Indoor Plants
Indoor Plants
A Unit of the
MSU Extension
Master Gardener Volunteer Training Program
Indoor Plants
Selecting Interior Plants
• Insect & disease free.
• Healthy-looking from top to bottom.
• Match plant to indoor conditions.
Indoor Plants
Transporting
• Hot summer.
• Cold winter.
Indoor Plants
Acclimatization
• Moving Plants.

Moving plants inside in winter.

Moving plants outside in spring.
Indoor Plants
Plants as Air Cleaners
• Absorb air pollutants.
• Both the plant and the potting medium
absorb the pollutants.
Indoor Plants
Pollutant
Pollutant Source
Inks, oils, paints, plastics,
Benzene
rubber, dyes, detergents,
gasoline, pharmaceutical,
tobacco smoke, synthetic fibers
Foam insulation, plywood, pressed-wood products,
Formaldehyde
grocery bags, waxed paper, fire retardants, adhesive
binders in floor coverings, cigarette smoke, natural
gas
Primarily used in the metal degreasing and dry
Trichloroethylene cleaning industries; also in printing inks, paints,
lacquers, varnishes, adhesives
Plants that Remove
English Ivy, Dracaena marginata, Janet
Craig, Warneckei, Chrysanthemum,
Gerbera Daisy, Peace lily
Azalea, Philodendron, Spider plant,
Golden Pothos, Bamboo palm, Corn
plant, Chrysanthemum, Mother-in-law's
tongue
Gerbera Daisy, Chrysanthemum, Peace
lily, Warneckei, Dracaena marginata
Indoor Plants
Environmental Factors
• Light.
• Temperature.
• Flowering.
• Humidity.
• Ventilation.
Indoor Plants
Light
• Most essential factor for indoor plant growth.
• Three aspects of light to consider.

Intensity.

Duration.

Quality.
Indoor Plants
Indoor Light Intensity Varies
• Location/Distance from source.
• Time of day.
• Latitude.
• Time of year.
• Cloud density.
Indoor Plants
Light Conditions
Light Requirements for Selected Indoor Plants
BRIGHT
LIGHT
AVG.
LIGHT
Aluminum Plant
X
X
Areca Palm
X
X
PLANT (COMMON NAME)
DIRECT
SUN
LOW
LIGHT
PLANT (COMMON NAME)
Jade Plant
X
DIRECT BRIGHT
SUN
LIGHT
X
AVG.
LOW
LIGHT LIGHT
X
Japanese Aralia
X
X
X
X
Asparagus Sprengeri
X
X
Kangaroo Ivy
Asparagus Meyeri
X
X
Maidenhair Fern
X
Boston Fern
X
X
Moses-in-the-Cradle
X
Aloe Vera
X
X
Norfolk Island Pine
X
Parlor Palm
X
X
Peperomia
X
X
Piggyback
X
X
Burro's Tail
X
Chinese Evergreen
Coleus
X
X
X
X
X
X
Corn Plant
X
X
Ponytail Palm
X
X
Croton
X
X
Rubber Plant
X
X
X
Dumb Cane
X
X
X
Schefflera
X
X
X
Devil's Ivy
X
X
X
Snake Plant
X
X
X
Fiddle leaf Fig
X
X
Spider Plant
X
X
False Aralia
X
X
Strawberry Begonia
X
German Ivy (Green)
X
X
Swedish Ivy
X
X
X
German Ivy (Variegated)
X
X
Tahitian Bridal Veil
X
X
X
Gold Dust Dracaena
X
X
Velvet Plant
X
X
Grape Ivy
X
X
Wandering Jews
X
X
Heartleaf Philodendron
X
X
X
Weeping Fig
X
X
X
X
X
Indoor Plants
Light Quality
Indoor Plants
Photoperiodic Response (Duration)
• Short-day plants.

Poinsettia, kalanchoe & Christmas cactus.
• Long-day plants.

Cineraria.
• Day-neutral plants.

African violet.
Indoor Plants
Supplemental Light
• Quality of light.
• Fluorescent vs. Incandescent.
Indoor Plants
Incandescent vs. Fluorescent
Indoor Plants
Grow Lights
Indoor Plants
Temperature
• Affects productivity and plant growth.
• Manipulates flowering and plant height.
• Foliage Plants.
• Flowering.

Day: 70 to 80° F.

Day: 70 to 80° F.

Night: 60 to 68° F.

