & Propagation ✅

This climbing member of the pepper family is suitable for the warm greenhouse; it spreads extensively and needs support. 

It is an interesting plant to grow and produces fruits some Vdn/bmm round, which ripen to red, then black, and are the source of the culinary spice. The 4-in/10-cm-long heart­shaped leaves are dark green with strongly marked veins.

FACT FILE: Piper Nigrum Piperaceae BLACK PEPPER

ORIGIN: South India; Sri Lanka.

HEIGHT: 13ft/4m.

POTTING MIX: Peat-moss-based. 

REPOTTING: In spring move the plant into a pot one size larger.

PROPAGATION: Sow seed in spring or take semi ripe cuttings in summer.

KEEPING PLANTS: Support the plant on a wire or trellis to show it to its best advantage. Prune annually in late winter or early spring, before growth starts, to remove weak, congested stems.

PLANT CARE Piper Nigrum Piperaceae BLACK PEPPER

• Bright indirect light.
• Minimum winter temperature of 50°F/10°C. 

• Water moderately when in growth. 
• Feed every 2 weeks from spring to fall.

PlSONIA UMBELLIFERA ‘VARIEGATA’ Nyctaginaceae BIRD-CATCHER TREE Benefits, Care & Propagation ✅

Although the plain form of Pisonia, also known as para-para, grows into a tree in the wild, this attractive form with variegated foliage makes a good houseplant. 

The 16-in/40-cm-long leaves, marbled with pale green, have cream-colored margins that are faintly pink when young. In the cultivated form, small pink or yellow flowers bloom in clusters.

FACT FILE PISONIA UMBELLIFERA ‘VARIEGATA’ Nyctaginaceae BIRD-CATCHER TREE

ORIGIN: Australia; New Zealand; Mauritius. HEIGHT To 10ft/3m in a container.

POTTING MIX: Soil-based.

REPOTTING: Repot young plants in late winter or spring; top-dress older plants.

PROPAGATION: Take stem cuttings, or air-layer, in summer.

KEEPING PLANTS: The plant may quickly outgrow its space, but it can be pruned to maintain size and shape when it is repotted. Set the plant outdoors in summer in mild climates.

PLANT CARE PISONIA UMBELLIFERA ‘VARIEGATA’ Nyctaginaceae BIRD-CATCHER TREE

• Full sun or partial shade; the plant loses its color if the light is not bright enough. 
• Warm room or greenhouse conditions, with a winter minimum of 50°F/10°C.
• Water moderately when in growth, sparingly in winter. 
• Feed every 2 weeks from spring to fall.

PlTTOSPORUM TOBIRA Pittosporaceae Japanese pittosporum Benefits, Care & Propagation ✅

Increasingly used by interior decorators, this glossy-leafed small tree, also called Australian Laurel, will survive fairly inhospitable indoor conditions. It is a flat- topped plant with dark green leaves up to 4in/10cm long. The leaves of Pittosporum tobira ‘Variegatum’ are a soft gray-green, with a creamy margin. 

In spring clusters of fragrant, tubular, starry white flowers are carried at the ends of the stems on both varieties, but only on plants that receive good light. Each bloom is V2in/13mm wide. A cool period is required in winter.

FACT FILE PlTTOSPORUM TOBIRA Pittosporaceae Japanese pittosporum

ORIGIN: China; Japan.

HEIGHT: 4ft/1.2m in a container.

POTTING MIX: Soil-based.

REPOTTING: Move into a pot one size larger each spring.

PROPAGATION: Take the tip or stem cuttings in spring; these can be difficult to root, so use hormone rooting powder and bottom heat. 

KEEPING PLANTS: Prune in spring to restrict the size and to remove any straggly growth.

PLANT CARE PITTOSPORUM TOBIRA Pittosporaceae Japanese pittosporum

• Bright light; avoid direct sunlight. 
• Although it is hardy, as an indoor plant it needs normal room temperature, with a winter minimum of 40°F/4°C. 

• Water well in the growing period, but sparingly in winter. 
• Feed every 2 weeks with a general fertilizer from spring to fall.

Plumeria rubra (syn. p. acuminata) Apocynaceae Frangipani Benefits, Care & Propagation ✅

Other common names for this popular shrub include temple tree, nosegay, West Indian jasmine, and pagoda tree. Because it likes warm conditions and grows quite large, it is well suited to the greenhouse and is a rarity in the home. It is well worth growing, however, if the right conditions can be provided.

The glory of the plant is the large clusters of heavily scented flowers carried at the ends of the branches in summer and fall. Each 2-in/5 -cm-wide flower comprises five thick overlapping petals, which are often pink but can be white, yellow, bronze, salmon, or red, invariably with yellow-stained centers. The pointed oval leaves can be as much as 12in/30cm long.

FACT FILE Plumeria rubra (syn. p. acuminata) Apocynaceae Frangipani

ORIGIN: Central America.

HEIGHT: 10ft/3m in a container.

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

REPOTTING: In spring, every second year. 

PROPAGATION: By stem cuttings in late spring. 

KEEPING PLANTS: Watch out for infestation by red spider mites, particularly in dry conditions.

PLANT CARE Plumeria rubra (syn. p. acuminata) Apocynaceae Frangipani

• Bright light with some direct sun. 
• Warm temperatures, with a winter minimum of 55 F/13°C. 

• Water well during the growing period and sparingly in winter. 
• Feed every 2 weeks from spring to fall with a general houseplant fertilizer.

PODOCARPUS MACROPHYLLUS Podocarpaceae BUDDHIST PINE Benefits, Care & Propagation

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 Benefits, Care & Propagation✅

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.