Madagascar Dragon Tree Care

Common Name:Madagascar Dragon Tree
Scientific Name: Dracaena marginata
Lighting: Moderate to Low
Watering: Moderate

The Madagascar Dragon Tree is to me one of the most popular houseplants, yet one of the hardest to identify. I looked through many houseplant books before actually finding the name of this particular Dracaena. Needless to say, this is a great houseplant and one of my favorites. Long, narrow, spike like foliage characterize this plant. Foliage is usually green with a red outline, thus giving the houseplant its drama.

The Madagascar Dragon Tree is fairly easy to care for. The greatest thing I like about the Madagascar Dragon Tree is that it allows you to create your own look with it. As you can see from mine, I just let them go at will. However you can brace your stalks up, twist them or create your own attraction with them.

The Madagascar Dragon Tree requires moderate to low light levels. This Dracaena can usually withstand lower light levels than some of the other Dracaena's. As with many Dracaena varieties, if the dramatic coloring or variegation on the foliage begins to fade, the plant may not be receiving enough light.

This houseplant prefers to have moderate water levels. So keep the soil fairly moist at all times. Dracaena's are native to the African jungles, so they do require higher humidity levels. If the tips of the foliage begin to brown, it may be a sign that there is not enough humidity in the air. In the winter, simply running a humidifier may be enough to supplement their high humidity requirements. Otherwise you can also give your plant a nice daily misting instead.

Keep in mind, this houseplant sheds its bottom foliage frequently. This does not mean you are doing anything wrong in terms of caring for it. Just as the plant grows the bottom leaves shed.

Snake Plant Care

Common Name: Snake Plant
Scientific Name: Sansevieria species
Lighting: Moderate to Bright Light
Watering: Low to Moderate


The Snake plant is the ultimate for those without a green thumb. This house plant is one of the hardest to kill. A Snake plant contains heavy, sword-like leaves which shoot up from the base of the dirt. They will grow in a clump like style. Smaller shoots will eventually grow as well. Another common name for this plant is Mother-In-Law's Tongue.

The Snake plant is said to prefer moderate to bright light, however my experience is you can put it anywhere and it will grow. I had mine in an upstairs room with the blinds shut for weeks and it still was beautiful and it is still growing over 4 years later.

This houseplant prefers to be watered once every 7 - 10 days thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry in between waterings. If the foliage begins to droop, you are probably over watering. On the other hand if the foliages begins to wrinkle or bend over you are not providing enough water. This houseplant prefers to be pot bound, so avoid repotting unless the current pot is too small to keep upright.

On a special note, this houseplant is toxic when eaten. It is one of the many poisonous houseplants, so please keep away from pets and children.

Like I said earlier, this plant is really hard to kill, it's one of the easiest houseplants to grow. View my easy to grow houseplants list for other hardy choices.

Heart-Leaf Philodendron Plant Care

Common Name: Heart-Leaf Philodendron
Scientific Name: Philodendron scandens oxycardium
Lighting: Moderate
Watering: Moderate to Low

The Heart-leaf Philodendron is a great vining houseplant. I have had mine for over 6 years now and as you can see it has gotten quite large. Keep in mind, I have given this plant many "haircuts" as I call them and yet it is still healthy and big. The Heart-leaf Philodendron is characterized by heart shaped leaves growing off of vines from the plant. Leaves can be anywhere from 2 to 6 inches in diameter. The Philodendron requires little care but not none. This plant requires pruning care to keep its full appearance. One caution to be aware of, those with children. Some Philodendrons are toxic if eater, so be sure to keep them away from your pets and children.

Philodendrons prefer moderate to low light. If new foliage begins to develop smaller or the distance between leaves is larger in distance, your plant is most likely not receiving enough light. However, please be careful. Direct sunlight can burn the foliage.

This houseplant requires moderate to low water requirements. Try and keep the soil moist but do not allow it to dry out completely in between watering. If the foliage begins to turn yellow, you are probably over watering the plant. On the other hand if the foliage begins to turn brown you are not providing the plant with enough water. The Philodendron does not seem to mind lower humidity levels, however if you give a daily dose of misting to it, the plant will provide you with an even more beautiful appearance. Be sure to also keep the foliage clear of dust by washing regularly.

