Latest news with #Philodendron
Straits Times
25-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Root Awakening: Butternut pumpkin turns beige when ready to harvest
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The butternut pumpkin's skin should be hard when harvesting. Elevate pumpkin to prevent pest access My butternut pumpkin is some 20cm long. How do I know when it is ready to harvest? Thomas Lee Depending on the variety, your butternut pumpkin should be ready for harvest when its skin turns a uniform beige colour. The skin should be hard and not easily scratched. The stalk should be dry and woody. Try to lift your pumpkin off the ground to prevent snails and slugs, which are active at night and during wet weather, from eating it. Medicinal and edible plants This creeping plant has medicinal uses. PHOTO: ELENA CHAN The bayam will grow much larger and block sunlight from reaching the rosemary. PHOTO: ELENA CHAN What is this creeping plant? Also, should I remove the plant with red stalks near my rosemary plant? Elena Chan The creeping plant with hairy leaves is Belosynapsis ciliata. It is a medicinal plant and is often erroneously named Tradescantia zebrina. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business GIC posts 3.8% annualised return over 20 years despite economic uncertainties Business GIC's focus on long-term value aims to avoid permanent loss amid intensifying economic changes Opinion No idle punt: Why Singapore called out cyber saboteur UNC3886 by name Asia Cambodia and Thailand are willing to consider ceasefire: Malaysian PM Anwar Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Business MAS' measures spark cautious optimism for Singapore stock market revival: Analysts World Trump and Fed chief Powell bicker during tense central bank visit Life Hulk Hogan, who helped turn pro wrestling into a billion-dollar spectacle, dies at 71 The plant with red leaves next to your rosemary could be the red version of the Chinese spinach, also known as bayam. You may have sown the seeds of this leafy vegetable at some point. It can be harvested and cooked. It will grow much larger and block sunlight from the rosemary, which needs direct sunlight to thrive. Snake plant needs direct sunlight Do not grow snake plants indoors in deep shade, or its leaves will stretch and become floppy. PHOTO: AMOS LOH I water my snake plant once every three weeks. I keep it indoors. Are there ways to help it mature faster? Its leaves are small and do not seem to have changed much in size and appearance. Amos Loh Snake plants are generally slow growers. They thrive when they get filtered sunlight for at least four hours a day. As such, do not grow it indoors in deep shade or its leaves will stretch and become floppy. The soft leaf tissues will also become prone to damage and rot easily. Philodendron needs support to climb Let this plant grow if you want it to flower. PHOTO: ADRIAN LING Is this plant a Philodendron species and will it flower? Also, how do I prune it? Adrian Ling Your plant is a Philodendron cultivar. It is a vine whose aerial roots will grow onto moist wooden supports or even a concrete surface. It is a large plant and should be allowed to grow if you want it to flower. Frequent pruning to control its spread may promote vegetative growth, as the plant strives to replace what has been removed. To keep it tidy, you may want to guide and train the vining stems as they grow and extend. White mass could be fungus The fungus will disappear when the organic material in the compost has been completely broken down. PHOTO: LIM YANG SOON What is the white substance on my plant's soil? Is it harmful? Lim Yang Soon Is the white mass a network of filaments or does it consist of spheres? If so, it could be a fungus that colonises wood-based compost, which is often added to garden beds as mulch or a soil amendment. They generally do not harm large garden plants and will disappear when the organic material in the compost has completely broken down.
