Interior Landscaping
Presented by
Susan J. Henson
Horticulturist
972-237-8102
shenson@gptx.org
City of Grand Prairie
Parks and Recreation
Selection – Based on four things
Location – Where do you want the
plant vs. where will it grow
Light – How much light is available
Care – How much time are you
willing to spend?
Size – How much space is available
vs. mature size of plant
Care
Watering – Most important
Repotting – When and why
Rotation – How and why
Outside to Inside Transition
Insects – How to prevent and
treat
Light
How to measure
Interior lighting
Supplemental lighting
Outdoor lighting
Silver Vase Plant, Urn Plant
Aechmea fasciata
Bromeliaceae
Rosette of leathery leaves covered with greyish
waxy scales; flowers are a head of bract which
are showy for weeks.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: rotational color pot plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: Pink
Blooming Period:
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Epiphyte that requires
good aeration, does well in artificial light. Allow
the soil to dry slightly between watering; fill the
vase made with the foliage with water.
Lipstick Plant
Aeschynanthus radicans Gesneriaceae
Excellent flowering plant for the home, free
flowering solitary or in clusters; opposite
fleshy leaves; vine-like habit.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: scarlet to orange
Blooming Period: spring summer fall winter
Height: 2 ft
Width: 18 inches
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Plant requires bright
light but not full sun. Avoid over watering;
propagate by cutting.
Chinese Evergreen or Silver Evergreen
Aglaonema commutatum
Araceae
Dark-green, oblong leaves with silver
markings acros the leaves; multiple stems;
red berries that are not ornamental; spathe
and spadix flower.
Plant Form or Habit: rounded
Plant Use: small foliage pot plant
Exposure: low
Flower Color: white to green but not
important
Blooming Period:
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Excellent plant that
does well with reasonable temperatures and
low light. Adjust watering to the light level.
Allow to dry between watering.
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema modestum (simplex)
Araceae
Multi-stemmed aglaonema with mediumgreen, oval leaves which may droop; spathe
and spadix flower.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: pot plant
Exposure: low
Flower Color: white to green, but not
important
Blooming Period:
Height: up to 2 feet tall
Width: to 2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: The plainest of the
Chinese evergreens. Adjust watering to the
light level; allow soil to dry between
watering.
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema pseudobracteatum
Araceae
Multi-stemmed aglaonema having oval leaves
with creamy white variegation, tending to droop;
spathe and spadix flower.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
Plant Use: small foliage pot plant
Exposure: low
Flower Color: white to green but not important
Blooming Period:
Height: 2-2 1/2 feet
Width: up to 18 inches
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Excellent plant for low
light areas. Reduce watering to match the
environment; allow soil to dry between watering;
remove flowers to prevent production of
unattractive berries.
Silver Queen
Aglaonema 'Silver Queen'
Araceae
Dark green, lance-shaped leaves marked with
silver variegation on multiple stalks; a compact
grower; spathe and spadix flower.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
Plant Use: small foliage pot plant
Exposure: low
Flower Color: white but not important
Blooming Period:
Height: 1-2 feet
Width: 1-2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Excellent plant for use
in low light areas; nice used in a mass.
Aglaonema is derived from, the Greek words
aglos (bright) and nema (thread). Reduce
watering to match the environment;
Soap Aloe
Aloe saponaria
Liliaceae
Basal plant with broad, lanceolate leaves,
bluish-green marked with yellow, and
growing up to 20 in. long.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: pot plant
Exposure: high medium
Flower Color: red, salmon, or yellow
Blooming Period:
Height: 20 in.
Width: 20 in
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Sap from the
leaves was used by the Xosas and Fingos
to heal wounds.
Medicine Plant
Aloe vera
Liliaceae
Succulent with fleshy leaves which grow in a
whorl and have small spines on the leaf margin;
spike flowers which are not important.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: pot plant
Exposure: high
Flower Color: white, not important
Blooming Period: summer
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry
between watering; provide bright light but not
full sun; add sand to soil to improve drainage.
Shell Ginger
Alpinia speciosa
Zingiberaceae
Lanceolate leaves on long canes; terminal
flowers on stiff stalks.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: permanent color
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: variable
Blooming Period: spring summer
Height: 3 feet
Width: 2 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Attractive flowers
are used as cut flowers. Watch for insects;
allow soil to dry slightly between watering.
