Cordyline

Known as the Hawaiian Ti plant or good luck plant, Cordyline fruticose is a tropical plant with colorful wide leaves.

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Most Popular Types

Growing Hobby usually has full-size Cordyline hot pepper, red sister, and harlequin. A smaller version called electra is sometimes available.

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Light

Full sun produces the best leaf color but may also turn the edges of the leaves brown. It should be shaded during the hottest hours of the day. It can be grown indoors near a sunny window.

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Temperatures

Cordyline prefers temperatures between 65 and 95°F. It cannot tolerate prolonged periods below 50°F.

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Watering

Cordyline is accustomed to a tropical environment and will benefit from raising the level of humidity if kept indoors.

Browning of leaves may be caused by an excess of fluoride in the water. Using distilled water is preferred.

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Toxicity

Cordyline is extremely toxic to dogs and mildly toxic to cats.

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Growth

Some varieties of Cordyline can grow to 10 ft in their native environment. Those kept indoors will likely reach maximum height of 4 ft.

Leaves will die out as the plant matures. You can cut lanky stalks as low as 6 inches from the soil. It will branch out and become fuller.

Potted plants can be kept alive for more than 50 years if they are repotted every few years.

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Origin

The Ti plant is native to eastern Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.

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Propagation

Propagation is easiest by placing cuttings in water or dividing at the base.

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Dormancy

Cordyline is winter dormant.

cordyline

Cordyline adds color to porches and flower beds.

Foliage line art of Ti or Cordyline leaves macro photography

Cordyline dragon-tree

Cordyline dragon-tree is a favorite of interior decorators

Workshops at Growing Hobby

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Cereus – Alpine Cactus

Cereus cacti that grow in alpine conditions are torch-shaped, typically with spikes widely spaced in vertical rows. There are also tropical varieties of Cereus, however this post covers alpine only. Most varieties bloom for short periods during the night, attracting moths for pollination.

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Most Popular Types

Peruvian Torch cactus, also known as the Peruvian apple cactus, is the most popular alpine Cereus variety.

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Light

Full sun for alpine varieties

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Temperatures

Cereus can withstand temperatures down to 50°F

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Watering

Drench the soil monthly if it is kept indoors, or weekly if it is outdoors. Water infrequently, only once or twice, during the winter.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans and pets. Fruits are edible.

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Growth

This columnar cactus can reach 45ft in height in its native environment.

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Origin

South America

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Propagation

Cuttings

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Dormancy

Winter dormant

cereus desert vs tropical

Desert and tropical cacti need different care.

Cereus

Cereus repandus Peruvian apple cactus

Cereus Repandus Peruvian apple cactus is also known as the giant club cactus.

Cereus peruvuianus monstrose

Cereus Peruvuianus Monstrose

Cereus peruvianus monstrose

Cereus Peruvianus typically grows upright. This variety is called monstrose.

Workshops at Growing Hobby

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Bromeliad

Bromeliads

All air plants, or Tillandsia, are Bromeliads. Not all Bromeliads are air plants, though.

Bromeliads can live without soil, as they are epiphytes. Most commonly, the ones we find in stores are planted in soil. Those same plants can be mounted upright onto objects or planted in very shallow soil.

Bromeliads are low-maintenance house plants, perfect for beginner gardeners.

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Most Popular Types

Guzmania are tall with bright flower bracts. Neoregelia are shorter plants with wide colorful leaves. Vriesea feature tropical feather-like blooms.

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Light

Bright, indirect sun or dappled shade. Usually the varieties with flexible leaves prefer lower light levels, while the ones with stiff leaves prefer bright indirect sunlight.

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Temperatures

Bromeliads prefer temperatures between 60 and 85°F. Most cannot withstand temps below 40°F.

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Watering

Watering is either done by filling the center depression with distilled water or by moistening the soil and misting the plant. If you water the center, flush it every couple of weeks to remove salts.

Water infrequently during the winter.

These plants should be potted in small containers to reduce excess moisture held by large amounts of soil.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to animals or humans.

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Growth

Many Bromeliads have very showy flowers. They are monocarpic, blooming only once, sometimes for several months. After the bloom fades, cut the flower stalk at its base. The main plant should then grow pups, or offsets.

It may take three years for a Bromeliad to grow to full height, up to 18 inches.

Fertilize during the summer growing season if the plant is not in bloom. Do not fertilize in the winter.

To force blooms: drain the central cup of any water, and place your plant in a tightly sealed clear plastic bag with a ripe apple for up to 10 days. The ethylene gas from the apple can force the plant to bloom.

