Pilea

One of our favorite houseplants is the Pilea peperomioides, known as Chinese money plant, missionary plant, UFO plant, and friendship plant. The Pilea is low maintenance. It grows offsets, or “pups” near its base, and these pups can easily be shared with friends.

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Most Popular Types

Chinese money plant / friendship plant – Pilea peperomioides and another friendship plant called Pilea involucrata are the most popular varieties.

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Light

Bright indirect light

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Temperatures

Pilea prefers temps between 55-85°F. It ccannot tolerate temperatures below 50°F.

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Watering

Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry. If the leaves are turning yellow, you’ve either watered too much or too infrequently. Brown spots may also appear from overwatering. White spots are not an issue – it’s just the plant removing minerals from the water it’s taken in.

This may sound complicated, but Pilea really is low maintenance!

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans or pets

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Growth

Pilea typically start producing pups when they are 2-3 years old. Height typically is 12 inches when mature, however, taller plants can be grown by removing pups as soon as they appear. This allows the mother plant to focus on itself, rather than child-rearing. To keep the Pilea nice and round, rotate the pot periodically.

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Origin

China. It was first taken to Scandinavia by a missionary, and it has since made its way around the globe.

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Propagation

Pilea produce offsets, or pups, that can be removed when they are 2-3 inches tall. We recommend taking the entire plant from the pot to separate the roots.

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Dormancy

Fall/winter dormant

pilea involucrata

The “other” friendship plant, Pilea involucrata

pilea involucrata moon valley

Pilea involucrata – Moon Valley variety

pilea cadierei aluminum plant

Aluminum plant – Pilea cadierei

pilea chinese money plant

Pilea friendship plant is easy to share.

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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Cereus – Tropical Cactus

Tropical varieties of Cereus grow in the trees of South American rainforests. They have very showy flowers which only bloom at night.

These epiphytes are known as night blooming cereus, orchid cactus, and queen of the night.

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Most Popular Types

Cereus means “cactus,” and there are quite a few varieties that are considered night blooming cereus. Growing Hobby usually has a good selection of Dog Tail cactus (Selinicereus testudo) and Hooker’s orchid cactus (Epiphyllum hookeri).

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Light

Bright indirect light

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Temperatures

Tropical cacti prefer nights no cooler than 60°F. You’ll need to bring these in when the evenings start to cool off.

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Watering

Don’t let the soil of tropical cacti completely dry out. Water regularly, but don’t keep the soil soggy.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans and pets

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Growth

These cacti are epiphytes, hanging from branches of trees in rainforests. The more rootbound it is, the more likely it is to flower. In its native environment, it can drape 10 ft.

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Origin

Central and South American tropical rainforests

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Propagation

You can propagate these plants by leaf clippings or by seeds.

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Dormancy

Winter dormant

cereus desert vs tropical

Desert and tropical cacti need different care.

Night blooming cereus

This tropical variety of Cereus blooms only at night.

Cereus

night blooming cereus

Blooming late at night, these flowers glow in the moonlight.

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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Dog Tail Cactus

Strophocactus | Dog Tail Cactus

Strophocactus, also known as the Dog Tail cactus, is epiphytic and can grow to 9 ft in length in its native jungle habitat.

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Most Popular Types

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Light

Full to partial sun

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Temperatures

Dog tail cactus is hardier than most tropical cacti, tolerating temps from 40-90°F. It cannot tolerate frost. It prefers a humid environment.

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Watering

Water often but only when the soil is completely dry. If there is too little water, aerial roots will appear.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic for humans or pets

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Growth

Dog tail cactus grows quickly and is suitable for hanging baskets. It blooms at night during the summer.

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Origin

South America

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Propagation

Propagate from cuttings at joints of leaves. Do not cut the main stem.

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Dormancy

Winter dormant

Coming-Soon

Please be patient with us. Information is coming soon!

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

Stromanthe

Stromanthe is a type of prayer plant, curling its leaves up at night and spreading them during the day. Other prayer plants are Calathea and maranta.

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Most Popular Types

The most popular varieties of Stromanthe are variegated pink and green. These include the triostar, magic star, and tricolor.

