Chlorophytum is the most unpretentious indoor plant. Chlorophytum: characteristics and characteristics of growing Chlorophytum vulgaris
Chlorophytum Chlorophytum are herbaceous plants with linear, less often with broad-linear or lanceolate leaves.
Etymology
The genus name comes from the Greek words chloros- “green” and phyton- "plant".
Types and varieties of chlorophytum
In the tropical and subtropical regions of South America, Africa, South Asia, Australia, and on the island of Madagascar, approximately 215 species of perennial rhizomatous plants of this genus grow.
Chlorophytum comosum
A herbaceous rosette plant with tuberous thickened roots, it has long, up to 40 cm, and narrow, about 1.5-2 cm, green leaves. Daughter leaf rosettes develop on prostrate or erect peduncles. In culture there is a form var. vittatum hort. with a longitudinal white stripe in the middle.
Chlorophytum capense
It differs from the previous species in its larger, up to 60 cm long and up to 30 cm wide, linear, green, grooved leaves. Peduncles, up to 20 cm long, appear from the axils of the leaves and bear several racemose inflorescences of 2-6 green-white small flowers.
Chlorophytum orchidastrum "GreenOrange" (Chlorophytum orchidastrum)
The plant is bush-shaped, with wider green, slightly wavy leaves, decorated with orange veins, and with rather long orange stems. It has a tuberous, thickened, bundle-shaped root.
Grown as ornamental hanging plants. Planted in hanging containers.
Caring for chlorophytum
Chlorophytum is shade-tolerant and unpretentious. Grows well in rooms on window sills or near windows, in bright light or partial shade. It is better to shade it from direct sunlight. In winter, the plant is kept at a temperature of +12…+14 °C. Watering is plentiful, but when waterlogged, the leaves turn brown at the edges and the roots rot.
Feeding is carried out once a month in the warm season. The plant tolerates dry air well, but spraying is still advisable. Replanted annually. It is better to use shallow containers. Plants are planted in a soil mixture of turf and leaf soil, compost and sand (1:1:1:0.5). May be affected by aphids and scale insects.
Reproduction of chlorophytum
Easily propagated by suckers - young developed plants at the ends of the shoots. They are separated and planted in pots. Water generously. You can divide the bushes in the spring.
Ecology of home
Chlorophytum perfectly cleanses indoor air of impurities. Absorbs many harmful substances (benzene, formaldehyde, chlorethylene), turning them into harmless compounds. Construction and finishing materials (washable wallpaper, linoleum, carpet, plastic furniture and windows, paints, solvents, etc.) are “responsible” for 80% of the harmful chemicals found in the air of apartments. Chlorophytum is “not indifferent” to nitrogen oxides and heavy metals.
This plant is especially active in the kitchen. Here chlorophytum grows extremely quickly and produces a large number of shoots, and purifies the air better than some technical devices. In addition, it releases phytoncides, which have a detrimental effect on the harmful flora of the home. One plant can completely neutralize the primary concentration of harmful substances in an amount of 200 mg/m3. m. After 18-24 hours, 4-5 medium-sized plants on an area of 10 square meters. m are capable of purifying the air from various impurities by 70-80%. In addition, chlorophytum humidifies the air well and promotes sound absorption.
Description
Herbaceous plant with drooping stems. Its long linear leaves are collected in basal bunches. Chlorophytum flowers are small, collected in a loose panicle. After flowering, the arcuate stems form bunches of leaves with aerial roots at their ends. Strong specimens have numerous hanging stems with rosettes of leaves.
Kinds
The genus contains about 200-250 species, distributed in the subtropical and tropical regions of South America, Africa, and. Madagascar, South Asia and Australia.
Chlorophytum comosum "Variegatum"
Chlorophytum tuberosum
Chlorophytum orchidastrum
Chlorophytum amaniense
Chlorophytum arundinaceum
Chlorophytum bichetii
Chlorophytum borivilianum
Chlorophytum capense
Chlorophytum comosum
Chlorophytum heynei
Chlorophytum hoffmannii
Chlorophytum inornatum
Chlorophytum macrophyllum
Chlorophytum nepalense
Chlorophytum orchidastrum
Chlorophytum tuberosum
Application in indoor floriculture
Chlorophytum is one of the most common unpretentious indoor plants. It grows quickly, and in spring and summer, first small white flowers and then tiny rosettes of leaves appear on thin stems. They can be separated from the plant and rooted. This plant is unpretentious, although in summer it requires abundant watering. Chlorophytum is considered one of the most effective air purifiers in the room. It absorbs formaldehyde and carbon monoxide and releases oxygen.
Biological features of cultivation
Temperature. Moderate. In winter, not lower than 18 °C. Chlorophytum will not die at unfavorable temperatures, but this will certainly affect its appearance. Cold drafts or keeping them near an uninsulated window harm the plant.
