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How to grow Ficus Umbellata

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Ficus umbellata is a beautiful plant to add to your home. It is easy to grow but there are some things you need to know to keep this Ficus happy. It’s not as widely available as the elastica

Ficus Umbellata

Light

The Ficus Umbellata does best in a bright light situation. So place this plant within a few feet of a window. Some direct light is ok but be careful of the intensity of the light. Meaning and east facing window is going to have less intense direct sun while a west facing window will be stronger light. If your home lacks light you can add grow lights. Grow lights are so helpful on darker winter days and in that dark areas of the house that need a plant.

You can train this plant to live in more direct light by gradually placing it in higher light for short periods of time increasing the time spent each day.

Water

Ficus are known to be finicky and improper watering is one of the reasons so many ficus’ die. If the soil looks dry on the top, dig around to see if its dry an inch or two down. If it is, you can give it some water. This Plant is also very forgiving should you forget to water or want to go longer between waterings but know if you let it dry out too long it will wilt alerting you to it’s needs.

In the winter months your plant may need less water depending on how dry your home is and if the plant has gone dormant. Our winters are cold and dry so I base my watering on how dry the soil is as opposed to how long its been since I watered it last.

For winter houseplant care tips read this!

Humidity

Normal home humidity seems to work just fine but adding in a little extra humidity doesn’t hurt especially if your home is dry. You’ll notice changes in your plants when you provide more humidity in your home. Such as more growth and potentially bigger foliage.

Soil

Ficus Umbellata’s love a well draining soil mix. Take a bag of potting soil and combine it with Orchid Bark. ( 2 parts soil mix, 1 part orchid bark ) Or potting mix, mixed with perlite and bark. No matter what you choose make sure your plant has great drainage.

ficus umbellata

Fertilizing

This Plant loves to be fed during the growing season and isn’t particular about what fertilizer you use. Organic fertilizer tend to be my go to for all plants with my favorite being fish emulsion. Fertilize weekly during the growing season and give an extremely diluted amount during winter.

Propagation

Ficus are fairly easy to propagate from stem cuttings. You don’t have to get technical with this, just cut the stem take off a lower leaf or two then pop in water, soil, Vermiculite, etc whatever medium you like. You are welcome to use rooting powder to aid in rooting but it can root without it.

The Ficus Umbellata is an amazing houseplant. It can grow very large if you provide the proper care. Be sure to provide this plant a prime location in your home because it’s a showstopper!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to Grow the Philodendron Pink Princess Easy!

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The once hard to find Pink Princess is a self heading philodendron native to Columbia and thanks to the big plant companies is now available all over! It’s know for its heart shaped leaves with pink variegation!

Pink Princess Philodendron

This blog post may contain affiliate links and if you make a purchase you will be helping me continue my love and passion for gardening.

If you haven’t heard by now, the Philodendron Pink Princess is and has been one of the most sought after Philodendrons. It has been for a few years now. It was once extremely hard to buy for a reasonable price or find locally. Many houseplant enthusiast paying hundreds of dollars just to have a tiny cutting of this princess. Now a days the Princess can be found at your big box stores for less than $30 which makes her more accessible to the masses. So now that you’ve snagged this beauty it’s time to learn how to take care of her!

Philodendron Pink Princess | What pot to use?

The Pink Princess will grow well in any pot that has a drainage hole. All materials are fine from ceramic to wood just as long as your pot has a way for water to drain. When repotting your plant is ready to be repotted choose a pot that is at least two sizes bigger than the current pot to allow for more growth.

When and how much to water?

When watering your plant you will want to wait until the top two to three inches of soil have dried out. Then either water your plant in place with a drip tray underneath or take your plant to the sink and allow water to run through until it is coming out of the bottom of the drainage hole.

How often you water your plant will depend on how quickly the soil dries up. Philodendrons can handle a full soil dry out without dying which makes them great plants for beginners. However allowing a plant to fully dry out isn’t ideal and can be very stressful for your plants.

If you are a forgetful gardener then set an alarm to check on your plants once or twice a week.

What soil should I plant my Philodendron in?

