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Purple Waffle Plant Care and How to Increase Humidity Around Plants

Hi Judy, I bought a plant at my local nursery and they misidentified it as mylia (?). I looked through your posted questions/answers and think I found it! See the attached photos. Is it Hemi Graphis -purple waffle plant? My questions are, should I pinch the cute white flowers, or pinch any new or other leaves or stems?? Does it like to be misted?? I know it wants to stay moist. It is currently in an eastern window, so has light, but direct sunlight only a tiny part of morning because of tree cover. I think it is beautiful and want it to last a long time!! Also, I read from your advice not to mist Japanese Asplenium Fida. Actually I have been misting it! Big mistake?? I have it in my bathroom with little light. I’ve had it for a couple of weeks and it seems happy! See photo. Many thanks Judy!!

Hi Kate,

Yes this is a Waffle plant (Hemigraphis alternata).

It likes bright lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light., some morning direct sun increases the color intensity. It does like to be misted, but keep your eye out for plant diseases that thrive on wet leaves. Mist during the warm part of the day so the leaves have a chance to dry before night. It does not like temperatures below 55 and water sparingly in the winter. Pinching the flowers and new growth will help keep the plant bushy and full.

Your second plant is a Japanese Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium Nida). High humidity is essential for a Bird’s Nest Fern to grow well. The higher the humidity the longer the fronds of the fern grow. Lack of humidity causes major problems for a Bird’s Nest Fern, the entire leaf may turn yellow, the tips of the leaves may turn brown, and the plant may stop growing. Misting the plant often causes plant diseases that can destroy the plant. If the humidity in your home is too low, consider putting your Bird’s Nest Fern on a wet pebble tray; place a small room humidifier near your plants; or group plants together and create a mini greenhouse effect

 

Here’s how to make a wet pebble tray: Place plants on a tray of pebbles sitting in water. Be sure the water stays below the top of the pebbles and the plant sits on pebbles and not directly in the water. The pebbles should be pea size and the tray should be at least as wide as the plant. As the water evaporates, the humidity in the air increases.