Euphorbia

Euphorbia

Euphorbia cacti take all shapes and sizes, but they all have one thing in common: the white sap that appears when the surface of the stem is broken. These are great collector’s pieces, but they should be kept away from mischievous kids or pets.

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Cathedral Cactus (Euphorbia trigona), African Milk Tree (E. lacteal), Fire Sticks (E. tirucalli), Crown of Thorns (E. Milii), Poinsettia (E. pulcherima)

Light

Full sun

Temperatures

Can withstand temperatures down to 33°F

Watering

Water when soil is completely dry.

Toxicity

The white sap from Euphorbia is a skin and eye irritant, toxic if ingested.

Growth

Some varieties such as the cathedral cactus can reach 15 ft in height. May produce yellow flowers in summer.

Origin

Tropical Africa, Madagascar, Europe, Asia

Propagation

Stem cuttings

Dormancy

Winter dormant

Euphorbia tirucalli fire sticks

Euphorbia tirucalli is known as pencil cactus or fire sticks

Euphorbia millii crown of thorns

Euphorbia millii crown of thorns can be found in many colors.

Euphorbia millii crown of thorns bloom

Closeup of the crown of thorns (Euphorbia millii) bloom

Euphorbia ingens

Euphorbia ingens is often called the candelabra tree.

Euphorbia ingens (2)

This variety of Euphorbia ingens is variegated.

Euphorbia ammak

Euphorbia ammak is similar to the candelabra euphorbia, however it doesn’t branch out as widely.

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Dracaena

Dracaena

Dracaena have spiky spear- or grass-shaped leaves that grow cane stems. The final results are tufts of grassy leaves topping a cane tree. Dracaena is great for offices, doing its job of purifying the air during the nighttime hours.

Following DNA studies, the Sansevieria (snake plant) was recently brought into the Dracaena species

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans), Dragon Tree plant (D. marginata), and Lucky Bamboo (D. sanderiana), and Cordyline.

Light

Bright, indirect light

Temperatures

While Dracaena can be kept on a porch during the summer, it is a tropical plant. It suffers when temps drop to 50°F.

Watering

Dracaena prefer to stay moist throughout the growing season (spring through fall). Water moderately in the winter. Mist the plants if they are grown in low humidity environments.

Toxicity

Toxic to dogs and cats.

Growth

Depending on the variety, Dracaena grows to a height of 2-10 ft.

Origin

Asia, Australia, and Africa

Propagation

Dracaena is most easily propagated by stem cuttings. Even sections of cane without leaves can be successful in rooting and producing new plants. These cuttings can be placed in moist soil or suspended in water until roots form.

Dormancy

Winter dormant

Dracaena sanderiana lucky bamboo

Lucky bamboo is not actually a type of bamboo… Dracaena Sanderiana is more closely related to snake plants.

Dracaena fragrans Victoria

Dracaena fragrans Victoria

Dracaena fragrans mass cane plant

Mass cane plant, Dracaena Fragrans, develops tall stems resembling bamboo.

Dracaena fragans tornado swirl

Dracaena Fragans tornado swirl has a unique spiral pattern to its leaves.

Dracaena draco dragon tree

The foliage of the Dracaena Draco dragon tree will rise on bamboo-like stalks.

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Dischidia

Dischidia

Dischidia is a fast-growing succulent which is an epiphyte (growing in trees with very little soil) in its native environment. It is very easy to grow as long as the potting soil is chunky, allowing for aeration.

String of Nickels is difficult to find, but we have our sources!

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia), Million Hearts (Dischidia ruscifolia)

Light

Filtered light

Temperatures

String of nickels grows best in a controlled household environment with high humidity.

Watering

Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Misting to increase humidity is helpful.

Yellowing of leaves may be because of overwatering or poor draining soil.

Toxicity

The sap of the Dischidia causes irritation to skin and eyes. It is toxic when swallowed.

Growth

Dischidia is epiphytic. Loose potting soil mix with coco husk chips is recommended. Change the potting mix every year.

The draping strings can reach 10 ft in length.