When picking soil for the Philodendron Pink Princess I find that she does fine in a well draining soil. So here’s my personal mix:

2 Parts Potting mix ( I like ProMix )

1 Part Fine Orchid Bark

1 Part Perlite

1 Scoop Organic Granular ( Measure per package instructions)

This mix is what keeps my Pink Princess happy. Her roots don’t sit in water for a long time and there’s enough air flow for healthy growth.

Best Lighting for Philodendron?

Putting your Philodendron Pink Princess in the right light is key to good growth and variegation. The thought is the more light you give your plant the more variegation your plant will have. So with this theory your best bet is to put your plant in bright indirect light. This plant should not be placed in direct lighting. Direct light is very strong and can burn the leaves of your plant. They also grow very well under grow lights so if you are lacking light in your home grow lights might be the answer!

Trellis or Pole?

You can use either but you’ll eventually need one! This plant will get taller and heavier as it grows and if you don’t provide it with some support it can flop and break.

Climbing plants like the Pink Princess produce aerial roots that can attach to just about any surface so choose a climbing material that is easy for you to maintain but also beneficial to your plant

Propagation

Philos are pretty good about making offsets and/or baby plants all on it’s own. You can separate these baby plants from the parent and plant them into their own pots.

Depending on where you live you won’t likely get your plant to flower, get pollinated and produce seed so most people propagate by division or cuttings.

You can chop your plant to make cuttings and either put them in a moist substrate or water to which your plant will easily root.

Fertilizing

The Philodendron Pink Princess does well with an organic fertilizer. A good fertilizing schedule is the weekly weakly, which means you fertilize weekly with a very watered down dose of fertilizer. It’s a good way keep your plants fed and healthy all year round.

Humidity

Like many Philodendrons the Pink Princess is tolerant of regular house humidity. If you provide extra humidity your plant will be happier however your plant may grow just as well without the added moisture. What’s most important is keeping your plant properly watered.

Philodendron Pink Princess Tips and Tricks

If your plant is struggling and you are unsure of why here is my goto checklist:

Is there a pest issue? Pest can literally suck the life out of your plants so that is the first thing you should check for. To treat any pest issue you will need to do research and buy or make the right product for the right pest. Pest treatments if not followed correctly can actually harm and cause more stress to your plant and some may even be harmful to you or your pets if used incorrectly.

Has your plant been watered recently? Philodendron are pretty forgiving when it comes to not being watered regularly but If it has been too long your plant will wither and droop.

Is your plant Root Bound? Your plant is root bound when you pull it out of the pot and all you can see are roots wrapped in the shape of the pot. Plants can tolerate being root bound for a little bit but it does slow down growth and vigour. When your plant is root bound the soil that’s left dries up quickly so you’ll notice that your needed to water it more often. Before you repot your plant into fresh soil try to unravel the root ball to allow those roots to grow into the fresh soil.

Is there too little or too much light? Lack of light can cause stress to your plant and too much light can cause stress to your plant. If your unsure move your plant into different lighting situations to see where it’s happiest.

The Philodendron Pink Princess is a pretty easy going, gorgeous houseplant to have in your collection and if your a lover of pink than this plant is for you!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to Grow Aglaonema as Houseplants

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Aglaonema make easy going gorgeous houseplants. They are regarded as good luck plants in Asian culture which says a lot about them. As tropical plants they are not tolerant of cold weather and do very well as houseplants. There are many different varieties of of Aglaonemas to choose from and they are all so gorgeous. Here’s how to grow this beautiful plant.

close up shot of aglaonema leaves

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

Light

Aglaonemas grow do best in medium light and low light conditions. So place this plant within a few feet of a window. Some direct light is ok but be careful of the intensity of the light. The Aglaonema with white variegation will need more light and Aglaonemas with mostly dark foliage do well in lower light. If your home lacks light you can add grow lights. Grow lights are so helpful on darker winter days or in that dark corner of the house that desperately needs a plant.

Water

These plants are so tolerant of irregular watering. What works really well is waiting to water until the soil is dry about half way down. Aglaonema have decently thick stems that can store some water allowing them do dry out longer.

