The Norfolk Island Pine

The Norfolk Island Pine makes a great addition to any decor because of its dwarf tree appearance. Plus, with tiered branches containing soft needles appearing like small brushes its appearance is appealing to many as a houseplant.

The Norfolk Island Pine prefers medium lighting so keep the plant within 5 - 8 feet of a window. The plant also prefers cooler household temperatures in general. Watering this houseplant is also quite simple. Water thoroughly once a week or when the soil becomes dry to touch and be sure to discard the extra water in the drain pan after a half hour or so. Also, I have found this houseplant prefers to be watered at the same time week after week. The Norfolk Island Pine also requires high humidity levels, so if humidity is low in your home, be sure to mist the plant with cool water at least once a week.

If the needles begin to fall, it may be 1 of many reasons. The first to check is that you are not over or under watering the plant. Secondly, be sure the pine is receiving enough sunlight, so you may want to try and move it closer to a window.

The Norfolk Island Pine is a medium to low maintenance houseplant, plus with its attractive appearance makes a great addition to any plant room. The only down side to this popular houseplant is that it is a slow grower so be sure to purchase the size you prefer.

Common Name: Norfolk Island Pine
Scientific Name: Araucaria heterophylla
Lighting: Moderate
Watering: Moderate to Low

Mimosa

Mimosa - Genus of about 400 species of annuals, evergreen perennials, shrubs, and small trees, from forest to dry savanna in tropical regions worldwide. Mimosa folds up its leaves when touched or exposed to a flame. At night the leaves fold naturally. The plant requires a medium light exposure, an evenly moist soil, and temperatures between 60 and 85 F. Use caution when handling seedlings as the plant dislikes root disturbance. Mimosa may be difficult to grow and is sensitive to over-watering. The ball-like pink flower-heads appears during the summer months.

Growing Condition
Warm - minimum 60F in winter. As much light as possible. Shade from hot sun. Grow in soil-based potting mix.

Watering
Keep compost moist at all times - reduce watering in winter. Mist leaves frequently.

Special Helps
Sow seedat 64-75 F (18-24 C) in spring. Root softwood cuttings with bottom heat in early summer.

Pandanus

Pandanus - Genus of about 250 species of dioecious, evergreen shrubs and trees occuring in dry and moist sites throughout tropical regions of Africa, India, Asia, Australia, and the Pacific islands. Pandanus becomes a rather large plant. Prop roots that reach down from the branches provide support and give the plant a unique appearance. It grows best in bright light but needs shade from bright summer sun. An east window would be a good location. Keep the soil evenly moist in the summer but drier in winter to prevent root rot. Ideal temperatures are 62 to 65 degrees at night and 80 to 85 degrees during the day. The plant tolerates low humidity. The small and petalless male and female flowers are produced on separate plants.
Pandanus veitchii is wide-spreading and reaches a height about 4 ft.

Growing Condition
Average warmth in summer - minimum 55F in winter. Brightly lit spot. Grow in soil-based potting mix.

Watering

Keep compost moist at all times but never waterlogged. Reduce watering in winter. Use soft, tepid water. Misting is necessary.

Special Helps
Propagation is by removing and rooting suckers when repotting. Root them in slightly moist medium with 70 degrees bottom heat. Sow seed at 64 F (18 C) as soon as ripe or in spring, first soaking them for 24 hours.

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Lady palms

Lady palms are very adaptive thus their popularity as a houseplant. Lady palms foliage is characterized by thick green leaves with blunt tips radiating from the center of a stem. Picture your hand with your fingers spread out. The stems are covered with a brown fiber. Lady palms as a houseplant are slow growers. Outdoor varieties grow at a much faster rate.

There are many varieties of Lady Palms. Here are some of the most popular:
Thailand Lady Palm - Rhapis subtilis
Large Lady Palm - Rhapis excelsa
Miniature Lady Palm - Rhapis excelsa
Laos Lady Palm - Rhapis laosensis
Slender Lady Palm - Rhapis humilis

Lady palms prefer bright, indirect light so keep within 3 to 5 feet of a window. Variegated varieties require lower light levels. This houseplant is not very picky about its temperature or humidity. So normal indoor temperatures should suit these plants.

Lady palms prefer to dry out in-between watering however the Thailand Lady Palm (Rhapis subtilis) prefers to be moist at all times. This houseplant like many others is extremely touchy when it comes to water. Use un-treated water containing no fluorides or chlorine. If the tips of the leaves brown, the water may not be pure enough or you may be over fertilizing the plant. You can trim the brown tips off, just keep the leaves same shape when doing so.

