Vibrant houseplants are having a moment
The popularity of houseplants continues to grow. They’re trending on social media and popping up in magazines and on television shows.
Tthe National Garden Bureau, a nonprofit organization promoting gardening in North America, has even started choosing a houseplant of the year. For 2022, it’s peperomia. There are thousands of types of peperomias, and all belong to the Piperaceae family, the same family as true black pepper.
Peperomias are easy to grow and thrive in medium to bright indirect light. The succulent leaves are thick and waxy, so keep them on the dry side, watering when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry. Peperomia ‘Hope’ is a new variety, a trailing form with round or oval light green leaves that emerge on pinkish-orange stems. Another attractive cultivar is ‘Frost.’ Its rippled green leaves are dusted with silvery frost, and it stays a manageable 6-12 inches high and wide.
New cultivars of some of the tried-and-true houseplants are being introduced by plant breeders. The traditional inch plant ( Tradescantia zebrina) with variegated green, purple and silver markings on the foliage has been upstaged by a fun new cultivar, ‘Bubblegum,’ which has bright pink, white and green variegated leaves.
The leaves are thicker than the species, and the terminal growth is tightly whorled with fuchsia undersides. Because of the variegation, the plant grows best when it receives at least six hours of bright indirect light daily. If the plant gets less, it loses its variegation and may become leggy. Pinch the vining stems regularly to keep the plant compact; the cuttings will root easily in water and can be shared with friends. Some people are sensitive to the sap contained in the leaves, so wear gloves or wash your hands after handling the plant. The inch plant is also mildly toxic when ingested, so keep it out of the reach of pets and young children.
Ficus houseplants such as fiddleleaf fig, weeping fig and rubber tree are increasingly popular, but they tend to be finicky. They require consistent watering, especially when they’re young. If allowed to dry out, the foliage often
drops. However, when provided with regular watering and good indirect light, they will thrive.
‘Ruby,’ a variegated rubber tree, produces unique tricolored foliage of intense dark green, coral pink and creamy white. New growth emerges as a pinky-orange. Site the plant in bright indirect light to keep the colors vivid; a few feet from a southern or western exposure is ideal.
‘Yellow Gem’ ficus is a stunning interior plant that has thick green leaves with a yellow border and prominent yellow veins. The variegation will intensify in ideal light conditions and with maturity. ‘Yellow Gem’ is a large plant reaching about 9 feet in height, so position it where it has room to grow.
‘Audrey’ ficus is a new arrival in the houseplant market. Its matte green foliage and prominent light green venation are striking. These 10-foot-tall ficus trees make great indoor plants for high light areas and are best sited in an eastern-facing window or a few feet away from a southern or western exposure.
Move over monstera and make room for mini monstera ( Rhaphidophora tetrasperma), also known as mini split-leaf or Ginny philodendron. While it bears a resemblance to both monstera and philodendron, it belongs to neither genus. Rhaphidophora is easy to grow and has a fast growth rate when placed in good indirect light such as an eastern exposure. While the plant tolerates low light conditions, the foliage will fail to split when light levels are too low, and the leaves may scorch if light levels are too high. Provide support for the vining stems, which can reach 12 feet high.
Another colorful plant that grows best in good indirect light is ‘Picasso’s Paintbrush’ croton. It is a slow-growing croton with narrow, featherlike foliage in a mix of green, orange, red and yellow. Like all crotons, it does not like to be moved once acclimated and will often shed leaves when moved. Crotons are susceptible to mite damage, so it is essential to regularly clean both sides of the foliage.
‘Spiders Web’ fatsia ( Fatsia japonica) is a handsome foliage plant with splashes of white dotting its broad, palmate leaves. Typically grown outdoors in zone 7 and above, the plant’s striking variegated foliage will stand out on a patio or bright interior space.
An easy-to-grow houseplant requiring little maintenance, low light conditions and infrequent watering is the ZZ plant ( Zamioculcus zamiifolia). A new dwarf cultivar, ‘Zenzi,’ produces shiny, dark green succulent leaves and thick stems. This tough, compact plant is ideal for desks and side tables and prefers to be pot-bound.
Take the time to evaluate the growing conditions in your home and seek out a few of these exciting foliage plants now available at local garden centers and online.
Nancy Knauss is the Penn State Master Gardener coordinator. This volunteer program supports the outreach mission of Penn State Extension and provides research-based information on best practices in sustainable horticulture and environmental stewardship. Information: alleghenymg@psu.edu or 412-4823476.