Download Tropicals 9 - MrsLongHorticulture

Tropical Plants 9
Created Summer 2008
PhilodendronTradscantia
BOTANICAL NAME
PHILODENDRON
SCANDENS var.
‘Oxycardium’
PRONUNCIATION
fill - o - DEN - dron
SKAN - denz
oks - ee - CARD - um
COMMON NAME
Parlor Ivy
Heart Leaf Philodendron
Connecting the Scientific Name with the
Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)
Phil is in the parlor
DESCRIPTION
Leaf is heart shape, has
a point
Plant is viney
Easy Growing
Smooth Stems
Water
Keep soil evenly moist
Do not overwater
Fertilizer
Fertilize all year
More heavily in summer
Light
Low
Size and Growth Rate
Moderate growth
Will continue to grow
until cut back
Propagation
Take stem cuttings any
time during the year
Air layer
Additional Information
Vigorous climber
Popular plant that can
hang drape climb or
twine
BOTANICAL NAME
PLECTRANTHUS
AUSTRALIS
PRONUNCIATION
plec - TRAN - thus
aw - STRAY - liss
COMMON NAME
Swedish Ivy
Connecting the Scientific Name with the
Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)
I buy Plexiglas in
Sweden
DESCRIPTION
Thick, waxy, rounded,
bright green leaves with
scalloped margins
Trailing habit
Square stems with
orange sap
Water
Water regularly keeping
soil moist, not soggy
Fertilizer
Fertilize lightly
throughout the growing
season
Light
High
Size and Growth Rate
Slow to Moderate
growth
Trailing to 3’
Propagation
Take cuttings from
stems or shoots that
have recently matured
Roots easily in water
BOTANICAL NAME
SAINTPAULIA
IONANTHA
PRONUNCIATION
Saint - PAUL - ee - ah
eye - oh - NAN - thuh
COMMON NAME
African Violet
Connecting the Scientific Name with the
Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)
Saint Pauli is a place in
Africa
DESCRIPTION
Rosettes of velvety
leaves on short stems
Clusters of flowers in
shades of pink, white,
and purple
Water
Keep evenly moist with
room temperature water
Keep water off of leaves
Fertilizer
Fertilize all year
More heavily in the
summer
Light
Medium
Size and Growth Rate
Moderate growth to 6”
high
Propagation
In spring, take leaf
cuttings or sow seeds
Additional Information
One of the most popular
houseplants
BOTANICAL NAME
SCHEFFLERA
ARBORICOLA
PRONUNCIATION
Schef-LAIR-uh
Ar-bor-ih-KOH-luh
COMMON NAME
Dwarf Schefflera
Connecting the Scientific Name with the
Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)
Schefflera and
Schefflera
DESCRIPTION
Deep green leaves
Umbrella shaped at the
end of the stems
5-6 leaves per stem
Water
Water thoroughly
Allow to approach
dryness before watering
again
Fertilizer
Feed lightly during the
year
Light
High
Size and Growth Rate
Grows vigorously to 1012’ tall and 3-6’ in
diameter
Propagation
Take stem cuttings any
time
Air layer
BOTANICAL NAME
SPATHIPHYLLUM cvs.
PRONUNCIATION
spa - thi - FIL - lum
COMMON NAME
Peace Lily
Connecting the Scientific Name with the
Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)
It is very Peaceful at the
Spa
DESCRIPTION
Large, dark green, shiny
pointed leaves on
slender stalks growing
directly out of the soil
Blooms readily indoors
DESCRIPTION
Flowers are distinct; the
spathe is a pure white
bract that encloses the
true flower, a central
column of tiny, closely
set flowers
Bract
Flower
Water
Keep evenly moist
Fertilizer
Fertilize monthly
Light
Low
Size and Growth Rate
Moderately slow
growing to 2-3’
Propagation
Start new plants by
dividing an old specimen
Seed
Micropropagation
BOTANICAL NAME
TRADESCANTIA
ZEBRINA
PRONUNCIATION
tray- des -KAN- tee - ah
COMMON NAME
Purple Wandering Jew
Connecting the Scientific Name with the
Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)
People used to trade
Jews as slaves
DESCRIPTION
Purple, silver, and green
striped pointed leaves
with purple undersides
on trailing stems
Water
Water when soil feels
dry
Fertilizer
Fertilize every two
weeks from spring to fall
Light
High
Size and Growth Rate
Vigorous and fast
growing to 36” long
Propagation
Stem Cuttings