the genus pachyphytum belongs to the crassulaceae family. the moon stones (pachyphytum oviferum) are native to mexiko. its orange to red flowers are shown in spring.

care

pachyphytum oviferum does best on a sunny location. but it also grows on a bright to light shaded place. during summer it can be placed on the balcony or in the garden. but make sure that rainwater can easily run out of the pot because sitting in water will cause rotten roots.

a standard cactus soil or a mix between humus, sand and gritty (2:1:1) can be used. if the plant is in active growth (spring to fall) it can be deep watered. whats running out of the pot’s hole must be removed after a few minutes. before adding water next allow to dry.

the moon stones can be fed monthly with a half diluted cactus fertilzer if they are in active growth. recently bought or repotted plants don’t need to be fertilized for the first six to eight weeks.

for showing its inflorescence in spring, a cold winter location may be helpful. pachyphytum oviferum can be placed at 5-10 °c (41-50 °f). at this temperature range it has to be kept nearly dry, a fertilizer must not be given. if placed at room temperature during winter, give it as much light as you can.

propagation

moon stones can be propagated by seeds, leaf or stem cuttings.

the propeller plant (crassula falcata) is an easy to care for succulent, native to south africa. it’s flowering from orange to red.

care

crassula falcata likes a sunny place but also does good on a bright or light shaded location. during summer it can be placed in the garden but make sure that rainwater can easily run out of the pot’s hole. if the temperature is falling under 10 °c (50 °f) constantly give it back into the house.

it can be planted in a mix between humus and sand (2:1) or in standart cactus soil. it needs to be good watered, what runs out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. allow to dry before adding water next. overwatering can cause rotten roots.

it can be fed with a half diluted cactus fertilizer monthly in spring/summer.

for flowering in spring the propeller plant should be placed at 10-15 °c (50-59 °f). it now has to be kept nearly dry, a fertilizer must not be given.

propagation

the propeller plant (crassula falcata) can be propagated by seeds, stem or leaf cuttings.

crassula cv. “morgan’s beauty”

crassula “morgan’s beauty is a hybrid between c. falcata and c. mesembryanthemopsis.

the sword fern (nephrolepis exaltata), aka boston fern or fishbone fern is a very popular houseplant. there are cultivars with variegated or ruffled leaves available. it’s suitable for a hanging basket.

care

the sword fern (neprholepis exaltata) does good from bright indirect light to partial shade. some morning and/or evening sun is ok.

it can be planted in a regular potting soil or a mix between humus, gritty and sand (2:1:1). keep it evenly moist but not wet. the sword fern is more drought tolerant than other ferns so it’s no problem if the soil’s surface is drying between the waterings. but it shouldn’t completely dry out.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six/eight weeks during fall/winter (if placed at room temperature).

the sword fern can be wintered at +/-10 °c (50 °f). now it needs less watering (but no completely dry out) and must not be fed.

propagation

nephrolepis exaltata can be propagated by division.

the button fern (pellaea rotundifolia) is native to the temperate forests of new zealand. it’s also known under the common name roundleaf fern.

care

pellaea rotundifolia likes a bright place with a bit morning and/or eving sun but is also doing good if located light shaded.

a regular potting mix can be used. this has to be kept evenly moist but not wet. avoid overwatering such as completely drying out.

a water soluble fertilizer diluted by half can be given monthly during spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. if placed colder at this time there is no need to feed.

the button fern shouldn’t be placed to warm (+/-24 °c/75 °f) during summer but can be wintered at 10-15 °c (50-59 °f). it likes to be sprayed over with water regularly.

propagation

the button fern can be propagated by dividing its rhizom.

the genus scindapsus contains approx. 20 members, native to southeast asia. the climbing plants are suitable for growing in a hanging basket or training up a wall. from scindapsus pictus, known as satin pothos or silk pothos are different cultivars available.

care

the satin pothos does best on a bright to light shaded place without direct sunlight. some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. if placed to dark the leaves can loose their variegation.

