A Designer's Guide to Office Plants

A DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO OFFICE PLANTS ERIKA ELIAS

A D E S I G N E R ’ S G U I D E TO

OFFICE PLANTS

A DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO OFFICE PLANTS Copyright © Text and Design 2020 by Erika Elias All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

For information, contact Erika Elias 711 Pipers Brook Drive Purcellville, VA 20132

This book is dedicated to my plants and Joseph Sgarrella Jr, without them I never would have survived college.

TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION p.5 PLANTS p.6 PESTS p.39

A DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO OFFICE PLANTS ERIKA ELIAS

1

INTRODUCTION A DESIGNER’S GUIDE TO OFFICE PLANTS is a guide to plants that will spruce up any cubicle.

There will be many different kinds of plants within this book with various kinds of care difficulty. Each section will also include a packet with plant seeds inside so that one can grow the plants included within this book.

I was inspired by my own love of plants for the creation of this book. I was also inspired by the struggles of stuffy, depressing offices. Plants bring life and color to any space and I find that offices need this feeling the most. Many of these plants will be easy to care for and some of them even have health benefits. For anyone willing to take on the challenge, the plants within this book will make a boring office job more bearable, or maybe even a little enjoyable.

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PLANTS

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ALOE VERA ABOUT thrive best in. Their pots should be wide and deep to encourage new growth and deep roots. They also do best with well draining soil. There are types of soil made for cacti and/or succulents that are ideal for aloe plants.

Aloes are evergreen perennials, meaning they don’t die over the winter and live for years. These plants originate from the southwest Arabian Peninsula, however it’s become popular around the world.

Aloe is used in many products, like skin lotions, and beverages; however it’s most commonly used in burn ointments. It’s usually applied to sooth sunburns but also works on less severe burns.

If you wish to harvest aloe leaves, it’s quite easy. Simply remove a mature leaf and cut it lengthwise. Squeeze out the gel and either use or store it for later. Do not ingest the gel because it is toxic to people and pets.

Aloe plants can grow up to nearly 40 inches tall, and just as wide. They can also flower if given the perfect conditions, however this is rare and requires a lot of work. The plants will also develop offsets, little pups that can be separated from the larger, original plant. This can be done by simply pulling them apart and replanting the pup in a separate pot.

CARE Aloes do best with bright, indirect light.

This can be artificial light or sunlight; they do best in western, or southern windows. Their ideal temperatures are between 55 and 80 °F, which is perfect for most indoor spaces.

Water deeply, yet infrequently. Allow the top 1–2 inches to dry out between waterings during the warmer months.

For a mature aloe plant, this will occur roughly every 3 weeks. During the colder months they require even less waterings, as this is when the plant goes dormant.

Overwatering an aloe plant will cause root rot.

Aloe plants do best in pots with drainage holes. Terra cotta is a material that they 4

INSTRUCTIONS To grow aloe from seeds, you’ll have to start with the right potting mixture.

Combine 2 parts sand, 1 part perlite and 1 part sterile compost into a bucket. Add water until moist and stir the mixture until it is uniform. Purchase a 2 inch nursery flat and pack the mixture in.

Make sure there is not trapped air, and leave ¼ inch of room at the top. push in your seeds and cover them with a thin layer of sand. Mist and cover with plastic wrap, this traps moisture. Place the tray in a warm area with lots of sun.

The seedlings will sprout after 2–4 weeks.

When they emerge, transfer into 2 inch pots using the same potting mixture. Give the sprouts 1 tablespoon of water every 3 days until the plants mature. Then repot into normal potting mix and water with the normal care instructions.

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BURRO’S TAIL ABOUT Also known as Donkey’s tail, this plant is native to southern Mexico and Honduras.

It is often potted in hanging containers due to how long it grows. Individual strands of the plant can reach 24 inches long. This makes it a gorgeous plant to keep in elevated places, like on top of a bookshelf or hung near windows. These are very delicate plants, meaning leaves and stems will break off very easily.

to these kinds of plants. Water less frequently in the winter; this is dormant period for these kind of plants. They will hold more water, so they won’t need to be watered as often.

If burro’s tail ever gets too big for its pot, you can separate it and divide into 2 new pots. To separate, simply pull the roots apart at the base making sure to be gentle. If any leaves or stems break off, feel free to propogate them.

This breakage isn’t necessarily a problem.

