Earthdragon's Endangered Species

Plant Summary

Botanical Name: Sansevieria cylindrical

Type: Succulent/ Cactus

Origin: The Cylindrical Snake Plant originates from South Africa.

Height: Sansevieria cylindrical typically grows to a height of up to 60 cm (2 ft).

Soil: A cactus or other soilless potting mix is perfect for this striking house plant.

Light: Cylindrical Snake Plants love bright light.

Humidity: Average humidity levels are required for the Cylindrical Snake Plant, although it will tolerate dry air to a certain extent. It should, however, be kept well away from drafts and/ or air vents.

Temperatures: Preferably kept at room temperatures between 18 and 24 degrees C (65 to 75 degrees F), Sansevieria cylindrical will tolerate temperatures that are fluctuating, as long as they do not drop below 13 degrees C (55 degrees F).  

Water: After watering thoroughly, the potting mix should be allowed to dry out before watering this house plant again. It is important not to water the Cylindrical Snake Plant from the centre of its rosette, as this will cause the leaves to rot.

Fertiliser: A balanced - like NPK 15-15-15, for example - liquid fertiliser diluted to half its strength with water should be fed to this plant on a monthly basis during the spring, summer and autumn months.

Propagation: Like all Snake Plants, this species can be propagated by separating its offsets - known as pups - growing from the parent's base. Dividing this plant is easy enough: after turning the pot onto its side, the plant is eased out carefully. The pups can then be cut off the parent plant using a sharp, serrated knife and planted into their own containers.

Description and Care Tips

Round leaves with a pattern of dark green stripes give the carefree, eye-catching Cylindrical Snake Plant - an African succulent - its name. Another name commonly used for this house plant is Spear Plant, a name it owes to the pointed tips at the end of its leaves. Owners are advised to be careful, as these points tend to be rather sharp.

Growing in a rosette, the tubular, grey-green leaves of the Cylindrical Snake Plant are approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) in thickness. Mature plants will occasionally produce creamy white, long flower spikes with a beautiful fragrance.

Related to the Mother-in-Law's Tongue - and just as carefree and easy to grow - this plant has a bold, fresh style that will add a striking accent to a collection of house plants. Because Sansevieria cylindrical is so easy going and highly tolerant of both dry air and dry soil, it lends itself perfectly as an office plant. 

The only problems likely to arise with this plant are usually related to over-watering. The soil should definitely be allowed to dry out between watering sessions, and it is vital not to get the leaves wet - they will rot easily. Leaves that get soft, even mushy, at the base or turn yellow are a good sign that the plant is being over-watered. Apart from soggy soil, the only other thing likely to kill a Cylindrical Snake Plant is prolonged exposure to temperatures close to or below 13 degrees C (55 degrees F).

Plant Summary

Botanical Name: Euphorbia milii

Type: Succulent/ Cactus

Origin: The native habitat of the Crown of Thorn is in Madagascar.

Height: Euphorbia milii will grow to heights of approximately 60 cm (2 ft). If required, the plant's  height can be controlled by pruning off growing tips.

Soil: This house plant needs to be planted in a fast draining potting mix. A specialised Cactus mix is the ideal choice. 

Light: Plenty of bright light and even lots of direct sunshine will be appreciated by the Crown of Thorns.

Humidity: Dry to average humidity conditions are perfect for the Crown of Thorns.

Temperatures: Room temperatures averaging between 16 and 24 degrees C (60 to 75 degrees F) will have this cactus growing nicely. Allowing a cool rest with temperatures around 13 degrees C (55 degrees F) will encourage the Crown of Thorns to bloom.

Water: The top 2.5 cm (1 in) of the potting mix should be allowed to dry out between watering sessions. To prevent this house plant from rotting, it is important to avoid getting its stems and leaves wet. During the plant's resting period in the winter months, watering should be reduced to a bare minimum.

Fertiliser: From the beginning of spring right through onto the end of autumn, the Crown of Thorns should be fed every 14 days with a diluted (1:1) balanced liquid fertiliser. Over the winter months, feeding should be reduced to once every 4 weeks.

Propagation: To propagate Euphorbia milii, 7.5 cm (3 in) long stem cuttings need to be taken some time during spring or early summer. The cut end is then dipped into warm water for just a few minutes. This will stop the sap's flow. After allowing the cuttings to dry for a day, they should be inserted into barely moistened potting mix, where they will root within approximately 6 weeks.

Description and Care Tips

One of the few succulents that are able to bloom almost all year round, the Crown of Thorns produces flowers - which are actually bracts and will last for weeks on end - in a variety of colours, from white and yellow to bright red or pink. The best seasons to see an abundance of blooms are, however, spring and summer. As long as sufficient light is provided, a Crown of Thorns can be depended on to bloom, and many of the hybrids on the market today will produce increased masses of larger flowers than ever before. 

