[theplanthouse]

6/29/17: Codiaeum variegatum or Garden Croton; a flowering plant species native to “Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and the western Pacific Ocean islands”, with separate male and female inflorescences (groups of flowers) on the one plant. Known and popular for it’s unique, brightly colored leaves which come in several differing cultivars. It is a member of the Euphorbiaceae family (which I found to be interesting - most of the Euphorbes I cared for working in a greenhouse were not similar to this! But plants are immensely diverse!). This species prefers tropical climates, so it won’t survive in temperatures below 55*F or 13*C. This also means it needs to be kept more moist and watered in humid/hot environments or during the summer, while cutting back to watering 2 or 3 times a week during the winter or in a cooler environment.

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

5/15/17: Hedera helix or English Ivy; flowering “vine” plant species, it can grow vertically as a vine or horizontally as ground cover. Very common sight in most gardens, and is considered to be an invasive species in a lot of places. Prefers moist shady area, no direct sunlight. Native to Europe and western Asia.

-Jess ~I apologise for the literal months I have been gone, my last semester was really difficult and I got really busy trying to pass. But I’m finished now and hopefully getting back on track~

[theplanthouse]

is my cactus ok? that side looks kinda bad

Moon cacti (grafts of a colourful, chlorophyll-lacking cultivar of Gymnocalycium mihanovichii onto a Hylocereus stem) rarely last very long, I’m afraid. It’s not worth attempting to re-graft the top part at this point, so that’s a goner, but the stem will branch and grow into a large trailing plant.  Hylocereus is of interest because it’s where dragon fruit comes from, but getting it to flower indoors can be tricky, as it prefers humid conditions. But they are fast-growing, so useful if you want a lot of trailing foliage.  If you want to keep the stem growing, cut below the graft with a clean, sharp knife, and allow it to callous over. I also recommend repotting into a better-draining soil mix. Hylocereus likes a little more moisture and nutrients than desert cactus species, but still needs very good drainage, so incorporate plenty of grit. pumice or perlite into the mix.  Best of luck!

[theplanthouse]

3/20/17: Stachytarpheta frantzii, or Purple porterweed; a flowering plant species that actually flowers all year long, becomes a fairly large plant as it growths, very popular in butterfly gardens because if it’s nectar quality and the year round blooming! Native to Florida, USA and so loves tropical temperatures and regular watering.

[theplanthouse]

2/25/17: Impatiens repens, or Canary yellow impatiens/Ceylon balsam; A flowering plant species which can be classified as a low growing/creeping tropical herb; Is native to Sri Lanka, specifically found in the more wet-land rain forest areas. Known for being a good medicine for epilepsy, and is unique for the shape of it’s flowers, and red stem!

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

2/10/17: Hoya lanceolata, “waxflower”; flowering tropical plant species nicknamed waxflower for its unique flowers! Great hanging or “creeping” plant~

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

1/13/16: Echeveria runyonii or “Topsy-turvy”; a flowering plant species in the Crassulaceae (sedum) family, native to Mexico, known for its unique looking leaves! I also found the actual terms used to describe the shape of the leaves interesting as I haven’t heard them before (except for oblong) - “Leaves are spatulate-cuneate to oblong-spatulate, truncate to acuminate, and mucronate.”

- Jessica

*Note: I apologize, as these photos aren’t mine, I was not able to get a photo of one from my friend, usually I do try to take my own pictures*

[theplanthouse]

12/28/16: Tabernaemontana divaricata, or Crape Jasmine/Pinwheelflower; flowering plant species classified as a shrub, most likely native to India, known for the flowers’ unique pinwheel shape, and for the plant being a bit medicinal as well. Generally prefers warm/tropical temperatures.

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

my bf’s baby sedum that i suspect is too overwatered, what do u think?

It looks healthy to me at the moment. Just make sure it gets plenty of light and is allowed to dry out thoroughly between watering.  Happy New Year! 

[theplanthouse]

12/24/16: Cymbidium pipeta; beautiful hybrid flowering species of orchid, first hybridized in Ireland, can be grown in cooler temperatures but prefers tropical ones. Watering is regular, however do take caution to not over water it.

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

Can you please help me identify this? They grow next to the stream in the mountains of South Carolina!

Lovely photos of Diphasiastrum digitatum. :)

[theplanthouse]

I have a young staghorn fern (potted in soil) and it has a mealybug problem. I removed all the bugs from the leaves but it still has a lot in the soil. Should I repot it? I don't know what type of soil it's in so I'm nervous about repotting it

Personally I would repot it, and those ferns are epiphytes so definetly just any well draining soil mix – something like “a little mound of peat, compost or other organic matter piled up under the plant” or even orchid mix would work to! If you’re still a bit nervous, maybe take a picture of your soil and bring it to your local garden store and ask them to?

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

12/14/16: Selaginella willdenowii or “Peacock fern”; plant species that is a type of “spikemoss fern” and is considered a fern ally, not a true fern, meaning it has characteristics like that of a true fern, but it is not technically classified as such. This species is unique in that it has iridescent blue leaves! The iridescence is apparently caused by something called “thin-film interference” produced by a thin layer of cells part of the cuticle layer, above the epidermis (the outer “skin” of the plant). The theory behind this adaptation is that is helped reduce light intensity from the sun! 

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

12/7/16: Tradescantia variegata; beautiful variety of “creeping” plant and thus is a very common for decorative ground cover. It can produce roots at any of its nodes, and requires moderate light, soil and water (well-draining soil, allowing soil to dry out before watering, etc).

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

11/17/16: Oxalis triangularis, or, “Purple Oxalis”/”Purple Shamrock”: A flowering plant species native to Brazil, a very popular houseplant for it’s unique and beautiful look. Can be classified as a “woodsorrel” which is a term used to describe plants that have “an acidic taste reminiscent of the unrelated sorrel proper”, which is a perennial herb! Care is pretty standard; regular “good drainage” potting soil, allow for the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings, bright/direct sunlight. **However, they do not prefer warmer temperatures! Around 60 degrees F is their preferred temperature, and will not be as happy in temperatures around or exceeding 80 degrees F! They won’t necessarily die at 80 degrees though, they just won’t be at their happiest.**

-Jessica

[theplanthouse]

could you id this big guy please?

Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa). It’ll get more holes in the leaves as it matures. :) This species is one of my favourite tropical houseplants, and yours looks very healthy!

[theplanthouse]

11/6/16: Clivia miniata, “natal lily”; a flowering plant species native to “woodland habitats” in South Africa and Swaziland, normally grown as a houseplant as it cannot survive in temperatures below 50 degrees fahrenheit. It prefers to be kept dryer when it comes to watering, so well draining soil is best. Usually blooms in the winter/early spring. Digesting any part of the plant in a large quantity can be toxic.

-Jessica