How to Grow and Care for Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’
27.11.2023 - 17:17 / gardenerspath.com / Kristine Lofgren
How to Grow and Care for Ferns Indoors Polypodiopsida
Have you ever heard of pteridomania? If you’re reading this article, you might be suffering from it and not even realize.
Pteridomania is defined as an obsession with ferns. Don’t worry, I’m suffering from it, too.
I’ve got all kinds of species growing indoors and out. I can’t help it, they’re such fascinating and beautiful plants.
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Perhaps you’ve mastered growing plants in the Polypodiopsida class outdoors and you’re looking for help to make the same magic happen indoors. Or maybe you’re new to the whole process. Either way, we’ve got your back.
To help you turn your indoor space into a magical fern paradise, here’s what’s coming in this guide:
Fun fact: ferns grow on every continent except Antarctica – though there are fern fossils on Antarctica.
There are species that grow in every USDA Hardiness Zone, from 1a to 13b. These plants have had centuries to adapt to even the harshest environments.
That means there are many species that have adapted to the exact sort of conditions we have in our homes, namely: warm, low light, and moderate humidity.
Cultivation and HistoryFerns are plants in the botanical class Polypodiopsida, comprised of about 10,500 existing species – and a lot more that are now extinct.
Scientists aren’t sure exactly how many species exist, and some estimates suggest that there could be 15,000 species out there.
These are truly ancient plants. While many of the species that we see around us evolved relatively recently on the timeline of planet Earth, ferns were hanging out with the dinosaurs and even well before that.
They first
How to Grow and Care for Philodendron ‘Brasil’ Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’
Licuala Grandis – a plant that stands out with its large, fan-shaped leaves, that can make it a focal point of any room! A spectacular specimen for anyone seeking a “foresty vibe” at home.
A fishbone cactus is easy to care for, durable, and fast-growing which makes it ideal for beginners.
Deutzias are easy to grow, hardy deciduous shrubs that make beautiful displays of massed pink or white flowers in early to mid-summer. Numerous small five-petalled cup or saucer shaped flowers are borne profusely in clusters or racemes along twiggy arching branches, contrasting with mid-green toothed-edged leaves.
I often hear folks say that they hate heaths (Erica spp. and cvs., Zones 5–8) and heathers (Calluna vulgaris and cvs., Zones 5–8), their earlier blooming cousins. The most common complaints are the woody, leggy shape they develop (mostly after years of neglect) and how they outgrow the space they’ve been provided rather quickly. The same people who complain about heaths and heathers admit they have no knowledge of how to care for them (Learn all about caring for heaths and heathers here). But while these plants do need certain conditions and annual care, they are not divas.
Heaths and heathers are easy to grow if you give them the right conditions. They only loathe clay soil and summer humidity (although you can find exceptions), and you can’t do much about those. Other than that, you can provide the conditions or find the species or cultivar that suits your spot. The best source for in-depth information is Gardening with Hardy Heathers by David Small and Ella May T. Wulff.
Rhipsalis is a low-maintenance, hanging house plant that’s perfect for beginners. Although it has no prickles, it’s a cactus and known as the mistletoe cactus. This may be because the tiny, white flowers that appear along its stems through winter into spring are followed by small, white or pale-pink berries or because its spineless foliage looks a little like mistletoe.
White Christmas Cactus, £11.99 from Hortology
How to Grow and Care for Banana Leaf Figs Ficus maclellandii
How to Grow and Care for Bamboo Palms Chamaedorea seifrizii
How to Grow and Care for Angel-Wing Begonias Begonia coccinea, B. corallina, B. dietrichiana, and hybrids
Jostaberry – pronounced ‘yosta’ (Ribes × nidigrolaria) – is a cross between blackcurrant and gooseberry. It forms a big, hardy, deciduous shrub that bears small purple flowers in late spring, followed by red-black berries the size of gooseberries but with a richer, sweeter flavour. While quite tart compared with other soft fruit, jostaberries are sweet enough to be eaten raw in salads, muesli and desserts, or cooked in sweet or savoury dishes. The fruit also freezes well.