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.

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Most Popular Types

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

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Light

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

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Temperatures

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

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Watering

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

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to animals or humans.

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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.

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Origin

Rain forests of Brazil

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Propagation

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

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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 bivittatus (2)

Cryptanthus Bivittatus assortment

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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

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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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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.

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Tillandsia

Tillandsia, or air plants, are a favorite for people looking for low-maintenance plants. They don’t even need soil. You can place them around your house where they get indirect light (even from fluorescent bulbs) and simply spritz them with water each week.

What’s most important to air plant health? Air. Once the plants are spritzed each week, make sure they have a chance to dry, particularly at the base of the plant. Glass terrariums with air plants are pretty, but the plants will need air circulation to remain healthy. If you see that your terrarium plant is looking tired, pull it out of the glass globe for a few days for it to breathe.

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Most Popular Types

Ionantha from Guatemala, Honduras, or Mexican are most common. Our favorite is the xerographica, a large wide-leafed ball of curiosity.

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Light

The natural habitat of tillandsias is the humid rainforests of Central and South America. As epiphytes, they hang from tree branches, taking nutrients from decaying materials, but they don’t harm the host tree. To mimic this habitat, you can hang them in your shady trees outside until temps drop to about 50 degrees. Then bring them in to take a spot on your windowsill or table.

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Temperatures

Air plants do well inside the house or hanging in trees outside. Once temps drop to 50 degrees, be sure to bring them in and place on a sunny windowsill.

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Watering

Spritz once a week, but take care to let the plant dry before placing it in a container.

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Toxicity

Non-toxic to animals or humans.

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Growth

Air plants are monocarpic, meaning they bloom only once. Typically, their blooms are stunning, lasting more than a month. The mother plant will then grow offsets, or pups. Once the pups can take care of themselves, the mother plant will slowly die off.

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Origin

The natural habitat of tillandsias is the humid rainforests of Central and South America.

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Propagation

Watch for pups growing on the side of the main air plant. When they get to at least 1/4 the size of the main plant, you can pop them off.

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Dormancy

Air plants are winter dormant.

tillandsia mix

Growing Hobby keeps a wide variety of air plants, or Tillandsia.

tillandsia ionantha guatemala

This Tillandsia ionantha is from Guatemala

Tillandsia xerographica

Tillandsia xerographica is a large scale air plant, reaching 15 inches in length when wet.

tillandsia bulbosa belize

This variety from Belize is the largest bulbosa variety of Tillandsia we’ve found.

tillandsia streptophylla

The Tillandsia streptophylla curls itself into an egg shape when it’s in low humidity.

tillandsia ionantha scaposa

The Tillandsia ionantha scaposa is a small compact air plant

tillandsia harrissii

This Tillandsia harrissii is a great filler for arrangements.

tillandsia funkiana

Tillandsia funkiana – We just love the name of this one!

tillandsia bulbosa guatemala

This bulbosa variety of air plant is native to Guatemala

tillandsia xerographica

Tillandsia xerographica is always a show-stopper. It looks great hanging from twine.

tillandsia baileyi

The baileyi variety of Tillandsia has a remarkable striped pattern.

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