Common Name: Lady Palms
Scientific Name: Rhapis species
Lighting: Bright Light
Watering: Moderate to Low

If the entire leaf is browning it could be due to one of many causes. One is that the plant is not receiving enough water. Another common mistake is that the plant has been placed to close to a draft or heat source.

Scale insects are main pest for this houseplant however can be hard to identify and get rid of. The best method is using an insecticide which is absorbed through the roots. Visit your local garden center to find the right product.

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Growing Palms

Shamrock plants

Shamrock plants come in a wide variety of species. Varieties include those with deep burgundy foliage with white or pink flowers to green foliage as well. Shamrock plants form a mound like appearance by continually sprouting new shoots. One thing to be aware of, is that generally within 2 months of receiving your Shamrock plant, the plant will appear to be dying and actually seem dead. Don't throw it out! It is a bulb and goes into a dormant state.

Shamrock plants prefer low light levels in most cases. Some varieties like higher levels, so be sure to follow the tag for your specific variety. If your plant is stretching or becomes lanky in appearance, it is probably not receiving enough light.

Shamrock plants prefer to have their soil somewhat moist at all times. However you do not want the soil to be soggy, so be careful not to over water. Generally, if the soil does dry out, this houseplant will spring back from a wilted state quite quickly. But do not make a habit of under watering the plant. If the foliage begins to yellow, you may be over watering the plant.

If you're Shamrock plant has not bloomed, you can try to cut back water levels on the plant to force it into a dormancy state. Then in 2 to 3 months begin to increase the water levels.

I have never had this plant, so any tips or advice are welcomed and encouraged to assist my readers in caring for this houseplant.

The Zebra plant

Common Name: Zebra Plant
Scientific Name: Aphelandra squarrosa
Lighting: Bright Light
Watering: Moderate

The Zebra plant receives its name according to its zebra looking foliage. Oversized, green with stripes of white foliage with bright exotic looking bright yellow flowers is the character appearance of the Zebra plant. Once the flowers are done blooming, prune out the old bloom giving room for the growth of future blooms.

The Zebra plant does best in bright, indirect light. Due to its South American home the Zebra plant prefers warm temperatures with high humidity levels. So the plant loves to be misted once or twice a week to provide for its humidity needs.

Watering the plant once a week should be sufficient however, do not allow the plant to dry out. If the leaves start to drop, you are probably under watering.

This is a medium maintenance houseplant with the main concerns being the humidity and watering needs, which are can easily be accommodated once you have it down. I personally have never had any problems with mites or bugs, but if they appear lightly spray the plant with a soapy water mixture daily.

The Madagascar Dragon Tree

The Madagascar Dragon Tree is to me one of the most popular houseplants, yet one of the hardest to identify. I looked through many houseplant books before actually finding the name of this particular Dracaena. Needless to say, this is a great houseplant and one of my favorites. Long, narrow, spike like foliage characterize this plant. Foliage is usually green with a red outline, thus giving the houseplant its drama.

The Madagascar Dragon Tree is fairly easy to care for. The greatest thing I like about the Madagascar Dragon Tree is that it allows you to create your own look with it. As you can see from mine, I just let them go at will. However you can brace your stalks up, twist them or create your own attraction with them.

Common Name:Madagascar Dragon Tree
Scientific Name: Dracaena marginata
Lighting: Moderate to Low
Watering: Moderate

The Madagascar Dragon Tree requires moderate to low light levels. This Dracaena can usually withstand lower light levels than some of the other Dracaena's. As with many Dracaena varieties, if the dramatic coloring or variegation on the foliage begins to fade, the plant may not be receiving enough light.

This houseplant prefers to have moderate water levels. So keep the soil fairly moist at all times. Dracaena's are native to the African jungles, so they do require higher humidity levels. If the tips of the foliage begin to brown, it may be a sign that there is not enough humidity in the air. In the winter, simply running a humidifier may be enough to supplement their high humidity requirements. Otherwise you can also give your plant a nice daily misting instead.

Keep in mind, this houseplant sheds its bottom foliage frequently. This does not mean you are doing anything wrong in terms of caring for it. Just as the plant grows the bottom leaves shed.

