Tropical Plants 9

Created Summer 2008

Philodendron-Tradscantia

BOTANICAL NAME

PHILODENDRON SCANDENS var. ‘Oxycardium’

PRONUNCIATIONfill - o - DEN - dron SKAN - denz oks - ee - CARD - um

COMMON NAMEParlor IvyHeart Leaf Philodendron

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)

Phil is in the parlor

DESCRIPTIONLeaf is heart shape, has a point

Plant is vineyEasy GrowingSmooth Stems

WaterKeep soil evenly moist Do not overwater

FertilizerFertilize all yearMore heavily in summer

LightLow

Size and Growth RateModerate growthWill continue to grow until cut back

PropagationTake stem cuttings any time during the year

Air layer

Additional InformationVigorous climberPopular plant that can hang drape climb or twine

BOTANICAL NAME

PLECTRANTHUS AUSTRALIS

PRONUNCIATIONplec - TRAN - thus

aw - STRAY - liss

COMMON NAMESwedish Ivy

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)

I buy Plexiglas in Sweden

DESCRIPTIONThick, waxy, rounded, bright green leaves with scalloped margins

Trailing habitSquare stems with orange sap

WaterWater regularly keeping soil moist, not soggy

Fertilizer Fertilize lightly throughout the growing season

LightHigh

Size and Growth RateSlow to Moderate growth

Trailing to 3’

PropagationTake cuttings from stems or shoots that have recently matured

Roots easily in water

BOTANICAL NAME

SAINTPAULIA IONANTHA

PRONUNCIATION

Saint - PAUL - ee - ah eye - oh - NAN - thuh

COMMON NAMEAfrican Violet

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)

Saint Pauli is a place in Africa

DESCRIPTIONRosettes of velvety leaves on short stems

Clusters of flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple

WaterKeep evenly moist with room temperature water

Keep water off of leaves

FertilizerFertilize all yearMore heavily in the summer

LightMedium

Size and Growth Rate

Moderate growth to 6” high

PropagationIn spring, take leaf cuttings or sow seeds

Additional InformationOne of the most popular houseplants

BOTANICAL NAME

SCHEFFLERA ARBORICOLA

PRONUNCIATIONSchef-LAIR-uh Ar-bor-ih-KOH-luh

COMMON NAMEDwarf Schefflera

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)

Schefflera and Schefflera

DESCRIPTIONDeep green leaves Umbrella shaped at the end of the stems

5-6 leaves per stem

WaterWater thoroughlyAllow to approach dryness before watering again

FertilizerFeed lightly during the year

LightHigh

Size and Growth RateGrows vigorously to 10-12’ tall and 3-6’ in diameter

PropagationTake stem cuttings any time

Air layer

BOTANICAL NAME

SPATHIPHYLLUM cvs.

PRONUNCIATIONspa - thi - FIL - lum

COMMON NAMEPeace Lily

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)

It is very Peaceful at the Spa

DESCRIPTIONLarge, dark green, shiny pointed leaves on slender stalks growing directly out of the soil

Blooms readily indoors

DESCRIPTION Flowers are distinct; the spathe is a pure white bract that encloses the true flower, a central column of tiny, closely set flowers

Bract

Flower

WaterKeep evenly moist

Fertilizer

Fertilize monthly

LightLow

Size and Growth RateModerately slow growing to 2-3’

Propagation Start new plants by dividing an old specimen

SeedMicropropagation

BOTANICAL NAME

TRADESCANTIA ZEBRINA

PRONUNCIATION

tray- des -KAN- tee - ah

COMMON NAMEPurple Wandering Jew

Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way)

People used to trade Jews as slaves

DESCRIPTIONPurple, silver, and green striped pointed leaves with purple undersides on trailing stems

WaterWater when soil feels dry

FertilizerFertilize every two weeks from spring to fall

LightHigh

Size and Growth RateVigorous and fast growing to 36” long

PropagationStem Cuttings