These plants, like most succulents, are very easy to propogate. This means that if any stems of the plant break off, you can grow a new plant. Simply take the broken stem, clear an inch or so of the leaves from the bottom. Make sure the bottom of the stem, where it broke, hasn’t formed a callous. If it has, just cut a little more off the end of the stem. Then sit the piece in a glass of water until roots form. Then, replant in a pot and care for as usual.

CARE Burro’s tail is healthiest when grown indoors. This is mostly due to lighting and temperature conditions. These plants can’t tolerate temperatures under 41 °F. They also require bright, indirect sunlight. However, direct sun is too bright for these plants and will burn them.

They require well draining containers with soilless potting mix. This can generally be found as cacti potting mix.

Keep the plant evenly moist and allow the top couple inches of the mix to dry between waterings. Excess water will cause root rot, which is very damaging 6

INSTRUCTIONS Since these plants are succulents growing seeds will be nearly the same as growing aloe seeds. Create the same mix by combining 2 parts sand, 1 part perlite and 1 part sterile compost into a bucket. Add water until moist and stir the mixture until it is uniform. Purchase a 2 inch nursery flat and pack the mixture in.

Make sure there is not trapped air, and leave Âź inch of room at the top. push in your seeds and cover them with a thin layer of sand. Mist and cover with plastic wrap, this traps moisture. Place the tray in a warm area with lots of sun.

When seedlings emerge, transfer into 2 inch pots using the same potting mixture.

Give the sprouts 1 tablespoon of water every few days until the plants mature.

Then repot into normal potting mix and water with the normal care instructions.

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COMMON IVY ABOUT These plants are also known as English Ivy, because they’re native to Europe as well as western Asia. When planted outdoors they’re generally used as ground cover within flower beds or under bushes and trees. They’re also grown as climbing plants and can reach heights of up to nearly 100 feet.

CARE Ivy enjoys direct or indirect bright light.

It thrives in partial shade, meaning it gets direct sun a few hours out of the day. These plants prefer to be dry, so make sure their containers have drainage holes. Water when the soil dries out, about once a week or week and a half.

Regular potting mix is what works best for common ivies. If you want to fertilize these plants, do so once a month. Do not fertilize in the winter, as this is their dormant period.

Ivies are regularly grown in higher places, due to the lengths they reach. This causes them to collect dust and sometimes even pests. Whenever this happens to your ivy, it benefits greatly from a good wash. To remove dust, either wipe their leaves off individually, or put them in the shower and rinse it off for a few minutes. This will keep your plant healthy and happy.

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INSTRUCTIONS To prepare your ivy seeds for germination, keep them in your refrigerator for 30–60 days. This mimics the winter months that wild seeds would be in the ground. After this, put the seeds in a bowl 0f room temperature water and soak them overnight.

Fill a seed tray with seed-starting soil.

Leave Âź inch of room at the top. Place a seed in the middle of each section and gently push it into the soil with a finger.

Do not cover the seeds. Mist the seeds and cover with plastic wrap. Make sure the seeds stay moist and warm until the sprouts appear.

Once the sprouts start to get larger, remove the plastic wrap and continue to mist them regularly. Once they start to mature, feel free to replant them into larger pots.

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CHINESE EVERGREENS ABOUT in warm and even humid conditions.

Ideal conditions include medium to low indirect sunlight and temperatures above 60 °F. However they will tolerate less than perfect conditions, such as temperatures as low as 50 °F. Keep away from drafty windows and air vents to maintain humid conditions.

More commonly known as Peace Lillies, these plants are native to the tropical areas of Asia and New Guinea. They generally grow along the ground, under larger tropical foliage. Peace lillies are also effective at removing some toxins from the air, making them a wonderful office or house plant.

If your plant ever becomes too large, trim back leaves and stems to keep it manageable. Peace lillies have large leaves, and they can get dusty.

Occaisionally wipe them off with a damp cloth or paper towel.

CARE Peace lillies enjoy moderate watering, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. To ensure the plant doesn’t sit in water too long, pot it in a welldraining potting soil. Peace lillies thrive

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INSTRUCTIONS Peace lilly seeds do best when they’re grown in a germinating seed mix. Place the mix into a seed tray and lay the seeds on top. Sprinkle a layer of vermaculite over the seeds to lightly cover them.

Water the seeds and cover the tray with plastic wrap. Check the tray every few days to make sure the mix remains moist.

If it seems to be drying out, give it a mist and re-cover. Make sure the tray is in a warm, bright place but not sitting in direct sunlight.

Seeds usually sprout within 10 days.