In the winter months your plant may need less water depending on how dry your home is and if the plant has gone dormant. Our winters are cold and dry so I base my watering on how dry the soil is as opposed to how long its been since I watered it last.

Aglaonema
Aglaonema

For winter houseplant care tips read this!

Humidity

Aglaonemas do great in normal home humidity. Adding a humidifier wouldn’t hurt especially if your home is dry. You’ll notice changes in your plants when you provide more humidity. Such as more growth and potentially bigger foliage.

Aglaonema
Aglaonema

Soil

Plant your Aglaonema in a good well draining mix. They enjoy moist but not wet soil so make sure your soil mix has perlite, orchid bark or some other medium to help with drainage.

Fertilizing

This Plant loves to be fed during the growing season and isn’t particular about what fertilizer you use. Organic fertilizer tend to be my go to for all plants with my favorite being fish emulsion. Fertilize weekly during the growing season and give an extremely diluted amount during winter.

Extras

The Aglaonema is an amazing houseplant. It can grow very large if you provide the proper care. Be sure to provide this plant a prime location in your home because it’s a showstopper!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to grow the Homalomena Plant

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Homalomena are regaled for their easy going nature. They ask for little and give a lot in gorgeous foliage a self heading nature and it even blooms regularly. This is a great plant for beginners and plant lovers of all levels. They are tolerant of low light and are very forgiving when neglected.

There are at least 122 different types of Homalomena to choose from so there’s one or two for everyone! Let’s dive into how to take care of these gorgeous plants.

Homalomena Red stems

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

Light

The Homalomena does best in Medium light but can handle low light. So place this plant within a few feet of a window. Some direct light is ok but be careful of the intensity of the light. If your home lacks light you can add grow lights. Grow lights are so helpful during winter and in those darker areas of your home.

Darker foliage tends to be ok with lower light conditions while variegated plants will need more light.

Pot

Any type of pot will do but you want to make sure that it has a drainage hole. Plants do not like to have their roots sitting in wet soil. Wet soil prevents the roots from getting oxygen and it’s also a breeding ground for bacteria causing root rot.

Homalomena selby

Water

It’s a good habit to check your houseplants weekly to see if they need water during the spring and summer. If the soil looks dry, dig around to see if its dry an inch or two down. If it is, you can give it some water. Water your plant until the soil is fully saturated. The Homalomena are very forgiving should you forget to water them.

In the winter months your plant may need less water depending on how dry your home is and if the plant has gone dormant. Our winters are cold and dry so I base my watering on how dry the soil is as opposed to how long its been since I watered it last.

Humidity

Homalomena are tropical plants however normal home humidity seems to work just fine for the Homalomena and many other houseplants but adding in extra humidity doesn’t hurt especially if your home is dry. You’ll notice changes in your plants when you provide more humidity in your home. Such as more growth and potentially bigger foliage.

Homalomena

Soil

Make your Homalomena a well draining soil mix. Take a bag of potting soil and combine it with Orchid Bark and Perlite. That will give you the perfect well draining mix that will keep your plant happy.

Fertilizing

This Plant loves to be fed during the growing season and isn’t particular about what fertilizer you use. Organic fertilizer tend to be my go to for all plants with my favorite being fish emulsion. Fertilize weekly during the growing season and give an extremely diluted amount during winter.

Flowers

The flowers of the Homalomena are thought of a insignificant and I agree. They are pretty but not as pretty as other plants.

homalomena

The Homalomena is a super easy houseplant to grow. They add beauty and structure to the home so be sure to provide this plant a prime location in your home because it’s a showstopper!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to grow the Begonia Maculata

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The Begonia Maculata otherwise known as the polka dot plant or angel wing is a gorgeous begonia. It’s growth is similar to a bamboo cane which is how it also gets the name cane begonia. So how do you grow this begonia of many names? Pretty easily actually. Keep reading to learn how.

begonia maculata

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

Light

The begonia Maculata does well in bright indirect light. So place this plant within a few feet of a window. Some direct light is ok but be careful of the intensity of the light. Meaning and east facing window is going to have less intense direct sun while a west facing window will be stronger light. If your home lacks light you can add grow lights. Grow lights are so helpful on darker days or in that dark areas of the house that needs a plant.