Night: 55 to 60° F.
Indoor Plants
Botanical Name
Common Name
Light
H
M
Water
L
M
•
•
D
Temp
C
W
Common Indoor Plants
•
Aglaonema (spp.) modestum
Chinese evergreen
Araucaria heterophylla
Norfolk Island pine
Aspidistra elatior
Cast-iron plant
•
•
Chamaedorea elegans
Parlor palm
•
•
•
Chlorophytum comosum
Spider plant
•
•
Cissus rhombifolia
Grape ivy
Crassula argentea
Jade plant
•
Dieffenbachia spp.
Dumb cane
•
Dracaena fragrans
'Massangeana'
Corn plant
•
Ficus spp.
Fig. rubber plant
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Indoor Plants
Common
Name
Botanical Name
Light
H
Water
M
L
M D
•
•
Tem
C
W
Common Indoor Plants Plants
Hoya carnosa
Wax plant
•
Monstera deliciosa
Split-leaf philodendron
•
•
Nephrolepsis exaltata
Boston fern
•
•
•
Peperomia spp.
•
•
•
Platycerium spp.
Staghorn fern
•
Sansevieria trifasciata
Snake plant
•
•
Schefflera arboricola
Umbrella tree (schefflera)
•
•
Spathiphyllum spp.
White flag
Tolmiea menziesii
Piggyback plant
Tradescantia (incl. Zebrina)
Wandering Jew
•
•
•
•
Syngonium spp.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Indoor Plants
Flowering
• Two critical stimuli that induce flowering.

Day length.

Temperature.
Indoor Plants
Day Length
• Short-day plants.
• Long-day plants.
• Day-neutral plants.
Indoor Plants
Temperature/Day Length
• Cool temperature/short-day.
• Cool temperature/long-day.
• Cool temperature/day-neutral.
• Warm temperature/short-day.
• Warm temperature/day-neutral.
Indoor Plants
Humidity
• Percent of the moisture saturation of air.
• Generally, 40% will be sufficient.
• 10 - 15% typical in Michigan homes in winter.
Indoor Plants
Humidity
• Increasing humidity:

Humidifiers.

Humidity trays.

Misting.
Indoor Plants
Humidifier
Indoor Plants
Humidity Tray
Indoor Plants
Misting
Indoor Plants
Ventilation
• Drafts.

Forced warm air heat.

Cold drafts - windows & doors.
Indoor Plants
Containers
• Clay & ceramic.
• Plastic & fiberglass.
• Others.
Indoor Plants
Clay & Ceramic
Indoor Plants
Plastic & Fiberglass
Indoor Plants
Other
Indoor Plants
What must all indoor plant
pots have?
Indoor Plants
Drainage
Indoor Plants
Media
• Artificial mixes.
• Soil mixes for certain plants.
• Sterilizing or pasteurizing.
Indoor Plants
Indoor Plants
Preparing Artificial Mixes
• Sphagnum Peat Moss.
• Perlite or Vermiculite.
• Ground Lime.
• Superphospate.
• 12-12-12 or something similar.
• Chelated Iron.
Indoor Plants
Repotting
Indoor Plants
Repotting
Indoor Plants
Repotting
Indoor Plants
Watering
• When to water.
• Water quantity.
• Water quality.
• Methods of application.
• Special considerations.
Indoor Plants
Fertilizing
• Advantages.
• Disadvantages.
• Timing of applications.
Indoor Plants
Training and Grooming
• Pinching.
• Pruning.
• Disbudding.
• Training on trellises.
• Cleaning.
Indoor Plants
Indoor Plant Problems
• Physiological Disorders.
• Insect.
• Mites.
• Diseases.
Indoor Plants
Physiological Disorder
Excess Soluble Salts
Indoor Plants
Physiological Disorder
Sun Scald
Indoor Plants
Physiological Disorder
Temperature Extremes
Cold
Heat
Indoor Plants
Physiological Disorder
Over or Under Watering?
Indoor Plants
The plants we use
for house plants are
subject to the same
insect and disease pests as any
other plants.
Indoor Plants
Insect Pest
• Aphids.
• Scale.
• Spider mites.
• Mealy bugs.
• Whiteflies.
• Fungus gnats.
Indoor Plants
Aphids
Indoor Plants
Spider Mites
Indoor Plants
Thrips
Indoor Plants
Whitefly
Indoor Plants
Mealy bugs
Indoor Plants
Scale
Indoor Plants
Fungus Gnats
Indoor Plants
Diseases
Indoor Plants
Root Rots
Indoor Plants
Powdery Mildew
Indoor Plants
A healthy plant will
resist insects & diseases better
than a stressed plant.
Indoor Plants
Pest Management
Indoor Plants
The key to any pest
management is an accurate
identification or diagnosis.
Plant Problems - Diagnostics Table
Symptoms/Signs
Problem
Corrective Action
brown edges on leaves
too much salt
water to wash excess salts from soil
brown spots on stems & leaves
infected with something
cut off effected areas, diagnose pathogen
fuzzy globs on leaves or stems
aphids or mealybugs are eating me
remove insects, swab with rubbing alcohol
healthy leaves, no flowers
needs more light
move to area with more light
pale tunnels or patches on leaves
leaf miners are eating me
cut off affected areas
pale, stunted plants
insects are eating me
remove insects, wash with soapy water
pale, stunted plants
need more drainage
give better drainage
pale, stunted plants
need more fertilizer
add fertilizer
powdery growth on leaves
infected with powdery mildew
cut off affected areas, move away from other plants
purplish, stunted plants
need more phosphorus
add P fertilizer
warped leaves infected with something
cut off affected areas,
diagnose pathogen
weak, leggy plants
need more light
move to area with more light
weak, leggy plants
too crowded
separate from other plants
weak, leggy plants
too much nitrogen
reduce fertilizer
weak, leggy plants
too wet
give better drainage, reduce watering
white spots on leaves or stems
spider mites are eating me
remove insects, wash with soapy water
wilting plant infected with something
cut off affected area,
diagnose pathogens
wilting plant
too cold
put in sheltered area
wilting plant
too dry
water
wilting plant
too wet
check roots for rot, give more drainage
yellow & green speckled pattern on leaves
infected with virus
pull infected plants to prevent spread
Indoor Plants
Monitoring
• Scouting.
• Trapping.
• Weather.
• Degree days.
Indoor Plants
Types of Management Strategies
• Biological.
• Cultural.
• Chemical.
Indoor Plants
Biological Control
• Predators.
• Parasites.
• Pathogens.
Indoor Plants
Indoor Plants
Chemical Control
• Least Toxic Products.