Make sure sprouts remain moist and warm until they are sturdy enough to repot. After repotting, treat with normal care instructions. Keep in mind they may need more frequent waterings than a fully mature plant.

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CHRISTMAS CAROL ALOE ABOUT Water less frequently in the winter, due to their dormant period. Usually this means watering them once every couple of months. Overwatering these plants will result in root rot. These aloes prefer temperatures between 70°–80° F, but will survive temperatures as chilly as 40 °F.

These plants originate from Madagascar and are considered hybrid aloe plants.

They are slow growing, reaching up to 1 foot tall and wide. These aloes also do not have the healing or cosmetic properies their cousin, aloe vera.

CARE

The plants will also develop offsets much like aloe vera that can be separated and replanted in a separate pot. Christmas Carol Aloes will also grow flowers in perfect conditions. Tiny flowers form at the top of a stem growing from the center of the plant.

These plants enjoy conditions similar to most succulents. They need moderate waterings, allowing the soil to dry out in between. They also thrive in pots with drainage holes, and being planted in well draining succulent mixes.

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INSTRUCTIONS These plants require a mixture similar to that made for aloe vera. It requires 4 parts sand, 4 parts sphagnum moss , 1 part vermiculite, 1 part potting soil and 1 part pumice. Mix together in a bucket until uniform.

Aqcuire a seed tray with drainage holes, or punch your own if needed. Fill the tray to the rim with the mixture. Fill a flat container with water and place the seed tray in it until the surface of the mixture becomes damp.

Sow the seeds on top of the mixture and gently press them into the mix with the flat part of a spoon. Sprinkle fine gravel on top, leaving larger seeds uncovered.

Cover in plastic wrap and place in a bright, warm area.

When seeds sprout remove the plastic every day for a few hours, but do not allow the soil to dry out. Don’t rush to repot these plants as they can remain in the seed tray for up to a year. However, you can repot after a month or two.

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DEVIL’S IVY ABOUT Devil’s ivy is known by many names.

Including ceylon creeper, golden pothos, marble queen, and silver vine amongst others. These plants are native to French Polynesia, specifically Mo’orea; they have also been naturalized in Australia, southeast Asia, the Pacific Islands and the West Indies.

These plants are called devil’s ivy because it is almost impossible to kill. They can reach heights of 6 ft tall when given a tutor to climb. Devil’s ivy are also toxic to pets if ingested.

CARE Devil’s ivy are rather simple to care for.

These plants enjoy indirect sunlight, or full artificial light. They only need watering once a week, this is roughly the time it takes for the top two inches of the soil to dry out. These plants are drought tolerant, so it won’t bother them if a couple waterings are missed. Devil’s ivy can be grown to climb or to drape down from an elevated area. This is up to the preference of whoever owns the plant.

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INSTRUCTIONS Start with a seed starting tray that has drainage holes. Fill the tray with seed starting mix and sprinkle the seeds on top. Add a thin layer of mix on top of the seeds after they are sown. Mist the dirt until it’s damp, then cover with plastic wrap. Make sure the tray stays damp and warm while the seeds are germinating.

Once the seedling sprout, place the tray in bright, direct sunlight. Allow the seedlings to mature before repotting, and make sure they are getting enough water.

However, be careful not to drown the young plants. After repotting, care for the plants with the normal care instructions.

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DUDLEYA ABOUT Plant in a well draining potting mix; one made for succulents will be perfect. They usually experience extended droughts, so missing a few waterings won’t bother these plants. Try watering once every couple of weeks and increase if the plant starts to wilt.

Also called live-forever plants, these plants are native to Northwest America, specifically the Oregon-Baja Peninsula.

They usually grow into grey, blue and green shades. These plants are the first that comes to mind when talking about succulents because they seem to be the overall most popular.

Dudleya experience almost constant droughts in the summer. This means they don’t need to be watered very often, if at all, during the warmer months. Make sure to water at the base of the plant as well; this is the fastest way to get them water and avoid getting their leaves wet. They don’t get much rainfall, and their leaves get irritated when wet.

CARE These plants thrive on neglect and can get up to 100 years old when living in the wild. They enjoy bright sun and afternoon shade. An ideal area for a dudleya would get full sun for a few hours out of the day.

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INSTRUCTIONS Since these plants are succulents growing seeds will be similar to growing aloe seeds. Create the same mix by combining 2 parts sand, 1 part perlite and 1 part sterile compost into a bucket. Add water until moist and stir the mixture until it is uniform. Purchase a 2 inch nursery flat and pack the mixture in. Make sure there is not trapped air, and leave Âź inch of room at the top. push in your seeds and cover them with a thin layer of sand.