The Hawaiian Ti

The Hawaiian Ti's appearance truly is exotic. Plus it is commonly known as the Good Luck tree. The Hawaiian Ti plant grows in canes with maroon spear shaped foliage. The Hawaiian Ti can grow anywhere from 2 to 5 feet in height. This houseplant makes a colorful addition to any sunroom.

The Hawaiian Ti plant prefers bright light so keep the houseplant within 3 to 5 feet of a sunny window. Also keep it away from any drafts and heat vents. This houseplant requires high levels of humidity, so misting with water daily will help keep your Hawaiian Ti plant healthy and beautiful.


Common Name: Hawaiian Ti, Good Luck Tree, Red Sister
Scientific Name: Cordyline terminalis
Lighting: Bright Light
Watering: Moderate to Heavy

The hardest part about keeping your Hawaiian Ti plant healthy is the watering. Keep the soil moist at all times, however, do not flood the plant. You need to keep the soil moist but not soaked. Water the plant thoroughly at least twice a week. Do not let the plant dry out in between waterings so watch it carefully.

I have also found the Hawaiian Ti to be particular on what kind of water it is given. Fresh water, free of chemicals has been the best source for myself. If foliage begins to fall, chances are the plant is not receiving enough water.

Goldfish Plant

Common Name: Goldfish Plant
Scientific Name: Nematanthus wettsteinii
Lighting: Bright to Moderate Light
Watering: Moderate to Heavy

The Goldfish plant is characterized by bright orange flowers radiating from glossy green foliage. The flowers looking like orange goldfish thus the name. This houseplant prefers a little more work than others due to the high humidity it requires.

The Goldfish plant prefers bright light. A nicely lit area out of direct sunlight will work perfectly. If the leaves begin to curl up, your plant is most likely not receiving enough light. Try moving it to a more lighted area.

The Goldfish plant requires moderate to heavy water levels. Keep the soil moist at all times, however prevent the soil from being soggy. This houseplant is in the same family as African violets and thus requires high humidity levels. Mist the plant daily to help fulfill its humidity requirement.

This houseplant also needs warmer temperatures. Keep temperatures above 60 degrees. Be sure to also avoid vents and drafty areas. Another area of caution. This houseplant can go into a resting period. If your plant begins to drop healthy looking leaves, keep the plant dryer than usual for about a month, then begin normal watering again. This should spring the plant back into gear.

Seeing as this houseplant can be a tricky one, please share any tips you have with everyone!

Geraniums (Pelargonium)

Many new kinds of this popular pot plant have been developed, the best known of which is the zonal type named for the markings in the foliage. Mainly, leaves are green, but the colorful zonal sub-group called fancy-leaf geraniums sport variegated foliage. Ivy-leaf varieties, another group of geraniums, perform masterfully in hanging baskets. The scented foliage types give you nutmeg, peppermint, lemon, rose, or other fragrance to enjoy.

Ball-shaped heads of colorful small blooms arise on tall stalks. Zonal kinds come in pink, red, salmon, and white. Ivy-leaved geraniums range from rose-carmine to white.

Light

Geraniums are high-light intensity plants ; they thrive in a south or southwest window.

Water

Since they have thick, succulent stems, geraniums can withstand some drought. But for healthy, vigorous growth and blooms, water plants every time soil surface becomes dry. Drainage must be good; they resent waterlogged soil.

Special Helps

New geraniums are commonly rooted by taking three-to five-inch growth cuttings from healthy mature plants.

Geraniums bloom best when slightly pot-bound. Without a daily dose of at least three or four hours of sunshine, your plants will become leggy and refuse to bloom.

Don’t feed your geraniums unless they have stopped growing or the foliage is pale. Even then, use only a small amount of any water-soluble fertilizer (overfeeding will result in leggy plants that produce few blooms).

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula; Venus flytrap)

This small, novelty houseplant can catch and digest flies and other insects, but does not need them to survive. The hinged traps naps shut when an unsuspecting insect touches the sensitive hair inside. Digestive juices secreted by the plant finish off the victim, and the rap is set again. Cut off the small flowers that appear in June on tall stems, as they weaken the plant.

Light

Venus flytrap grows in sun in its native Carolinas. Full sun bring out the red coloring inside the leaf traps; if grown mostly in shade, they will be green only.

Water

Never let this plant lack moisture; water every other day. Flytrap prefers high humidity.

Special Helps

This is one plant that doesn’t need drainage. It grows along the edges of moist sandy bottom land in its natural habitat. In the home, use a wide shallow container without drainage and plant the specimen-not too firmly-in loose, live sphagnum moss. When watering, fill the sallow container with water to wet the moss thoroughly, then pour off excess water. Never fertilize the Venus flytrap.