Euphorbia milii features bright green leaves along its thorny, thick stems. As the plant gets older, some of its lower leaves will drop off. If it starts looking to leggy, it should be pruned back to around half its size during spring. This will result in new stems growing from below the cuts, making the succulent Crown of Thorns bush fuller and bushier again.

Easy to grow and comparatively drought tolerant, these house plants prefer to live in sandy, slightly dry soil. Because they store water within their thick stems, they do not need to be watered as often as other house plants. Watering should be reduced if the leaves begin to turn yellow and/ or fall off.

Plant Summary

Botanical Name: Crocus bulb hybrids

Type: Flowering

Origin: The corms of hybrids available originate from Asia, Europe and North Africa.

Height: A Crocus will grow up to a height of approximately 20 cm (8 in).

Soil: Any general purpose, good quality potting mix is acceptable for Crocus bulb hybrids.

Light: During their cold treatment, corms need to be kept in the dark. This needs to be followed by accustomising the young plants to brighter conditions (see below). Blooming plants like bright light, but need to be kept out of direct sunlight.

Humidity: Undemanding, the Crocus is happy with average levels of humidity.

Temperatures: This is one house plant that prefers to be a little cooler - temperatures ranging between 6 and 16 degrees C (40 to 60 degrees F) will encourage blooming for weeks.

Water: Until growth emerges, watering should be done sparingly. Once growing, the soil needs to be kept moist evenly. It is vital to check regularly, as these flowering plants tend to be very thirsty.

Fertiliser: From the moment the Crocus is planted until it begins to bloom, the Crocus should be fed once a month with a balanced, diluted (1:1) liquid fertiliser. Fertilising should stop once blooming.

Propagation: Indoors, corms will not bloom more than once, although they may produce offsets (which will mature over a few years). They can, however, be kept and used outside. Once the foliage has died back, they should be stored somewhere dry and cold. In autumn, they can be planted outside and left to the care of Mother Nature. When they are ready, they will bloom. 

Description and Care Tips

Crocus hybrid bulbs are not actually bulbs, but corms. These corms produce masses of gorgeous cup-shaped flowers in a range of colours, including white, yellow, lavender and purple. Some blooms are plain coloured, while others feature stripes. All of them have bright orange stigmas. The leaves of the Crocus are upright, slender and usually striped in green and white.

One of the first flowering plants to herald spring, the Crocus often pops its lovely, colourful blooms through the last remaining layers of snow. Luckily, it is not necessary to wait for spring in order to wait for these lovely blooms, because the Crocus can be forced to flower indoors during mid-winter. The best time to start the forcing process is in October.

The first step of the forcing procedure is a 12 week cold treatment. Naturally, if pre-chilled corms are purchased, this step can be omitted. To begin, a shallow pot - which needs to be a minimum of 7 cm (3 in) deep - is filled loosely with a good potting mix, leaving enough space to accommodate the corms on top  - the tips should end up roughly at the same level as the rim of the pot. 

Several corms can then be set closely, but never touching, into the pot with their pointed end facing upwards. They should not be pressed into the soil, as it needs to remain loose enough to allow the roots to grow easily into and through it. The corms are then barely covered with additional soil. While it is tempting to mix Crocuses, it should be noted that different varieties tend to have different flowering periods. It is best to keep each pot to a single variety.

After watering thoroughly and allowing excess liquid to drain off, the pot needs to be moved into a cool - around 4 degrees C (40 degrees F) - and dark spot. A refrigerator, an unheated garage or a basement are ideal, as long as temperatures will not drop to freezing point. They can be kept in the dark by placing another pot, a box or a black bin liner over the pot, but it is necessary to allow for access, as the soil needs to be kept moist throughout this stage. 

Once the shoots reach a height of around 5 cm (2 in), the pot can be moved to a slightly warmer - around 10 degrees C (50 degrees F) place. Light conditions in the new location need to be low to begin with. The little plants can then be accustomised to brighter light by gradually moving them closer to a sunny window over a few days. 

To ensure even growth, the pot should be turned every day. When the Crocus is in full bloom, it needs to be in a bright place, but out of direct sunlight. This, and keeping temperatures comparatively cool (see above) will prolong the blooming period substantially.

Plant Summary

Botanical Name: Calathea sp. 'Corona'

Type: Foliage

Origin: Corona Prayer Plants originate from Brazil and Central America.

Height: Typically, Calathea sp. 'Corona' will grow to around 45 cm (18 in) tall.

Soil: This house plant appreciates a good, well draining general purpose potting mix.

Light: Direct sunlight should be avoided. The Corona Prayer Plant prefers moderate to bright light.

Humidity: Humidity levels need to be moderate to high for this house plant. A wet pebble tray or a room humidifier should help to raise levels adequately.

Temperatures: Calatheas like to be fairly warm, with temperatures ranging between 18 and 29 degrees C (65 to 85 degrees F) being perfect.

