Keep soil moist - Plant Encyclopedia Results

Globba schomburgkii (Dancing Girl Ginger) is a small plant, growing 2 to 5 feet tall, which is native to South East Asia. It is an ornamental plant that is grown for its foliage, producing mid-green, lance-shaped leaves, with a heart-shaped base and slightly hairy underneath. Its flowers are yellow-orange and strikingly beautiful, and it will also attract butterflies and hummingbirds.

The Dancing Girl Ginger can be grown in USDA Zones 9-11, preferring locations with shade or semi-shade. When active, it should be provided with plenty of water; but when dormant in the winter, restrict its watering to once a week. It should be repotted and divided when the growth period begins. Propagation of the Ginger is done by either division in the spring or by seed.

Those who live in cold climates, who would like to grow the Gingers in pots will need to pay special care to the amount of water that it gets and to bring it indoors during the winter, or alternatively, to mulch heavily around it and insulate the roots with extra soil. Also, the pot should have plenty of drainage and be placed in a location with partial shade. If the pot is too small, it should be repotted when the growth period starts, making sure to water it abundantly during this period.

Overall, the Dancing Girl Ginger is a great addition to any garden, with its striking foliage, flowers, and ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. With proper care, it will thrive and reward your efforts with its beauty.

This Majesty palm can grow upwards of 20 feet tall and is a favorite of landscape professionals and home gardeners alike. Its long, arching leaves speak to its tropical origins and form a large, full crown that creates a stunning effect. Though it is native to Madagascar, Ravenea rivularis can be grown in warm climates all around the world.

Planting this beauty is relatively straightforward. It prefers full sun and thrives in USDA zones 9-11. To care for it, simply keep the soil moist by watering it regularly, as this palm does not like to dry out. It is important to be mindful of the soil's fertility and provide ample nutrients, as the Ravenea rivularis can quickly yellow out if it is nutritionally starved.

In colder climates, this palm will grow just as well in a pot, as long as it is moved indoors or onto a protected patio when temperatures dip below 30°F. When planting, be sure to use a soil-based compost and ensure there is plenty of drainage. Water regularly, making sure to not over water it, and apply a liquid feed in the warmer months to ensure the soil remains rich and nourishing.

In summary, the Ravenea rivularis is a palm species that is both beautiful and relatively easy to grow. With the right care, this majestic palm will reward its caretaker with a breathtaking, full crown that will transform any landscape.

Leptospermum is a lovely tree, with flowers which resemble tiny wild roses and spiky little evergreen leaves. It is distributed in Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia. This genus was first recognized by Johann Reinhold Forster in 1776, and comprises 86 species, 83 occurring in Australia, all but two endemic.

The common name of Tea Tree derives from the practice of early Australian settlers who soaked the leaves in boiling water to make a herbal tea rich in Vitamin C. It is said that Captain Cook brewed tea of Leptospermum leaves to prevent scurvy amongst his crews. The nectar from the flowers is harvested by bees; this is used to make Manuka honey which has strong antibacterial and anti-fungal properties.

Leptospermum makes a desirable garden plant, valued for its fine texture, pleasant citrus-like scent of foliage and attractive flowers. It is also great for container and bonsai culture.

In the ground, it can be planted as a single specimen tree or as several plants close together for a terrific wind-breaking thicket. Cultivation is pretty easy as most adapt well to a variety of soil types, preferring slightly acid. Give young trees plenty of water to establish deep roots - this enhances their natural drought tolerance in later years. Shape a single-trunk tree in its early years by cutting off any stems that sprout near the base. Look for the trunk to gnarl and grow "hair" in a few years - it's an outstanding feature of older trees.

When grown in container, Leptospermum requires a bit more attention. Lack of water is the easiest way to kill this plant: it won't wilt, but will go from healthy to dead in a matter of hours. Soil must be kept uniformly moist; the plant can tolerate poor drainage, however excessive water may cause root rot. Water when the soil dries slightly on the top. Leptospermum needs lots of light; if kept indoors, requires a very bright location. Tip pruning after flowering improves the vigor and tends to avoid the woody appearance.

Some species (for example, L. scoparium) are hardy to lover 20's; others are sensitive to frost. Leptospermum prefers it to be a bit cool in winter (below 55 degrees).

C. australis is commonly known as the Rough Tree Fern due to the presence of adventitious roots, tubercles (knobbly bits) and masses of hair-like scales on its 'trunk'. The 'trunk' like structure on a tree-fern is actually a greatly enlarged rhizome! The horticultural appeal of C. australis is not only due to its beautiful looks but also because it is an extremely hardy species, even capable of tolerating direct sun when the roots are wet. It is also a robust tub plant and is unusual in that it is tolerant of salty winds. C. australis is thus a popular, cold-hardy tree-fern, adaptable to a variety of climates and soils.

