“I grow plants for a variety of reasons, but largely for the joy of seeing them develop: to please my spirit, to test the elements or my patience, for novelty or for nostalgia.” Hobson, David
Introduction
Our customers’ residences can differ greatly from one another; one may live in a dry desert region while another may live in a cold high latitude region. The plants we sell are native to tropical regions. With this in mind, it’s crucial to keep in mind that a plant’s needs in one home might not be the same as those in another. Trial and error might be a little factor, especially with the first one or two plants that are brought into a house. Fortunately, Monstera Deliciosas and our other aroids are tough and forgiving plants that typically thrive even despite attempts by novices to maintain the ideal balance of temperature, humidity, light, water, and other crucial elements.
Light, Heat, and Humidity
Plants with variegation enjoy bright areas with lots of indirect sunshine. The variegated sections of the leaves may become brown and discolor when exposed to direct sunlight. These plants are accustomed to warm, humid surroundings, but they are quite hardy, so they can tolerate less-than-ideal conditions. A humidifier might be a useful addition for plant care if these plants are to survive in extremely dry environments.
Here are the suggested temps for our jungle plants to recreate their tropical environment and aid in their growth:
18-27°C/65-80°F for Monstera delica
18–27°C/65–80°F for Monstera Standleyana
White Princess Philodendron: 18-23°C/65-73°F
13–27°C/55–80°F for Philodendron verrucosum
16-27°C/68-80°F for Tetrasperma Rhaphidophora
Watering and Drainage
Instead of pouring water into the pots during watering, spraying encourages water to distribute evenly throughout the root system. A pump-action sprayer with an adjustable nozzle is what we recommend and use. One of the most frequent issues is overwatering, therefore check the soil’s moisture level first before watering a plant. It may not be necessary to water the plant if the soil is moist. If the container is heavy, this can also mean that the soil is very damp.
To avoid water pooling around the roots, which can cause root rot, it is crucial to use pots with sufficient drainage. To prevent water from spreading across your surfaces after watering, place a saucer under your plant. Most gardening shops sell these saucers adjacent to pots with drainage holes for ease.
Soils, Fertilisers, and More
In the plant world, there is a lot of disagreement over soils; different gardeners have preferred soil mixtures, and there is no one best method. Some mixes drain more quickly than others; for instance, adding more perlite and bark to your mix creates soil that drains more quickly whereas sphagnum moss holds onto water. In Aroid Arcadia, we employ a variety of techniques based on the stage of growth that each of our plants is in. In Perlite, we discover that wet sticks and freshly rooted cuttings thrive. A combination of medium grade orchid bark (15%), big grade orchid bark (15%), coconut husk (20%), peaty tropical soil or coco coir (10%), sphagnum moss (15%), and perlite (25%) works wonderfully for our more mature plants.
If you feel uneasy using a regular fertilizer, we advise utilizing worm castings. The leaves benefit greatly from seaweed fertilizers as well. Although hydrogen peroxide has a wide range of applications, our favorites include oxygenating the soil, preventing root rot, and killing tiny pests. Super Thrive is advised for wet sticks, rooting cuttings, and causing roots in already-existing plants to spread out.
The majority of indoor plants go through seasons much like outside plants, so if a few leaves start to yellow and droop, it’s usually nothing to worry about. The majority of the changes you observe in your plants are a result of their normal cycles and adaptations to new environments or temperatures. However, if you think your plant may be experiencing more serious issues, consult a knowledgeable gardener.
Our final piece of advice is to test any product, such as fertilizer or hydrogen peroxide, on one plant first, preferably one that is not valuable, and wait at least 48 hours before applying it to the other plants in your indoor garden.