the genus aglaonema belongs to the araceae family and contains about 40 species. some of them are popular houseplants or used as office plants because they tolerate some poor conditions. but if you like to have a healthy and beauitful plant, give it some care. they are native to the tropical asia.

the chinese evergreen (aglaonema crispum) is available in a lot of varieties with silver or light green variegated leaves.

care

aglaonema crispum is tolerating low light but does best if located bright without direct sun. the variegated cultivars will need low to moderate light otherwise they can produce solid green leaves.

the chinese evergreen can be grown in a good regular potting mix. keep it constantly moist but not wet, sitting in water can cause rot. a moderate drying between the waterings is ok, but the soil shouldn’t dry completely.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. new bought or recently repotted plants don’t need to be fed for the first six to eight weeks.

aglaonema crispum likes it warm (20-25 °c/68-77 °f) and needs a winter minimum of 14 °c/57 °c.

a high humidty is welcome but not needed. spraying it over with water keeps its leaves free from dust.

propagation

aglaonema crispum can be propagated with cuttings or by division.

the red edge peperomia (peperomia clusiifolia) is native to jamaica. there are some cultivars with red bordered leaves available.

care

peperomia clusiifolia can be located from bright (if protected from afternoon sun) to light shaded positions. some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. for showing its colorful fooliage the variegated cultivars need to be placed in bright light. otherwise the leaves will become green.

a good regular potting mix can be used. keep it evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause root rot. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings will be tolerated.

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

peperomia clusiifolia likes room temperature the year round, with a winter minimum of approx. 15 °c/59 °f. at this temperature range, watering can be reduced and there is no need to feed.

spraying it over with water from time to time increases humidity and keeps its leaves free from dust.

propagation

the red edge peperomia can be propagated with cuttings.

the native to brazil calathea crocata is commonly known as eternal flame. its puckered ribbed leaves have maroon undersides, the flowers are orange/yellow. during the night it closes up the leaves.

care

the eternal flame (calathea crocata) can be placed from bright to light shaded without afternoon sun (to avoid leaf burn). some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated.

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

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

spraying calathea crocata over with water regularly increases humidity and keeps its leaves dust free.

it likes room temperature round the year and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

for blooming some weeks of total darkness for 12-14 hours every day can be helpful.

propagation

calathea crocata can be propagated by division.

peperomia magnoliifolia is commonly known as spoonleaf peperomia. there are cultivars with yellow/red edges (cv. “tricolor”) or creme variegated leaves (cv. “green & gold”) available.

care

peperomia magnoliifolia is doing best if located bright without afternoon sun. some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. but it can also be grown on a light shaded position. for producing its colorful fooliage the variegated cultivars need to be placed in bright light. otherwise they are showing green leaves.

a good regular potting mix can be used. keep it evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause root rot. the drying of the soil’s surface between the waterings will be tolerated.

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

the spoon leaf peperomia likes room temperature the year round, with a winter minimum of approx. 15 °c/59 °f. at this temperature range, watering can be reduced and there is no need to feed.

a high humidity is welcome. spraying it over with water from time to time keeps its leaves free from dust.

peperomia magnoliifolia “variegata”

propagation

peperomia magnoliifolia can be propagated with cuttings.

calathea warscewiczii is native to central america (panama, el salvador) and can get up to more than 1 m/3 feet tall. its leaves are velvety and dark green with bright green veins and a purple to maroon colored underside.

care

calathea warscewiczii is suitable for bright to light shaded places with some morning and/or evening sun. afternoon sun can burn its leaves.

it can be grown in a good regualr potting mix which has to be kept evenly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause irreversible root damage. the drying of the soil’s surface will be tolerated, but it shouldn’t dry completely.

a water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. recently repotted or bought plants don’t need to be fed for the first six to eight weeks.

a high humidity is welcome, spraying calathea warscewiczii over with water keeps its leaves free from dust.

it likes room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

propagation

calathea warscewiczii can be propagated by division.

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.

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.