Many varieties of Philodendrons like to vine. As you can see from my pictures, vines can grow quite long, so trimming the plant back will not harm it. Trimming will help you shape this plant to the size you have for it. If you are looking to keep your plants current shape, be sure to trim back new growth. I have used small pins to hold my vines into place however some varieties of Philodendrons will actually product small roots, which will cling to your wall.

This houseplant provides you with the benefit of creating even more Philodendrons as you wish. Propagating is extremely easy. Simply cut off a vine that is long enough for you to place the end in water. Keep the cut stem in water for a few weeks and before you know it, your stem has produced a large amount of roots. Simply plant your new roots and your done. I tend to give my large philodendron haircuts a couple times a year. When I do, I place all my stems in a vase with water so they can root and I have a whole new Philodendron. The picture of the plant along the glass block wall is from one of my large plants haircuts.

This houseplant is toxic when eaten, so please keep out of reach of children and animals. It is one of the many poisonous houseplants you may have in your home.

Overall, this houseplant is one of my all time favorites. It's on my list of easy to grow houseplants! Plus they can add so much drama and character to any room. Best of all, you can have as many philodendrons as you want for little time and money!!!

Warneckei Plant Care

Common Name: Warneckei
Scientific Name: Dracaena Deremensis
Lighting: Moderate
Water: Moderate to Low

Warneckei's are one of my favorite houseplants. I have in actuality six of them, split into two pots. They are extremely easy to care for as well as a great houseplant to look at. Long spearlike foliage with lime green and dark green colors characterize the most common varieties of the Warneckei. Its foliage is also wider than other Dracaena varieties. There are also plants with green and white foliage. These houseplants are said to be slow growers, however mine have grown considerably fast.

Warneckei's prefer medium indirect light. They will grow fine in lower light levels, however they will not be as healthy thus beautiful. Do not place this plant in an area that receives a large amount of direct sunlight. This can burn the leaves. Also, as with many houseplants, be sure to keep away from drafts and heating / cooling vents.

The Warneckei does not need frequent watering. I give mine a good watering once every week and a half to two weeks. If the ends begin to yellow or brown, you are probably over watering the plant. If the foliage begins to become a solid yellow or brown you are under watering it. If leaves begin coloring you may simply remove the whole leaf at the stalk without damaging the plant. Another point to remember is that Warneckei's are touchy to fluoridated or chlorinated water, so be sure to use distilled or water not treated when watering.

Overall, this is a great houseplant. Easy to care for and adds the perfect touch to a room, no matter what type of decor style you are looking for.

White Cloud Ficus Care

Common Name: White Cloud Ficus
Scientific Name: Ficus species
Lighting: Moderate to Bright
Water: Moderate

The White Cloud Ficus is characterized by cream colored and dark green spotted foliage. This particular Ficus is one of the more common varieties second of course to the Benjamin.

The White Cloud Ficus requires moderate light levels so keep within 5 to 8 feet of a sunny window. If the leaves begin to fall off, there's a good chance that your plant is not receiving enough light. Try moving it closer to a window or a better-lighted area. However, be cautious of where you move and how often you move your Ficus. This species does not like to be moved so do it sparingly. Also, be sure to keep your Ficus away from drafts and heat vents.

Moderate watering is what the White Cloud Ficus prefers. Water thoroughly once a week for best results. Be sure not to over water your Ficus plant. If the leaves begin to fall and are not yellowing, try watering it less. If the foliage begins to yellow try watering the plant more frequently. Ficus varieties in general, not just this particular one, usually prefer higher humidity levels, so a couple time a week give the plant a misting to help fulfill its humidity requirements.

Though a very common houseplant, the Ficus does require a great deal more care and attention to detail than others. The main tips I can give to you is to keep your plants environment as consistent as possible. Once variables such as water or lighting change, these plants seem to retaliate.

Corn Plant Care

Common Name: Corn Plant or Corn Dracaena
Scientific Name: Dracaena Massangeana
Lighting: Low
Watering: Moderate

The Corn plant require very little care. The Corn plant has long leaves stemming from a wooden cane like stalk. The variegated leaves resemble corn foliage thus the name. The foliage using contains a yellow or crème center with dark green borders.