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Origin

Tropical North and South America

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Propagation

Watch for pups growing on the side of the main plant. When they get to at least 1/3 the size of the main plant, you can pop them off.

If the offset doesn’t yet have roots, they will develop when the plant is potted.

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Dormancy

Active growing season is summer.

Bromeliad vriesea varieties

Bromeliad Vriesea are available in many bright colors.

Bromeliad vriesea bloom

Bromeliad Vriesea has very showy blooms that last for months.

Bromeliad neoregelia

Bromeliad Neoregalia has showy leaves and small flowers in the center cup.

Bromeliad Neoregalia Pink

Neoregalia bromeliads have leaves that vary in color depending on variety.

Bromeliad guzman

Bromeliad guzman flowers provide a burst of color to your plantings.

Aechmea fasciata bromeliad

The silver vase bromeliad, Aechmea Fasciata, has blue flowers in a pink cluster.

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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Beaucarnea Pony Tail Palm

Beaucarnea

Ponytail Palms are the flirtiest succulents around. They love to sun themselves while their “hair” blows in the wind. Beaucarnea recurvata aren’t true palm trees, but succulents that store fluid in the trunk.

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Most Popular Types

Beaucarnea recurvata and Beaucarnea guatemalensis are very similr, with the recurvata having thicker leaves. You may see Pony Tail palms with full bunches of fronds attached to a stump. The trunk has been cut to promote denser foliage. Pony Tail palms with uncut trunks tend to have foliage that flows like a fountain from the center.

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Light

Pony Tail palms like full sun, but we recommend moving it slowly into direct sunlight after protecting it indoors during the winter. If the fronds take on a reddish hue, the change has been too abrupt.

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Temperatures

Beaucarnea can handle temperatures down to 40°F. We recommend enjoying them on porches during the summer and in the home during the winter.

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Watering

If kept indoors, water 1-2 times each month. If kept outside, water weekly when weather is warm.

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Toxicity

Pony Tail palms are non-toxic to humans or pets.

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Growth

Young plants have a round caudex similar to an onion as a trunk. The caudex will grow taller with age. In its native habitat, these trees can grow to 30 ft in height. When potted, it typically reaches 4 ft; the larger the pot, the more the Pony Tail palm will grow. Don’t move too quickly into a large pot, though – go in 2-3 inch increments.

After 10 or so years, the Beaucarnea may develop cream or pink plumes. Male plants have cream plumes, while females, of course, have pink plumes that produce seeds.

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Origin

Beaucarnea are native to Eastern Mexico.

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Propagation

Pony Tail palms often produce offsets. You can decide if you’d like a tree with multiple trunks or if you’d like to take an offset for a new tree.

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Dormancy

Pony Tail palms are winter dormant.

Beaucarnea recurvata pony tail palm

The Pony Tail palm can grow to 8 feet, given a large enough pot.

Beaucarnea recurvata or Nolina recurvata plant

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.

Book A Workshop

Asplenium

Bird’s-Nest Fern

There are more than 700 varieties of Asplenium, or Bird’s-Nest Ferns. The simple fronds of these ferns add a simple yet cosmopolitan touch to interior decorating.

Other plants that complement Asplenium are Pteris ferns and carnivorous plants.

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Most Popular Types

Asplenium nidus is the typical straight-leafed variety of Bird’s-Nest Fern. Asplenium antiquum Leslie is a bit frillier at the leaf edges, and Crispy Wave has interesting rippled leaves.

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Light

Partial to full shade

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Temperatures

Asplenium can only survive down to 50°F. Because of this, they are typically kept as house plants.

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Watering

In their natural habitat, Asplenium capture water in the center of the fronds. Water shouldn’t collect in the center for long periods, though. They prefer high humidity, particularly if kept outdoors during the summer. Keep the soil of the Bird’s-Nest Fern from drying out completely. Spritzing with distilled water will encourage growth.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to animals or humans.

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Growth

While they can survive as epiphytic or terrestrial, Asplenium all grow on organic matter. The fronds which resemble banana leaves can grow to 6 ft long in the rainforest. Spores develop on the underside of the fronds.

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Origin

Asplenium is native to tropical southeastern Asia, eastern Australia, and Hawaii.

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Propagation

From seeds which develop on the underside of the fronds.

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Dormancy

The active growing season for Asplenium is during the summer.

Asplenium Crispy Wave birds nest fern

Asplenium birds nest fern

Center of an Asplenium birds nest fern

Asplenium antiquum birdsnest fern

Asplenium Antiquum birdsnest fern

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.

Book A Workshop