musa acuminata x zebrina is a dwarf cultivar, based on the bananito (m. acuminata, australia) and the blood banana (m. zebrina, indonesia). the leaves are green with red spotches on the topside.

care

this banana is doing best on a sunny location the year round. a light shaded place will be tolerated, but then it’s growing slower and producing smaller leaves. during summer it can be placed outside untill the temperature is falling below 10 °c/50 °f constantly.

it can be planted in a good regular potting mix. keep it evenly moist but not wet, sitting in water can cause root rott. the drying of the soils surface is ok but it shouldn’t dry in complete.

during summer a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given every two to four and if placed at room temperature in fall and winter every four to six weeks.

the banana can be grown at room temperature the year round, but can also be located at +/-10 °c/50 °f during winter. if placed at this temperature range, it needs less watering and must not be fed.

musa likes to be sprayed over with water from time to time. this keeps its leaves free from dust.

progation

pragation can be done by division or with seeds.

the baby rubber plant (peperomia obtusifolia) is the most common of the more than 1,000 species, belonging to the genus. it’s native to venezuela and there are numerous cultivars, with creamy white to yellow variegated leaves available.

care

the green form of peperomia obtusifolia can be located from partial sun (morning/evening) to light shade. for producing their variegation, the colored cultivars shouldn’t be placed too dark.

it can be grown in a good regular potting mix. which has to be kept evenly moist but not wet. wet legs can cause rotten roots. a short drying period will be tolerated.

in spring and summer the baby rubber plant can be fed monthly with a water soluble fertilizer at half strength. during fall and winter every six to eight weeks, if placed at room temperature.

it likes room temperature throughout the year, with a winter minimum of approx. 15 °c/59 °f. at this temperature range, it needs less water and and must not be fed.

peperomia obtusifolia “usa”

propagation

the baby rubber plant can be propagated with cuttings or seeds.

the genus peperomia contains more than 1,000 members and some of them are popular houseplants because they do not demand a huge amount of care. the emerald ripple peperomia (peperomia caperata) is native to central america. it has dark green, heart shaped leaves. but there are cultivars available with red or pink, green and white splashes on their leaves.

care

the green emarald ripple peperomia can be located from bright (with some morning and/or evening sun) to light shaded. the colored cultivars are doing best on a bright position. if placed too dark, they can loose their color.

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

peperomia caperata can be fed monthly (spring/summer) with a half dulited water soluble fertilizer. if placed at room temperature in fall/winter it can be given every six to eight weeks.

it 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.

p. caperata “schumi red”

propagation

peperomia caperata can be propagated with cuttings or seeds.

the bambusiforme begonia (begonia albo-picta) is native to brazil and available with white, orange or pink flowers. the leaves are white spotted. it can be used as a houseplant or annual and is suitable for a hanging basket.

care

begonia albo-picta does best on a bright location with partial sun (morning/evening). a light shaded place will be tolerated. in summer it can be placed outside, but give it back when temperature is falling below 14 °c/57 °f constantly.

a good regular potting mix can be used. this should be kept moist but not wet. drying at the soil’s surface is ok, but it shouldn’t dry out. overwatering can cause rotten roots.

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

begonia albo-picta likes room temperatur the year round with a minium of 14 °c/57 °f. if placed at this temperature range in winter, it needs less watering and no fertilizer.

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

propagation

begonia albo-picta can be propageted by seeds, leaf or stem cuttings.

on first sight, euphorbia obesa is looking like a cactus without thorns. but it’s a member of the euphorbiaceae family and related to such popular houseplants like the christmas star (e. pulcherrima). the commonly named baseball plant or basketball plant succulent is native to south africa.

care

euphorbia obesa does best in sunny to bright positions. light shade will be tolerated but then it can grow a bit slower. plants growing in moderate shade should be slowly hardened off before placing it in full sun.

it can be planted in a regular cactus mix or a mix between standard potting soil, coarse sand and pumice (2:1:1).

the baseball plant can be deep watered, what’s flowing out of the pot should be removed after a few minutes. wet legs can cause root rott. before watering next allow to dry.

a half strength cactus fertilizer can be given monthly and if placed at room temperature in fall and winter every six to eight weeks.

euphorbia obesa can be grown at room temperature thoughout the year. but it can be placed at approx. 10 °c/50 °f in winter. at this temperature range it should be kept nearly dry, a fertilizer must not be given.

propagation

propagation of the baseball plant can be done by seeds.

