If you are wanting to grow more than just a few plants at the same time, chances are good most of them will fall under the heading of foliage plants. While not as showy as the flowering plants mentioned in the last chapter, they more than make up for what they lack by being easy to grow, easy propagation and easily adapting beautifully to any type of environment. Foliage plants are considered to be the backbone of every indoor garden, but there are a few exceptions that know no season and continue to thrive and grow all year long.
There are many different types of foliage plants in cultivation, thousands of varieties, including hybrids. Choices offered for the indoor gardener as to the size, shape and leaf color and basically endless. The plants that are described here are easily grown in any part of the country with ease and are readily available almost anywhere.
The asparagus fern, like many other types of plants, has a name that does not exactly fit it. Though it appears like a fern, it has foliage that many florists used to add with most cut flowers, it is a member of the lily family and a close relative of the vegetable known as asparagus. The botanical name is A. plumosis, the plant needs a rich soil in which to grow and has to be well fed and will grow best in little or dim light. It can often be attacked by red mites, so it needs to be regularly sprayed down with water and during active growth periods it will need to be kept watered well.
The fern does well under favorable home conditions - room temperature, does not favor extreme heat or cold, so do not set it directly over a radiator or in a place where it will experience drafts of cold air. Though it is a foliage plant that is highly suitable for use in interior landscaping, the fern does get minute while flowers and purple berries. The best way to propagate is to seed, but it can also be done by cuttings as well.
The Aspidistra is a plant that almost begs to be abused. It has a sturdiness and is indifferent to whatever soil, heat, humidity and climate it is exposed to, hence its nickname the cast iron plant. The leaves are very large and can measure up to 20 inches, the shape is oblong and there is a point at the end. Though in theory it is a flowering plant, it hardly ever blooms inside so it is considered by many to be only a foliage plant. There are a few varieties and some have striped green and white leaves, but it is uncommon. The plant needs to be watered well and sprayed often to keep it clean and free of red mites. It is best propagated by division. - 16492
There are many different types of foliage plants in cultivation, thousands of varieties, including hybrids. Choices offered for the indoor gardener as to the size, shape and leaf color and basically endless. The plants that are described here are easily grown in any part of the country with ease and are readily available almost anywhere.
The asparagus fern, like many other types of plants, has a name that does not exactly fit it. Though it appears like a fern, it has foliage that many florists used to add with most cut flowers, it is a member of the lily family and a close relative of the vegetable known as asparagus. The botanical name is A. plumosis, the plant needs a rich soil in which to grow and has to be well fed and will grow best in little or dim light. It can often be attacked by red mites, so it needs to be regularly sprayed down with water and during active growth periods it will need to be kept watered well.
The fern does well under favorable home conditions - room temperature, does not favor extreme heat or cold, so do not set it directly over a radiator or in a place where it will experience drafts of cold air. Though it is a foliage plant that is highly suitable for use in interior landscaping, the fern does get minute while flowers and purple berries. The best way to propagate is to seed, but it can also be done by cuttings as well.
The Aspidistra is a plant that almost begs to be abused. It has a sturdiness and is indifferent to whatever soil, heat, humidity and climate it is exposed to, hence its nickname the cast iron plant. The leaves are very large and can measure up to 20 inches, the shape is oblong and there is a point at the end. Though in theory it is a flowering plant, it hardly ever blooms inside so it is considered by many to be only a foliage plant. There are a few varieties and some have striped green and white leaves, but it is uncommon. The plant needs to be watered well and sprayed often to keep it clean and free of red mites. It is best propagated by division. - 16492
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