I’m sorry for the loss of your dad. I think the first is some flavour of philodendron, the second is a coleus and the third is jade. All quite hardy so you don’t need to worry too much about...
I’m sorry for the loss of your dad.
I think the first is some flavour of philodendron, the second is a coleus and the third is jade. All quite hardy so you don’t need to worry too much about having the exact right schedule! For most plants it’s good to let them dry out between waters - to check if they need more push your finger into the soil and water if it’s dry past the first knuckle. Watering well and less frequently (rather than frequent small amounts) encourages the roots to grow deep instead of shallow. Philodendrons usually like humidity which might be why your dad was spritzing them - if the air is dry there they’ll enjoy having some moisture on the leaves every couple of days.
As for whether to bring the jade in, probably not, though that might depend on your climate. They do very well year round outdoors where I live but it doesn’t get super cold here. You can google what zone you’re in, or even just “area jade outside” and you’ll get an idea. Lots of plants don’t much like being moved.
I’m not a plant expert or anything but I do have all these plants myself and this is how I care for them. I lean more towards neglect than over-care and it works well for these plants!
I’ve read bringing plants indoors also brings the risk of whatever outdoor guests hitch a ride with it. Don’t know how much of a concern that is given that store bought plants probably come with...
I’ve read bringing plants indoors also brings the risk of whatever outdoor guests hitch a ride with it. Don’t know how much of a concern that is given that store bought plants probably come with that exposure having already happened.
Just not thrilled by having to quarantine a plant.
Welp, I hate bugs, so this is now a new concern. Hopefully, the fact it's on the screened porch means this won't be as big of an issue. At the very least, I don't remember my dad ever having to...
Welp, I hate bugs, so this is now a new concern. Hopefully, the fact it's on the screened porch means this won't be as big of an issue. At the very least, I don't remember my dad ever having to quarantine plants.
That does, however, make me realize there might be some plants currently outside that he moves inside during winter. I'm pretty sure he did that with a hibiscus plant for a long time, not sure if we still have it or if it died. And we also now have a peace lily on our front porch that might also become a permanent fixture in our house. I'll have to check the potted plants outside tomorrow.
There are some plants that get regularly brought in, I’ve seen that before. The things that hitchhike in are usually extra small. Like smaller than a fruit fly small.
There are some plants that get regularly brought in, I’ve seen that before.
The things that hitchhike in are usually extra small. Like smaller than a fruit fly small.
Good tips! Though we're thinking that the first one is three stalks of anthurium rather than philodendron. Both have those flat, elongated, heart-shaped leaves, but the key difference is that...
Good tips! Though we're thinking that the first one is three stalks of anthurium rather than philodendron. Both have those flat, elongated, heart-shaped leaves, but the key difference is that crowning shape out from the growth point. A philodendron would have a more viney growth habit instead. We've also got a bunch of house plants, my partner is particularly into rain forest plants, so they've developed an eye for that.
Yes it could be! I can’t see the vein shape from the pictures. OP - if the veins start in the middle and end at the edge it might be a philodendron, but if they start in the middle, go towards the...
Yes it could be! I can’t see the vein shape from the pictures. OP - if the veins start in the middle and end at the edge it might be a philodendron, but if they start in the middle, go towards the edge but then converge towards the tip it might be anthurium.
Both live in a similar habitat so the care advice shouldn’t be too different either way :)
Thanks! I think it might be an anthurium, since I know my dad likes those. I tried looking up photos of the leaves to compare, but the image search brings up pretty similar leaves for both. I...
Thanks! I think it might be an anthurium, since I know my dad likes those. I tried looking up photos of the leaves to compare, but the image search brings up pretty similar leaves for both. I might try taking a photo tomorrow when there's more light, the veins seem honestly pretty subtle on this one. If the general care's the same for both, I guess it doesn't matter too much which it is though. ^^
Also, thanks for mentioning they like humidity! I was going to say we have plenty of humidity right now because we have a dehumidifier that needs to be emptied 2-3 times a day, but I realized we'd moved it to be right next to the plant after it overflowed and ruined some floorboards. I don't know if it would cause a noticeable difference in humidity for the plant itself, but it's right next to it, so I might have to talk to mom about moving it tomorrow!
My dad liked gardening, and kept a couple houseplants. And, well. Now he's gone, so we have to care for the plants ourselves. There are three total: two indoor, one on our porch. So I'd like if...