Lighting. Chlorophytum is a light-loving plant. Prefers bright, diffused light. Grows well near an east or west window. It can also grow on a north window, but in too dark a place the plant loses its decorative appeal. The south window needs shading.
Watering. Requires abundant watering from spring to autumn and moderate watering in winter. The soil should be kept moist all the time.
Fertilizer. Fertilizer watering is carried out once every 2 weeks from March to August with complex fertilizer for decorative deciduous plants.
Air humidity. In summer, it is useful to spray the leaves from time to time and give them a warm shower. Spraying is required if the plant is kept near a heating system.
Transfer. Every year in February - March. Large or old plants are replanted after two years, but fed annually. Soil - 2 parts turf, 1 part humus, 1 part leaf soil and 1 part sand. Chlorophytum has large, thick roots; if they grow, the pots crack near the bottom. Therefore, chlorophytum is given spacious dishes.
Reproduction. Rooting of daughter rosettes, as well as division during transplantation.
Notes
Links
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Synonyms:See what "Chlorophytum" is in other dictionaries:
- (Chlorophytum), a genus of plants in the lily family (see LILILY). More than 200 species, in subtropical and tropical regions of South America, Africa, Madagascar, South Asia and Australia. The leaves are narrowly lanceolate or linear, gradually tapering... ... encyclopedic Dictionary
Exist., number of synonyms: 1 plant (4422) ASIS Dictionary of Synonyms. V.N. Trishin. 2013… Synonym dictionary
chlorophytum- chlorofitas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šiaudeninių (Anthericaceae) šeimos augalų gentis (Chlorophytum). atitikmenys: lot. Chlorophytum engl. bracket plant vok. Graslilie; Grünlilie rus. chlorophytum lenk. chlorophytum; zielistka... Dekoratyvinių augalų vardynas
- (Chlorophytum) is a genus of plants in the lily family. Perennial herbs with a short stem and thickened, sometimes tuberous roots. The leaves are lily-shaped, lanceolate or oval, in a basal rosette. Flowers 3-membered, white, small,... ... Great Soviet Encyclopedia
chlorophytum- chloroph itum, and... Russian spelling dictionary
chlorophytum- chlorophy/tum, and... Together. Apart. Hyphenated.
chlorophytum high
chlorophytum crested- kuokštinis chlorofitas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Šiaudeninių šeimos dekoratyvinis augalas (Chlorophytum comosum), paplitęs Afrikoje. atitikmenys: lot. Chlorophytum comosum engl. bracket plant; ribbonplant; spider ivy; spiderplant vok… Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)
In the subfamily Anthericoideae, 31 genera and about 630 species are known; of these, 27 genera are common in the Old World, 1 (Antericum) is also found in America, 4 genera grow only on the American continent from the south of the USA... ... Biological encyclopedia
In almost every home you can find Chlorophytum- one of the popular indoor plants.
It is one of the most unpretentious plants, which explains its popularity among gardeners. Chlorophytum is included in the Asparagus family.
People call it “spider plant”, “family happiness”, “champagne splashes”.
It can be found not only in apartments, but also in offices, schools, kindergartens and other institutions.
In addition to its unpretentiousness, flower growers are attracted by the large number of beneficial properties of the plant. Chlorophytum cleanses the air, saturates it with oxygen and moisturizes it.
It kills pathogenic microbes living in the air mass of the room.
If you plant geranium next to Chlorophytum, the cleansing effect will increase. Flower growers who study Feng Shui believe that this is a simple plant can neutralize negative energy at home.
In this article you will see in the photo what the Chlorophytum flower looks like.
Homeland of the plant
Chlorophytum is native to Africa, Asia, western Australia and South America.
general description
Chlorophytum is an epiphyte, growing on the bark of trees. It is a herbaceous plant with long drooping leaves. Flower reaches half a meter in height and the same in width. The snow-white large roots of Chlorophytum look like fleshy, dense tubers.
Chlorophytum leaves come in different colors: completely green, light green with white or beige stripes in the middle. Long shoots with flowers fall from the center of the plant, which are shaped like small snow-white stars.
After flowering, rosettes with leaves and aerial roots appear in their place - babies. Sometimes cross-pollination of flowers occurs, resulting in the formation of fruits that look like a box with three sides.
Photo
Look further at the photo of indoor flowers Chlorophytum:
Kinds
Currently, the genus contains from two hundred to two hundred and fifty species.
- - a perennial herbaceous species. It is interesting because it has a rhizome with nodules five to ten centimeters long that can retain moisture. The rhizome is a fleshy formation, and the nodules are thickenings similar to a spindle. The leaves most often have green color and beige stripe on the central vein. Long peduncles bear paniculate inflorescences collected from six to seven star-shaped flowers.
- Chlorophytum winged- a low-growing variety with large leaves without light veins. The leaves grow from long orange petioles. Uninteresting flowers bloom on short peduncles, while the plant does not produce daughter rosettes.