Flamingo Flower
Anthurium scherzerianum
Araceae
Attractive spathe and spadix flower which is
ornamental and heart shaped; leaves have a
long petiole and are heart shaped
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: rotational color
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: pink to red
Blooming Period:
Height: 3 feet
Width: 1 1/2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance:
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Does best with
good quality water and high humidity. Repot
annually and use a liquid fertilizer regularly.
Norfolk Island Pine
Araucaria heterophylla
Araucariaceae
Evergreen tree with soft needle-like foliage
and a Christmas tree shape; branches are
arranged in whorls.
Plant Form or Habit: arborial
Plant Use: large foliage floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: n/a
Blooming Period:
Height: 200 ft in native environment, large
specimen indoors
Width:
Foliage Texture: fine
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Provide medium to
high humidity to prevent needle darkening;
allow soil to dry between watering; watch for
insects.
Plume Asparagus
Asparagus densiflorus 'Meyers'
Liliaceae
Similar to asparagus fern with fuller
branches of needle-like leaves originating
from the base of the plant.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: high
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period: spring summer
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Foliage Texture: fine
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow the soil to dry
between watering; divide the clump in the
spring or fall.
Sprengeri Fern, Asparagus Fern
Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri'
Liliaceae
Inch long needle-like leaves on a thin stem
with tiny thorns; thick growth with the stems
coming from a basal clump; bright green,
delicate, feathery appearance.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period: summer
Height: trailing
Width: variable
Foliage Texture: fine
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements:
Additional Comments: Full, lush plant
which does well indoors in bright light or
outdoors for the season in filtered shade;
allow the soil to dry between watering.
Zigzag Shrub
Asparagus retrofractus
Liliaceae
Rambling plant with zigzag branching;
young stems are white, turning brown
with age.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
Plant Use: small foliage
hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: white with orange anthers
Blooming Period:
Height: 4 - 6 feet
Width: 4 - 6 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Can grow tall
when given bright exposure and root
bound
Fern-Asparagus, Plumosus
Asparagus setaceus (A. plumosus)
Liliaceae
Small clumps of very fine bristle-like leaves
on slender stems; fernlike in appearance.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: pot plant hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period: spring summer
Height: 3 ft
Width: 3 ft
Foliage Texture: fine
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry
slightly between watering; provide bright,
filtered light; avoid over watering.
Cast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
Liliaceae
Rhizomes are woody and creeping;
leaves are dark, glossy green with pointed
tips; stems arch; flowers are bell shaped
and rarely form under interior conditions.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: medium foliage
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: cream to dark purple
Blooming Period:
Height: 2 feet
Width: variable
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: These plants are
extremely tolerant and require little care.
Pony Tail
Beaucarnea recurvata
Liliaceae
Tree-like plant with a swollen base, topped
with a rosette of linear strap-like leaves up to
6 feet long. Panicles of small white flowers;
stores water in the base.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading arborial
Plant Use: pot plant
Exposure: high
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period:
Height: up to 30 ft in native environment,
usually no more that 8 ft in interiorscapes
Width: equal to height at 1-2 ft; less
proportionally as plant grows
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Tough plant for the
interiorscape if there is enough light to
maintain. Allow soil to dry between watering.
Rex Begonia
Begonia rex 'Escargot'
Begoniaceae
Rhizomatous begonia with leaves
approximately 8in long by 6in wide, obliquely
ovate with wavy margins. Rex leaf color
varies, but all have a metallic sheen.
'Escargot' leaves twist into a spiral
resembling the coil of a snail shell.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: medium foliage
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: pale-rosy pink
Blooming Period: winter
Height: 6 - 12 in
Width: to 12 in
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Easy to propagate
from leaf cuttings. Keep evenly moist. but do
not over water.
Wax Begonia
Begonia semperflorens
Begoniaceae
Succulent plalnt with swollen nodes and
oval leaves which may be green or
bronze; fibrous rooted; free flowering.
Plant Form or Habit: rounded
Plant Use: rotational color pot plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: White, pink, red
Blooming Period:
Height: 2 feet
Width: 2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry
between waterings; provide bright light to
shade outdoors; rejuvenate by heading
back periodically.
Angel Wing Begonia
Begonia sp. Angel Wing
Begoniaceae
Succulent leaves and stems with an
upright growth habit; angular leaves with a
wing shape; clusters of flowers on small
stems.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: rotational color pot plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: White, pink, red
Blooming Period:
Height: Depends on cultivar
Width: Depends on cultivar
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry
between waterings; provide bright, indirect
light. Angel Wing Begonia is free flowering.
