House Plant Resources
Houseplant care handout
First-right plant right place!
Excellent overview—how and when to repot, water, fertilize, etc.
Interiorscape Plants PicturePages (tamu.edu) click on picture to see specifics about each plant.
House Plants (tamu.edu) light requirements of some common houseplants
Common Houseplant Insects & Related Pests | Home & Garden Information Center (clemson.edu) Pests
Durable houseplants
Although all houseplants grow best with good care, a few tolerate abuse better than others. Some of the most durable houseplants are:
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifaciata) Common-Mother-in-Law’s Tongue *
African Violet (Saintpaulia ionantha) **
Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens) **
Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans)
Janet Craig dracaena (Dracaena deremensis) **
Baby rubber plant (Peperomia obtusifolia) **
Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) **
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) **
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) **
Wandering Traveler (Zebrina pendula) **
Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus truncates) **
(from: Caring for Houseplants | MU Extension (missouri.edu) page includes a good chart of light and temp requirements for common houseplants)
Selection_Care_Use_of_Houseplants.pdf
Pest prevention:
*Provide a plant with the growing conditions that it needs so that it is more likely to grow vigorously. Stressed plants tend to be more susceptible to pests.
Before buying or bringing a plant indoors, always check it and its container for signs of pests.
A plant that has been outside for the summer, especially one sitting on the ground, may have pests that have crawled in through the drainage holes. First, take the plant out of the pot to examine the soil. Most pests are found on the exterior of the rootball.
Isolate new plants from plants already in the home for six weeks to ensure that any pest brought in will be less likely to spread.
While plants are isolated, carefully examine them for signs of pests or damage on a regular basis of about once a week. Pay particular attention to the undersides of leaves, where pests are most often found. Using a 10X magnifying lens will make it easier to see small pests and also immature pest stages. Infestations are often much easier to control if caught early.
When repotting a plant, use commercially prepared potting soil rather than soil from outdoors, which can be a source of pests.
Washing smooth-leaved plants every two to three weeks discourages pest infestations and also improves the appearance of the foliage. Small plants can be inverted, and the foliage swished in a bucket of tepid (lukewarm) water. To prevent loss of soil, cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. Large plants can be hosed down gently, or upper and lower surfaces of leaves can be wiped with a soft, wet cloth. Large plants can also be rinsed in a tepid shower.
Some Common pests:
Aphid’s control: With minor infestations, handpicking, spraying with water, or wiping the insects with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol may be practical. Insecticidal soap spray may also be used. In most cases, the treatment will have to be repeated multiple times. For houseplants that are taken outdoors, spray with insecticidal soap, neem oil extract, pyrethrins, imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, or lambda cyhalothrin to control aphids. Always follow any label directions for safe use.
Mealybug control: Light infestations can be controlled by removing individual mealybugs by hand or by wiping each insect with a cotton swab (Q-tip) dipped in rubbing alcohol. An insecticidal soap spray may also be used. With a heavy infestation, it may be necessary to discard the plant. For houseplants that are outdoors, spray with neem oil extract, pyrethrins, acetamiprid, imidacloprid, cyfluthrin, deltamethrin, or lambda cyhalothrin to control mealybugs. Imidacloprid granules put onto the soil will also control mealybugs. Follow label directions for safe use.
Spider Mite control: Spray sturdy plants forcefully with water, including the undersides of leaves, to dislodge mites and break up their webs. Plants also can be sprayed with insecticidal soap. For houseplants that are outdoors, spray with insecticidal soap, neem oil extract, or an insecticide containing sulfur. It is often necessary to spray once a week for several weeks to control mites. Always follow label directions for safe use.
Fungus Gnat control: For plants that can tolerate it (i.e., most houseplants, especially during winter), allow the soil to dry between watering. Dry conditions will kill the larvae. Do not allow water to stand in the saucer beneath houseplant containers. Products that contain strains of the biological control agent Bacillus thuringiensis subspecies israelensis can be applied to the soil of houseplants and watered into the soil for control. Always follow label directions for safe use.