- Chlorophytum Laxum- a variety that is grown much less frequently in indoor floriculture than others. Thin, narrow leaves with a light stripe located along the edge bloom from a dense rosette located at the root. It does not form daughter rosettes and blooms with small flowers in the shape of a spikelet.
- Chlorophytum cape- a perennial variety with thickened roots in the shape of a tuber. The narrow, sharp leaves taper in both directions: top and bottom. They are light green in color and collected in a rosette near the root. Small snow-white flowers form racemose inflorescences. It does not form daughter rosettes and bears fruit in small bolls.
Care
Chlorophytum at home will not cause any problems for the gardener: it is ideal for beginners in floriculture.
Indoor flowers Chlorophytum can tolerate temperature at seventeen degrees in winter and in twenty seven degrees in summer. In winter it will tolerate even ten degrees if the drop does not last long.
It is considered ideal to place Chlorophytum on windows of western and eastern orientation, where partial shade or diffused light reigns.
He not demanding on lighting levels, extreme conditions will be destructive for him: the complete absence of sunlight or the presence of sultry, scorching light. In summer, Chlorophytum is taken out onto the balcony, leaving it in an atmosphere of fresh air.
ATTENTION! Varieties with variegated leaves and curly ones lose their decorative properties in insufficient lighting.
Although Chlorophytum is a plant that is considered unpretentious, it needs proper watering. It needs a lot of water because in natural conditions it prefers to grow near rivers. Excessive soil moisture, along with drought, will harm the plant.
The following is considered ideal watering schedule: in summer - twice a week, and in winter - once for the same period of time. Water for irrigation is settled or filtered.
It is advised not to pour water on the bush, but to try to water the substrate located on the edge. Chlorophytum does not require a certain humidity; an apartment climate is well suited for it. Misting every week will help the plant grow and give it a healthy appearance. In winter, there is no need to moisten the leaves by spraying.
ATTENTION! Chlorophytum can survive without watering for a week because its roots accumulate moisture to use during dry periods.
The bush is regularly looked after: dried, yellowed and diseased leaves are removed, as well as mustaches with rosettes. Almost any soil is suitable for planting. Too acidic and alkaline soil should be excluded; the ideal option is neutral soil.
You can do without fertilizers: an adult specimen has all the nutrients without fertilizing, but for better growth in the summer, the plant is fed with organic or mineral fertilizers.
An unpretentious and very useful houseplant, Chlorophytum, should be in every gardener's home.
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Chlorophytum ( Chiorophytum comosum) It is one of the most popular and most unpretentious ornamental foliage plants.
Family: Liliaceae(Liliaceae).
Homeland: South Africa, where it grows on tree bark.
Chlorophytum has the shape of a bush with a shortened stem and thickened, sometimes tuberous roots. This perennial herbaceous plant reaches a maximum of 50-60 cm in diameter and height, although in natural conditions it grows to a meter in size.
It is thanks to the tuberous thickenings of the roots, where moisture accumulates, that the flower easily survives dry periods.
What does chlorophytum look like: the decorative value of an indoor flower
From the fleshy roots grow dense tufts of lanceolate leaves, reaching from 15 to 60 cm in length. The leaves of chlorophytum are long and sword-shaped; they can be either a solid green color or with lighter longitudinal stripes. The front surface of the leaf is smooth, but the back has a central vein that is strongly swollen.
Chlorophytum is a small flower that grows intensively - a young plant becomes an adult in about a year. During the summer, shoots up to 80 cm in length are formed, on which small white inconspicuous flowers are located, and after flowering, vegetative buds are formed, from which young rosettes develop. Along the entire length of the shoot, several inflorescences may be located, which consist of 2-6 greenish-white unsightly peduncles.
The chlorophytum flower does not create a special visual effect, as it looks very simple and inconspicuous. Small white flowers look like miniature lilies. But when numerous leaf rosettes with aerial roots form in their places, the chlorophytum becomes fluffy and elegant. The fruit of the plant is a triangular capsule.
Perhaps everyone knows what this exotic looks like, since until recently there was no apartment or office where it was grown. The main decorative value of the plant is not in its flowers, but in its lush, bright leaves.
Currently, chlorophytum varieties with wider leaves have become popular indoor flowers. They look great, are effective in any interior and do not require complex care. More often the plant is grown in hanging flowerpots, such as ampelous ones, but the flowers also look great on the windowsill. Popularly, the plant is often called “spider” or “green lily”. Its lifespan can be up to 10 years.
The characteristics of the chlorophytum plant will be incomplete without mentioning its amazing property. The fact is that it cleans the air well due to the fact that it absorbs carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, and in return releases oxygen. The more polluted the air in the room, the more intense the flower grows.
