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FAQ

Betel Plants

Yes, Plant this in the South-East direction in your home for good luck

Water the plant regularly

Prune this plant once it reaches 2 m to control the plant

Plucking the leaves often will encourage bushier growth

The place is very hot and dry. The leaves turn yellow and the plant would die. Grow the betel in partial – shade

Yes, Betel can be grown in containers. They make an excellent addition to the balcony garden

Red mites Treat the plant with insecticidal soap
Fungal diseases This is due to overwatering. Normally appears during the rainy season. Control the watering frequency
Leaf blight – Black and brown oily patches on leaves / stem Snip the affected leaves or the stem

Organic manure or regular cow manure

Calathea

About 200 species formerly assigned to Calathea are now in the genus Goeppertia. Calathea currently contains around 60 species.

For calathea to thrive, it needs to grow in a loamy soil mix that drains well yet remains damp. Consider a commercial potting mix containing coconut coir or charcoal; both allow water to run through yet absorb enough to stay moist so calathea roots won’t dry out.

Calathea enjoys moist soil—but not wet soil. Try a mix of 50 percent potting soil, 20 percent orchid bark, 20 percent charcoal, and 10 percent perlite. They also dislike being dried out. Every few days, stick a finger in the soil to see if the medium feels dry.

Calatheas need specific care in order to thrive. They need a consistently warm spot and bright but indirect light – keep them out of direct sunshine. Keep the soil moist from spring to autumn, and provide some humidity by misting the leaves daily or standing on a tray of moist pebbles.

Calathea like to have moist soil or planting substances, but not soggy. They do not want lots of water, as it can drown them. When you water a Calathea plant, do not water it so much that the plant ends up sitting in standing water. Temperature – Calathea plants do not like the cold very much.

If you’re looking for a Calathea to make a bold statement, then Calathea ornata could be the gem for you. Calathea ornata is sure to grab your attention with its large green leaves and pink stripes.

There are dozens of calathea types, with huge differences in the look of their foliage. Many of the plants that are known as calathea will also be labeled as genus Goeppertia (considered by some as a synonym name for calathea). So you might see this plant labeled by different names in different nurseries.

Calatheas and ferns both have high water requirements and love humid air. So bunching several of these plants together in a pot to help increase humidity can be a great idea. These two plants both enjoy indirect light, and they look great together too.

Calathea vs. Marantas

Maranda’s are true prayer plants because they perform nyctinasty, a response to nighttime where the leaves fold up. This is the major difference between the two plants, as Calathea does not have that reaction. The nyctinasty is just one main trait that is different. Leaf shape is another

Calatheas and ferns both have high water requirements and love humid air. So bunching several of these plants together in a pot to help increase humidity can be a great idea. These two plants both enjoy indirect light, and they look great together too.

Here’s how to save a dying calathea plant:

  1. Provide the right lighting conditions (no direct sun!)
  2. Water only when the soil is halfway dry.
  3. Place in a dry and humid place.
  1. Limit temperatures to 64 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Treat pests and plant disease.
  3. Let transplant shock symptoms wear off.

The most common cause of a Calathea dying is overwatering, leading to root rot. Keep the soil lightly moist, rather than soggy. Other common causes of a Calathea (Goeppertia) houseplant dying are low humidity, pests, temperature stress, and underwatering.

Wilting or drooping leaves is typically a result of the plant being thirsty. However, the leaves of this plant move up and down following the light, so be sure to feel the soil to ensure you’re not mistaking your Calathea’s natural movement for needing a drink before giving your plant water.

Using sharp, long-tipped plant scissors, trim any damaged or dead leaves off Calathea as needed. The plant grows rapidly enough to need pruning at least once or twice a year. Always use sterilised tools to protect the plant from disease.

Plants typically grow to about 20 inches tall when grown as houseplants. Rattlesnake plant grows at a moderate rate indoors but will slow or stop growing if the plant is in unfavorable conditions.

Calatheas thrive in humid places, so plan on misting your Calathea regularly (once a week is ideal) to ensure it receives the moisture it craves. Misting is also a great way of interacting with your Calathea and keeping yourself busy without overwatering it, a common mistake that can cause damage that is difficult to undo!

