euphorbia pulcherrima is commonly known as poinsettia or christmas star and is a very popular houseplant especially around christmas time. its surrounded by colored top leaves (bracts) flowers are small and yellow. there are a lot of cultivars available, with red, white, yellow and even green bracts.

care

the poinsettia does best if located bright without afternoon sun. a light shaded place such as some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. during summer it can be given to a draft protected place in the garden.

it can be grown in a good regular potting soil which can be mixed with some sand (3:1). keep it constantly moist but not wet, water flowing out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. wet legs can cause irreversible root damage. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings is ok but it shouldn’t dry completely.

a water soluble fertilizer at half strength can be given every two weeks in spring and summer and monthly during fall/winter.

euphorbia pulcherrima likes room temperature the year round with a winter minimum of 14 °c/57 °f. after flowering it can be cutted back. this will produce a more bushier plant.

for blooming around the holidays, the poinsettia needs six to eight weeks of total darkness for 12-14 hours every day, starting around september.

propagation

the poinsettia can easily be propagated with cuttings.

the native to mexico tradescantia zebrina is commonly known as wandering jew or inch plant. the easy to care for houseplant is available in different cultivars, with white, cream or purple variegated leaves. it’s suitable for hanging pots.

care

tradescantia zebrina does best if located bright but protected from afternoon sun during summer. some morning and/or evening sun is fine.

it can be grown in a standard potting mix which has to be kept evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause rot. the drying of the soil’s surface is ok. if the leaves start to loose color it’s time to water.

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

tradescantia zebrina can be grown at room temperature throughout the year but also can be placed between 15-18 °c/59-64 °f in wintertime. at this temperature range it needs to be less watered, a fertilizer must not be given. but even now, the soil shouldn’t dry completely.

propagation

propagation of tradescantia zebrina is easy and can be done with cuttings.

the native to central and south america callisia repens is known under a lot of common names, like bolivian jew, turtle vine, itsy bitsy inch vine or baby’s tears. it’s suitable for a hanging basekt.

care

callisia repens likes a bright position with some morning and/or evening sun throughout the year. during summer it should be protected from afternoon sun.

it can be grown in a good regular potting mix. keep it constantly moist but not wet, because sitting in water can cause rotten roots. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings will be tolerated, but it shouldn’t dry completely.

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

callisia repens can be grown at room temperature the year round but also can be placed between 15-18 °c/59-64 °f in wintertime. at this temperature it needs to be less watered, a fertilizer must not be given. but even now, the complete drying of the soil must be avoided.

propagation

callisia repens can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.

peperomia rubella is native to jamaica and can be grown in a hanging basket.

care

peperomia rubella does best on a bright position protected from afternoon sun. some morning and/or evening sun is ok. it can also be grown on a light shaded place.

a good regular potting mix can be used. it has to kept evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water may cause rotten roots. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings will be tolerated, but it shouldn’t dry completely.

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

peperomia rubella likes room temperature throughout they year and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f. at this temperature range watering can be reduced, a fertilizer must not be given.

a high humidity is welcome.

propagation

peperomia rubella can be propagated with cuttings.

faucaria tuberculosa is commonly known as tiger jaws or sometimes pebbled tiger jaws. the south african native succulent is belonging to the aizoaceae family. its yellow flowers are opened at afternoon and closed during night time.

care

the tiger jaws likes a bright and sunny position throughout the year. but it’s also growing on a light shaded place.

the soil should be well drained with some sand and grit. i’m using a mix of loam free garden soil, sand and pumice (2:1:1). regular cactus mixes can contain too much humus, then some sand and grit should be added.

from spring to fall, the soil can be drenched well. water running out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. before adding water next allow to dry. at this time a half diluted cactus fertilizer can be given monthly. repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first eight weeks.

faucaria tuberculosa can be cultivated at room temperature throughout the year and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f. at this temperature range it has to be kept nearly dry and must not be fed.

propagation

the tiger jaws (faucaria tuberculosa) can be propagated with seeds, cuttings or by division.

vriesea carinata is commonly known as lobster claw or painted feather. this bromeliad has branching flower spikes. there are a lot of varieties available, in a range of colours from yellow to orange, red, violett or pink.

care

the lobster claw (vriesea carinata) is suitable for bright to light shaded places with some morning and/or evening sun.