Mist and cover with plastic wrap, this traps moisture. Place the tray in a warm area with lots of sun.

When seedlings emerge, transfer into 2 inch pots using the same potting mixture.

Give the sprouts 1 tablespoon of water every few days until the plants mature.

Then repot into normal potting mix and water with the normal care instructions.

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JADE PLANT ABOUT These plants are also commonly known as Lucky Plants or Money Trees. They are native to KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique in south Africa. These plants can reach up to 8 feet tall in the wild. They can also be toxic to pets and mildly toxic to humans.

CARE These plants due well in wide, sturdy pots due to how top heavy the plants are. Pot jade plants in well draining potting mix, like those designed for succulents. Allow the mix to dry out between waterings, they should be watered roughly once a week. During the winter months, jade plants can be watered once a month due to dormancy.

Try to keep leaves dry when watering as they can get irritated. If the leaves start to drop, shrivel, or develop brown spots they are being underwatered. If the leaves become soft and squishy, the plant is being overwatered.

Jade plants also love sunlight. Roughly 4 hours of direct sun a day is perfect for jade plants. Perfect daytime temperatures sit between 65 and 75 °F. However they can tolerate down to 55 °F at night.

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INSTRUCTIONS Use a cacti or succulent seed starting mix to sow your seeds in. Use a seed tray that has drainage holes, or poke your own holes in one. Add your starting mix and place your seeds in the tray. Water your seeds and cover in plastic wrap. Poke holes in the plastic for air circulation and then place the tray in bright, indirect sun.

Make sure the tray stays warm and moist while the seedlings grow.

Once they have at least 3 leaves repot them. Care as usual, but make sure to keep the sprouts in indirect light. Direct sun can be harsh on younger plants and irritate their leaves.

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LUCKY BAMBOO ABOUT

CARE

Lucky Bamboo has many alternitive names, such as Ribbon Dracaena, Curly Bamboo, Chinese Water Bamboo, and Belgian Evergreen. This plant is native to central Africa and can get up to 3 feet tall.

It can also be toxic to cats.

Lucky bamboo can be grown in water or soil, either way doesn’t require much attention. When growing in water, keep pebbles at the bottom of the container to stabalize the plant. Add enough water to cover the roots and make sure to change out the water if it gets dirty. Distilled water yeild the best results for this method of growth.

Lucky Bamboo also has different meanings, depending on how many stalks it has. 2 stalks means love or double luck, similar to 9 stalks which means great luck. 3 stalks can also mean luck, but it can also mean happiness, long life and wealth. Conversely, 4 stalks means bad luck. 5 stalks means balance in the 5 areas of emotional health while 7 stalks means general good health. 6 stalks attracts prosperity and wealth, while 8 stalks means good success, growth and fertility.

10 stalks can mean a complete and perfect life. The largest amout of stalks with meaning is 21 stalks, this means great wealth and enduring health.

Lucky bamboo thrives in bright, indirect light. The best temperature range for it is between 65 and 90 °F. Tall stalks can be cut and placed in water to create a new plant. Stalks in an existing plant can also be separated to grow new plants as well. It’s traditional to tie a gold or red ribbon around the stalks to hold them together. These ribbons also represent good luck, regardless of how many stalks are in the plant.

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INSTRUCTIONS Store your seeds in your fridge before planting. This mimics the winter cold the seeds would experience in the wild. After this, soak your seeds in water for 24 hours Fill a seed tray or small pots with peatfree compost, leaving ½ and inch of room at the top. Sow the seeds, pushing them in gently with a finger. Water and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm area for 24 hours and then move to a bright, and still warm, location.

It will take roughly 30 days for the seeds to sprout. Allow your seedlings to grow a little bit before replanting them. Care for them as usual. If you wish to grow them in water, transfer them to water after they start to mature.

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LADYFINGER CACTUS ABOUT Also known as Gold Lace Cactus, these plants are native to central Mexico, up through southern Texas. They can grow up to 6 inches tall and twice as wide.

warm areas. However they will tolerate the cold due to freezing temperatures during desert nights.

When planting, be sure to use cactus soil mix, for good drainage. Overwatering CARE these plants can cause root rot. It is Ladyfinger Cacti are easy to care for. They always better to overwater a cactus than only need to be watered occaisionally to overwater it. because they experience almost constant drought. They love sunny conditions, and

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INSTRUCTIONS Use a seed-starting mix designed for cacti to sow your seeds in. Use a seed tray that has drainage holes, or poke your own holes in one. Add your starting mix and place your seeds in the tray. Water your seeds and cover in plastic wrap. Poke holes in the plastic for air circulation and then place the tray in bright, indirect sun.