Propagate by root division. Plants do die naturally as they mature, but new ones will normally take the parent’s place. An improper environment-shade, poor potting medium, or air that is too dry-will stunt the flytrap’s growth.

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Fittonia (Nerve Plant)

This low creeping plant comes handsomely “decorated” with white, pink, or red veins in the leaves. When flowers appear, they grow erect as white spikes.

Light

Grow shade-loving fittonia in a north window or away from sun in near east, south, or west exposure.

Water

Keep the soil moist at all times. Unless your fittonia is growing in the humidity of a terrarium-for which it’s admirably suited-set the potted plant on a pebble tray containing wet gravel to help raise the humidity.

Special Helps

Feed lightly once or twice a year. Fittonia prefers a porous soil mixture containing plenty of organic matter. Prune to keep under control. Propagate by taking stem cuttings, preferably in the spring.

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Firefern (Oxalis hedysariodes rubra)

This shrubby plant is an oxalis, but unlike others in the family, it has red foliage. Little yellow flowers contrast nicely against satiny wine-red leaves.

Light

Firefern needs a sunny window for its foliage to remain a rich red color.

Water

Keep soil evenly moist. Firefern resents soggy soil, so be sure pot has adequate drainage in bottom.

Special Helps

Use standard potting mixture. Like most houseplants, the main requirement is a porous medium to allow enough air to get to the roots. Feed sparingly; a light feeding every two or three months dhould be enough.

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Ficus

Rubber plant (Ficus elastica)

Ficus elastica (rubber plant) and F. elastica ‘decora’ (with broader leaves and red new growth) have long been rated as easy to grow, but really they’re not. The assumption has been that the rubber plant would grow in the poorest light and with minimum water. Untrue! A rubber plant needs bright light and regular watering. In its natural environment, it’s a big tree, growing in full sun.

Celeste fig

F. lyatra (fiddleleaf fig) sports huge, stiff, glossy leaves that demand constant moisture or they turn brown and drop. F. benamina (weeping fig) has small, waxy leaves on pendant branches and is the easiest of his group o manage. Although less fussy about light and water than the others, it will go into a decline if you put it in too dim a light and treat it like a desert plant.

The celeste fig boast bold, handsome leaves that are decorative from spring through fall. They drop just a deciduous trees are losing leaves outside. After they go, however, the angular stems offer their own peculiar beauty throughout dreary winter months.

Light

All ficus species like bright, indirect sun. full sun through glass will burn the leaves.

Water

Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)

Keep the soil moist to the touch. Frequency of watering depends (as with any houseplant) on the size of the plant and pot and whether the container has drainage and is made of clay, plastic, or ceramic.

Special Helps

Use a general potting soil lightened with a little sand or perlite. Feed three or four times a year with any complete solube or liquid houseplant food. If your plant grows too fast, space feeding at longer intervals or eliminate altogether. Do nont feed Celeste fig during its winter dormancy periode.

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Fern

Boston fern

The most popular fern for home decoration is the Boston (Nephrolepis exaltata bostoniensis), which comes in more forms than the other fern classes. Some grow leaves only eight inches long, while other kinds reach four to five feet.

Other interesting ferns for indoor use are small brake fern (Pteris), which features wiry  leave. If you want a Victoria brake fern (Pteris victoriae), with its jade green fronds stripes silvery white, you will probably find it among plants sold for terrariums. This does not mean you must grow in terrarium, though, it’s beautiful anywhere.

Maidenhair fern (Adiantum) is a small type having wiry leaf stems with long fronds radiating from them in spoke fasion. Small, fan-shaped leaflets line each spoke.

Asplenium, another plant group from which a number of handsome ferns come, includes bird’s-nest fern (Asplenium nidus). Its bright green, lance-shaped leaves are whole rather than feathery, and arise stiffly in a whorl from a crown.

Asplenium myriophyllum, a lacy fern, puts up fronds of 6 to 15 inches and is suitable to grow in a cool greenhouse. Japanese holly-fern (Cyrtonium falcatum ‘Rochefordianum’) gets its common name from the stiff, varnished look of its 8 – to 10 – inch fronds. It’s easier to grow than the Boston fern and makes less demand for high humidity.

Staghorn fern

Staghorn fern (Platycerium vassei), with its antler-shaped leaves, never fails to attract attention. Its grows naturally on trees, so in cultivation attach it to a ball of sphagnum on aboard and hang it up.