there are special mixes for bromeliads available. but it can also be grown in a mix of regular potting soil and orchid bark (1:1) or in pure orchid soil.

keep it constantly moist but not wet, the drying of the soil’s surface will be tolerated, but it shouldn’t d dry completely. sitting in water can cause rotten roots. its reservoir should always contain some water.

in spring and summer a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly and every six to eight weeks in fall and winter.

vriesea carinata welcomes a high humidity and likes to be sprayed over with water regularly. it needs room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

propagation

after flowering the lobster claw produces a new pup. if it has reached approx. 2/3 of the mother plants height it can be cutted of.

brighamia insignis belongs to the campanulaceae family and is endemic to hawaii. this means it’s the only place where it is found. it has a succulent stem with leaves forming a dense rosette at the top. it’s an endangered species, commonly known as hawaiian vulcan palm, älula, olulu or sometimes cabbage on a stick.

care

brighamia insignis does best if located from bright with some morning and/or evening sun to light shaded. if placed outside during summer it should be protected from afternoon sun.

the hawaiin vulcan palm needs a well drained soil. i’m using a mix of loam free garden soil, coarse sand and pumice (2:1:1). but it also grows in a regular cactus mix.

it can be deep watered, what’s flowing out of the pot should be removed after a few minutes. wet legs can cause rotten roots. before adding water next let the soil moderately dry.

a half diluted cactus fertilizer can be given monthly in spring and summer and every six to eight weeks during fall and winter. recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first six to eight weeks.

brighamia insignis has to be cultivated at room temperature the year round and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

a high humidity is welcome and it likes to be sprayed over with water every day. alternatively it can be placed near a humidity tray. this may also protect it from spider mites.

propagation

the hawaiin vulcan palm can be propagated with seeds.

the genus faucaria belongs to the aizoaceae family and contains nine members, of wich the tiger jaws (faucaria tigrina) is the most popular. the yellow blooming succulents are native to south africa. the flowers are opened at afternoon and closed in the night.

care

the tiger jaws does best if located bright and sunny the year round. a light shaded place will be tolerated.

the soil should be well drained with some sand and grit. i’m using a mix of loam free garden soil, sand and pumice (2:1:1). regular cactus mixes can contain too much humus, then it should be mixed with sand and grit.

from spring to fall, faucaria tigrina can be deep watered. what’s running out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. before adding water next allow to dry. at this time a half diluted cactus fertilizer can be given monthly. repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first eight weeks.

faucaria tigrina can be cultivated at room temperature throughout the year and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f. at this temperature range it has to be kept nearly dry, a fertilizer must not be given.

propagation

the tiger jaws can be propagated with seeds, cuttings or by division.

the genus aloe belongs to the asphodelaceae family and contains approx. 400 members. the jewelled aloe (aloe distans) is native to south africa.

care

aloe distans does best if located bright and sunny. if placed outside during summer, make sure that rainwater easily can flow out of the pot. wet legs can cause root rot.

the jewelled aloe needs a well drained soil. a regular cactus mix or a mix between standard potting soil and sand (3:2) can be used.

it can be deep watered, water running out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. before watering next allow to dry.

in spring and summer a half diluted cactus fertilizer can be given monthly and if placed at room temperature in fall/winter every eight weeks.

during winter the jewelled aloe can be placed at 10-15 °c/50-59 °f. at this temperature range it has to be kept nearly dry und must not be fed. a cold period can have an positive impact for producing its flowers. if placed at room temperature, give as much light as you can.

propagation

aloe distans can be propagated by division, cuttings or with seeds.

crassula “springtime” is a cultivar, based on c. rupestris. it’s available with green and silver leaves and flowering in pink.

care

crassula “springtime” likes a bright position with some morning- and/or evening sun. a half shaded place will be tolerated. afternoon sun and high heat in summer can cause leaf drop.

the soil should be well drained. a regular cactus mix or a mix between standard potting soil, coarse sand and grit (2:1:1) can be used.

drench the soil well, water flowing out of the pot’s hole should be removed after a few minutes. wet legs can cause root rot. before watering next allow to dry.

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

crassula “springtime” can be grown at room temperature the year round and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f. at this temperature range it has to be kept nearly dry and must not be fed.

propagation

crassula “springtime” can be propagated with cuttings.