Parlor Palm

Sometimes referred to as the Bella Palm, the Parlor Palm  (Chamaedora elegans) is a relatively easy houseplant to grow. It’s a fairly inexpensive palm that is very well suited to indoor life. The Parlor Palm is an upright plant that rarely reaches over 4 foot in height, or 3 foot in width. The compact growth and easy care makes it an ideal houseplant.

The palm will flourish and grow much better in filtered light. With this plant you actually don’t need to guess about adequate lighting. If the palm is sitting in an area where there is enough light for it to cast a shadow, it’s getting enough light! And, it will do well in both natural sunlight or artificial lighting.

The amount of water the Parlor Palm needs will depend on how much light it receives. A brighter light means more water, while lower lighting means less water. On…

Madagascar Dragon Tree

The Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) is characterized by long, narrow leaves that are extremely spiked. The foliage is generally dark green with edges that are adorned with a reddish purple and can grow up to 16 inches in length. As the tree grows it will naturally lose it’s lowest leaves leaving tufts of leaves atop a bare woody cane.

Although species vary, this variety can grow as tall as 20 feet in height. But, when kept as a houseplant, it generally only reaches around 6 to 8 feet. The size can be controlled by cutting the tops off. The cane can be cut at any height and within weeks you will begin to see a new tuft of leaves growing at the cut area. It’s better on the plants health to cut the cane during spring or early summer.

One of the fun things about this plant is that…

Indoor Trees For Home and Office

Trees. I can’t think of a better way to spend an afternoon than fishing underneath a large tree… or climbing the sturdy branches. They add color and majesty to our land, as they have for thousands of years. They improve air quality and remove carbon dioxide and other gasses that trap heat.

An indoor tree can do these same things for your home or office space. Not only do they add beauty and charm, they offer the same benefits to an enclosed area as outdoor trees do for the planet. They are a lovely accent to any home, and can provide depth to an otherwise plain office area. There are several to choose from, and with just a little bit of maintenance, you can have a bit of the great outdoors in your own area!

One of the most popular indoor trees is the ficus, or fig tree, of which…

How to Care For Croton’s

Crotons are some of the most colorful houseplants that you can find. Their broad, long leaves can sport red, pinks, greens, yellows, oranges and many other colors. They’re very exotic looking plants that can really brighten up any room with their wide range of colors.

The waxy feeling leaves start out as dark or medium green and the colors appear as the leaf matures and can reach ten inches in length. Croton’s are small shrubs that can grow as high as six feet, but when grown indoors they usually only grow a few feet tall.

As with most plants that have lot’s of color, Croton’s prefer bright lighting. But, many of the newer varieties of the plant can survive in low lighting conditions. If leaves are still mainly green after they reach maturity, the plant isn’t receiving enough light.

Zebra Plant

Common Name: Zebra Plant
Latin Name: Aphelandra squarrosa ‘Louisae’
Family: Acanthaceae
Plant Type: Broadleaf shrub
Origin: Brazil
Blooming Time: Year round
Humidity: High
Temperature: 60 – 85 *F
Height: 4′ – 6′
Color: Green, white variegation
Insects and Diseases: Aphids, scale, spider mites, mealy bugs, whitefly

Description:
The Zebra Plant has dark green, glossy leaves that are ovate with pointy tips. The contrasting white variegated veins make this a striking plant for the home. Flowers are yellow to bright yellow and grow in bracts that are clustered on a spike that can reach up to 4″ long.