CTV News
22-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Shoppers are discovering once rare plants in local retailers in Canada
Plants that have colourful patterns that resemble paintings and even a starry sky were sold for hundreds of dollars during the pandemic houseplant boom. But amateur gardeners are finding that the Philodendron Pink Princess, Philodendron Ring of Fire and Monstera Thai Constellation are no longer hard to find in Canada. In fact, trips to local big-box retailers, grocery stores and nurseries are like treasure hunts for plant enthusiasts as they discover these non-traditional plants are sold for much lower prices today. This is a trend retailers and growers attribute to the continuing demand for unusual varieties. Rare plants in Canada: Genna Weber with spiritus-sancti Genna Weber holds one of her prized plants called the Philodendron spiritus-sancti, once considerd a 'holy grail' among plant enthusiasts. (Genna Weber) Because of the demand, these businesses found a way to mass produce them, which helped lower the prices. 'The plants that were rare and trendy during the pandemic are more mainstream now,' Justin Hancock, director of research and development for wholesale horticultural grower Costa Farms, said in a recent video interview with from Miami. Demand was a big factor in bringing in the non-traditional plants into Longo's stores, said Deb Craven, president at the Ontario grocery chain. 'I think what we noticed, especially during COVID, was that there was a demand for other types of plants and maybe plants that our guests wouldn't have been looking for in the past that they were starting to look for,' Craven said in a video interview from Ancaster, Ont. Rare plants in Canada: Philodendron Ring of Fire The Philodendron Ring of Fire is among the variegated plants that grew popular during the pandemic. (Home Depot) Pricey plant splurges Before the coveted plants started popping up at grocery stores, Pol Apiwong was among those who splurged on rare plants during the pandemic. Apiwong said he paid a grower in Thailand in 2021 around $400, excluding shipping, for a small Philodendron Spiritus Sancti, which was viewed as a 'holy grail' plant then. Before and during the pandemic, he said plant enthusiasts had to import rare plants or buy them from personal collectors or smaller plant shops. Four years after his big purchase, the Spiritus Sancti's price has plunged. The plant is currently sold out at the JOMO Studio plant shop in Toronto where Apiwong works as a manager. It has the price tag of $45 for the same size he paid the Thai grower. 'We continue to see excitement around new and unusual releases,' he said in a phone interview with 'People still want to buy something special.' Rare plants in Canada: Philodendron Spiritus Sancti Genna Weber won this small Philodendron Spiritus Sancti in a giveaway in 2022. She says the plant was selling for around $500 at that time. (Genna Weber) Genna Weber, a plant influencer with the handle Genna's Plants on Instagram and YouTube, recalled buying a small Philodendron Pink Princess for about $25 in 2019. Then during the pandemic, the houseplant market took off as lockdowns kept Canadians at home. At that time, these plants were tougher to find as demand was high, she said. Prices were often at least $100 for a small Pink Princess, which has splashes of bright pink foliage, and even a few hundred dollars for a large specimen during the pandemic. 'And now, you can basically pick them up in any garden centre or Canadian Tire for next to nothing, like under $20 for a plant,' Weber said in a recent video interview with from her plant-filled living room in Norwich, Ont. Weber significantly grew her collection during the pandemic to more than 200 plants today. 'And then the supply kind of caught up with the demand.' Rare plants in Canada: Philodendron Pink Princess Genna Weber, a plant influencer on Instagram and YouTube, holds a Philodendron Pink Princess. (Genna Weber) Mark Beaty, senior merchant of the garden department at The Home Depot, said interest has continued to grow. He noted 'an immediate positive' response, anecdotally, when the big-box chain started to sell a plant that has creamy white variegation that some say is reminiscent of a starry sky, called Thai Constellation, in March 2023 in Canada. 'Our customers see them trending on social platforms like Pinterest and are inspired to bring them into their homes,' he wrote in an email to 'Our associates see rare plants at trade shows and will send me photos, asking 'have you seen these?' which leads to me ensuring we eventually carry them in-store.' Why are prices down? The spike in demand for the trendy plants has led to producing and selling greater quantities of them, thereby reducing the price, said Julie Codere, lawn and garden category director at Rona. Despite plant sales cooling since the COVID-19 peak, she said the Canadian big-box retailer has seen 'steady purchases' of these unusual plants. 'Our 'trendier' plants usually sell quite fast as we have repeat customers that shop often and also employees that share on social media as well,' Codere wrote in an email to from Boucherville, Que., noting popular ones include a plant with golden-yellow leaves called Chameleon ZZ plant, another with splashes of cream, white and yellow on its narrow foliage called Pothos Variegated Amplissium, Monstera Thai Constellation and a plant with varying white variegation called Philodendron White Knight. Rare plants in Canada: Chameleon ZZ plant The Chameleon ZZ plant is among the popular plants at stores in Canada. (Rona) She said Rona discovers 'trending' plants by visiting trade shows as well as following blogs and plant groups on social media. 