My dad liked gardening, and kept a couple houseplants. And, well. Now he's gone, so we have to care for the plants ourselves.
There are three total: two indoor, one on our porch. So I'd like if someone can help identify them. He has a spray bottle and I know we're supposed to give them a couple spritzes, I just don't know the schedule. I'd also appreciate hearing if there's any extra care for the one on the porch, like if we're supposed to move it outside in certain seasons or temperatures.
I would recommend the Planta app to help you get a hang of the watering and care schedule. It's really friendly to people who are new to houseplants, but I also find it helpful to make sure none...
I would recommend the Planta app to help you get a hang of the watering and care schedule. It's really friendly to people who are new to houseplants, but I also find it helpful to make sure none of my plants fall through the cracks and get neglected.
The only thing I would caution about using apps is to also look up how to tell when you’re over-or under-watering, and how to tell when the soil is too dry. The apps can’t analyse the actual plant...
The only thing I would caution about using apps is to also look up how to tell when you’re over-or under-watering, and how to tell when the soil is too dry. The apps can’t analyse the actual plant in front of you, and plants rarely need watering on an exact regular schedule, so it can leas to problems if you aren’t learning how to care for it by yourself too!
Planta includes instructions on how to check if it needs to be watered (and allows you to snooze the watering for two days if it's not ready), and instructions on how to properly water. It's...
Planta includes instructions on how to check if it needs to be watered (and allows you to snooze the watering for two days if it's not ready), and instructions on how to properly water. It's definitely a good tool for beginners.
I'm also really quite impressed with how well it estimates the watering schedule. It takes a lot of stuff into account: pot type, pot size, soil type, plant size, plant species, time of year, location (proximity to window, brightness of room, near heater/AC vent).
I also have a few Sustee Aquameter sticks for some plants that are more sensitive to being over watered, which have an indicator that turns white when the soil at the bottom of the pot is no longer damp, and Planta is just about spot on with the sticks, ±1 day.
Watering reminders don't require a subscription. The subscription allows you to get more info, like misting and repotting schedules as well as a tool to diagnose problems, but watering schedules...
Watering reminders don't require a subscription. The subscription allows you to get more info, like misting and repotting schedules as well as a tool to diagnose problems, but watering schedules come for free with no subscription.
I like PlantNet. I use both that and Seek, and the former gives me useful results more consistently. Seek tends to strike out in any setting where I can’t access the entire, mature plant up close....
I like PlantNet. I use both that and Seek, and the former gives me useful results more consistently. Seek tends to strike out in any setting where I can’t access the entire, mature plant up close. It’s also slower and needs solid connectivity, while PlantNet just seems to transmit a single still image, so it usually still works when I’m out hiking.
On iPhone you can just take a regular picture and it can identify plants that way, the little i you press for info about the picture gets a star if it’s identified a plant or animal. I expect...
On iPhone you can just take a regular picture and it can identify plants that way, the little i you press for info about the picture gets a star if it’s identified a plant or animal. I expect android can do the same but I don’t have one so can’t say
Thanks, I might download that app or one of the others mentioned here to identify the specific varieties these are! I think we've got it narrowed down to the general genus at least, knowing the...
Thanks, I might download that app or one of the others mentioned here to identify the specific varieties these are! I think we've got it narrowed down to the general genus at least, knowing the specific ones would be nice.
Be very wary of watering on a schedule. How much you need to water depends on environmental conditions more than anything else. For example, I have a string-of-pearl plant, which is a succulent...
Be very wary of watering on a schedule. How much you need to water depends on environmental conditions more than anything else. For example, I have a string-of-pearl plant, which is a succulent that is notoriously susceptible to overwatering even compared to most succulents. I keep it in a very bright western window, and in the summer, I find I have to water it once a week, which is more than I water my moisture-loving ferns (because I keep them in much cooler, shadier conditions). But in the winter months, I don't water my string-of-pearls plant at all.
Plants use evaporation to draw up water into their tissue, so think about the conditions that cause, say, a puddle of water to dry up faster or slower. If it's hot and dry, water evaporates faster and plants will need more of it. If it's cool and wet, water evaporates slower and plants need less of it.