Paper Flower
Bougainvillea glabra
Nyctaginaceae
Evergreen to deciduous climber with thorny
stems; vigorous green foliage which is entire;
flowers in showy bracts of 3; double flowers
and variegated plants available.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: specimen hanging basket
Exposure: high
Flower Color: Purple, red, orange, pink, white
Blooming Period: spring summer
Height: climbs 12-15 feet
Width: determined by size of container
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Provide bright light
with good humidity; keep soil slightly damp
during the growing season; goes dormant in
the winter so reduce watering; repot
infrequently.
Schefflera, Umbrella Tree
Brassaia actinophylla (Schefflera)
Araliaceae
Evergreen tropical tree with palmately
compound leaves consisting of entire, 510 inch long glossy leaflets; single or
multi-stemmed bush
Plant Form or Habit: arborial
Plant Use: floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: umbels, not important
Blooming Period:
Height: 40 feet native; 10 feet indoors
Width: depends on environment
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Provide bright
light out of any drafts; allow to dry
between waterings; watch for spider mites
in hot, dry locations.
Silver Belle
Calathea bella
Marantaceae
Short-stalked; leaves round, dark
olive with silver blotches, and edges
that may curl.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
Plant Use: pot plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period:
Height: up to 2 feet
Width: to 2 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: low
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Responds to
high humidity; leaf margins may burn
in low humidity. Grows best in filtered
light. Keep soil evenly moist.
Bolivian Jew, Turtle Vine
Callisia repens
Commelinaceae
Vigorous creeping vine with obicular,
clasping leaves. Foliage is green on top
and purple on the underside.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period:
Height: runners get several feet long
Width: diameter of the basket
Foliage Texture: fine
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Provide bright
indirect light; allow the soil to dry
moderately between waterings; re-work
frequently to keep foliage compact.
Fishtail Palm
Caryota urens
Palmaceae
Tall trunks to clusters of slender green
stems; fronds with bipinnate leaflets
shaped like a fan.
Plant Form or Habit: arborial
Plant Use: specimen
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: not important
Blooming Period:
Height: to 12 feet and up
Width: 3 feet and up
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Provoide bright
light with good humidity; keep soil slightly
damp; watch for insects, especially if hot
and dry. A good tub plant.
String of Hearts, Rosary Vine
Ceropegia woodii
Asclepiadaceae
Trailing stems of small fleshy leaves which are
heart-shaped and marbled with white; fleshy
bead-like structures develop on the stems;
leaf backs and stems purple.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: marbled green, gray, white,
rose
Blooming Period:
Height: n/a
Width: vines up to 3 feet
Foliage Texture: fine
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Provide bright light to
retain leaf color; sllow the soil to dry between
watering; handle stems gently as they tangle
easily.
Parlor Palm, Neanthe Bella Palm
Chamaedorea elegans
Palmaceae
Small, graceful palm with pinnate fronds
spirally arranged around the trunk; fast
growing.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: inconspicuous
Blooming Period:
Height: up to 4 feet
Width: up to 2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Keep soil slightly
damp; watch for mites and other insects.
Bright cool light with good humidity needed
for it to do well.
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum'
Liliaceae
Rosette of linear, strap-like leaves with
a large, white stripe running down the
center; racemes of white flowers give
way to small plantlets on the stems.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period: spring summer
Height: 2 feet
Width: determined by size of container
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow the soil
to dry between watering; avoid
fluorides as tip burn will result.
Areca Palm, Yellow Palm, Cane Palm
Chrysalidocarpus lutescens
Palmaceae
Ascending leaves curved at the apex, sheaths
yellowish; multi-trunked; speckled leaves.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: specimen floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: inconspicuous
Blooming Period:
Height: up to 30 feet
Width: variable
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Nice tub plant; keep
slightly damp with good humidity; bright cool
light; good fertility levels; micronutrient
deficiencies may be a problem.
Croton
Codiaeum variegatum
Euphorbiaceae
Shrub with highly colored shiny
leaves; leaves may be lobed or entire.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: specimen permanent color
Exposure: high
Flower Color: not important
Blooming Period:
Height: 6 feet or more
Width: 4 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Sunny to
semi-sunny location; keep slightly
damp; watch for spider mites; 100's of
cultivars available..
Hawaiian Ti
Cordyline terminalis
Liliaceae
Lance-shaped leaves which are entire;
green, red, pink, and cream colored
foliage; erect stem forming a cane.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: permanent color floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: foliage is important
Blooming Period:
Height: 3-5 feet
Width: 2 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Responds to
high humidity; allow soil to dry between
watering; bright light will help to maintain
the high color of the foliage.