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Light

Stromanthe triostar needs bright indirect light to keep its striking variegated pink and green color.

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Temperatures

Stromanthe is an excellent houseplant. It prefers a steady room temperature not dipping below 60 degrees F.

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Watering

Stromanthe is a tropical plant that prefers to stay somewhat moist, but don’t overwater! You’ll notice yellowing of leaves if the stromanthe remains wet all the time.

This plant grows in areas of high humidity. Misting it or placing it on a tray of pebbles with water can replicate that environment.

Too little water may cause the leaves to turn brown along the edges. Filtered or distilled water is recommended.

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Toxicity

Stromanthe is non-toxic to people and pets.

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Growth

Compared to other houseplants, the stromanthe is slow-growing. It can eventually reach 2 ft in height and 3 ft in width.

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Origin

This plant’s natural habitat is the Brazilian rainforest.

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Propagation

Stromanthe can most easily be propagated by division. It is a rhizomatous plant, and the roots should easily divide when the soil is removed. Divided plants with strong roots may be planted directly into potting soil. You may decide to place younger plants in water for a couple of weeks before planting.

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Dormancy

Stromanthe is winter dormant.

Stromanthe never never plant

Stromanthe never never plant turns bright pink in direct sun.

Calathea Stromanthe Triostar plant on white

Blood-red stromanta – Stromanthe Triostar Tricolor variety close-up leaf on the windowsill

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

Schlumbergera Holiday Cactus

Schlumbergera | Holiday Cactus

Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter cacti prefer to be treated as tropical plants, as they come from the Brazilian rainforest.

Check our care sheet for how to get blooms during the holidays.

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Light

bright, indirect sunlight

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Temperatures

It’s ok to leave your holiday cactus outside in the shade during the summer, but bring it inside before temps drop to 50° F.

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Watering

Soak well and let dry between waterings. If the plant has become wilted from lack of water, you can place it in a tub of water for a day, but don’t do this on a regular basis.

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Toxicity

non-toxic to humans or pets

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Growth

In their native habitat, these plants are epiphytes, attaching to tree limbs in tropical rainforests. Schlumbergera tends to drape over time. Hanging baskets really show off the flowers which grow at the ends of the leaves. Our care sheet provides more info on helping them to bloom.

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Origin

rainforests of Central and South America, particularly Brazil.

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Propagation

Holiday cactus can be propagated through separating of roots, or from leaves. We have found that leaving the leaves upright in 1/4 inch of distilled water promoted root growth. It is also possible to plant the leaves directly into moist soil.

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Dormancy

It’s easy to force Schlumbergera into dormancy so that the plant flowers at the appropriate time. See our care sheet for instructions on blooming.

Schlumbergera thanksgiving cactus

Holiday cacti are available in a wide variety of colors.

Schlumbergera truncata, Thanksgiving or Crab cactus plant growing new leaves

Thanksgiving cactus Schlumbergera truncata crab cactus plants on windowsill blossoming in winter

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

Rhipsalis

Rhipsalis is a tropical cactus, usually called Mistletoe or Spaghetti cactus. It has light, thin branches with tiny cactus spines.

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Most Popular Types

There are many varieties of Rhipsalis, mostly all known as Mistletoe cactus. At Growing Hobby, we carry Rhipsalis clavata, R. baccifera cashero, R. cereuscula, and R. baccifera.

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Light

Partial sun

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Temperatures

Rhipsalis can withstand temperatures down to 33°F for short time periods.

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Watering

Water frequently, not allowing the soil to go completely dry nor remain soggy.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to humans or pets

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Growth

Rhipsalis is an epiphyte, growing from crooks in rainforest trees. Indoors, it drapes to 2 ft in length.

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Origin

Central America, Europe, Asia, and Africa

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Propagation

Stem cuttings

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Dormancy

Winter dormant

Rhipsalis lepismium cruciforme hurricane cactus

Rhipsalis lepismium cruciforme is known as the hurricane cactus. We don’t know if it’s because it can survive a hurricane or if it always looks like it just went through one!

Rhipsalis in bloom

This small scale Rhipsalis develops even tinier blooms.

Rhipsalis baccifera

Rhipsalis Baccifera is an epiphyte in its native environment.

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

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