Tropical Plants 9 Created Summer 2008 Philodendron- Tradscantia
BOTANICAL NAME PHILODENDRON SCANDENS var. ‘Oxycardium’
PRONUNCIATION fill - o - DEN - dron SKAN - denz oks - ee - CARD - um
COMMON NAME Parlor Ivy Heart Leaf Philodendron
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way) Phil is in the parlor
DESCRIPTION Leaf is heart shape, has a point Plant is viney Easy Growing Smooth Stems
Water Keep soil evenly moist Do not overwater
Fertilizer Fertilize all year More heavily in summer
Light Low
Size and Growth Rate Moderate growth Will continue to grow until cut back
Propagation Take stem cuttings any time during the year Air layer
Additional Information Vigorous climber Popular plant that can hang drape climb or twine
BOTANICAL NAME PLECTRANTHUS AUSTRALIS
PRONUNCIATION plec - TRAN - thus aw - STRAY - liss
COMMON NAME Swedish Ivy
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way) I buy Plexiglas in Sweden
DESCRIPTION Thick, waxy, rounded, bright green leaves with scalloped margins Trailing habit Square stems with orange sap
Water Water regularly keeping soil moist, not soggy
Fertilizer Fertilize lightly throughout the growing season
Light High
Size and Growth Rate Slow to Moderate growth Trailing to 3’
Propagation Take 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 NAME African Violet
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way) Saint Pauli is a place in Africa
DESCRIPTION Rosettes of velvety leaves on short stems Clusters of flowers in shades of pink, white, and purple
Water Keep evenly moist with room temperature water Keep water off of leaves
Fertilizer Fertilize all year More heavily in the summer
Light Medium
Size and Growth Rate Moderate growth to 6” high
Propagation In spring, take leaf cuttings or sow seeds
Additional Information One of the most popular houseplants
BOTANICAL NAME SCHEFFLERA ARBORICOLA
PRONUNCIATION Schef-LAIR-uh Ar-bor-ih-KOH-luh
COMMON NAME Dwarf Schefflera
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way) Schefflera and Schefflera
DESCRIPTION Deep green leaves Umbrella shaped at the end of the stems 5-6 leaves per stem
Water Water thoroughly Allow to approach dryness before watering again
Fertilizer Feed lightly during the year
Light High
Size and Growth Rate Grows vigorously to ’ tall and 3-6’ in diameter
Propagation Take stem cuttings any time Air layer
BOTANICAL NAME SPATHIPHYLLUM cvs.
PRONUNCIATION spa - thi - FIL - lum
COMMON NAME Peace Lily
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way) It is very Peaceful at the Spa
DESCRIPTION Large, 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
Water Keep evenly moist
Fertilizer Fertilize monthly
Light Low
Size and Growth Rate Moderately slow growing to 2-3’
Propagation Start new plants by dividing an old specimen Seed Micropropagation
BOTANICAL NAME TRADESCANTIA ZEBRINA
PRONUNCIATION tray- des -KAN- tee - ah
COMMON NAME Purple Wandering Jew
Connecting the Scientific Name with the Common Name (The Mrs. A Way) People used to trade Jews as slaves
DESCRIPTION Purple, silver, and green striped pointed leaves with purple undersides on trailing stems
Water Water when soil feels dry
Fertilizer Fertilize every two weeks from spring to fall
Light High
Size and Growth Rate Vigorous and fast growing to 36” long
Propagation Stem Cuttings