'Large producers have specialized teams of researchers and passionate growers that bring that new discovery to the market and we're able to sell it at a competitive price,' she wrote. Perhaps one of the best examples of a once-rare plant that has become widely available in Canada, the Monstera Thai Constellation is another plant whose price has plunged. It was harder to find several years ago, selling for three digits or more, depending on the seller and size. But the plant recently became more accessible. Costa Farms began to send shipments of the Thai Constellation to its partners including retailers in Canada just last year, Hancock said. He said it's difficult to propagate some plants like Thai Constellation by the tens of thousands through traditional cuttings, which are stems with nodes from which roots will grow. But his company found a partner that could more efficiently and affordably propagate the Thai Constellation through tissue culture, allowing Costa Farms to sell larger numbers of the plant at lower prices, Hancock said. Monstera Thai Constellation Monstera Thai Constellation has variegation that resembles a starry sky. (Home Depot) These are some of the formerly rare plants that are now accessible to the masses: Monstera Burle Marx Flame The Burle Marx Flame has lance-shaped leaves in its young form that become heart-shaped with slits resembling a flame when it matures, according to Costa Farms. Monstera Burle Marx Flame Monstera Burle Marx Flame has been mass produced. (Costa Farms) Epipremnum pinnatum Albo-Variegata Epipremnum pinnatum Albo-Variegata, or Albo Pothos, has cream and white patterns, with leaves fenestrating as it matures. Epipremnum pinnatum Albo-Variegata Epipremnum pinnatum Albo-Variegata is commonly sold at garden centres and local retailers.(JOMO Studio) Alocasia Frydek Variegated Alocasia Frydek Variegated is prized for its green velvet leaves with white and cream patterns. Rare plants in Canada: Alocasia Frydek Variegata Alocasia Frydek Variegata is also known as Variegated Alocasia Frydek or Alocasia micholitziana 'Maxkowskii Variegata.' (JOMO Studio) Alocasia Jacklyn Alocasia Jacklyn, or Alocasia tandurusa, has distinctive dark-veined, bright green, arrowhead-shaped and hairy leaves with striped stems. Rare plants in Canada The Alocasia Jacklyn has drawn buzz because of its distinctive foliage. (JOMO Studio) Philodendron Gloriosum Philodendron Gloriosum is a crawling plant — which means it grows horizontally — with heart-shaped velvety leaves. Rare plants in Canada: Philodendron Gloriosum Philodendron Gloriosum is a crawling plant native to South America. (JOMO Studio) Anthurium Crystallinum Velvety anthuriums such as Anthurium Crystallinum were on many pandemic plant parents' wish lists. The Crystallinum has dark green, heart-shaped leaves with contrasting white veins.
The Citizen
30-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Glam up the patio for winter
Winter mornings and evenings can be chilly, but on sunny winter days there's no better place to be that on the patio, stoep or loggia. Use flowering plants to decorate the table when friends and family gather for a meal. Close in the space with leafy plants or air plants tumbling out of hanging baskets and add some eye catching foliage plants as features. Just make sure that the plants are sheltered from drafts and are hardy, or else move them closer to the interior when bitter cold is predicted. For tabletop flowers the best plants are those that stay compact and carry their flowers above the leaves, like kalanchoe and calandiva, cyclamen and mini versions of phalaenopsis and anthurium. Cyclamen thrive in the cool weather and if dead flowers are regularly removed it can flower throughout winter. Plants like bright light and cool conditions and should not be over -watered. For it to flower well, feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength every two weeks. It doesn't always have to be about flowers. The bonsai Ficus macrocarpa 'Ginseng' is always a talking point. Make a feature of it by placing it on a coffee table or pedestal to show off its unusual stem and air roots. Plants that are 'bonsai ready' are easily available and can remain in their pots or be transplanted into a more traditional ceramic bonsai pot. As a patio plant it needs a sheltered position that receives up to four hours of sun a day. Over-watering or drying out, or cold can cause leaf drop. Feed every six weeks with a liquid fertiliser like Nitrosol. Trailing plant Philodendron scandens, also known as the sweetheart plant for its heart-shaped leaves is easily trained onto a wall trellis or frame or can cascade out of a hanging basket. Keep plants to a manageable size by trimming regularly. Plants tolerate all light conditions, from shady to bright light, but do best in medium light. Keep the soil consistently moist although the surface soil can dry out slightly before watering again. Feature plants The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is almost indestructible plant that looks like a cross between a cycad and a fern. It copes with variable temperatures and only needs minimal watering. Water when the top few centimetre of the potting mix feels dry. The shiny, dark green leaves have a waxy look and new growth is a lighter green, creating an attractive contrast. Keep the leaves looking shiny and healthy by feeding with pot-plant food once every six months. There are many variations of the rubber plant (Ficus elastica) and an unusual variety is Ficus 'Abidjan' which has dark purple-green leaves with a hint of red. Ficus plants thrive in bright light and do well next to windows. Water once the soil becomes dry to the touch. Regularly wiping the leaves with a soft cloth soaked in lukewarm water will also keep the leaves shiny and healthy Monstera deliciosa: grows into a large feature plant with striking, lobed leaves that will thrive indoors or on the patio for many years. It needs good, filtered light and the soil can slightly dry out between watering. Sponge down the leaves to keep them clean. Repot once a year, in spring, until the plant reaches its mature size, then just refresh with potting soil. Prune lightly (cut off branches or leaves where they meet the stem) to prevent the plant getting too large. For more info, visit LVG Plant. Article and images supplied by Alice Coetzee. For more on gardening, visit Get It Magazine.