Make sure the tray stays warm while the seedlings grow.

When seedlings emerge, transfer into 2 inch pots using the same potting mixture.

Give the sprouts water regularly until the plants mature. Then repot into normal cacti potting mix and water with the normal care instructions.

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PARODIA ABOUT Parodias are native to many different places, such as Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia and Columbia. This is the reason there are 50 different species of Parodias. They are generally small round plants, getting up to 3 feet tall.

Different Parodias can produce different colored flowers, inluding red, purple, yellow and orange.

CARE These cacti can also survive with less attention. They enjoy direct sun in the mornings and afternoons, but prefer shade around noon. Pot Parodias in well draining potting soil, such as cacti mix, and use containers with drainage holes.

During the warmer months the soil needs to be kept slightly moist, due to their more tropical native areas. During the winter let the soil nearly dry out, not completely, between waterings. While most all cacti thrive on neglect, Parodias are accustomed to more water than most cacti. However, they still require a cooling period in the winter.

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INSTRUCTIONS Use a cacti seed starting mix to sow your seeds in. Use a seed tray that has drainage holes, or poke your own holes in one. Add your starting mix and place your seeds in the tray. Water your seeds and cover in plastic wrap. Poke holes in the plastic for air circulation and then place the tray in bright, indirect sun. Make sure the tray stays warm while the seedlings grow.

When seedlings emerge, transfer into 2 inch pots using the same potting mixture.

Keep seedling moist until they grow to a decent size.

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PANDA PLANT ABOUT

more easily. When watering, soak the soil thoroughly. Allow the mix to dry out completely between waterings. During the winter, water less frequently. These plants hold more water during their dormant seasons. Watering once every other week would be ideal.

Also called Pussy Ears, these succulents are native to Madagascar. They can grow up to 1.5 feet tall. They are also toxic to dogs and cats if ingested.

CARE Their ideal temperatures range from 60 to 70 °F. They enjoy a mix of direct and indirect sunlight, a place where they get shade for part of the day would be perfect. An area with regular artificial light or bright indirect sun works as well.

Panda Plants also grow offsets. These can be separated similar to an aloe plant. Be gentle when pulling them apart, but don’t be afraid to break roots when doing so.

Repot the offsets and give them as much water as they need while they’re rooting.

When potting use cacti or succulent potting mix, this allows water to drain

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INSTRUCTIONS Growing thses succulents seeds will be similar to growing aloe seeds. Create the same mix by combining 2 parts sand, 1 part perlite and 1 part sterile compost into a bucket. Add water until moist and stir the mixture until it is uniform. Purchase a 2 inch nursery flat and pack the mixture in. Make sure there is not trapped air, and leave Âź inch of room at the top. push in your seeds and cover them with a thin layer of sand. Mist and cover with plastic wrap, this traps moisture. Place the tray in a warm area with lots of sun.

When seedlings emerge, transfer into 2 inch pots using the same potting mixture.

Give the sprouts 1 tablespoon of water every few days until the plants mature.

Then repot into normal potting mix and water with the normal care instructions.

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PHILODENDRON ABOUT In greek, “philo” means love or affection and “dendron” means tree, translating the name into “love tree”. There are over 400 different species of this plant, with different colors and leaf sizes. Due to the amount of species makes the origin of this plant hard to place.

CARE Philodendrons enjoy bright indirect sunlight. Pot in a good potting mix. When watering, allow the top inch of soil dry between waterings. They will survive if a couple waterings are skipped, however these plants enjoy to stay moist. It’s almost better to overwater these plants than to ignore them.

These plants can get rather large, up to 20 feet tall and 6 feet large. The bigger these plants become, the less attention they need. Vining Philodendrons usually need a structure to climb. However, allowing them to drape down works just as well.

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INSTRUCTIONS Use a seed starting mix to plant Philodendron seeds. Pack into a seed tray and sow your seeds on top. Press them gently into the soil and water the seeds.

Cover them with plastic wrap and place them in an area that gets indirect light.

These seeds take 15–30 days to germinate.

They require warm temperatures, usually between 75 and 80 °F. They must be kept moist while germinating, be sure to check the moisture and temperature of the tray every few days.

