Indoor plants bring life to any home – even in rooms without much sunlight! The choices are diverse, with so many distinctive shapes and textures and shades! Take the following important steps to enjoy them!
CONTROL FOR INSECTS AND DISEASES
The first thing you should do is make sure they are not carrying insects or diseases. Make sure to check both sides of the leaves as well as the stems. Gently remove your plant from its pot to check the condition of the soil. When it is time to repot, choose good quality soil that drains well and is free of insect eggs. You can help your plants cope with any insects by spraying them with a mixture of soft, non-toxic special soap, Cifo Saponne molle 500 ml.
CORRECT LIGHTING
There’s a houseplant for every space in the house! Kitchens and bathrooms are more humid and have plenty of moisture (better for thirstier plants). Hallways and bedrooms are cooler and drier. Ultimately, though, it’s the amount of light that matters most.
LOW LIGHTING
The following plants can even grow in a dark corner or a basement with little natural light.
BAMBOO PALM
This popular plant has long, feathery leaves and is one of the easiest to care for, as it needs almost no light or water.
CAST-IRON PLANT
This tropical plant can be very neglected and thrives even in dark places.
FATSIA JAPONICA
In the south, this shady, large-leaved plant is a shrub. In the north, it makes a lovely foliage display in a dimly lit corner of a house.
PHILODENDRON
Easy to grow – and loved for its foliage – this plant is highly adaptable, needing little light to thrive. However, it is potentially toxic to pets (and humans) if ingested.
SANSEVIERA
With its tall, thick, sharp leaves, this impressive succulent thrives in dry air and with little direct light.
INDIRECT LIGHTING
Grow them in rooms that have indirect sunlight (those with windows facing east, west, and north).
BEGONIA
They thrive in high humidity but the soil should dry well between waterings.
DIEFFENBACHIA
Large, tropical leaves make it a favorite houseplant, either alone or as part of a group. Be careful, when chewed by people or pets it can cause numbness or swelling of the tongue.
GESNERIACEAE PLANTS
Many species in this group of plants, which includes African violets and gloxinia, can bloom and die back year-round if given bright indirect light and allowed to dry out well between waterings. Remember to keep water away from the leaves, as this can cause fungal disease. A maintenance treatment with Cifo Per piante fiorite 200 ml will increase their flowering.
PTERIDOPHYTA
This bright plant adds a cool, relaxed feel to your indoor space. Like begonias, ferns benefit from high humidity. Place them in pebble trays filled with water, just below the surface of the stones. Refresh frequently.
BENJAMIN FIG
With its glossy green leaves, this upright woody plant is usually sold as a single-stemmed tree, although you can also find it in shrub form. It prefers stable conditions, so keep it in the same location as much as possible.
IVY
Potted ivy grows well in indirect light. Small-leaved varieties make the best arrangements.
ORCHID
While you can always rely on indirect lighting for orchids, many people grow them successfully in direct light as well. Try using Cifo per Orchidee 200 ml to keep your plants well-fed and healthy.
SPATHIPHYLLUM
This plant produces beautiful white flowers and prefers consistently moist soil (so water often and lightly.) It is also potentially toxic if ingested by pets.
POTHOS
A climbing plant commonly used as a hanging plant. It is potentially toxic if chewed by pets or children.
DIRECT LIGHTING
MYRTUS COMMUNIS MINI
During the winter, myrtles can thrive near a sunny, south-facing window. To encourage vigorous growth, move them outdoors during the summer months.
SUCCULENTS
If you enjoy growing plants but don’t have the time to properly care for them, consider growing succulents or cacti. Succulents are easy to care for and can survive prolonged drought because they store moisture in their fleshy stems, roots, and leaves. Succulents require little maintenance if they get plenty of sun and not too much water.
CARE FOR INDOOR PLANTS
Here are some important tips for growing happy and healthy indoor plants.
ALTERNATIVE POSITIONS
Potted plants placed along a window will become disproportionately leafy on the side facing the window. A quarter turn every week will prevent this. You can simplify the task by placing the pots on top of wheeled stands.
DUST
Like everything else in your home, plants will acquire dust, which can block necessary light from reaching the leaves. Be sure to gently dust them with a microfiber cloth and use Cifo Mirax to clean and beautify their leaves.
WATERING
During the winter months there is less sunlight and plants need less water than when they are growing in the spring and summer months. When watering, make sure to use water at room temperature: more extreme temperatures can damage the roots.
NUTRITION
We recommend feeding your plants with Cifo per piante verdi 200 ml every 10-14 days to help them grow to their full potential.
ADD MOISTURE
Plants are more susceptible to insect infestation and other problems when the air is too dry. Create a humid environment to help them thrive: Fill the bottom of a watertight, plant tray with pebbles. Place the pots in and add water almost to the top of the pebbles. Water the plants as usual. Renew this water.