Chlorophytum has the ability to neutralize nicotine, so it is very suitable for smokers. Allergy sufferers and those who suffer from diseases of the lungs and bronchi also need it. The plant’s ability to moisturize and purify the air from bacteria has been scientifically proven, and therefore keeping it in residential and office spaces is not only beautiful, but also useful.
Take a look at the photo of how the chlorophytum flower forms leaf rosettes after flowering. It was for them that he was nicknamed, as was said above, “spider”:
Popular types and varieties of chlorophytum: photos, names and descriptions
In total, there are more than 200 different species of this plant in nature. Based on some types of chlorophytum, breeders have created varieties that differ in the size and shape of the leaves, and their color. Only a few of them are popular in home gardening.
The most famous types of chlorophytum:
- Crested.
- Curly.
- Cape.
- Winged.
- Laxum.
- Mboeti.
A very popular and most common species is Chlorophytum crested.
This perennial plant has a lush rosette of long, curved leaves. In Chlorophytum crested (Chiorophytum comosum) ‘Variegatum’ a shortened stem from which green leaves with a white edge grow.
From the center of the leaf rosette appears a long stem with white flowers, similar to lilies, in the place of which, after the end of the flowering period, a young rosette with leaves and roots appears, ready for an autonomous existence.
Popular varieties of Chlorophytum crested:
Vittatum – has a bright green leaf with a light stripe running down the middle;
Variegata – its leaves are light green and have silvery edges;
Ocean – characterized by a spiral arrangement of variegated leaves with a thin light edging;
Picturatum – green leaves with a yellow stripe in the middle, the original form is characterized by pure green leaves.
Take a look at the photo depicting varieties of Chlorophytum crested and appreciate their visual differences:
Variegated and curly species and varieties of chlorophytum very impressive, and therefore they are often used to create flower arrangements.
Another popular species is called Chlorophytum curly (Bonnie).
Currently, it is a fashionable ornamental plant with unusual wavy leaves. The flower has a more compact size than the previous type, due to the fact that its leaves do not stick out to the sides, but are twisted in a spiral. The leaf blade has a smooth surface, and a wide light stripe runs down the center.
Look at the photo at a popular varietal variety of chlorophytum curly called Curty Locks:
The flower has curly spiral-shaped leaves, which makes it very original.
Chlorophytum winged- another common species that has wider, shiny, oval-shaped leaves growing on long petioles. Its other name is orchid star. It is distinguished from other species by the unusual combination of dark green foliage and colored petiole, which can be brown, pink and red.
This species is also characterized by short peduncles, from which a spike-shaped inflorescence is formed. To preserve the brightness of the color, it is recommended to remove the flower stalks, but you can leave them, let them ripen and collect the seeds for further propagation of the plant.
Take a look at the photo of the winged chlorophytum species and its varieties Fire Flash and Green Orange - how unusual and beautiful the colored petioles look:
In these varieties, leaves grow from the middle of the rosette; after a while, side shoots may grow.
Chlorophytum cape.
This species is characterized by a small width of light green leaves - up to 3 cm - despite the fact that they can grow up to 60 cm in length. It differs from other species in that its peduncles are short, and small white flowers bloom on them. It reproduces by dividing the mother bush, as it does not form rosettes. It has a more powerful rhizome than other species.
Chlorophytum Laxum
Another interesting, but not very common species. It has narrow drooping leaves with a thin white stripe along the edge. Forms a dense rosette and often blooms with light flowers.
Chlorophytum Mboeti
An original look that is visually unlike any other. Its unusual curved leaves have wavy edges.
Pay attention in the photo to the differences between the types of chlorophytum and their names:
They are so different from each other that it is difficult to believe that it is all this plant.
How to properly care for chlorophytum: home conditions
Chlorophytum is an unpretentious house flower, so beginner gardeners can grow it. And although it forgives its owner for forgetfulness and inattention in care, it requires minimal care. The best option would be to grow exotic plants in hanging flowerpots, and it is also important to protect them from temperature changes and drafts.
The main principle that must be observed when thinking about how to properly care for chlorophytum at home is moderation and restraint in everything. The basic conditions of detention are not particularly difficult and are described below.
The best lighting is diffused sunlight. You can choose any location, as long as it is not too dark; In summer, chlorophytum can be exposed to the air. It grows well on balconies and covered terraces. However, you need to ensure that the place where the flower will be located is protected from rain and wind.
Another interesting feature that needs to be taken into account when choosing conditions for keeping chlorophytum is that if it is kept in a shady place, the bright color of the foliage in variegated species will be lost. If direct sunlight is directed at the flower for a short time every day, this will not harm it, and in the sun the leaves of the plant will only become brighter.
It must be said that chlorophytum can exist in conditions of exclusively artificial lighting - it successfully grows, develops and performs a decorative function. Paradoxically, it is in enclosed spaces that the plant does its best job of purifying the air.