Dumb Cane
Dieffenbachia Tropic Snow
Araceae
Elongated-oval leaves which are
variegated with cream to white; large
leaves with sheathing petioles; poisonous;
lower leaves tend to fall off.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: medium foliage floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: White but not important
Blooming Period:
Height: Up to 4 feet
Width: 1 1/2 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry
between watering; does best with higher
humidity; adapts well to different
environments; air-layer or make cane
cuttings.
Corn Plant
Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'
Liliaceae
Tall unbranched stem with large arching
leaves which are variegated; mature
plants have a cane stem; leaves may be
1-1/2 feet long.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: specimen floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: foliage is important
Blooming Period:
Height: up to 10 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow plant to
dry between waterings; propagate by air
layering or cane cuttings. 'Massangeana'
responds to humidity and may be
adapted to lower light levels.
Pothos Ivy
Epipremnum aureum
Araceae
Heart-shaped leaves which attach to a
climbing stem; cream to yellow variegation;
may be trained on a pole or allowed to trail
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: low
Flower Color: not important
Blooming Period:
Height: Depends on what the runners
climb
Width: depends on what the runners climb
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Attractive plant for
pot plant, hanging basket, or "totem-pole"
use; does well in low light if water is
reduced to match environment.
Candelabra Plant
Euphorbia lactea
Euphorbiaceae
Upright plant which has branched fleshy
stems which are angled; armed with
spines.
Plant Form or Habit: arborial
Plant Use: specimen floor plant
Exposure: high
Flower Color: not important
Blooming Period:
Height: 15 feet
Width: 5 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: high
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Cool, dry
environment; water sparingly if in low
light; may be used as a base for grafted
cactus.
Weeping Fig, Benjamin Fig
Ficus benjamina
Moraceae
Potentially large specimen tree with entire, oval,
glossy leaves; milky sap; arching branches that
give a weeping habit. Variegated plants
available.
Plant Form or Habit: arborial
Plant Use: large foliage floor plant
Exposure: medium low
Flower Color: inconspicuous
Blooming Period:
Height: 15 feet
Width: 10 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry slightly
between watering; reduce water in low light
conditions; prune to control size; may respond to
a change in environment by dropping leaves;
excellent mall or tub plant; nice specimen
Rubber Plant, Indian Laurel Fig
Ficus elastica
Moraceae
Large tropical tree; broad, oblong, leathery
leaves; milky sap; rosy sheath covering new
leaves.
Plant Form or Habit: arborial
Plant Use: specimen
Exposure: low
Flower Color: not important
Blooming Period:
Height: 15 feet and up
Width: 3 feet and up
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow the soil to dry
only slightly between watering; yellow leaves
may be either over or under watering; renew
by making an air-layer of the top of the plant.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Malvaceae
Shrub-like to small tree; 5-inch trumpet
shaped flowers with prominent floral parts
projecting from the petals; shiny dentate
leaves.
Plant Form or Habit: arborial
Plant Use: large foliage floor plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: red, pink, yellow, white
Blooming Period: spring summer fall winter
Height: up to 15 feet
Width: variable
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Keep soil evenly
moist; dry soil may result in bud drop; prune to
keep shape; flowers last one day but are
prolific.
Polka-dot Plant, Freckle-Face
Hypoestes phyllostachya (sanguinolenta)
Acanthaceae
Shrubby plant with oval leaves mottled
with pink spots; woody base.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: pot plant
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: Lilac but not important
Blooming Period:
Height: 2-3 feet
Width:
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Does well in
artificial light; allow to dry slightly
between waterings; prune back to
prevent leggy growth.
Split-leaf Philodendron, Cut-leaf
Philodendron
Monstera deliciosa
Araceae
Tree climber with thick stems and aerial roots.
Dark green leaves are heart-shaped and
become more dissected or cut with age.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
Plant Use: large foliage floor plant
Exposure: low
Flower Color: Cream to white
Blooming Period:
Height: Climber
Width: 2-3 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Young plants sold
under the name P. pertusum which has entire
leaves; Very large leaves and climbing nature
limits common use of this plant; allow to dry
between waterings.
Boston Fern, Sword Fern
Nephrolepis exaltata
Polypodiaceae
Long fronds arising from the soil; leaves
are up to 5 feet long and 6 inches wide
with closely arranged pinnae; spores are
located on the back of the leaflets.