Water: As this plant is sensitive to salts and fluoride in tap water, it is best to water it using distilled or rain water. The soil has to be kept evenly moist, but should not be allowed to become soggy.

Fertiliser: Dilute a liquid 10-10-5 fertiliser with equal parts of water and feed once every 14 days to the plant during the spring/ summer months. Reduce feeding to once a month during autumn and winter.

Propagation: The rhizomes of matured plants can be divided in spring/ early summer to propagate this plant. 

Description and Care Tips

One of the most popular named varieties within the Calathea genus, the tropical Corona Prayer Plant certainly deserves its place among the Marantaceae (or Maranta) family's showy plants.

The silvery green, broad leaves of this house plant taper down to a point and are edged with a dark green band. Emerging new leaves are curled, revealing purplish-red undersides. Like all the members of this family, the Corona Prayer Plant will fold its leaves - like hands in prayer - at night. 

The real secret in keeping this house plant happy is to keep humidity levels at a minimum of 60 per cent. This can be easily achieved with a room humidifier or a humidity tray. Misting the Calathea with rain water (preferably at room temperature) will also be more than welcome.

Keeping humidity levels high will also help to keep spider mites away. Highly attracted to Corona Prayer Plants, spider mites tend to prefer dryer conditions and will subsequently be less likely to attack the plant if humidity is high.

Barely visible to the naked eye, spider mites can do extensive damage to the leaves of plants, typically appearing as brown or yellow spots. If not treated, the plant may eventually stop growing and die. Normal pesticides are likely to make matters worse, as the spider mites are resistant to them, and only bugs that might eat them will be killed off. Spraying the plant using a nozzled hose is often enough to knock of the mites, but if all else fails, dormant, horticultural or insecticidal oil (such as, for instance, neem oil) should work. Miticides will also kill spider mites.

Corona Prayer Plants look extremely effective displayed on their own, perhaps on a pedestal, or grouped with other plants that like high humidity, such as, for instance, ferns and bromeliads. In spring, the plant should be repotted to provide it with fresh soil. New pots rarely need to be much more than a size bigger. This is also a good time to divide mature plants.

Plant Summary

Botanical Name: Ardisia crenata

Type: Foliage/ Flowering

Origin: Ardisia crenata originates from Southeast Asia.

Height: A Coral Berry may grow up to 90 cm (3 ft) tall.

Soil: This house plant is quite happy in any good, balanced potting mix.

Light: Like many other house plants, the Coral Berry likes bright like. It is acceptable for the plant to get a little direct sunlight.

Humidity: Humidity levels should be moderate - around 50 to 60 per cent - for this plant. Standing the pot on a wet pebble tray will boost levels.

Temperatures: Similar to the Coral Bead Plant, the Coral Berry prefers to be kept fairly cool - average temperatures should be around 7 to 18 degrees C (45 to 65 degrees F).

Water: The soil should be kept evenly moist throughout the year and should never be allowed to dry out.

Fertiliser: From the beginning of spring to the end of summer, the plant needs to be fed once a fortnight, using a diluted (1:1) balanced liquid fertiliser. Throughout autumn and winter, feeding should be reduced to once a month.

Propagation: Coral Berry plants can be grown from seed (sown in spring) or via stem tip cuttings. The cuttings, which should be approximately 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) in length, need to be taken in spring and have to be placed upright into moistened peat-moss potting mix. Cutting and pot should then be covered with a plastic bag to retain humidity. It should be noted that propagating this plant is not easy - it is, in fact, very much hit and miss - whichever method is used.

Description and Care Tips

The delightful Coral Berry is a slow growing evergreen. In its tropical native habitat, this plant will grow to heights of up to 1.8 m (6 ft), but as a house plant, it typically does not exceed around 90 cm (3 ft) - and it will take quite some time to get there.

Deep-green, glossy leaves - which will grow to approximately 5 cm (2 in) in width and 10 cm (4 in) in length - feature serrated edges, adding to the Coral Berry's overall beauty. In summer, tiny pale pink or white flowers emerge from the leaf axils of the plant's lower branches. Slightly aromatic, these flowers will be followed by 6 mm (1/4 in) round, red berries. 

Arriving around Christmas, these berries are the plant's main attraction, and will last more or less until the plant begins to flower once again. If the Coral Berry is reluctant to bloom, it may require more sunlight and humidity, particularly during spring, when it begins to form buds. Misting the plant regularly (with water at room temperature) will increase humidity and help to keep spider mites at bay, as they prefer drier conditions.

If the flower buds drop off, the plant may be exposed to drafts or air that is too cold. Though it likes to be kept cool, it does not appreciate temperatures below 7 degrees C (45 degrees F). 

To keep the Coral Berry compact and in shape, it needs to be pruned back in spring, before flowering begins. Repotting should be done in late winter - never while the plant is flowering - when the roots have filled the container. The new pot should only be one size larger than the previously used one.