The great majority of houseplants only want to be watered when their potting mix has gone dry, but before the plant starts showing signs of dehydration (which varies a little between different plants, but it usually comes down to the leaves having less water content — causing them to become more soft, floppy, wrinkled, or curled than they usually are).
When checking for dryness, don't just touch the surface of the potting mix, because that is almost always dry even if most of the mixture is sopping wet. Stick your finger in an inch or two down. If the soil feels cool to the touch, it still has moisture.
So my advice is this: instead of a watering schedule, have a checking schedule. Once a week, check each of your plants' pots to see if they are dry. If they are, water. If not, don't do anything until you check again the following week.
If you water too often for the plant's needs, the roots can rot. When this happens, the plant will lose the ability to take up moisture and develop signs of dehydration. The temptation is to water when you see these signs, but this only promotes more rot. This is probably the #1 way that people kill their houseplants. If you aren't sure if a plant is overwatered or underwatered, you have to examine the potting mix; if there is any moisture in it, the plant is probably overwatered, not underwatered. Almost all common houseplants can survive underwatering better than overwatering, so err on the side of underwatering; it's better to water a week too late than a week too early.
I’m sorry for the loss of your dad.
I think the first is some flavour of philodendron, the second is a coleus and the third is jade. All quite hardy so you don’t need to worry too much about having the exact right schedule! For most plants it’s good to let them dry out between waters - to check if they need more push your finger into the soil and water if it’s dry past the first knuckle. Watering well and less frequently (rather than frequent small amounts) encourages the roots to grow deep instead of shallow. Philodendrons usually like humidity which might be why your dad was spritzing them - if the air is dry there they’ll enjoy having some moisture on the leaves every couple of days.
As for whether to bring the jade in, probably not, though that might depend on your climate. They do very well year round outdoors where I live but it doesn’t get super cold here. You can google what zone you’re in, or even just “area jade outside” and you’ll get an idea. Lots of plants don’t much like being moved.
I’m not a plant expert or anything but I do have all these plants myself and this is how I care for them. I lean more towards neglect than over-care and it works well for these plants!
I’ve read bringing plants indoors also brings the risk of whatever outdoor guests hitch a ride with it. Don’t know how much of a concern that is given that store bought plants probably come with that exposure having already happened.
Just not thrilled by having to quarantine a plant.
Welp, I hate bugs, so this is now a new concern. Hopefully, the fact it's on the screened porch means this won't be as big of an issue. At the very least, I don't remember my dad ever having to quarantine plants.
That does, however, make me realize there might be some plants currently outside that he moves inside during winter. I'm pretty sure he did that with a hibiscus plant for a long time, not sure if we still have it or if it died. And we also now have a peace lily on our front porch that might also become a permanent fixture in our house. I'll have to check the potted plants outside tomorrow.
There are some plants that get regularly brought in, I’ve seen that before.
The things that hitchhike in are usually extra small. Like smaller than a fruit fly small.
Looks like Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
Good tips! Though we're thinking that the first one is three stalks of anthurium rather than philodendron. Both have those flat, elongated, heart-shaped leaves, but the key difference is that crowning shape out from the growth point. A philodendron would have a more viney growth habit instead. We've also got a bunch of house plants, my partner is particularly into rain forest plants, so they've developed an eye for that.
Yes it could be! I can’t see the vein shape from the pictures. OP - if the veins start in the middle and end at the edge it might be a philodendron, but if they start in the middle, go towards the edge but then converge towards the tip it might be anthurium.
Both live in a similar habitat so the care advice shouldn’t be too different either way :)
Thanks! I think it might be an anthurium, since I know my dad likes those. I tried looking up photos of the leaves to compare, but the image search brings up pretty similar leaves for both. I might try taking a photo tomorrow when there's more light, the veins seem honestly pretty subtle on this one. If the general care's the same for both, I guess it doesn't matter too much which it is though. ^^
Also, thanks for mentioning they like humidity! I was going to say we have plenty of humidity right now because we have a dehumidifier that needs to be emptied 2-3 times a day, but I realized we'd moved it to be right next to the plant after it overflowed and ruined some floorboards. I don't know if it would cause a noticeable difference in humidity for the plant itself, but it's right next to it, so I might have to talk to mom about moving it tomorrow!
My dad liked gardening, and kept a couple houseplants. And, well. Now he's gone, so we have to care for the plants ourselves.