the burle marx ctenanthe (ctenanthe burle-marxii) is native to brazil and available in different cultivars. during the night it’s folding up its leaves. staying on daytime can indicate that it needs some watering or is lacated to sunny.

care

ctenanthe burle-marxii likes a bright to light shaded location without direct sunlight. some morning and/or evening sun will be tolerated. the colored cultivars shouldn’t be placed to dark for building up its leaf color.

a regular potting mix can be used. keep it constantly moist but not wet. sitting in water can cause rotten roots. the drying of the soils surface will be tolerated but it shouldn’t completely dry.

a half strength water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring and summer and every six to eight weeks in fall and winter. for recently re-potted or fresh bouhgt plants there is no need to feed for the first six to eight weeks.

the burle marx ctenanthe likes it warm and should not be placed under 15 °c (59 °f) for too long. spraying it over with water increases humidity and keeps its leaves free from dust.

ctenanthe burle-marxii “amagris”

propagation

ctenanthe burle-marxii can easily be propagated by division.

the pitch apple (clusia major) is also known as balm apple, fat park tree or, because people are writing messages into its glossy leaves, autograph tree. it is native to the tropical middle america and can get approx. 20 m/65 ft tall in its natural habitat. there is a cultivar with green-yellow variegated leaves available.

care

the pitch apple is suitable for sunny to light shaded locations. to avoid burned leaves, new bought plants should get some time to adapt full sun. especially if placed outside during summer. for showing its colorful fooliage the variegated cultivar shouldn’t be placed too dark.

a regular potting mix can be used. it should be kept moist but not wet and can dry before adding water next. wet legs can cause rotten roots.

during the spring and summer clusia major can be fed every two to four weeks and if placed at room temperature every four to six weeks in fall and winter. with a half diluted water soluble fertilizer.

it can be cultivated at room temperature throughout the year and needs a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °c. if wintered at this temperature it needs less watering and must not be fed.

a medium humidity is welcome. spraying it over with water or giving a shower keeps its leaves free from dust.

propagation

clusia major can be propagated with cuttings.

the wax begonia (begonia semperflorens) is a very popular garden plant which also can be used indoor. there are a lot of cultivars available, with green or reddish colored leaves and pink, white or red flowers. the easy to care plant is native to brazil.

care

the wax begonia does best on a bright to light shaded place with partial sun in the morning and/or evening. the green leaved cultivars are also growing in shade.

it can be planted in a regular potting soil which can be mixed with a part of coarse sand.

keep it moist but not wet and avoid overwatering such as drying out completely. the drying of the soil’s surface will be tolerated.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in fall/winter. if placed colder at this time, begonia semperflorens don’t need to be fed.

it can be placed at room temperature throughout the year with a winter minumum of 15 °c/59 °f.

propagation

the wax begonia can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.

the blushing bromeliad (neoregelia carolinae) is native to brazil where it grows epiphytic (sitting on trees). there are a lot of cultivars available with white striped, red or orange leaves. its nestled deep in the crown sitting blossom is not very showy.

care

the blushing bromeliad (neoregelia carolinae) does good on a bright location with partial sun (morning/evening). light shade will be tolerated. if placed too dark, the variegated cultivars can loose its colors.

it needs a fast draining soil. there are special mixes for epiphytic plants available. but you can also use a mix between some humus, orchid bark and a bit gritty. keep it moist but avoid overwatering. let the soil’s surface dry before watering again.

a half diluted water soluble fertilizer can be given every four to six weeks.

the blushing bromeliad likes to have some water in its crown. spraying it over with water increases humidity. it can be placed at room temperatur throughout the year with a winter minimum of 14 °c/57 °f.

propagation

neoregelia carolinae can be propagated with offsets.

the fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata) is native to africa. its dark green and glossy leaves can get more than 40 cm/16 inches long. but there are smaller cultivars available.

care

ficus lyrata likes a bright location with partial sun (morning and/or evening), light shade will be tolerated. it needs room temperature throughout the year with a winter minimum of 15 °c/59 °f.

a regular potting mix can be used. keep it moist but not wet and avoid overwatering such as drying out completely. drying at the soils surface is ok.

a half strength water soluble fertilizer can be given monthly in spring/summer and every six to eight weeks in winter (if placed at room temperature). if placed at 15 °c/59 °f it must not be fed. a re-potted plant don’t needs to be fertilized for the first eight weeks.

the fiddle leaf fig loves to be sprayed over with water regularly. this also keeps its leaves dust free.

ficus lyrata “bambino”

propagation

the fiddle leaf fig can be propagated by seeds or cuttings.