Once the seedlings mature, feel free to repot. Keep them moist until they mature. Then care for them with the regular instructions.

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RADIATOR PLANT ABOUT There are over 1000 species of this kind of plant. They are native to Central America, northern South America and Africa. They can reach heights up to 1 foot tall.

CARE Radiator plants are stout plants, and thrive in warmer tempuratures. They received their name, because they used to be kept on top of radiators to keep the perfect tempurature. They love medium to full sun throughout the day, some shade won’t hurt this plant.

Being from warmer climates, this plants thrives on deep waterings. Soak the soil all the way through when watering. Allow soil to dry between waterings to keep roots healthy.

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INSTRUCTIONS Use a seed tray to grow Radiator Plants.

Fill the tray with soilless seed starting mix. Lay the seeds in the mix and cover them lightly with the seed starting mix.

Water the seeds and cover in plastic wrap.

Keep the tray in a warm, bright area while the seeds germinate.

After the seeds germinate and seedlings start to grow, transfer them into a pot with soil. Leave the pot in bright, indirect light. Avoid overwatering the seedlings while they mature.

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RUBBER FIG ABOUT These plants are easy to care for and are common household plants. Rubber Figs are native to South and Southeast Asia.

They have also been naturalized in Sri Lanka, the West Indies and Florida. In their natural habitat, Rubber Figs can reach up to 200 feet tall and 6 feet in diameter. When grown at home, these plants can grow up to 50 feet tall.

CARE Rubber Figs thrive in bright, indirect light. A window with shear curtins is a great example. They enjow warmer, humic climates, so this lighting will help to replicate that.

Keep these plants moist during growing season, the summer months. If you water them too often, leaves will turn yellow and/or brown.

During the winter season, water twice a month. If the leaves start to droop, water them more frequently.

To promote new leaf growth, cut slits where leaves fall off. this will cause leaves to grow back quicker.

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INSTRUCTIONS Start with a seed tray, and fill it with low-nutrient seeding soil or a sand and turf mixture. Leave the seeds toward the surface of the mix. Soak the soil and cover in plastic wrap. Keep the seeds warm and moist while they germinate.

Allow seedlings to grow in the seed tray before repotting. This allows roots to grow and makes it easier to repot them.

After repotting, care for the plants with normal instructions.

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ZANZIBAR GEM ABOUT Also called ZZ Plants, They are native to Africa. They reach heights of 2 to 3 feet tall and wide. They are toxic to pets and people if ingested, however they are known air purifiers.

CARE These plants are neglect and drought tolerant, making them perfect for firsttime plant owners. They grow well in any lighting condition from low to bright, indirect light.

Use a well-drainging potting soil for these plants. Water when the soil dries out, and water deeply. If a few waterings are forgotten, these plants won’t mind.

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INSTRUCTIONS Use well draining soil to pot these seeds in. A mix with peat moss, perlite and loamy soil will work best. Soak the seeds in water for a day, then allow them to dry out before potting. Pot the seeds in an 8–12 inch pot with drainage holes. Keep the pot in a warm, bright place while the seeds germinate.

Keep the soil moist until the plant reaches a decent size. Once they start to mature, look after them with the normal care instructions.

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ZEBRA PLANT ABOUT These are smaller succulents, reaching heights between 4 and 8 inches. They are native to Southern Africa, and they get their name because of this. Their dark green and offwhite stripes tend to mimic that of a zebra’s. They also share their name with another kind of plant. The diffence being that they are completely different species. This zebra plant (Haworthia faciata) is a succulent, while Aphelandra Squarrosa is a tropical, flowering bush.

CARE These succulents love bright, indirect light. However they can get sunburnt. If Zebra Plants are getting too much sun, the tips of their leaves will turn red.

These are drought tolerant plants, and it’s better to under water them than to over water. They will need a well draining soil mix, like those made for succulents or cacti. Watering these plants once a week will be just enough. Water less frequently during their dormant season, the winter months.

These plants will also develop brown tips.

This is quite normal and nothing to worry about. They will callous at the ends and the leaves will remain healthy.

Zebra plants will also develop offsets.

Gently pull these offsets away from your main plant. Set them in water to allow roots to grow. Pot them in the same mix and care for them normally.

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INSTRUCTIONS Create the same mix used for aloe plants by combining 2 parts sand, 1 part perlite and 1 part sterile compost into a bucket.

