Herself's Houseplants

I haven’t tried growing this one myself. While researching this plant I saw pictures of it growing out doors down south in hot, humid climates, I also saw it sitting in a dusting of snow in mid Atlantic areas. This plant is about as easy to grow as they come.

This plant does not like sunlight. Put it in a dark corner, or several feet away from any windows.

Water only slightly more than you would a cactus plant. When the top 1/2″ to 1″ of soil is dry when you put your finger in the dirt it is time to water. If you see brown marks on the leaves you are over watering the plant.

It can grow to 2′ tall. Flower appear at the base of the plant year round.

There is also a variegated form of the cast iron plant. It’s foliage is often used in cut flower bouquets.

It was so popular in Victorian England it became an object of satire in novels.

See also:
Decorating with house plants

Most plants prefer slightly acidic water. Rain and snow water are more acidic than tap water which tends to be basic. If you put a tablespoon of vinegar in a gallon of water before watering your house plants this will make the water less basic. Apple cider vinegar is to be the preferred vinegar for this.

Some plants are sensitive to the chlorine in tap water. Most will not be bothered and do just fine with tap water. Lucky Bamboo is on of the plants that is very sensitive to chlorine and fluoride in tap water, use bottled or rain water for it.

If you let tap water sit overnight most of the gases trapped in the water will escape.

Water that has been run through a water softener can hurt house plants. Water is softened using salts to which many plants are sensitive. But again, most plants will be fine. Watch yours for yellowing leaves and brown edges especially near the tips if you suspect a problem.

Distilled water contains nothing good or bad for the plants. You’ll want to regularly fertilize your plants if you use distilled water.

* Do not fertilize carnivorous plants.

Cold water should not be used on tropical plants, especially not on African Violets.

And if your plants are getting too many salts from your tap water, the tips will turn brown.  Usually replanting in fresh soil fixes this.

When you water a plant, water heavy enough so that the water runs through and out the bottom of the planter, let it drain, then place it back in its drip pan.

It is hard to imagine Easter with out Easter lilies.

To keep the lilies from staining, take and just pinch off the end of the stamen where you see the yellow dust. The yellow dust is the pollen and that is what leaves stains.

If you received your lilies in a pot of soil then after Easter take your lilies out side to plant. They will die back in the winter. But they will reappear mid to late spring the following year. They will bloom for you in the middle to late summer. Plant them in a sunny location for best results.

Easter lilies are highly toxic to cats and likely other household pets.

Thanks for the photo!

Clas Bergvall did his PhD dissertation on the subject of what house plants do for people.

He discovered:
- Americans spend ~$147 on house plants each year
- Plant filled rooms contain 60% fewer airborne molds and bacteria
- Poinsettia is the favorite indoor flowering plant
- Best plants for decontaminating the air and balancing humidity are: Areca, Reed and Dwarf date palms, Boston ferns, English ivy and Peace Lilies.

But most important is that house plants bring us closer to nature.

More Information:
Indoor plants can reduce formaldehyde levels
Study Documents the Power of Indoor Plants