The Corn plant enjoys low light, making it perfect for corners and hallways. The Corn plant requires moderate watering. Water thoroughly once every 7 - 10 days or when the soil is dry to touch down 1 inch into the soil. The roots of the Corn plant are located close to the canes. It is also a very shallow root system, therefore when watering, place the water near the base of each cane to be sure the roots are able to absorb the water. If the leaves begin to drop or yellow, try watering the plant less frequently. You could be over watering it.

The Corn plant tends to be resistant to many of the pests that other houseplants encounter. If your Corn plant does become infected with bugs or mites, spraying a soapy mixture of water and dish soap over the plant should take care of the problem.

This houseplant is one of many poisonous houseplants. To be safe, keep it away from pets and children.

A collection of comments and tips have been combined over on the Corn Plant FAQ page.

Best Houseplants For Absorbing Air Pollutants

Indoor houseplants are helpful in absorbing indoor air pollutants in your home. However, some houseplants are better than others. They are like you own little air purifiers. Roughly 15 indoor houseplants can purify almost a 1800 square foot home!!! Below is a list of houseplants that are most effective in removing indoor air pollutants.

Peace Lily
Snake Plants
Philodendrons
Pothos
Dracaena Varieties
     Madagascar Dragon Tree
     Corn Plants
     Warneckei
Ferns
Spider Plants
English Ivy
Ficus Varieties
Bamboo Varieties

If you have others indoor plants to add to the list, please add them through the comments below.

Heart Shaped Philodendron FAQ

Problem
My philodendron has become nothing more than long vines with very few leaves. What can I do?

Answer
Philodendron’s need what I like to call “hair cuts” to remain full. If you don’t want to trim your whole plant, do a handful of vines first versus the whole thing. Clip the vines back to a couple of inches from the beginning. Take your clippings and trim them down so they are long enough to fit into a vase filled with water. Continue to provide the clippings with water and within a month or so, your philodendron clippings should begin forming roots. After a good set of roots have formed, you can now replant your clippings with the original plant.


Problem
My heart-leaf philodendron leaves have developed a white fuzzy substance and have begun dying. I wipe the fuzzy substance off, but it comes right back. The fuzz even shows up on new leaves while they are developing.

Answer
Your Philodendron has gotten infested with mealy bugs or a type of mold. First thing you need to do is move it away from other plants so the infestation don't spread. Try removing the white fuzz with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. After a day or so, spray the entire plant with water, like a mist.  Do this for a couple days. If the rubbing alcohol doesn't work, go to your local garden center and try a insecticidal soap.


Problem
My Philodendron plant looks beautiful and healthy, however it won’t grow any larger. What am I doing wrong?

Answer
Many times when a plant looks otherwise healthy, it typically signals a lighting problem. The plant is receiving enough light to remain healthy but not enough to flourish. Try providing the plant with more light. Not necessarily direct light. Move it closer to a window or try a grow light a distance away from the plant for a month and monitor what happens. If you see a large amount of improvement leave the plant within the new light arrangement. If you see some improvement but not much, give the Philodendron a little more light until you find the happy medium.


Problem
I’ve had my Philodendron clippings in water for over 5 weeks and still no roots. How long do I wait? Will it hurt the clippings with roots to sit in the water this long?

Answer
Be patient! Each clipping will act differently. Sometimes they may root within 2 - 3 weeks, sometimes longer. Those that do root faster than the rest will be just fine within the water. I actually have a small vase in which I have 2 clippings that have been in water for over 4 years now.


Problem
When should I repot my heart-leafed Philodendron?

Answer
I’m not a plant expert on paper, but from my experience, you won’t need to repot your Philodendron often at all. These houseplants like to be root bound. I’ve had mine for 10 years now. I’ve repotted it once and that was just within the last year. If roots start appearing on the top of the soil, you may want to add more dirt to the top of the pot. If adding dirt is not an option than go ahead and repot into a bigger container.


Problem
How often should I water my Philodendron?

Answer
This houseplant doesn’t require heavy water. Typically if you water once every 1 - 2 weeks your Philodendron will grow wonderfully.


Problem
My plant has become infested with little black bugs. How do I get rid of them?