Optimal temperature: room temperature, 18-20 degrees. However, it withstands drops down to 8 degrees well. The minimum short-term temperature is 2 degrees, and if the thermometer shows more than 32 degrees Celsius, then the tips of the leaves of chlorophytum dry out.
The first thing to do in such a situation is to place it in a shady place and remove the darkened areas of the leaves with ordinary garden shears.
The growing season lasts from spring to autumn, and all this time the flower needs plenty of moisture. And if watering when growing a chlorophytum flower should be regular, and during the growing season it is not advisable to allow the substrate to dry out completely, then in winter it is enough to water it only once every 7-10 days.
A very important point in caring for any type of chlorophytum flower at home is the timely removal of moisture from the flowerpot, so as not to create preconditions for its stagnation. This is why drainage and choosing the right flowerpot with holes in the bottom are so important.
And although the plant tolerates drought well, it is still better to maintain air humidity: In dry indoor air conditions, periodically spray the leaves. This measure will be favorable if the flower is kept near heating devices. Spraying is also necessary to clean the surface of the foliage from dust. After all, the leaves, although not wide, have a depression in the middle, in which dust accumulates heavily. Once a month you can wash chlorophytum in the shower using warm water.
Chlorophytum requires mandatory feeding, since throughout the growing season it actively forms layering with children, and this process weakens the mother plant.
The plant is fed every week in the summer, and every 4 weeks in the winter. Use mineral or organic fertilizers, determining the concentration using the instructions on the package. Fertilizer for cacti is often and successfully used in the recommended proportion.
To make the leaves bright, experts recommend using foliar feeding. The drug “Bud” has proven itself to be excellent. You should absolutely not use any leaf shine products that are sold in departments for flower growers. Their aggressive composition is not suitable for chlorophytum and can cause burns on delicate leaves.
Replanting and caring for chlorophytum at home: how to replant an overgrown plant
It is impossible to grow a beautiful, strong flower without ever replanting it. Plant replanting should be done as needed. And the main prerequisites for this procedure are:
- Tight flowerpot.
- The need to renew the land.
The best option for replanting is once every year and a half, preferably in the spring. A suitable substrate would be a flower soil mixture, and the pot must have drainage. To transplant any type of chlorophytum at home, it is recommended to take a container approximately 10% larger in size than the one in which it grew. In this case, the flowerpot should be larger not only in depth, but also in diameter. A signal that a plant needs to be replanted is when it rises above the soil surface due to an overgrown root system.
Before replanting an overgrown chlorophytum, you need to prepare a new flowerpot and a suitable soil mixture.
The ideal soil composition will be:
- Leaf soil - two parts.
- Sand is one part.
- Turf - two parts.
- Humus - two parts.
It is desirable that the soil is loose enough to prevent rotting of the rhizome.
Next, you need to carefully remove the plant from the old pot, trying not to break the roots, which have twisted to take the shape of the container. You need to straighten them a little with your hands and remove any stuck soil fragments. Then the plant should be placed in a new container, sprinkled with earth, compacted a little and watered.
After a few days, the soil will become compacted and sag a little, so you will need to top it up.
After transplantation, chlorophytum does not require special care. It is enough to moisten the soil in a timely manner with settled water, spray the leaves and ensure a suitable temperature regime.
Some people plant chlorophytums in aquariums, thinking that unpretentious moisture-loving plants can grow there too. They can exist in the water for some time and will not harm the inhabitants of the aquarium, but the lack of air and light will lead to the inevitable death of the flower.
Trimming leaves and stems of chlorophytum
Chlorophytum leaves and stems are pruned in the following cases:
- If you need to form an ornamental plant.
- If there is a need to remove damaged leaves.
To do this, you need to inspect the plant and cut off the damaged leaves at the base with pruning shears. Whiskers with layers or stems that are too long can be shortened to the required length or cut off at the base. Mustaches with children can also be thinned.
It is important to know that pruning can be done regardless of the time of year.
Reproduction of chlorophytum by daughter rosettes and children at home
Of all the decorative flowers, chlorophytum is the easiest to propagate at home.
There are such possible ways:
- Vegetative (rooting of children and division of the original bush).
- Seminal.
After flowering ends, small plants form at the ends of the shoots, which can be left for growing on the mother bush. When the children's leaves grow, they can be planted in the soil in a separate pot. Such rosettes form all year round, they take root very well and begin to grow quickly.
For propagation of chlorophytum by daughter rosettes you need to prepare a small flowerpot, which must have drainage at the bottom. A mixture based on turf soil can be used as soil. The young plant must be placed in the soil without being cut off from the mother, and the stem can be cut with a sharp knife only after the flower has grown several new leaves.
Another option for propagation by rosettes allows you to separate the young bush from the main plant immediately, but before planting it is necessary for its root system to develop. To do this, the young plant must be placed in water, and when the roots have grown a few centimeters, it can be planted in the soil.