Origin

Tropical areas of China and India

Propagation

Propagate by cuttings, taking care to keep the white sap that flows from the stem from irritating your skin or eyes.

Dormancy

Winter dormant.

Dischidia string of nickels

The String of Nickels is a precious succulent that is easy to maintain.

Dischidia formosana

Once Dischidia takes root, it is very prolific. Most varieties such as the Formosana work well in hanging baskets.

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Cryptanthus

Cryptanthus

Brightly striped Cryptanthus, or Earth Star, is a genus of terrestrial Bromeliad. Unlike other Bromeliads, it is not an epiphyte. There are more than 1200 varieties.

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Cryptanthus bivittatus has two stripes down its leaves, often brightly colored.

Light

Cryptanthus cannot tolerate too much direct sunlight, however, without adequate sunlight the brilliant leaf colors will fade.

Temperatures

Cryptanthus thrives in a 60-85°F humid environment. It can survive temperatures above 100°F if the humidity is high.

Watering

Cryptanthus should be kept moist, but they should not be left in standing water.

Toxicity

Non-toxic to animals or humans.

Growth

Cryptanthus are monocarpic, blooming only once before developing offsets. Flowers are usually small and white.

Most cryptanthus grow close to the ground, approximately 3 inches in height. Others may grow as tall as 3 ft.

Origin

Rain forests of Brazil

Propagation

Propagate by offsets once the pups have a central cup, a sign that they are mature enough to be repotted.

Dormancy

Cryptanthus are winter dormant.

Cryptanthus bivittatus earth star

Cryptanthus earth stars are bromeliad that grow only in the ground, as apposed to others that are epiphytic.

Cryptanthus Bivittatus

Mature Cryptanthus Bivittatus, or earth stars, will form clumps that can be separated for propagation.

cryptanthus

cryptanthus

cryptanthus bivittatus (2)

Cryptanthus Bivittatus assortment

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Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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Crassula

Crassula

Some of our favorite succulents belong in the genus Crassula which has over 200 species. The Jade plant and its cute Ogre Ear variety, Buddha’s Temple, and Campfire Crassula are top on our list.

tillandsia air plant

Most Popular Types

Jade (Crassula ovata), Campfire Crassula (C. capitella), Watch chain (C. muscosa), Propeller plant (C. perfoliata)

Light

Indirect sun all day or 6 hours of direct sunlight

Temperatures

Crassula can withstand temperatures to 33°F.

Watering

Water when soil is completely dry.

Toxicity

Toxic to animals

Growth

Some varieties of Crassula can reach 8 ft in height. Most stay under 12 inches. Clumps of flowers may appear in the spring.

Origin

Eastern Cape of South Africa

Propagation

Leaf and stem cuttings

Dormancy

Summer dormant

Crassula sormentosa variegated

The somentosa variety of Crassula is excellent for hanging baskets and spillers in dish gardens.

Crassula platyphylla burgundy

Crassula platyphylla burgundy is a small leaf jade with dark red undersides of leaves.

Crassula ovata small leaf jade

Crassula ovata small leaf jade

Crassula ovata jade tree

The jade tree, Crassula ovata, are ideal for bonsai.

Crassula obvata jade tree

Crassula obvata jade tree

Crassula mix

Crassula silver dollar, hobbit, small leaf, platyphylla, and ripple jade.

Crassula hobbit

The hobbit jade has oddly folded leaves. If they fold in the opposite direction, it is known as ogre ears jade.

Crassula Falcata Propeller plant

Crassula Falcata is one of the more unusual Crassulas, resembling a propeller.

Crassula capitella pagoda

Crassula Capitella Pagoda

Crassula arborescens undulatifolia – ripple jade

Crassula Arborescens Undulatifolia – ripple jade

Crassula arborescens silver dollar jade

Crassula Arborescens silver dollar jade, also known as Chinese Jade, has thick, tough leaves.

campfire crassula – Crassula capitella

Campfire Crassula develops an inflorescence that resembles billows of smoke.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

Workshop schedule set for after work hours and on Sunday afternoons. We now have central heating and air to make you more comfortable while you shop and attend workshops.

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