Horticultural Oil.

Insecticidal Soap.

NEEM Oil.
• Follow All Label Instructions.
Indoor Plants
Propagating Indoor Plants
Indoor Plants
Propagating Indoor Plants
• Sexual propagation.
• Vegetative propagation.
Indoor Plants
Sexual Propagation
• Seeds.
Indoor Plants
Vegetative (Asexual) Propagation
• Spores.
• Division (Separation).
• Air layering.
• Cuttings.
• Runners, Stolons & Rhizomes.
Indoor Plants
Spores
Indoor Plants
Division
Indoor Plants
Runners & Stolons
Indoor Plants
Air Layering
Indoor Plants
Cuttings
• Stem Cutting
• Leaf Cutting

Whole Leaf.

Entire leaf blade and petiole.

Leaf Sections.

Entire leaf blade with cut veins.

Leaf-bud cuttings.

Viviparous leaves.

Leaf piece.

Succulent/Cacti.
Indoor Plants
Seasonal Potted Plants
• After-flowering care.
• Care of special potted plants.
Indoor Plants
Poinsettia
Indoor Plants
Azalea
Indoor Plants
Gardenia
Indoor Plants
Amaryllis
Indoor Plants
Christmas Cactus
Indoor Plants
Cyclamen
Indoor Plants
Specialized Indoor Gardens
• Terrariums.
• Dish gardens.
• Bonsai.
• Topiary & Standards.
Indoor Plants
Terrarium
Indoor Plants
Dish Garden
Indoor Plants
Bonsai
Indoor Plants
Topiary & Standard
Indoor Plants
Common Indoor Plants
Indoor Plants
Aglaonema modestum
(Chinese Evergreen)
Indoor Plants
Aspidistra elatior (Cast-iron Plant)
Indoor Plants
Chamaedorea elegans (Parlor Palm)
Indoor Plants
Monstera deliciosa (Split-leaf Philodendron)
Indoor Plants
Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant)
Indoor Plants
Schefflera actinophylla (Umbrella Tree)
Indoor Plants
Cissus rhombifolia (Grape Ivy)
Indoor Plants
Dieffenbachia amoena (Dumbcane)
Indoor Plants
Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant)
Indoor Plants
Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig)
Indoor Plants
Ficus elastica (Rubber Plant)
Indoor Plants
Ficus lyrata (Fiddle-leaf Fig)
Indoor Plants
Hedera helix (English Ivy)
Indoor Plants
Nephrolepsis exaltata
(Boston Fern)
Indoor Plants
Philodendron selloum
(Split Leaf Philodendron)
Indoor Plants
Saintpaulia species (African Violet)
Indoor Plants
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily)
Indoor Plants
Aloe barbadensis (Aloe Vera)
Indoor Plants
Araucaria heterophylla
(Norfolk Island Pine)
Indoor Plants
Crassula argentea (Jade Plant)
Indoor Plants
Platycerium bifurcatum (Staghorn Fern)
Indoor Plants
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
(Chinese Hibiscus)
Indoor Plants
Schlumbergera spp (Christmas Cactus)
Indoor Plants
Peperomia
Indoor Plants
Scindapsus aureus (Devil’s Ivy, Pothos)
Indoor Plants
Hoya carnosa (Wax Plant)
Indoor Plants
Philodendron