Seasons change, but your Calatheas should never have to feel a significant temperature shift. Keep these tropical plants comfortable by ensuring a steady temperature within the range of 30C-35C degrees year-round

Calatheas do not need to be fertilised during the winter months, but once Spring arrives, your Calathea will appreciate a monthly dose of plant food like our Dharmik Fertiliser or another gentle fertiliser. This feeding schedule can be continued through the Summer and Fall.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are beautiful houseplants, native to coastal South Africa. These are grown for their attractive foliage. The strap shaped leaves appear to emerge from the centre of the plant. The leaves are fully green or variegated with white and green. They are long and fall over the edge of the pot giving a bushy appearance. 

 

Long shoots appear from a well grown plant that bears the star shaped flowers. Once the flowers wither, small tiny plantlets begin to appear. 

These are hardy plants with tuberous roots and can tolerate drought to some extent.

This plant got its name from its “pups”. Pups are the small plantlets that emerge from long trailing stems. These tiny plantlets resemble a spider. The pups grow their own roots and they can be separated from their mother plant and potted separately!

Spider plants are easy to care for and ideal companions for the beginners.

Spider plant needs are simple:

Place the plant in bright to moderate light in a room
Keep the soil slightly moist. Once-a-week watering is sufficient in spring and summer; in winter, allow the soil to dry a bit more between waterings. Spider plants are sensitive to fluoride in tap water. Consider using distilled water or rainwater for the plants.
Fertilize every two to three weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer

Spider plants have very attractive foliage. Growing them indoors adds beauty to the room. However, these plants can be used as decors in the garden too!

Grow the spider plants as the borders along the pavements. The greenish foliage will be a pleasant treat to our eyes!

They can be planted along the edge of or over the compound wall.  The falling leaves enhances the appearance of the building!

Vertical gardening: If you are willing to have a green wall, these tiny plants are ideally suited to grow in a vertical garden. Grab a bunch of them and grow them vertically in wall planters. They are sure to give a striking appearance!

Terrace gardening:
A row of spider plants in your terrace will indeed be a wonderful addition!

Spider plants grow faster. The tuberous roots fill the pot and may sometimes outgrow or crack open the pots. This is the time when the repotting of the plant should be considered. The plants must be shifted to a bigger container.

Repotting the spider plant is fairly easy. 

Gently remove the plant from its current pot, rinse and trim its roots, then replant it in a larger pot. When moving spider plants to larger pots, make sure the new pots have good drainage holes. Spider plants don’t tolerate wet soil for very long. Use a general-purpose potting soil or soilless medium for spider plant repotting. Fill the bottom of the pot with soil, then place the plant’s roots in the soil. Keep adding soil and tucking it around the roots until all the roots are covered. Water the plant well and care as usual.

Hard to kill!

Spider plants get easily adapted and are easy to handle. They can be hung in a basket or grown over a wall or sit under a tree. They are quite easy to manage.

Beginner friendly: 

Their fleshy roots make sure they do not run out of water! Spider plants need thorough watering only once in a week.

These are bright light loving plants and can sit indoors / outdoors.

Air purifiers:

Spider plants are excellent air purifiers. They remove the toxins such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, toluene and xylene, thus improving the air quality. However, a remarkable difference will be noticed only when grown in bunches!

Therapeutic:

It is ideal to grow these plants in hospital wards. The plants help in reducing the stress levels and thus aid in the speedy recovery of the patients! These plants help in reducing depression, anxiety, anger and stress and give a more friendly environment.

Increases Humidity:

The leaves help in improving the moisture content in the air through transpiration. The increased level of humidity eases the cough, cold and respiratory issues.

Pet friendly: These plants are not toxic and are safe for pets and children.

Browning of the leaves: 

This is the common problem in the spider plant and can easily be fixed.

Browning of the leaves occur due to over watering or under watering of the plants. Consider changing the watering intervals.

Sometimes flourides present in tap water affect the spider plants. Consider changing the water to distilled water.

Bugs:

Pests: Spider plants are tough when it comes to pests, but they are susceptible to some pest infestations. Aphids, mealybugs, Whitefield and spider mites can eat your spider plant

This can be avoided by misting your plants every once in a while.

Use natural insecticides made with vinegar to get rid of them.

Maranta

Maranta plants are beautiful foliage plants. Their leaves tend to fold together at night, like the folding hands during the prayers. Hence Maranta is popularly known as prayer plant.

Firm stem, deeply coloured foliage, new shoots, moving leaves are the best indicators of healthy growth of these plants.

