TROPICAL PLANTS

9
Philodendron-Tradscantia
BOTANICAL NAME
PHILODENDRON
SCANDENS var.
‘Oxycardium’
PRONUNCIATION

■fill - o - DEN - dron

SKAN - denz
oks - ee - CARD - um
COMMON NAME

■Parlor Ivy
■Heart Leaf
Philodendron
Connecting the Scientific Name with
the Common Name

■Phil is in the parlor

DESCRIPTION
■Leaf is heart shape,
has a point
■Plant is viney
■Easy Growing
■Smooth Stems
 Water
■Keep soil evenly moist
■Do not overwater
Fertilizer

■Fertilize all year

■More heavily in
summer
Light

■Low
Size and Growth Rate

■Moderate growth
■Will continue to grow
until cut back
Propagation

■Take stem cuttings any

time during the year
■Air layer
Additional Information

■Vigorous climber
■Popular plant that can
hang drape climb or
twine
BOTANICAL NAME
PLECTRANTHUS AUSTRALIS
PRONUNCIATION

■plec - TRAN - thus

aw - STRAY - liss
COMMON NAME

■Swedish Ivy
Connecting the Scientific Name with
the Common Name

■I buy Plexiglas in
Sweden
DESCRIPTION
■Thick, waxy, rounded,
bright green leaves with
scalloped margins
■Trailing habit
■Square stems with
orange sap
Water

■Water regularly
keeping soil moist, not
soggy
Fertilizer

■Fertilize lightly
throughout the
growing season
Light

■High
Size and Growth Rate

■Slow to Moderate
growth
■Trailing to 3’
Propagation

■Take cuttings from

stems or shoots that
have recently matured
■Roots easily in water
BOTANICAL NAME
■SAINTPAULIA IONANTHA
PRONUNCIATION

Saint - PAUL - ee - ah
eye - oh - NAN - thuh
COMMON NAME

■African Violet
Connecting the Scientific Name with
the Common Name

■Saint Pauli is a place

in Africa
DESCRIPTION
■Rosettes of velvety
leaves on short stems
■Clusters of flowers in
shades of pink, white,
and purple
Water

■Keep evenly moist with

room temperature water
■Keep water off of leaves
Fertilizer

■Fertilize all year

■More heavily in the
summer
Light

■Medium
Size and Growth Rate

■Moderate growth to 6”
high
Propagation

■In spring, take leaf

cuttings or sow seeds
Additional Information

■One of the most

popular houseplants
BOTANICAL NAME
■SCHEFFLERA
ARBORICOLA
PRONUNCIATION
■Schef-LAIR-uh
Ar-bor-ih-KOH-luh
COMMON NAME

■Dwarf Schefflera
Connecting the Scientific Name with
the Common Name

■Schefflera and
Schefflera
DESCRIPTION
■Deep green leaves
■Umbrella shaped at
the end of the stems
■5-6 leaves per stem
Water

■Water thoroughly
■Allow to approach
dryness before
watering again
Fertilizer

■Feed lightly during the

year
Light

■High
Size and Growth Rate

■Grows vigorously to
10-12’ tall and 3-6’ in
diameter
Propagation

■Take stem cuttings any

time
■Air layer
BOTANICAL NAME
SPATHIPHYLLUM cvs.
PRONUNCIATION

■spa - thi - FIL - lum

COMMON NAME

■Peace Lily
Connecting the Scientific Name with
the Common Name

■It is very Peaceful at

the Spa
DESCRIPTION
■Large, dark green, shiny
pointed leaves on
slender stalks growing
directly out of the soil
■Blooms readily indoors
DESCRIPTION
■Flowers are distinct; the
spathe is a pure white
bract that encloses the
true flower, a central
column of tiny, closely
set flowers
Bract

Flower
Water

■Keep evenly moist

Fertilizer

■Fertilize monthly
Light
■Low
Size and Growth Rate

■Moderately slow
growing to 2-3’
Propagation
■Start new plants by
dividing an old
specimen
■Seed
■Micropropagation
BOTANICAL NAME
TRADESCANTIA ZEBRINA
PRONUNCIATION

tray- des -KAN- tee - ah

COMMON NAME

■Purple Wandering Jew

Connecting the Scientific Name with
the Common Name

■People used to trade

Jews as slaves
DESCRIPTION
■Purple, silver, and
green striped pointed
leaves with purple
undersides on trailing
stems
Water

■Water when soil feels

dry
Fertilizer

■Fertilize every two

weeks from spring to
fall
Light

■High
Size and Growth Rate

■Vigorous and fast

growing to 36” long
Propagation

■Stem Cuttings