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What is this Plant My Renters Left Behind?

Ask the Expert: What type of plant and how to care for it.

Philodendron Houseplant

Philodendron Makes a Good Houseplant

This plant was left from my renters. The majority of the leaves were lying on the floor. I put two sticks into the pot to try to give the stems support and tied up with ribbon to have it grow up. Is this the correct size and type of pot? Should I leave the leaves where the lay? I rotated pot as to the leaves might rise when sunlight hits it. What is the name of the plant and how should I take care of it? Alexandra Allen

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:

Alexandra,
It looks like you actually have two types of Philodendron. The nice thing about Philodendrons is their versatility. So in this case, you could either let the leaves trail downward or give them support to grow up. Although the plant seems fine in its present container, you might want to re-pot the plant into a container about half-again as big. Be sure the new container has drain holes in the bottom and that you use a good basic houseplant potting soil.

If your sticks are giving the plant the support they need, keep using them. If you need more support, your local garden center should have plant totems.

Since this plant flourishes in bright, filtered or indirect light, it will thrive indoors. Just place it in a room with moderate light level. It is best not to place it directly in front of a window. Keep the soil moist, but make sure excess water can drain away from the plant. If the humidity level in your house is low, mist the air around the plant with lukewarm water every day at least once. About once a month give the plant a dose of a well-balanced fertilizer.

Hope this information is helpful.

What Is This Houseplant?

Ask The Plant Expert: “Hi, my names is James. I have a plant in my house and I would like you to identify it. I have attached a photo.”

Type of Philodendron

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What’s Wrong With My Split-leaf Philodendron?

Ask the Plant Expert:

I have been in charge of caring for a heart-leaf philodendron for a worker who passed away earlier this year. The plant was growing rapidly & bearing big, beautiful, green leaves. I water it on Fridays before the weekends & make sure it is not in direct sunlight.

Last Friday when I went to water it, I noticed there was standing water that the plant was not soaking in. Come Monday, the plant had an odor to it. I figured it needed the next size pot since it had grown so much. So, I re-potted it with Miracle-gro, and there’s no smell, but it looks sick. Please help. – Beth

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Identification of a Red Princess Philodendron

Ask the Plant Expert: What is this plant?

I got this plant a few days ago but didn’t notice that it didn’t have an identification or care tag. It’s a beautiful plant and I want to take good care of it. It’s also me and my husband’s first house plant. Please help. Michelle

Top View of Red Princess philodendron Red Princess Philodendron in pot

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How To Rid Philodendron x ‘Red Princess’ of Bugs

Ask The Expert: Can you tell me how to eliminate the bugs from my Philodendron x ‘Red Princess’ plant? Felicia

Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply: Depending on the type of bug (insect), there are many insecticides that you can use. If you are not sure which insect is attacking your Philodendron, start with a general purpose houseplant insecticide. Fertilome and Hi-yeild each have a ready to use general purpose insecticides that are safe for houseplants. Your local garden center/nursery will have these products.

If the bugs can be identified, a insect specific insecticide can be use, usually with better results. Your local garden center/nursery will be able to identify your insect – just take them a sample. Mealy bugs, scale insects and spider mites are usually the culprits.

This post was brought to you by the local florists in Toledo OH.

Philodendron Turning Yellow In Landscape

Ask the Expert: Plants in front of house, Philodendron, turning yellow
Philodendron in front of house turning yellow and dying.  How do I save them? Lea

Plant Expert Reply:

Unless you live in Florida or a small coastal area of Texas, the philodendron is turning yellow because of the cold temperatures. I assume the philodendron have only been planted this season. The only way to save them would be to bring them into the house.

If you live in Florida, check for root rot which can be caused by excessive amounts of water.  In a case of root rot, you need to make sure the soil is draining properly and hope for the best.

Now’s The Time To Pick Up A Heartleaf Philodendron Plant

One of the few things that I remember most about my grandmother, though still alive, is that she loves houseplants. Her favorite is one that reminds me of the Heartleaf Philodendron plant, though the name of the other escapes me.

Heartleaf Philodendron Houseplant

Heartleaf Philodendron Houseplant

Grammie’s favorite plant is very similar to heartleaf philodendron plants (Philodendron scandens oxycardium). Both have distinctly shaped leaves, are easy to care for, and are a beautiful shade of light green. Both make her smile when she receives one as a surprise gift from one of her family members. Both lighten the atmosphere in her dark house, made so by the architecture.

Grammie is a fun woman to be around. She always has a story of something that happened as far from my birth as today is only that many decades before it. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve sat her dining room table while she sat in her personal chair and regaled her grandkids (my brother, sister, myself) with stories from her vague memories of the Great Depression, picking cotton as a young woman, marrying a sailor during the second World War, raising three kids and carrying for a physically disabled but mentally functional husband, and then raising her grandchild as her son when he was born just after my mother.