scindapsus pictus can be planted in a good regular mix. keep it moist but not wet and avoid overwatering such as drying out. drying at the surface will be tolerated.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks during fall/winter. if placed colder at this time it needs less watering (but not drying out) and a fertilizer must not be given. there is also no need to feed for the first six to eight weeks if you have recently re-potted.

the satin photos likes room temperature throuhgout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c (59 °f). it loves to be sprayed over with water from time to time.

propagation

scindapsus pictus can easily be propagated with cuttings.

on first sight you wouldn’t consider this houseplant to be a member of the genus dracaena. not only of the oval shaped leaves, with splotches of cream and green. because its stems ar looking a bit like a bamboo. dracaena surculosa is sometimes called gold dust dracaena or spotted dracaena. there are different cultivars available with spotted or striped leaves.

care

the gold dust dracaena likes to be placed bright without direct sun. a light shaded place will be tolerated. a too dark or a sunny place can cause leaf drop.

it can pe potted in a good regular mix. the soil should be kept evenly moist, its surface can dry between the waterings. avoid overwatering such as complete dry out.

a water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly during spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. use the half of the by the manufacturer indicated concentration. after re-potting there is no need to feed for the first six to eight weeks. the same applies for recently purchased plants.

dracaena surculosa likes to be placed at room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c (59 °f). if placed a bit colder at this time there is no need to fertilize. spraying it over with water keeps its leaves free from dust.

propagation

the gold dust dracaena can be propagated by cuttings.

rhipsalis elliptica is an epiphytic cactus (“growing on trees”), native to brazil. its producing oblong to elliptic, flat and broad joints. more info about the care and propagation of rhipsalis cacti you can find here.

the genus asplenium contains about 700 species and some of thema are called bird’s nest fern. the most famous species asplenium nidus is a very popular houseplant. it can produce leaves up to 1 m in length.

care

the bird’s nest fern can be placed from bright to full shade, without direct sunlight. but it’s doing best in bright to light shade.

asplenium nidus can be planted in a good regular potting soil or a mix between humus, gritty and some sand (3:1:1).

keep the soil evenly moist but not wet, sitting in water can cause root rot. also avoid a complete dry out.

a half concentrated water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly.

the bird’s nest fern likes it warm throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c (59 °f). it loves to be sprayed over with water regularly. to keep its leaves free from dust, a weekly shower can be given.

the laeves and stems of calathea rufibarba are covered with tiny hairs. this is why it’s sometimes called furry feather calathea. the genus calathea belongs to the marantaceae family and their members are folding up its leaves during the night.

care

a bright to light shade place without direct sun is welcome. some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated.

the furry feather calathea can be planted in a good regular potting mix. keep it constantly moist and avoid overwatering such as drying out. sitting in water can cause root rot.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks during fall/winter. there is no need to feed for the first six to eight weeks if you have recently re-potted.

calathea rufibarba likes it warm with a minimum of 15 °c (59 °f) in fall/winter. spraying it over with water increases humidity and keeps its leaves free from dust.

propagation

the furry feather calathea can be propagated by division.

what differs sansevieria concinna from the other snake plants are its spoon shaped leaves. it’s available in different sizes and also as variegated cultivar (very hard to get).

care

sansevieria concinna does good on a bright to light shaded place with indirect sunlight. if protected from afternoon sun it can be placed outside during summer. but give it back inside if the temperature is falling under 15 °c (59 °f) constantly.

a good drained soil is welcome, you can use a standart cactus mix or a mix with some humus, sand and gritty.

it likes to be good watered and the soil should dry out before watering next. wet legs can cause root rot.

sansevieria concinna can be fed with a half concentrated cactus fertilizer. monthly during spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter (if placed at room temperature).

it needs a winter minimum of 15 °c (59 °f). if placed at this temperature keep nearly dry and don’t feed.

pragation

sansevieria concinna can be propagated by division and with leaf cuttings.