Growing Houseplants. Why grow houseplants? To enhance room decor –Fill in gaps –Brighten an area...

Growing Houseplants

Why grow houseplants?

• To enhance room decor– Fill in gaps– Brighten an area (empty wall space,

unused fireplace, stairwell, corner)– Soften sharp edges– Create separate areas in a room

Grouping plants

Garden rooms

Why grow houseplants?

• Fragrance• Direct traffic• Improve indoor air quality

Choosing houseplants

• How is the plant to be displayed?– Location, duration

• How much time and skill is involved?• How much will it cost?• What size and shape of plant?• What will be the growing conditions?

– Light, temperature, humidity

Types of houseplants

• Foliage plants– Trees– Climbing plants

• Flowering plants– Flowering houseplants– Flowering pot plants

(temporary)• Cacti & succulents

Foliage plants - trees

• Dracaenas

Foliage plants -trees

Yucca Norfolk Island Pine Rubber tree

Foliage plants - Trees

• Ficus

Foliage plants

• Philodendrons

Foliage plants

• Caladiums Sanseveria

Foliage vines

• Philodendron, ivy, zebrina

Small foliage plants

• Rex begonia

Small foliage plants

• Maranthas

Foliage plants - ferns

Flowering houseplants

• African violetsCyclamens

Flowering houseplants

• Bromeliads

Flowering houseplants

• Spathiphyllum

Flowering pot plants

• Gloxinia• Exacum• Azalea• Gardenia

Flowering pot plants

Flowering pot plants

• Hydrangea Poinsettia

Cacti

Succulents

• Jade plant• Kalanchoe• Sanseveria

Houseplants and light

Houseplants and light

Diagnosing light problems

Diagnosing light problems

Light and phototropism

Light intensity

• link

Light and flowering

Artificial light quality

Artificial light

Changing light

• Shade to sun – acclimatize first• Sunny to shade – foliage plants will

survive, but not flourish– Flowering plant – fewer blooms

Watering houseplants

• Different plants have different water requirements– Watering frequency and amount varies

with growth phase

• Environment influences watering– Container size, composition, media type– Room conditions (temperature, humidity)

Houseplants and water

• Detecting soil moisture

Diagnosing water problems

Diagnosing water problems

Methods of watering

• Top watering• Bottom watering• Immersion• Wick watering

Watering problems

Diagnosing humidity problems

Diagnosing humidity problems

Providing humidity

• Location• Groupings• Misting• Pebble tray

Plants and temperature

• Avoid drafts– Vents, poorly sealed windows– Keep inside curtains during winter

• Avoid sources of heat (stove, refrig.)

• Humidity is influenced by temperature

Displaying principles

• Containers• Lighting• Colors – background, plant• Grouping plants• Plant supports and stands

Containers

Antiques as planters

Shopping for plant containers

• Furniture stores• Garden centers• Home improvement

stores• Department stores• Discount stores• Online

– Plantcontainers.com– Mailorder companies

Displaying houseplants

• Double potting

Hanging baskets

Lighting

Colors

Grouping plants

Bottle garden

Terrariums

Making a terrarium

Plant supports and stands

Totems

Displaying bromeliads

Caring for houseplants

• Fertilization• Cleaning/grooming• Repotting

Fertilization

Fertilization

• Type of plant• Timing of fertilization

– Some plants have “active” growing season– Most plants grow very little during winter

• Type of fertilizer– Slow-release, liquid, soluble powder

• Frequency of fertilization– Type of plant, type of fertilizer

Cleaning/grooming houseplants

• Remove dead leaves• Deadhead spent blooms• Pinching (shape)• Cleaning

– Wiping– Brushing– Sponging– Immersing

Repotting

• Violets• Orchids

Potting mixes

Pest problems

Aphids

Mealy bugs

Scale

Spider mites

White flies

Thrips

Fungus gnats

• Fungus gnat remedy

Pest control

• Soap sprays• Systemic insecticides• Yellow sticky cards

Specialty houseplants

• Orchids• American orchid society

Specialty houseplants

• Bonsai

Propagating houseplants

• Cuttings (stem, leaf)• Division• Layering (air layering, simple

layering)• Seeds/spores

Buying houseplants• Poisonous houseplants

The End

• Final exam • All plants propagated in lab are

yours

Did you learn…?

• How to grow a plant outdoors• How to grow a plant indoors• How to propagate plants• Growing plants can be an

enjoyable hobby• Growing plants can be valuable