Light

In nature,fern grow where light intensity is low. In the home, ferns do well under bright light, but not direct sun. in shout and west windows, hang a sheer curtain to dilute the intensity of the sun, but it’s not necessary. Never expose variegated Pteris ferns to sun, just bright light.

Water

Bird's-nest fern

Fern like an even moisture supply to thrive (water less during short, dark winter days). On sunny days, mist foliage early in the morning. Don’t mist on dark, damp days, though, or so late in the day that mist remains on leaves overnight. That could invite mold or fungus to form. Once one of these unwelcome guests appears, you might as well destroy the affected plant and start over.

Leaf wilting generally indicates a lack of water. Yellowing, other than that of natural aging or disease, is a sign of excessive moisture or poor drainage. To ensure good drainage for your fern-never allow it to stand in water-use about an inch of clay chips in the bottom of the pot.

To water a staghorn fern, suspend it from a shower head in your bathroom and turn a fine spray of water over the plant, sphagnum, and board. Leave in the shower until dripping stops. Follow this unusual watering procedure twice a week.

Special Helps

Feed ferns with care-once every six month with a slow-release should be enough. If you use a liquid houseplant fertilizer, be careful not to use more than stated on container label. And remember: always water your plants before applying a fertilizer.

Asplenium myriophyllum

Avoid extremes in temperatures and drafty conditions. Keep ferns away from hot air registers. Propagate ferns at any time of year by root division. Ferns dislike heavy soil. Use a commercial mixture high in peat moss, or make your own with two parts peat moss or leaf mold, one part garden loam, and one part perlite or coarse sand. Add a little crushed charcoal to the mixture.

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Dracena (Dracaena)

Corn Plant (Dracaena massangeana)

The great variety of dracenas available provide dramatic forms for interior design. These impressively large foliage plant make good choice for either formal or informal setting , regardless of  whether you use them singly or as focal points for mass arrangement of plant collection. And as an added plus, they are easy to grow.

Dracaena fragrans massangeana often is called the corn plant because its wide leaves resemble those of a cornstalk. The yellow stripe that runs the length of each leaf will disappear if the plant stands too far from its light source, but the all-green foliage is still lush. Brown leaf tips indicate improper watering-either too little or too much.

  

 Dracaena janet craig has several relatives of similar appearance, all of which often are called dragon trees. They do well in medium light and average house humidity if grown in porous soil and provide with good drainage.

Dracaena warnecki

The striking leaves of Dracaena warnecki make it popular in spite of its tendency to develop brown tips and edge. You can snip of these discoloration with scissors.

One of the most desirable of indoor plant, Dracaena marginata  has narrow bottle-green leaves edged with red. This angular, sculptural plant will reach a height of six feet.

Dracaena godseffiana, called Florida Beauty, is a dwarf, maturing at 18 to 24 inches tall. Its wiry stems of green leaves mottled with creamy white grow in a haphazard manner.

Light

Florida Beauty (Dracaena godseffiana)

Grow in an east window or out of direct sun in south and west windows to maintain brightly colored foliage of the variegated types. Dracaena will survive with only remote artificial light, but growth will be much slower.

Water

Dracaenas withstand neglected for some time, but it’s best to keep soil just moist to the touch. Lower leaves of D. marginata will drop if you withhold water too long. Of course, old leaves will drop eventually, anyway, resulting in the angular stem structure that’s generally pleasing. As with all houseplants, always use unsoftened, room-temperature water.

Draceana janet craig

Special Helps

Loose, well-drained soil high in organic matter encourages good growth,; a general potting soil mixture will suffice. Feed with any complete soluble or liquid houseplant fertilizer every three month, year around.

Start new plants from stem cutting or by air layering. Rejuvenate an overly leggy dracaena by cutting it off four to six inches above ground. New growth will sprout on what’s left of the old potted stem. 

Source : Growing Houseplants

Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)

Different varieties of Adenium are similar in that they all produce attractive flowers and also usually produce a fat stem near the base (the caudex). However, although they all have beautiful flowers and fat/interesting stems, there is endless variation in these traits and little agreement amongst plant-lovers on which is the best!
Adeniums in general are well adapted to the hot dry conditions of southern Arizona from March through October, but have essentially no frost tolerance, so must be protected whenever cold temperatures are expected.
Because winter protection is required, Adeniums are almost always planted in containers, and moved when necessary to provide protection. As for all plants in containers, more attention is necessary than for plants in the ground. In containers, soil conditions change very quickly - soil in containers heats up and cools down much faster than does native soil; also, soil water content changes much more quickly in containers.