The method of propagating chlorophytum flowers by children is the simplest, however, not all plant varieties produce lateral shoots with ready-made bushes. For example, chlorophytum curly in nature reproduces by seeds. The method of growing a new flower from seeds is quite labor-intensive and ineffective, since their germination rate is low (maximum 40%), but you can try it.
Before sowing, the seeds are soaked for 24 hours and sown directly on moist soil, then covered with film. This should be done in the spring, and the soil should consist of sand and peat. Periodically, the container with seedlings needs to be ventilated, and the surface of the soil should be sprayed with water. After about a month and a half, the seeds will begin to germinate, and when each new plant grows 2-3 new leaves, they can be planted in separate containers.
Planting and caring for chlorophytum seedlings at home (with video)
Another way to propagate a plant is to divide the bush of an adult plant into parts during transplantation. This method of planting chlorophytum is quite simple, and by taking care of the seedlings, you can soon get several adult plants. In addition, this is an effective method of renewing an old plant.
The soil needs to be well watered and the bush removed from there. When dividing, you should carefully examine all the roots and remove diseased or rotten ones, then cut the rhizome with a sharp knife. Naturally, for successful division, the root system must be strong and well developed.
The strongest roots are located at the outer edge, respectively, the internal ones are less viable. Often, when dividing, the inner part of the rhizome is removed, thus providing more space in the flowerpot for the plant's root system to grow and develop.
After separation, all the resulting parts are sprinkled with coal and placed in different flowerpots.
Before planting chlorophytum seedlings at home, you need to accustom the plants to the environment. To do this, during the week before planting, you should lift the protective film daily so that young chlorophytums get used to the climate of the room where they will grow.
Watch a video about caring for chlorophytum at home and what the main pests and diseases look like:
Reasons why the tips of chlorophytum leaves dry out and turn black
Why do the tips of chlorophytum leaves dry out or darken? This is the most exciting question for all gardeners. It is worth noting that, like any herbaceous plant, chlorophytum is characterized by foliage renewal. Therefore, if a large number of leaves have dried out at the same time, then it makes sense to cut them off and wait until they are completely renewed.
However, there are other reasons why a plant loses its beauty and decorativeness:
- Overdrying of the soil.
- Excessive moistening of the earthen coma.
- Inappropriate water used for irrigation.
- Dry indoor air.
- Unsuitable flowerpot.
It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the substrate - if it becomes overdry and excessively moistened, then the tips of the leaves of chlorophytum turn black or brown. It’s good if the soil has time to dry out a little between waterings.
Important! To return the plant to its decorative appearance, you simply need to trim off the brown tips of the leaves using scissors.
The answer to the question why, with regular watering, the tips of the leaves of chlorophytum turn black and dark spots appear in the center is the presence of chlorine in tap water. To reduce its concentration, it is enough to use water that has been standing for 24 hours for irrigation.
The next problem, why the leaves of chlorophytum turn yellow, thin and dry, can be dealt with by increasing the air humidity. It’s better to start with a warm shower, wash the leaves from dust, and then put them in a bright place, maybe on a windowsill. However, you should not rub the fragile leaves too much, as there is a risk of damaging them.
Why chlorophytum does not grow and the reasons why its leaves darken
Sometimes it is not clear why chlorophytum does not grow at all and does not produce flower stalks. In this case, you need to check whether it is crowded in the flowerpot. Perhaps the plant needs to be transplanted into a larger container and partially updated the substrate.
If chlorophytum does not begin to bloom for a long time after transplantation, then the reason may be that the flowerpot is too spacious. The plant blooms more easily when its roots are a little crowded.
If the leaves become pale, yellow and soft, and also begin to fall off, then most likely the plant does not have enough light and needs to be moved.
Also, the reasons why the tips of the leaves of chlorophytum darken include:
- Incorrect or insufficient watering.
- Incorrect feeding.
- Sudden change in room temperature.
The amazing plant chlorophytum demonstrates all errors in care with its appearance. It is enough to carefully observe the condition of the leaves and roots, and then it will become clear how to correct the actions.
Pests and disease groups of chlorophytum
Plant diseases can be divided into two groups:
- Caused by physiological problems.
- Fungal.
The first group includes leaf burns, when dark spots appear on them and increase in diameter. And subsequently the leaves dry out and die. Preventive measures include lowering soil pH and settling tap water.
The second physiological problem is leaf discoloration caused by too high a temperature. For prevention, it is recommended to control the lighting and temperature in the room.
Fungal diseases can manifest themselves as leaf spots. They are caused by pathogens such as Alternaria, Fisarium. Root rot is caused by Puthium or Sclerotium rolfsii.
The development of diseases can be facilitated by mistakes made by gardeners in plant care, in particular, waterlogging of the soil. The affected parts of the flower must be removed, and the place where it grew should be treated with systemic fungicides.