Add water until moist and stir the mixture until it is uniform. Purchase a 2 inch nursery flat and pack the mixture in. Make sure there is not trapped air, and leave Âź inch of room at the top. push in your seeds and cover them with a thin layer of sand. Mist and cover with plastic wrap, this traps moisture. Place the tray in a warm area with lots of sun.

When seedlings emerge, transfer into 2 inch pots using the same potting mixture.

Give the sprouts 1 tablespoon of water every few days until the plants mature.

Then repot into normal potting mix and water with the normal care instructions.

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INTRODUCTION The following pests can invade multiple of the plants included throughout this book. There will be images to make it easier to identify these pests. Along with the images will be descriptions and the symptoms that they cause. There are also detailed instructions on how to rid your plants of each pest.

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PESTS

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APHIDS ABOUT These little insects reach Âź inch long.

They can be black, brown, grey, yellow, light green, or occasionally pink. Signs of an aphid infestation are curling, yellowing, misshapen, and stunted leaves.

If these signs occur, check the underside of the leaves for aphids. They cause a sticky substance called honeydew that can attract other pests.

If these methods are too harsh for your plant, try using a dish soap solution. Mix water with a few drops of liquid dish soap and spray or wipe the leaves of your plant with it. Continue this every 2-3 days for up to 2 weeks.

Another mixture to try is mixing 1 qt of water with 1 tsp of liquid dish soap and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Apply the same way you would the previous mixture.

CONTROL

If these methods don’t show results try using rubbing alcohol or ethanol. Coat a q-tip or cotton ball and dab at the insects.

This will kill the bugs, but can be harsh on your plant.

First, try spraying cool water on the leaves. This can dislodge the bugs and prevent them from returning to the plant; however, there is a possibility that this will cause the aphids to migrate to different plants.

You can also dust your plant with flour.

This constipates the bugs and will eventually kill them. Also try using neem oil, insecticide soaps, or horticultural oils.

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GNATS ABOUT These small grey or black bugs are attracted to rotting organic debris. The best way to prevent attracting these bugs is to prune dead leaves and branches, rake fallen leaves and flowers out of the base of your plant and discourage unnecessary accumulation of moisture.

CONTROL When dealing with a gnat infestation, one of the easiest ways to disrupt their life cycle is to smother the soil with aquarium rocks or coarse sand. This prevents larvae in the soil from coming to the surface and feeding off of your plant.

A way to trap larvae is to create spud powder. Cut potatoes into ½ inch pieces and set them in the soil. Larvae will come up to feed on the potatoes. Simply collect the potatoes, seal them in a plastic bag and discard. A good pairing with either of these methods is setting up sticky traps or drowning traps around your plant.

This will trap and kill any remaining adult gnats.

You can also repot your plant. Simply clean the roots of all soil, wash out your pot thoroughly and repot in new soil.

Discard all of the old soil, and watch for any development of gnats. You can also spray your plant with a soap and water mixture to discourage gnats from feeding on your plant. Neem oil is also a viable solution for getting rid of gnat infestations. A combination of any of these methods will cure your plant of gnats rather quickly.

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LEAF ROT ABOUT Also called leaf spot, this disease can be caused by bacteria or fungus. Symptoms include brown or black spots, that sometimes have a yellow halo. These spots are soaked with water, and overly wet conditions can cause these spots to run together and kill entire leaves.

Dry conditions leave smaller speckles of these spots across the plant’s leaves. This disease can cause leaves to wither and drop off your plant completely.

CONTROL Leaf rot has no cure, however it can be controlled. One of the best ways to control this disease is to keep the soil around your plant clean. Make sure to clean up dead leaves, flowers and fruit that can accumulate under your plant.

Another way to control leaf rot is to spray with a baking soda solution. Mix 1 tbsp of baking soda, with 2 ½ tbsp of vegetable oil and 1 tbsp of liquid dish soap into a gallon of water. You can also spray infected leaves with neem oil to control the disease.

If these methods don’t work, look into using sulfur sprays or copper-based fungicides.

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MEALY BUGS ABOUT Mealy bugs are generally found in warmer climates. Up to ¼ inch long, these wingless insects appear as white masses on leaves. Large numbers of mealy bugs can kill leaves and eventually the entire plant. A key way to notice these bugs is plants becoming sticky. This honeydew supports their eggs and their population.

CONTROL For light infestations, start by pruning away infected leaves. If you don’t wish to prune your plants, dip a q-tip in rubbing alcohol and dab the insects with it. This will kill the insects.

Try not to overwater your plants while treating mealy bug infestations. If the numbers of bugs increases to a heavier infestation, introducing natural predators to your plants can help. Ladybugs, lacewing bugs and mealybug destroyers are some of these predators.