Plant Form or Habit: curved
Plant Use: hanging basket
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: n/a
Blooming Period:
Height: 2 feet
Width: several feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: low
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Bright indirect
light with cool temperatures and high
humidity suit this plant; keep soil slightly
damp; fertilize infrequently.
Black Cardinal Philodendron
Philodendron Black Cardinal
Araceae
Large, heart-shaped burgundy foliage,
prominent petioles; red stems.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
cascading
Plant Use: medium foliage pot plant
hanging basket
Exposure: low
Flower Color: Pinkish
Blooming Period:
Height: vines
Width: 2 feet
Foliage Texture: coarse
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow plant to
dry between watering. More compact
than some philodendrons; rarely
flowers.
Heart Ivy, Heart-leaf
Philodendron
Philodendron scandens
Araceae
Dark green, heart-shaped leaves on a
slender vine; leaves are 2-3 inches long;
plant rarely flowers.
Plant Form or Habit: cascading
Plant Use: pot plant hanging basket
Exposure: low
Flower Color: rarely flowers in the home
Blooming Period:
Height: vines
Width: less than 1 foot
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements:
Additional Comments: Allow plant to
dry between waterings; train on a totem
pole, hang in a basket or use as a table
planting.
African Violet
Saintpaulia ionantha
Gesneriaceae
Excellent flowering plant for the home;
fuzzy leaves with long petioles; flowers
borne above the foliage; singles and
doubles available.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
Plant Use: permanent color pot plant
Exposure: low
Flower Color: variable
Blooming Period: spring summer fall
winter
Height: 10 inches
Width: 18 inches
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: low
Water Requirements: medium
Additional Comments: Anyone can grow
African violets; keep slightly damp; avoid
water touching the foliage; remove faded
flowers immediately.
Bird's Nest Sansevieria
Sansevieria trifasciata 'Hahni'
Liliaceae
Whorl of short, leathery, lance-shaped
leaves; roots form fleshy rhizomes.
Plant Form or Habit: spreading
Plant Use: small foliage
Exposure: low
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period: summer
Height: 6 inches
Width: 6 inches
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Good interior
plant due to shade tolerance and low
maintenance requirements. Allow soil
to dry between watering.
Snake Plant, Mother-In-Law's
Tongue
Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurenti'
Liliaceae
Rosette of linear leaves which are leathery
and stiff stands erect from the soil. Leaves
have a gold band on the edges.
Plant Form or Habit: upright
Plant Use: medium foliage floor plant
Exposure: low
Flower Color: white
Blooming Period: summer
Height: 3-5 feet
Width: 2 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry
between waterings. Other cultivars have
white bands across the foliage. It is a durable
houseplant.
Hawaiian Schefflera, or Dwarf
Schefflera
Schefflera arboricola
Araliaceae
Palmately compound leaves with 7-9
leaflets; leaflets are dark green, 3-5
inches long and leathery.
Plant Form or Habit: rounded
Plant Use: medium foliage
Exposure: medium
Flower Color: not important
Blooming Period:
Height: Up to 5 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Foliage Texture: medium
Heat Tolerance: medium
Water Requirements: low
Additional Comments: Allow soil to dry
slightly between waterings. Responds to
humidity.
Aphids
Usually found on
new foliage
Can be washed off
with a strong stream
of water
Treat with
Insecticidal Soap or
Diatomaceous Earth
Treat steams, both
sides of leaves and
new buds
Mealy Bugs
Look like cotton on
stems and leaves
Can also be found
on roots
Can be washed off
or treated with
alcohol applied with a
Q-tip
Treat with
Insecticidal Soap
Spider Mites
Look for webbing or insects
on the underside of leaves
Wash off with a strong stream
of water
Mist underside of leaves
twice a day for 1 to 2 weeks
Use insecticidal soap on
underside of leaves
Mites reproduction
quadruples when the
temperature goes above 90
degrees
Treat the area around the
container to avoid another
infestation
Scale
Look for bumps on
the stems or leaves that
are tan, brown or black
They can be treated
with Dormant Oils or
Superior Horticultural Oil
Symptoms include
Honey Dew - a sticky
substance on the leaves
and stems.
Products that
eliminate pests on
interior plants
Remember plants live in spite of us not
because of us!
Quit killing your plants with kindness!
Watch and listen to what plants are telling us
they need.
Talking to plants does help them and you!
Plants clean the air in our homes and provide
a soothing atmosphere.
Everyone can have a green thumb we just
need to find the right plant!
Interior Garden