PLANT ENEMIES – INSECTS
APHIDES
- Symptoms
Clusters of tiny, soft, sticky dots, especially dense on young, tender leaves. The developing insects may be brown, green, red or black. The plant becomes sticky and may have shiny spots on the leaves.
- Solutions
Wash the plants under strong pressure of water, rubbing the insects with your hands to remove them. Avoid overwatering and overfertilizing, which encourage insect growth.
PSEUDOCOCCOIDES
- Symptoms
Clusters of white, hard-shelled insects, most often found on the undersides of leaves or where leaves meet stems.
- Solutions
Lightly wipe the affected areas with a cotton swab soaked in white rubbing alcohol. Plants under stress are more susceptible, so keep them healthy and vigorous.
COCCIDES
- Symptoms
Small hard dots like discs/scales stuck to the leaves. These insects can be brown, black, grey, white or red. The leaves are discoloured and sticky.
- Solutions
Wipe all the leaves with a soft warm cloth with water. Isolate the affected plants until the infestation stops. Spray with linseed oil, Cifo Olio di lino 500 ml.
TETRANYCHUS
- Symptoms
Leaves with small yellow or brown spots. Cobwebs appear over the leaves and stems as the infestation grows. Spider mites are tiny, but their brown excrement is visible, especially on the undersides of the leaves.
- Solutions
Immediately isolate the affected plants and wash them under strong pressure of water. Spray your plants with Cifo Sapone molle 500 ml. Note: spider mites thrive in dry conditions, so we take care to increase the relative humidity in the above-ground part of our plants.
DISEASES
POWDERY
- Symptoms
White or gray spots on the foliage. The plant appears pale and the surface of the leaves looks as if it is dusty.
- Solutions
Remove these leaves. Increase air circulation in the plants by thinning. Spray with Bifence nettle extract 500 ml.
BOTRYTIS
- Symptoms
Soft, moldy spots on leaves or stems or black, rotting leaves.
- Solutions
Reduce watering. Increase air circulation. Remove damaged parts. Dust leaf surfaces with cinnamon.
OTHER COMMON PROBLEMS
OVERWATERING
- Symptoms
Wilted leaves and musty or sour smell from the soil. Possibly black spots on the leaves. Fungi, gnats or other small, winged insects around the plant and on the surface of the soil.
- Solutions
Check the pot for poor drainage. If possible, remove the plant from the pot and place it on layers of newspaper overnight in a warm, dry place. Once the plant is dry, transfer it to a pot with good drainage.
INADEQUATE WATERING
- Symptoms
Plant is wilted. Leaves are wilted, dry, and drooping. Pot is light. Leaves may have brown edges or spots or may curl slightly.
- Solutions
Plants that are almost wilted require a 30-minute soak in a tub of water. Water more frequently. Increase humidity. Add good quality potting soil.
SMALL POTS
- Symptoms
Growth is slowed and flowering may stop (although some plants, such as cacti, flower better when slightly “pressed” into the pot). Roots protrude from the drainage hole.
- Solutions
Remove the plant from the pot and separate any offshoots if necessary. Place it in a pot or, if you separate offshoots and roots, in several smaller pots with good quality soil.
LIGHT LOW
- Symptoms
Thin, weak, spindle-shaped growth. Faint color. Growth may be at an angle as plants stretch to find light.
- Solutions
Increase light exposure. If affected parts remain elongated or if the plant is still weak, consider pruning and strengthening with a suitable fertilizer.
SUN BURNT
- Symptoms
Irregular brown or dry spots on leaves. Pale foliage, blistering of leaves and often wilting.
- Solutions
Move plants away from strong light sources. Remove affected areas of the plant if possible. they will not recover.
POOR FLOWERING
- Symptom
Foliage and plant are healthy, but not flowering.
- Solutions
Increase light exposure. Apply a flowering fertilizer appropriate for the plant.
LOW HUMIDITY
- Symptom
Brown edges on leaves. Leaves drop regularly.
- Solutions
Increase humidity by watering regularly. Place plants in a tray filled with pebbles and water.
COLD DAMAGE
- Symptom
Leaves are completely blackened or have black spots. Discolored, limp foliage throughout the plant.
- Solutions
Prune affected areas for healthy, consistent growth. Keep plants away from low temperatures and cold drafts. Maintain plant vigor with biostimulants such as Algatron 200 ml, so it can overcome the damage.
NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY
- Symptom
Leaves are yellow and pale, sometimes around the veins or on new growth.
- Solutions
Enrich with fresh soil and fertilize with a plant-specific fertilizer regularly.
FORMED BUDS THAT DO NOT BLOOM AND FALL
- Symptom
Buds form but “fall” before blooming.
- Solutions
Avoid moving plants while they are in the flowering phase. Keep them away from cold drafts or sudden temperature changes. Give strength by fertilizing with a suitable fertilizer.