She’s a very strong woman and something about her makes me want to give back but I don’t usually know how. I’ve tried a lot of different gifts and she loves them all because she adores the giver (*smile*) but her favorites by far are houseplants. They cheer up her dreary days and give her something to tend that will occupy her mind. After 70 years of caring for other people, now she has only herself and her houseplants. It’s not as depressing as it sounds. She deserves the break and keeping her hands busy is what she prefers.

My gram is something of a trooper. I know that this year she’ll be getting a brand new houseplant from me as we transplant the bigger ones to her garden or give them to a neighbor. I couldn’t help but think of her and smile when I saw the heartleaf philodendron plant in the houseplant gallery. I smiled and I hope she’ll smile too when she receives her fresh, green houseplant. No–I know she will.

10 Houseplants Poisonous To Dogs, Cats, or Children

Ask the Expert: what are the names of plants and flowers that are poisonous.
I work as a floral designer and I am asked all the time what plants and flowers are poison to animals and humans. Kelly

Reply:

Kelly,

First I want to clarify the difference between “poisonous as in deadly” and “poisonous as an irritant”. Many plants listed as poisonous are not deadly or really toxic, but rather cause an irritation to the mouth, stomach, skin or respiratory system. Why is this important? Because the classification of plants being poisonous is matter of interpretation and myths. For example, poinsettias are considered poisonous which is not all together true. There is no documented case where someone has died from ingesting a poinsettia. Secondly, the amount one a would have to ingest in order to accumulate the toxin level for death would be immense. However, poinsettias can cause great irritation to the skin or mouth.

When we discuss poisonous houseplants, we should take the approach that the American Animal Hospital Association takes on its Healthypet.com site with regards to its guide to toxic plants and foods. They state, “If you have these plants or foods, you need not dispose of them-just keep them away from pets and children.” Of course, plants that are deadly may not need to be in the home of small children or young pets. However, plants that can cause irritation or stomach upset may only need to be placed somewhere pets and children can’t reach them.

Here is a quick top 10 guide to plant toxicity for florists (note there may be plants that are carried by florists that are not listed. In these cases you will have to research that specific plant or email me and I will find out and add it to the list).

Houseplants with High Poison Plant Classification

Dwarf Schefflera

Dwarf Schefflera

Green Schefflera

Green Schefflera

Variegated Dwf Schefflera

Variegated Dwf Schefflera

Dumb Cane

Dumb Cane

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe

Cyclamen

Cyclamen

Heartleaf Philodendron

Heartleaf Philodendron

Tree Philodendron

Tree Philodendron

Red Princess Phildendron

Red Princess Phildendron

Hydrangea

Hydrangea

According to many sources these ten houseplants are highly toxic to dogs, cats or children. The toxicity resides in ingesting the plants. So it is important to keep these away from dogs, cats or children who might chew on them. They are all wonderful plants and should not be excluded from our lives as long as we keep them under appropriate supervision.

Flowers that are considered highly poisonous are: Foxglove (Digitalis), Amaryllis bulb, Bleeding heart, Lily-of-the-valley, Delphinium, Larkspur, Monkshood, Anthurium, lilies and Calla lily. Many times with flowers it is the bulb from which they come that is toxic if eaten by a dog or a cat.

There are other houseplants and flowers that are considered a mild or moderate risk. Although not a complete list by any means, this is a short break down of plants or flowers that cause a mild or moderate irritation or toxicity in dogs, cats or children:

Peace lily, Chinese evergreen, Benjamin fig, Corn Plant, Dracaenas, Nephthytis, rubber plant, Pothos,
English Ivy, Mother-in-law tongue, Azlaea, Croton, Easter Lily, Hyacinth, Daffodils, Chrysanthemum, Bird of Paradise, iris, lupine.

You can find more information on the Healthypet.com prevent poisonings page or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Page.

Hopefully this information will help you and your customers select the appropriate houseplants and flowers for their specific situation.

I have had many of these plants and flowers in my home. Fortunately for me my puppies found that these plants were not interesting and did not taste good. I don’t worry about having “poisonous” plants in my home or yard. I do make a mental note of plants that can be harmful in case my vet needs to know my dogs have been exposed to.

Click on the button below to find the right house plant for your home. Flowering house plants keep us smiling and cheery; green house plants ease our minds and provide comfort, while tropical house plants make us feel composed and sophisticated.

If you don’t see a particular plant on the lists above. Contact me for a more comprehensive list.


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Name This Split Leaf Plant

Ask the Expert: What kind of plant is this?
I have been trying to figure this out forever. A friend thinks it is some kind of fern but I can’t find any pictures of it?
I was hoping maybe you guys could help? Matthew

See Attached Pictures

Xanadu Philodendron

Xanadu Philodendron

Xanadu Philodendron Leaf

Xanadu Philodendron Leaf

Photo of a Tree Philodendron Plant

Ask the Expert: what is this plant?
this plant is unknown to me. any ideas of what it is? large green leaves with white flowers that look like a banana? very odd but pretty. see photos. Joe
Attached Photos

Philodendron bipinnatifidum

Philodendron bipinnatifidum

Split-Leaf Philodendron

Split-Leaf Philodendron

Tree Philodendron

Tree Philodendron