It must be said that chlorophytum is quite resistant to diseases and pests, which, although rare, occur. And if almost all diseases are associated with errors in care, and they are easy to eliminate, then the appearance of pests requires special attention.
Most often, chlorophytum is affected by pests such as scale insects and spider mites. Finding them is quite simple - you need to look under the leaf and check the stem, where you can see whitish or yellow dots.
This is what traces of the vital activity of a mite look like, which pierces the surface of the leaf and sucks out its juice. When the spider mite population becomes significant, a thin web can be seen on the plant, entangling the stems.
Why do the leaves of chlorophytum turn yellow and dry, what should you do?
Leaves affected by spider mites become discolored and dry out.
This is why the leaves of chlorophytum turn yellow, and the first thing to do is treat the plant with a soapy sponge and wash off the pests as much as possible. Laundry soap is suitable, as it does not contain oxidizing agents. And then the crown and leaves need to be treated with systemic insecticides, sold in specialized stores, such as Actellik.
The treatment must be repeated after 7-10 days, since pests can hide in the top layer of soil waiting for favorable conditions.
In order to prevent spider mites, it is recommended to periodically inspect all house plants, and especially new flowers that appear in the house. Since pests multiply especially quickly in dry, warm air, it is recommended to ventilate the room and spray the plants.
Scale insects look like small round brown plaques that are attached along the veins on the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. The first sign of infection is sticky leaves. The affected chlorophytum turns yellow and gradually dries, not necessarily from the ends of the leaves. Spots can form in the center of the leaf and along the veins.
Control measures with this pest the same: first of all, the plant is treated with a soap solution, and then with an insecticide "Aktellik" or "Mospilan". It is important to treat not only the plant, but also the window sill and window glass in the place where the flower stood.
A popular folk remedy - treatment with alcohol - should be used with caution so as not to cause burns to the surface of the leaves.
Chlorophytum is one of the most common indoor plants. If grown in open ground against the backdrop of other more lush foliage and beautifully flowering specimens, it would hardly have gained such popularity.
But indoors is a completely different matter. Modest but elegant, interesting and original in its own way, chlorophytum easily fits into any interior. It can be grown both in small flowerpots and in huge flowerpots, as a hanging plant or as a regular potted plant. Chlorophytum is so unpretentious in care that it can even allow you to forget about yourself for quite a long time. In addition, its ability to purify indoor air from pathogenic bacteria, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and other harmful impurities is considered a scientifically proven fact.
Chlorophytum is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows freely in tropical and subtropical forests, in the floodplains of rivers and streams in Asia, Africa, Australia and South America. According to one modern classification, it belongs to the asparagus family, and according to another, to the agave family. In indoor conditions, it is valued as an ornamental foliage plant due to its narrow and long leaves, collected in a dense rosette. The leaves are green or with longitudinal light stripes, in a bunch they are arched, up to 30–40 cm high.
During flowering, chlorophytum shoots out from the center of the bunch of its main leaves a thin and long hanging peduncle, at the end of which there is a rare panicle of small, 0.6–0.8 mm in diameter, white or pinkish flowers. At the end of flowering, in place of the panicle, in most species, a daughter rosette with small aerial roots is formed. When there are a lot of such rosettes, chlorophytum becomes like a real hanging plant and looks especially beautiful and original.
Chlorophytum does not have a clearly defined period of flowering and dormancy. It all depends on the conditions of detention. It blooms most often in spring and summer, but it also happens in the autumn-winter season. Sometimes it throws out arrows twice or thrice a year, or, conversely, “fattens”, accumulating green mass.
Common types and varieties of chlorophytum
The genus Chlorophytum includes about 200 plant species. Many of them look very similar to each other, but there are also those that have significant distinctive features.
Crested- most often found in indoor gardening. The characteristic species characteristics of Chlorophytum crested include the presence of a large number of children that look like small tufts in an adult and healthy plant. Hence the corresponding name. Plants of the most popular varieties of this species differ in color and leaf shape:
- vittatum – in the middle part of the leaves there is one or more longitudinal white stripes;
- variegatum - leaves are also longitudinally striped, only light stripes are concentrated along the edges of the leaves;
- bonnie – leaves with a central longitudinal light stripe, strongly curled at the bottom. That is why the plant has not only an original, but also a more compact shape.
Cape- differs from Chlorophytum crested in its larger size. The length of the leaves can reach 60 cm, and in some specimens even 80 cm, the width is about 3 cm. The color is usually two-tone - with a wide light stripe in the middle. At the base and at the top the leaves are narrowed, like the previous species, grooved. The peduncle is long and highly branched, growing from the axils of the leaves. Several loose racemose inflorescences of small white flowers, similar to stars, are formed on it at once. But daughter rosettes are not formed on plants of this species.
Winged- outwardly completely different from the two previous types. The leaves of Chlorophytum winged are dark green and not linear, but wide-lanceolate or elongated-oval, with clearly visible arcuate veins and a groove in the middle. They also grow in a dense “bundle”, but on long petioles, which are colored reddish or bright orange. Because of this, it is sometimes mistakenly called chlorophytum orange.