Adequate watering : Water the plant only when the top 1 -2 inches  of the soil is dry.
Light : Do not place Maranta under direct sun. Keep them in the brightly lit places with indirect sunlight
Soil : Maranta plants love moist soil. But should not be soggy
Humidity : These plant love high humidity levels.

Signs and Symptoms Possible Causes
Wilted Plant Improper drainage, Pests, Low Humidity, Excessive Light
Loss of Leaves Overwatering
Loss of Variegation Excessive sunlight
Dry Crispy Leaves Underwatering, Too much sunlight, Low humidity
Soft, Brown Stems and Leaves Overwatering
Spots on Leaves Diseases and Pests infestation
Yellow leaves Lack of fertilizers, Overwatering
Leaves Curling Temperature Extremities, Underwatering
Root Rot Overwatering
Leggy Growth Inadequate sunlight

Remove leggy stems and dead leaves during the fall and spring. Pruning encourages bushier growth of the plant

Light plays a major role in the growth of these plants. When Maranta becomes leggy, it means the plant is not receiving adequate light. Move the plant to the place that receives bright indirect light.

The part of the plant that receives enough light will show healthy growth. Try rotating the plant once in a week or 2 for a balanced growth

The Maranta plants do well in the garden soil or a general potting mix, so long as it is well-draining. If the soil is not draining well, add perlite or coarse sand to the mixture

2 parts coconut coir or peat moss
1 part compost or potting soil
1 part perlite or sand

Fertilise the plant once in 2 weeks during the growth season ( fall to spring )
Prune the plant atleast 2 -3 times in a year

They can grow successfully indoors. Since they require very tropical conditions it should do just fine.

No, Maranta is not toxic to cats. It is a non toxic and safe plant for cats.

Maranta can thrive in moderate indirect light or even in full shade.

Good growth is the sign of any living being. The Marant should show growth during the summer season and unfurling of a new leaf every once in a while is a great sign!

The Maranta doesn’t get too large on us so it’s a perfect plant for a nice grouping! Because the Maranta likes humidity, a bathroom with good indirect light is an ideal spot for it.

Brown spots on the leaves of Maranta come from over exposure to strong natural light. If the spots to develop large, don’t be alarmed and wait for the leaves to fall off. Also remember to change the position of the Maranta from this place!

Marants help clear the air of the pollutants by filtering it.

Jade plant

Also known as Crassula Ovata, these succulents are very easy to grow and undemanding. But just like other succulents that we can make mistakes with, they are prone to too much moisture and a wide range of diseases.

Jade plant needs at least 4 hours per day of light either in a south facing or west facing window. It is ok to keep the soil just moist but not wet during spring and summer. In the winter, it is best the soil dries out.

Never splash the leaves when watering. Always water from the sides and stick to it. Water just enough that the soil feels moist and not soggy. Water again only when soil dries up.

Jade plant is an extremely popular plant and gift! Jade plant needs more light than one would think. At least 4 hours of natural sunlight. So best to avoid bathrooms.

Jade plants can live in water however remember to keep changing the water every 5 days, just when the water starts to turn grubby.

These plants are not heavy feed. Fertilise the plant with a well balance liquid fertiliser once in 3 months.

Like any living being, where there is dehydration, there is shriveling. The Jade plants will show shriveled leaves or show brown spots or even leaves begin to drop off prematurely.

Like most succulent plants, jade plants prefer a loose rocky soil that is well draining. Adequate drainage is important so the soil is never too wet and creates problems of root rot.

Fertilise the plant once in 2 weeks during the growth season ( fall to spring )
Prune the plant atleast 2 -3 times in a year

They can grow successfully indoors. Since they require very tropical conditions it should do just fine.

No, Maranta is not toxic to cats. It is a non toxic and safe plant for cats.

Maranta can thrive in moderate indirect light or even in full shade.

Good growth is the sign of any living being. The Marant should show growth during the summer season and unfurling of a new leaf every once in a while is a great sign!

The Maranta doesn’t get too large on us so it’s a perfect plant for a nice grouping! Because the Maranta likes humidity, a bathroom with good indirect light is an ideal spot for it.

Brown spots on the leaves of Maranta come from over exposure to strong natural light. If the spots to develop large, don’t be alarmed and wait for the leaves to fall off. Also remember to change the position of the Maranta from this place!

Marants help clear the air of the pollutants by filtering it.