There are three total: two indoor, one on our porch. So I'd like if someone can help identify them. He has a spray bottle and I know we're supposed to give them a couple spritzes, I just don't know the schedule. I'd also appreciate hearing if there's any extra care for the one on the porch, like if we're supposed to move it outside in certain seasons or temperatures.
Thanks in advance for any help!
I would recommend the Planta app to help you get a hang of the watering and care schedule. It's really friendly to people who are new to houseplants, but I also find it helpful to make sure none of my plants fall through the cracks and get neglected.
The only thing I would caution about using apps is to also look up how to tell when you’re over-or under-watering, and how to tell when the soil is too dry. The apps can’t analyse the actual plant in front of you, and plants rarely need watering on an exact regular schedule, so it can leas to problems if you aren’t learning how to care for it by yourself too!
Planta includes instructions on how to check if it needs to be watered (and allows you to snooze the watering for two days if it's not ready), and instructions on how to properly water. It's definitely a good tool for beginners.
I'm also really quite impressed with how well it estimates the watering schedule. It takes a lot of stuff into account: pot type, pot size, soil type, plant size, plant species, time of year, location (proximity to window, brightness of room, near heater/AC vent).
I also have a few Sustee Aquameter sticks for some plants that are more sensitive to being over watered, which have an indicator that turns white when the soil at the bottom of the pot is no longer damp, and Planta is just about spot on with the sticks, ±1 day.
Oh that sounds great! Those apps have come a long way since I tried to use one. Sounds like a great tool to learn as well as to keep track
Seems not worth a subscription
Watering reminders don't require a subscription. The subscription allows you to get more info, like misting and repotting schedules as well as a tool to diagnose problems, but watering schedules come for free with no subscription.
You might be able to use the app iNaturalist to identify your plants (as well as any plants, animals, bugs, etc you find in the wild).
I like PlantNet. I use both that and Seek, and the former gives me useful results more consistently. Seek tends to strike out in any setting where I can’t access the entire, mature plant up close. It’s also slower and needs solid connectivity, while PlantNet just seems to transmit a single still image, so it usually still works when I’m out hiking.
On iPhone you can just take a regular picture and it can identify plants that way, the little i you press for info about the picture gets a star if it’s identified a plant or animal. I expect android can do the same but I don’t have one so can’t say
You're right! Google Lens in Android does the same, can work on existing pics or you can have it take new ones.
Thanks, I might download that app or one of the others mentioned here to identify the specific varieties these are! I think we've got it narrowed down to the general genus at least, knowing the specific ones would be nice.
Be very wary of watering on a schedule. How much you need to water depends on environmental conditions more than anything else. For example, I have a string-of-pearl plant, which is a succulent that is notoriously susceptible to overwatering even compared to most succulents. I keep it in a very bright western window, and in the summer, I find I have to water it once a week, which is more than I water my moisture-loving ferns (because I keep them in much cooler, shadier conditions). But in the winter months, I don't water my string-of-pearls plant at all.
Plants use evaporation to draw up water into their tissue, so think about the conditions that cause, say, a puddle of water to dry up faster or slower. If it's hot and dry, water evaporates faster and plants will need more of it. If it's cool and wet, water evaporates slower and plants need less of it.
The great majority of houseplants only want to be watered when their potting mix has gone dry, but before the plant starts showing signs of dehydration (which varies a little between different plants, but it usually comes down to the leaves having less water content — causing them to become more soft, floppy, wrinkled, or curled than they usually are).
When checking for dryness, don't just touch the surface of the potting mix, because that is almost always dry even if most of the mixture is sopping wet. Stick your finger in an inch or two down. If the soil feels cool to the touch, it still has moisture.
So my advice is this: instead of a watering schedule, have a checking schedule. Once a week, check each of your plants' pots to see if they are dry. If they are, water. If not, don't do anything until you check again the following week.
If you water too often for the plant's needs, the roots can rot. When this happens, the plant will lose the ability to take up moisture and develop signs of dehydration. The temptation is to water when you see these signs, but this only promotes more rot. This is probably the #1 way that people kill their houseplants. If you aren't sure if a plant is overwatered or underwatered, you have to examine the potting mix; if there is any moisture in it, the plant is probably overwatered, not underwatered. Almost all common houseplants can survive underwatering better than overwatering, so err on the side of underwatering; it's better to water a week too late than a week too early.