Orange- the height is rarely more than 30 cm; they also do not form daughter rosettes. Peduncles are shortened with small, inconspicuous flowers. In order not to spoil the appearance or weaken the plant, it is recommended to remove them immediately after their appearance. Very beautiful decorative varieties of this species have been bred: Green Orange, which means “Green Orange” and Fire Flash (“Reflection of the Flame”), in which not only the petioles are painted in an intense orange or pink color, but also the leaves are painted with stripes of the same bright color colors.
Care and cultivation of chlorophytum
The main secret of chlorophytum’s unpretentiousness and endurance lies in the peculiarities of its root system. The roots have tuberous thickenings in which plants accumulate reserves of moisture and nutrients. The root system quickly grows in breadth, which should be taken into account when choosing a container for growing. The pot should be shallow, but wide and strong enough, because overgrown roots can tear it from the inside. It happens that when planting in a container that is too spacious, for example, Chlorophytum crested, you have to wait a very long time for the shoots. Therefore, a container with a diameter of about 30 cm would be optimal for adult plants of this species.
Chlorophytum needs soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction, good aeration and drainage. Ready-made soil available in stores, intended for indoor decorative foliage crops, is suitable. You can prepare it yourself by mixing an equal amount of peat, leaf soil, humus and sand. If you plan to regularly feed the plants, humus and leaf soil can be replaced with regular turf soil.
Chlorophytum is moderately light-loving and shade-tolerant, adapts well to different levels of illumination. In a room where there is a large window, it can be placed even in the farthest corner, and in the summer it can be placed on the balcony. But direct sunlight for a long time is contraindicated for it. With a lack of light, plants become less lush, leaves and rosettes become smaller, and the color, especially in variegated varieties, fades.
Despite its southern origin, chlorophytum withstands drafts and seasonal and daily changes in ambient temperature. It will not die in the autumn-winter period, even on the windowsill next to a poorly insulated window. However, all this will affect his appearance. Therefore, the optimal indoor air temperature for growing chlorophytum will be between 20–22 degrees Celsius, and in winter not lower than +18 degrees.
In summer and spring, chlorophytum needs to be watered abundantly and often, but it can also tolerate forced drought for 1–1.5 weeks painlessly, thanks to the moisture reserves in the root tubers. In autumn and winter, the frequency of watering is usually reduced. The air humidity in the room where chlorophytum grows can be anything. But in order for its air purifying abilities to work better, a regular warm shower is needed to wash away the dust and dirt that quickly accumulate on the uneven surface of its leaves.
If you set out to grow a truly beautiful and well-groomed plant, then you need to take care of feeding. The plant responds very well to both universal complex fertilizers and alternating mineral and organic ones. Frequency of fertilizing: in warm weather 2-3 times a month, in cold weather – once is enough.
Young chlorophytums are replanted annually in the spring, choosing a more spacious container - compared to the previous one, it should be 3–4 cm wider in diameter. Adult specimens need replanting every two to three years. If the pot is not changed, then part of the roots, and possibly together with the above-ground part, are cut out with a clean, sharp knife. The sections are sprinkled with ash, sulfur or crushed charcoal.
Reproduction of chlorophytum
Chlorophytum is most simply and quickly propagated using daughter leaf rosettes, which do not even require a special substrate for rooting. To form a larger root mass, they can be kept in water for several days before planting.
The second most popular method of reproduction, and for species that do not produce children even the first, is dividing the bush. Apply to plants three, four years of age and older, usually during transplantation. In this case, you can get a new bush of large size at once.
It is advisable to propagate only Chlorophytum alata by seed at home, which does not tolerate any traumatic actions well. Unlike other species, its flowers are collected in an inflorescence - a spadix, and the fruit is a three-lobed capsule, which opens as the seeds ripen. The seeds are black balls, less than 1 mm in diameter, sown in February-March in a pot, several at a time. Cover with film or glass. The seedlings germinate unevenly and grow slowly, becoming more or less decorative no earlier than a year later.
Diseases and pests
The unpretentiousness of chlorophytum and its ease of cultivation is confirmed by its high resistance to diseases and pests. Only a severely neglected and weakened plant can suffer from them. Most often, the tips of the leaves of chlorophytum may dry out, which may indicate a severe deficiency of moisture or nutrients.
With a lack of light or, conversely, too much light, the color of the leaves becomes faded, and decorative stripes in variegated varieties disappear.
Excessive watering, especially in conditions of low air temperatures, can lead to brown spots on the leaves and their rotting.
It is quite simple to combat pests such as aphids or scale insects, which sometimes settle on chlorophytum. Usually it is enough to wash its leaves several times with a soapy solution using a sponge.
Chlorophytum in photographs