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
A taste of ‘Brasil'
Dunedin Botanic Garden's plant sale is a great opportunity to green your indoor spaces, writes Alisha Sherriff. Philodendron species have long held a special place in the hearts of house plant enthusiasts. With their forgiving nature, broad green leaves, and ability to adapt to a variety of indoor conditions, they are often considered "fail-proof" for both novices and seasoned plant parents. Among the many beautiful varieties, one stands out for its vibrant charm — the Philodendron hederaceum 'Brasil'. This eye-catching plant is a variegated form of the classic Heartleaf Philodendron, instantly recognisable by its striking green and lime-yellow streaked leaves. Named 'Brasil' for its resemblance to the Brazilian flag, this cultivar brings a tropical burst of colour into homes. While some Philodendron varieties thrive easily indoors across New Zealand, the 'Brasil' can pose a slight challenge in cooler climates such as Dunedin. However, with a little attention to its specific needs, growing it successfully is far from impossible. The 'Brasil' prefers bright, indirect light to maintain its vivid colouring, though it will tolerate lower light conditions at the cost of some of its variegation. Like most Philodendrons, it appreciates a warm, humid environment, consistent moisture without waterlogging, and a well-draining potting mix. It's best kept away from draughts or cold windowsills, particularly during Dunedin's colder months. An occasional wipe of its leaves not only keeps it looking lush but also helps the plant photosynthesise more easily. Given the right care, Philodendron 'Brasil' is a stunning indoor plant that adds a tropical vibe to any space. For those keen to add this beauty to their collection, the Dunedin Botanic Garden May plant sale offers an excellent opportunity. Taking place on Saturday, May 17, 9am until noon, the annual event has been a highlight on the city's horticultural calendar for decades. Organised by the Friends of the Dunedin Botanic Garden, the May plant sale is not just a fundraiser — it's a fun community gathering that celebrates the shared passion for plants. The Friends of the Garden, a dedicated volunteer group, have lovingly propagated 0 'Brasil' for the past two years in preparation for this year's sale. Thanks to their care and expertise, visitors will be able to buy the plants potted in hanging baskets — perfect for displaying their trailing vines in style. The plant sale has a long history of offering plants that have deep connections to the garden's impressive collections. Plants available on the day originate from the extensive borders and themed gardens that weave through the botanic garden's landscape, including rare and unusual varieties not commonly found in retail nurseries. All funds raised through the sale go directly into supporting projects and initiatives at the garden, helping to maintain and enhance this community treasure. Pro tips: bring cash on the day to avoid queues for the eftpos machine and arrive early so you don't miss out on the plant you want. Another much-loved indoor favourite that will feature at the plant sale is Hoya Apocynaceae . Commonly called "waxplants" or "waxflowers" because of their thick, leathery leaves and star-shaped flower clusters arranged in umbels, Hoya are perfect for anyone who loves a low-maintenance houseplant that can put on a good show. The classic Hoya carnosa is one of the most common and reliable species to grow indoors. It's a trailing vine that thrives in bright direct or indirect light and doesn't mind being root-bound — in fact, it prefers it. This makes it ideal for hanging pots, shelves, or trailing down from a high spot. When it's happy, it will reward you with beautiful clusters of starry flowers that smell incredible, especially in the evening. What's interesting about Hoya flowers is how they bloom. The plant produces them from little umbels on the peduncle. These are permanent structures that the plant will flower from again and again. So, if your Hoya has finished blooming, don't remove these — they're not dead stems, they're flower factories in waiting! The longer or bigger the peduncle, the older (and usually more impressive) the plant. When the flowers open, they ooze a sticky, sugary nectar — not something to worry about, but maybe don't hang your plant directly above the TV or couch. The scent can be sweet or even pungent depending on the species, especially at night. This is likely the plant's way of attracting night-time pollinators. Alongside Hoya carnosa , the plant sale will have a range of other Hoya species available: Hoya obovata : This one has big, round leaves that are often splashed with silvery spots. It's a bit of a slow starter but really takes off once it settles in. Hoya pubicalyx : A fast-growing variety with long, narrow leaves and gorgeous dark purple to deep red flowers. It has a strong fragrance that can fill a room in the evening. Hoya serpens : A tiny gem with small, fuzzy leaves and light green flowers with red centres. It comes from the Himalayas, so can handle cooler indoor temps. I have struggled with this one for years but love it so much I keep trying to grow it. Hoya krinkle 8 : A twist on the classic carnosa, this one has wrinkly, crinkled leaves and trails beautifully. Not seen much these days. Hoyas are such a classic indoor plant — a good indoor plant collection isn't complete without at least one example. In New Zealand we have a limited number of species available, so it is always exciting when an unusual species turns up at the local garden centre. I am always on the hunt.