This plant will also do well in a lower light area as well just be sure the plant is getting some light throughout the day. In lower light this plant can become very leggy and loose foliage so just be careful keeping this plant in low light for long periods of time.

Water

It’s a good habit to check your begonia weekly to see if it needs water during the spring and summer. If the soil looks dry, dig around to see if its dry an inch or two down. If it is, you can give it some water. This Plant stores water in its canes so it is very forgiving should you forget to water or want to go longer between waterings like during winter.

In the winter months your plant may need less water depending on how dry your home is and if the plant has gone dormant.

For winter houseplant care tips read this!

begonia maculata houseplant
Photo by Diem Nguyen on Pexels.com

Humidity

Normal home humidity seems to work just fine but adding in extra humidity doesn’t hurt especially if your home is dry. You’ll notice changes in your plants when you provide more humidity in your home. Such as more growth and potentially bigger foliage. With a lack of humidity you may notice crispy leaves.

Soil

The Begonia Maculata loves a well draining soil mix. Take a bag of potting soil and combine it with Orchid Bark and Perlite. That will give you the perfect well draining mix that will keep your Begonia happy.

Fertilizing

Fertilize during the growing season which is spring through fall. Organic fertilizers tend to be my go to for all plants with my favorite being fish emulsion. Fertilize weekly during the growing season and give an extremely diluted amount during winter.

begonia maculata

Extras

Cane begonias are pretty easy to propagate. You can cut and stick stem in soil, water, moss, vermiculite or any other medium you wish to root in. They root pretty readily.

When happy this plant will bloom beautiful clusters of white flowers in spring through summer.

The Begonia Maculata is an amazing houseplant. It can grow very tall with large leaves if you provide the proper care. Be sure to provide this plant a prime location in your home because it’s a showstopper!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

How to Grow a Giant Philodendron Selloum

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The Philodendron Selloum is an easy going philodendron. This plant in the right conditions can get BIG! Though this plant has been reclassified as Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum that is a mouthful to say so we will call this plant Philodendron Selloum for this blog post.

philodendron Selloum

This blog post may contain affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my houseplant habit if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me in the garden. It’s a win for everyone, really.

Light

Philodendron Selloum does best in bright light. So place this plant within a few feet of a window. Some direct light is ok but be careful of the intensity of the light. Meaning and east facing window is going to have less intense direct sun while a west facing window will be stronger light. If your home lacks light you can add grow lights. Grow lights are so helpful on darker winter days and in that dark areas of the house that need a plant.

Water

It’s a good habit to check your Selloum weekly to see if it needs water during the spring and summer. If the soil looks dry, dig around to see if its dry an inch or two down. If it is, you can give it some water. This Philodendron is also very forgiving should you forget to water or want to go longer between waterings like during winter.

In the winter months your plant may need less water depending on how dry your home is and if the plant has gone dormant. Our winters are cold and dry so I base my watering on how dry the soil is as opposed to how long its been since I watered it last.

For winter houseplant care tips read this!

Philodendron Selloum

Humidity

Normal home humidity seems to work just fine for the Philodendron Selloum and many other philodendrons but adding in extra humidity doesn’t hurt especially if your home is dry. You’ll notice changes in your plants when you provide more humidity in your home. Such as more growth and potentially bigger foliage.

Soil

Philodendrons love a well draining soil mix. Take a bag of potting soil and combine it with Orchid Bark and Perlite. That will give you the perfect well draining mix that will keep your Selloum happy.

Fertilizing

This Plant loves to be fed during the growing season and isn’t particular about what fertilizer you use. Organic fertilizer tend to be my go to for all plants with my favorite being fish emulsion. Fertilize weekly during the growing season and give an extremely diluted amount during winter.

Philodendron Selloum aerial roots

Extras

The Selloum produces aerial roots. The aerial roots can be tucked into the soil or left to cascade across the floor. They can also be cut off if not found aesthetically pleasing or used as a way for propagation.

The Philodendron Selloum is an amazing houseplant. It can grow very large if you provide the proper care. Be sure to provide this plant a prime location in your home because it’s a showstopper!

Happy Gardening

Ciearra

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