Answer
Spray the plant with a soapy dishwater mix twice a day for one week. If the bugs are still present, visit your local garden center to find an insecticide that will be more potent. I always like to try the dishwater mist first. It’s been quite effective for getting rid of pests on all my houseplants.

Be sure to read my full guide to Heart Shaped Philodendron Plant Care.

Peace Lily Care

Common Name: Peace Lily, Closet Plant
Scientific Name: Spathiphyllum
Lighting: Bright Light
Water: Heavy

Long elongated green foliage with white half shaped blooms characterizes the Peace Lily houseplant. The Peace Lily is one of the most popular houseplants. The Peace Lily (Closet Plant) is one of my top 10 easy to grow houseplants.

Thriving in lower lighted areas make this plant work almost anywhere. Try to keep it within 5 to 8 feet of a window for best results. Do not place your plant in direct sun. Direct sunlight can damage the Peace Lily's foliage. If the leaves begin to yellow, it may mean it is receiving too much sunlight. Move it to a less lighted area.

The main care requirement for your Peace Lily is water. This plant requires heavy watering, but you must allow the soil to dry out in-between watering to a point as well. This houseplant will let you know when it needs water. The leaves will begin to droop. Allowing the foliage to droop slightly in-between watering has turned out to be successful for me. However, do not let it droop severely. Once the plant is watered the foliage will spring back up. If you allowed it to dry out too much, some of the lower leaves may yellow and need to be removed.

This plant also loves higher humidity levels, so providing it with a nice misting a couple times a week will help the plant remain beautifully healthy.

Please keep pets and children away from this plant. It is one of many poisonous houseplants.

Spider Plant Care

Common Name: Spider Plant
Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Lighting: Moderate
Watering: Low

The Spider Plant is characterized by its long shoots of thin foliage with off shoots at the ends of many of the leaves. The Spider plant's foliage is commonly known to be variegated with a white stripe, however some may have the white stripe to the outside or the foliage may be entirely green. The Spider Plant is one of my top easy to grow houseplants as well as one of the easiest to reproduce.

The Spider Plant requires only light watering. Allow the soil to dry completely in between waterings. You only need to water the spider plant once every two weeks. If the foliage begins to show black tips or a yellow halo, you are probably over watering the plant. If the foliage begins to drop, the plant is ready for a drink. If the foliage begins to brown, try watering with distilled water. The Spider Plant has been known to have problems if there are chemicals in the water.

Spider Plants prefer natural light, but do not place them in direct sunlight. If the leaves begin turning brown, try moving the plant out of the direct light. If the plant is kept within 5 to 8 feet of a window it should grow fine.

The off shoots can be removed and placed in soil or water which will then grow into its own plant in very little time. It is actually good to remove these off shoots from the main plant. Too many off shoots can cause the main plant to strain.

Pests and mites are not a problem with this houseplant. I personally have never had any problems with pests on my spider plants, however if they should arrive simply spray a soapy water mixture over the plants a couple of times a day.

Please tell others what experiences you've had with this plant.

Boston Fern Care

Common Name: Boston Fern
Scientific Name: Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis'
Lighting: Moderate to Bright
Watering: Moderate to Heavy

Ferns are popular houseplants, however the Boston Fern is one of the most common ferns you see in people's homes. Arching long green fronds forming an elegant mound characterizes this houseplant. Boston Ferns can reach up to 5 feet so keep that in mind when looking to repot.

Boston Ferns prefer medium light levels, so try and keep your plant within 4 to 7 feet of a sunny window providing indirect sunlight to the houseplant. If the foliage begins to wither, the plant is probably not receiving enough light. You may remove the dead fronds as needed.

Boston Ferns also require moderate to heavy watering. Keep the soil moist at all times with exception to the winter months. In the winter, water your fern once the soil feels dry to touch, however do not let the soil dry out too much. Boston Ferns have high humidity requirements so give your plant a misting a couple times a week to help fulfill its requirements. If the foliage begins to fade in color, chances are the plant is not receiving enough water.

Ferns prefer normal temperatures. 60 – 75 during the day and slightly cooler at night. Keep these plants away from drafts and registers as well. It's also a good idea to provide your plant with some houseplant food. Once a month use a water-soluble houseplant food except in fall and winter months.