Light
Where native, Adeniums can grow in full sunlight, and if properly managed, they will also tolerate the full sun. Since we protect our plants in the winter by placing them under artificially warm conditions and under much lower light levels than exist outdoors, we cannot immediately place our plants in direct sun in the spring - they must be gradually adapted to higher light, and will likely do best if maintained under partial shade throughout the summer (20-40%). Exposure to full sunlight from noon to 5:00 PM in mid-summer can be especially dangerous. Under shade, leaves will be darker green and likely experience less damage from wind. Flower production may suffer if excessive shade is used.

Water
Proper watering is the key to keeping your Adenium healthy. Because every situation is unique, it is impossible to give a precise watering schedule that will lead to best results, but a few guide-lines will be given. Frequency of watering is determined by the soil mix and container which you use. A well-drained 'cactus' soil mix should be used to avoid excessive moisture around the roots, but such mixes will require more frequent watering. Plants in unglazed terra cotta containers will need to be watered more frequently than plants in glazed or plastic containers. Care should be taken to assure that drainage holes in the container are not blocked.

Special Helps
During the active-growing season (late-May through early September), application of a complete liquid fertilizer (one which contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) once or twice a month, or use of a controlled (slow) release fertilizer at the rates recommended on the package will satisfy nutritional needs. Slow-release fertilizers should not be applied after mid-summer.

Dizygotheca (Dizigotheca eleganissima; false aralia; thread-leaf)

Botanically speaking, this indoor shrub, which reaches five feet tall, is a dizygotheca-but asking for it by that name wouldn’t get you far in the supermarket. In ordinary trade, it remains Aralia elegantissima. Elegant it is, but by no means as delicate as the foliage might lead you to believe.

Light

This plant need little light and will thrive for years with only artificial overhead light. However, a summer chance does it good. Put it outdoors under a tree where sunlight is well filtered. Tie plant to a stake to avoid wind damage.

Water

Water thoroughly once every week to keep your dizygotheca in peak shape. Supply good bottom drainage. Leaf drop may result from either too dry or waterlogged soil.

Special Help

Use a standard potting soil mixture. Feed established plants lightly every two weeks only during active growth period-early spring trough summer. Propagate by root division.

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Diffenbachia

Several varieties of this popular houseplant are available. One of the thougest is Dieffenbachia amoena, with big, bold, dramatic leaves. If you’re short on space, try the small-leafed varieties such as Rudolph Roehrs (D. picta), which features chartreuse leaves with green midrib.

Light

Dieffenbachia tolerates a wide range of light-from poor to bright. Full sun, however, will yellow the handsome foliage. So give in north, east, or west light-but no more than two hours of direct sun a day.

Water

Don’t let the soil dry out completely or the edges of the leaves will become discolored. If the leaves start too drop, you know that water is needed. One way to water thoroughly is to immerse the pot (not the plant itself) in a pail of water. When the water stops bubbling, the soil is saturated. Remove the pot and allow the excess water to drain out of the bottom of the container. If your house is dry, move your dieffenbachia into a steamy bathroom occasionally.

Special Helps

This native of the tropics likes 70 to 80 F temperatures. Use standard potting mixture. Fertilize with regular houseplant food in spring and summer.

As plant matures, lower leaves die, leaving a leggy stem that’s unsightly. Cut off the plant several inches above ground level and root the stem in water. After roots form, you can pot up the plant or continue to grow in water. The original potted plant will sprout a new stem on the stub

Source : Growing Houseplants 

Croton (Codiaeum)

Other plants pale beside the flashy croton. The hundred-plus varieties dazzle with different leaf colorations and shapes. The one shown combines spots and streaks of green, red, pink, yellow, black, with flushes of orange.

Light

If crotons don’t get strong light-even full sun-for at least four hours a day, they will turn green and lose their usual rainbow colors. Ful coloration will return if you summer your plant outdoors when the sun is strong.

Water

Crotons like moist, but not wet soil at all times. They react adversely to hot, dry conditions and may drops leaves, so provide as much humidity as possible by misting daily.

Special Help

Use a general-purpose potting mixture. Feed every other month from early spring trough midsummer. Air layer or take stem cuttings in spring or summer.

Source : Growing Houseplants