Indoor Plant Care

1. Indoor Plant Care Amy Jordan K-State Research and Extension Lyon County

2. Indoor Plants: Definition • Tropical Rainforest • Under-story plant • Foliage • Flowering • Intended to be enjoyed in bloom

3. Purpose and Benefits • Growing hobby • Important indoor décor • Interiorscaping • “Clean” the air • Increase productivity

4. Selection • Know light requirements (plant/place) • Close inspection • New Growth, Leaf Color, Form, Roots • Transport carefully

5. Physiology • High light leaves vs. Low light leaves • Rotate plants?

6. Conditioning • Acclimatization • How long? • Cost of plant? • Lots of light • Low temperature

7. Light: Foot-candles • Low Light (75 foot candles)North window: a few feet away; East/West window: 3-10 feet away; South window:15-20 feet away • Medium (average) Light (150 foot candles)North window: directly in front; East/west window: a few feet away; South window: 3-10 feet away • High or Bright Light (300 foot candles)East/west window: directly in front; South window: up to 5 feet away • Direct (1500 foot candles)South window: directly in front • Outside: 10,000 to 12,000

8. Light • Incandescent • Mostly Red • Florescent • Mostly Blue • Foliage vs. Flowering • Duration • 14-16 hours • Clean windows

9. Cleaning • Better Photosynthesis • Wipe with damp sponge • Put in shower • Leaf shines or other products?

10. Water • How much? • How often? • Room Temp. • Drainage Holes • Saucers • Submerge

11. Soluble Salts • White crust on pot, plant or soil surface • Can burn plant • No Softened Water • Leach

12. Temperature • Daytime: 65 to 75 degrees • Nighttime: 5 to 10 degrees cooler

13. Ventilation • Avoid cold/hot air blasts • Avoid sudden temp. changes • Possible sources: • T.V. • Registers/Vents (use plant stand) • Windows • Doors

14. Humidity • Group Plants • Add Humidifier • Misting? • Gravel Trays? • Does the plant really care?

15. Fertilizing • Only when actively growing • Once per month • Water soluble or slow release • Leach first

16. Winter Care • Move indoors before night temperatures drop • Sustain plant • Do not encourage growth • Monitor for drafts

17. Repotting • One size larger • Loosen roots • Never in fall or winter • No gravel or other aggregate in bottom

18. Potting Media • Soil vs. Media • Peat based • Good aeration • Additives?

19. Containers • Clay • Porous • Forgiving • More expensive • Plastic • Light-weight • Inexpensive • Even moisture • Holes • Location

20. Troubleshooting • Wilting • Overwatering • Underwatering

21. Troubleshooting • Yellow leaves • Overwatering • Poor drainage • Tight soil • Chilling • Gas fumes

22. Troubleshooting • Brown leaf margins • Too much fertilizer • Too dry • Low temperatures • Salt or fluoride burn

23. Pests • Spider mites • Mealy Bugs • Scale • Control • Insecticidal soap • Spray with water • Cotton swab with alcohol • Merit stakes

24. Garbage Gardening • Great for kids • Easy to do • Lots of choices

25. Chinese Evergreen • Minimal light • Minimal water • Minimal care

26. Dracaena • Keep moist • Bright, indirect light • Warm temperatures • Low humidity • Sensitive to fluorides

27. Ficus • Drops leaves easily • Prefers to be rootbound

28. Peace Lily • Keep evenly moist • Indirect light • Lets you know when water is needed

29. Pothos • Easily grown indoors • Variegation is lost in low light

30. Philodendron • Tolerant of adverse indoor conditions • Keep out of direct light • Propagates easily

31. Sanseveria • Grows in most indoor environments • Prefers dry soil (especially in winter) • Tolerates low light (or full sun)

32. Schefflera • Sensitive to Carbon Monoxide • Pinch tips to keep bushy

33. Dumb Cane • Let soil dry between waterings • Bright, indirect light • Warm temp, low humidity • Poisionous!