Another method of ridding your plant of mealy bugs is hosing off your plant. If this doesn’t work, spray your plant with neem oil. This oil works on a number of pests. If all else fails, look into acquiring insecticides or insecticide soaps that are safe for indoor use.

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POWDERY MILDEW ABOUT This infection appears as splotches of grey or white powder on the leaves of a plant. It usually starts on the undersides of leaves. Different plants attract specific strains of this disease. For example, a lilac plant with powdery mildew won’t spread the diseas to an aloe plant or to a parodia.

prevent new occurances of the mildew, don’t soak leaves with water.

Powdery mildew is mainly caused by high humidity and low air circulation. It isn’t fatal to plants, however it can prevent photosynthesis by covering the leaves.

It can attract other infections or pests, due to already weakening your plant.

The best cure for powdery mildew is preventing conditions that it thrives in.

CONTROL The easiest way to deal with this infection is to prune away infected leaves and spray you plant with a fungicide. To

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ROOT ROT ABOUT Root rot is normally caused by overwatering. However it can also be caused by fungus. Symptoms of root rot are wilting and yellow leaves. If these sympotms occure while the soil around your plant is still wet, the cause is almost always root rot. The roots of an infected plant will look black and feel mushy.

CONTROL Remove your plant from its soil and wash the roots clean. This will remove some of the infected roots, and you will need to trim away the remaining infected roots. If you have to remove a significant amount of roots, prune back ⅓– ½ of the plant’s leaves. This helps the roots grow back faster, as they have less leaves to support and will be under less stress.

Dispose of the soil the plant was potted in and wash the pot thoroughly. If possible, dip the freshly trimmed roots and fungicide before repotting. This will kill any remaining infection if it was caused by fungus. Repot your plant in clean potting mix and observe it for further signs of infection.

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SCALE ABOUT Scale will look like a disease, but it is actually small insects. They can be found on stems and branches and sometimes on the leaves of an infected plant.

There are over 7,000 species of scale bugs that vary in shape and size. The are usually round, and can be white, black, orange or a color that blends in with your plant. They are usually 1/8 inch in size and always appear in clusters. They are immobile bugs, which is why they look like a disease. There are soft and armored scale bugs. Soft scale bugs are easier to kill, while the armored bugs sometimes require more aggressive treatment.

CONTROL If caught early enough, scale bugs can be pruned out. Existing scale bugs can be removed with a sponge or q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol. Dab the sponge or q-tip on the bugs. This will break down their exoskeleton and slowly kill the bugs.

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SPIDER MITES ABOUT These are not spiders, however they are considered arachnids, which gives them their name. They can be reddish-brown or pale and are always really small. They live on the undersides of leaves and will appear in clusters. Infected leaves will turn yellow and eventually die, and fall off the plant.

CONTROL These pests are resistant to pesticide, so natural methods yeild the best results.

Try first pruning away infected leaves and areas of your plant. Then, hose down your plant to dislodge any remaining spider mites.

Ladybugs, lacewings and predatory mites are natural predators to spider mites, introducing them to your plant can quell an infection. Using neem oil is another great way to kill spider mite infections.

Prevent infestations by dusting off your leaves regularly. Make sure your plant is healthy and properly watered. This discourages the attraction of most pests and infections.

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PHOTO CREDITS

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cover Quang Nguyen Vinh/Pexels p.4 Miguel Á. Padriñán/Pexels p.6 unkown/Succulent City p.8 Madison Inouye/Pexels p.10 unknown/pxfuel p.12 unknown/Sloat Garden Center p.14 Lucas Pezeta/Pexels p.16 Maureen Bekker/Pexels p.18 Dominika Roseclay/Pexels p.20 Toni Cuenca/Pexels p.22 Annie Spratt/Unsplash p.24 JFKCom/Wikimedia p.26 Xiao Zijin/Unsplash p.28 Adam Przeniewski/Unsplash p.30 David J. Stang/Wikimedia p.32 Mike Marquez/Unsplash p.34 unknown/Bulleen Art & Garden p.36 Valeriia Miller/Pexels p.40 Horror by Numbers/Unsplash p.41 Katja Schulz/Flickr p.42 Scot Nelson/Flickr p.43 Katja Schulz/Flickr p.44 Jeff Kubina/Wikimedia p.45 unkown/Baby Violets p.46 Gail Hampshire/Flickr p.47 CSIRO/W

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