Houseplant 411

QUESTION: It has sticky leafs, thank you for your help,Hugo ANSWER: Hi Hugo, Your plant is called a Hawaiian Schefflera (Schefflera Arboricola). The brighter the light the faster and bushier a Hawaiian schefflera plant grows but direct sun burns the leaves. Water well and then allow the top 1/3 of the soil to dry out … Read more

QUESTION: I recently got two cats and gave away my plants because they were poisonous to cats. What house plants are ok to have around cats? ANSWER: Hi Ed, You can find the names and see pictures of pet friendly plants (non poisonous plants) by going to the Plant Wizard section of the Houseplant411.com website. Scroll down … Read more

QUESTION: My dracaena reflexa, Song of India, is suffering. It has lost many leaves in the last few days. I have moved it from a very direct light to lesser light. Kindly advise! ANSWER: Hi Chiara, When a Dracaena reflexa loses leaves it is usually a watering problem. Like all dracaenas, the reflexa likes to … Read more

QUESTION: I got this plant three weeks ago. Its leaves are getting yellow. I put it in the kitchen where there is no natural light but very good artificial light. I don’t water it very much. Is it a Dieffenbachia “seguine”? ANSWER: Hi Sara, Your plant is a Dieffenbachia “Compacta”. Although the name dieffenbachia seguine … Read more

QUESTION: Please identify my plant and tell me how to care for it. ANSWER: Hi Denise, Your plant is called a Philodendron Selloum “Green Princess.” It is a new philodendron hybrid that is becoming very popular. The care is quite easy. Light: Medium to bright indirect light. Direct sun with burn the leaves causing ugly … Read more

QUESTION: Could you tell me what this plant is and how to care for it? ANSWER: Hi, Your plant is called a Devil’s Backbone (Pedilanthus tithymaloides). Here are some care tips for a Devil’s Backbone plant. Light: Bright indirect light, but no direct sun.  Water: Keep the plant slightly moist but not waterlogged. Water when … Read more

QUESTION: Could you tell me how to care for a Persian Shield plant (Strobilanthes dyerianus). ANSWER: Hi Doug, I really like this plant with its iridescent, green-veined purple leaves. The key to success is warm temperatures and high humidity. Here are some care tips. Light: A Persian Shield plant needs bright indirect light to maintain the … Read more

QUESTION: My jasmine plant is not flowering and the leaves are getting dryer and falling off. ANSWER: Hi Sadie, Water: Jasmine plants lose leaves and leaves dry up from both too much and too little water. In the spring and summer, keep the soil moist but never soggy. The top 30% of the soil should dry … Read more

QUESTION: Hi, Judy, I actually have two of these plants; one is touching the ceiling. Can you tell me what kind of plant it is? Can it be cut off at the top? Also, the tips of the lower leaves turn brown with the entire leaf eventually turning brown and dropping off. Is this normal? … Read more

QUESTION: My ficus plant has been in the same pot for over 20 years. It is very root bound. Can I cut the roots when I re-pot it. I bought root fertilizer for re-potting. Thank you so much. ANSWER: Hi Renee, Yes, you can cut the roots when you repot your ficus. If it is … Read more