Tree-ferns grow best in high humidity and high soil moisture conditions. It is therefore important to use good-quality mulches and to top them up regularly as this will not only keep the soil moist but also provide nutrients to the shallow root system. Tree-ferns usually respond well to organic fertilizers and well-rotted animal manures.

C. australis has a crown of similar size to C. cooperi

but the frond bases are covered in narrow dark brown scales and are quite prickly to the touch.

Clivia miniata is a clump forming perennial with dark green, strap shaped leaves which arise from a fleshy underground stem. The flowering heads of brilliant orange (rarely yellow), trumpet shaped flowers appear mainly in spring but also sporadically at other times of the year. The deep green shiny leaves are a perfect foil for the masses of orange flowers. Clivia are endemic to southern Africa, meaning that they do not occur naturally anywhere else in the world! The bush lily grows in dappled shade, often in large colonies. The soil is well drained and humus rich. Occasionally they may be found growing in the fork of a tree. Sadly in many areas colonies of wild bush lilies have been destroyed by harvesting for traditional medicine and also by plant collectors. Clivia miniata is easily cultivated and very rewarding. It should be planted in dappled shade, (they are sensitive to sunlight and will burn easily). The plants should be watered regularly during the summer months which is their growing season. The bush lily is frost tender and may be damaged if in a position that is exposed, to cold winds especially. It takes a long time for the damage to grow out if this happens, so it is best to select a sheltered site. The rhizomes are reportedly extremely toxic but are used medicinally for various purposes. The name meaning: Clivia - after the Duchess of Northumberland, Lady Charlotte Clive who first cultivated and flowered the type specimen in England; miniata - color of red lead - referring to the flowers.

Lumnitzera littorea is found in the back mangroves, in soft, muddy substrates where tidal inundation is rare. Has ornamental potential due to its red flowers.

The Empress of Brazil, also known as Worsleya procera, is easy to cultivate and is an ideal choice for growing in containers and indoors.

This small plant prefers full sun, and its soil should be kept moist at all times. Water regularly, and make sure to keep the soil evenly moist. In cold regions, the Empress of Brazil can be grown in a pot, although it should be brought inside for the winter months.

The Empress of Brazil has vibrant, beautiful blooms that come in colors ranging from deep blue to lavender, to purple. It is a low-maintenance plant, and it is also very easy to propagate. Its flowers are often quite large and can measure up to six inches in diameter.

The Empress of Brazil is a drought-tolerant plant, but it does not do well with dry air. You should mist the leaves of the Empress of Brazil regularly to keep them hydrated. Aside from misting, you should also feed your Worsleya procera a fertilizer that is high in phosphorus, as this will help it to produce healthy and beautiful blooms.

The Empress of Brazil can be grown in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. It is an evergreen plant and is easy to grow as long as given the right conditions. The Empress of Brazil requires plenty of sun and moderate water. It also needs to be in well-drained soil, so be sure to plant in an area that doesn't stay wet for long periods of time.

With proper care and attention, the Empress of Brazil will reward you with long lasting and gorgeous blooms. It is an ideal choice for adding color and beauty to your garden or home. So, go ahead and give it a go, and let the Empress of Brazil show you its beauty!

This plant needs plenty of sun. A very slender and elegant palm from northern Australia with gracefully recurving, V-shaped leaves. It is suitable for mild subtropical and tropical climates and, if heavily fertilized and watered, will develop with breathtaking speed. Carpentarias can be used indoors, being popular triple planted. In a community of mixed species they will outgrow the others, adding height to the garden quickly.

Heliamphora parva, also known as the Marsh Pitcher Plant, is a small native plant that originates from Venezuela. With showy, ornamental foliage, this plant is perfect for anyone looking for an exotic addition to their garden. Growing up to about two to five feet tall, this plant thrives in full sun or semi-shade, making it an easy and versatile option for just about any garden.

These plants love wet, boggy conditions and prefer to keep the soil moist, although you can also grow them in aquatic conditions if desired. You will also need to provide plenty of fertilizer to help them bloom and create their attractive foliage. The Marsh Pitcher Plant will produce striking white or off-white flowers, and as such makes a great ornamental plant in any garden.

If you are located in a colder climate, you can easily grow your Marsh Pitcher Plant by placing it in a pot and bringing it indoors during the winter months. For best results in cold regions, keep the pot in a warm location and provide plenty of sunlight, as well as regular water.

The Marsh Pitcher Plant is hardy in USDA Zones 9 to 11, making them a great choice for gardeners with warmer climates. With the right care and attention, they can be a beautiful addition to any garden, and you can look forward to enjoying their beautiful flowers in no time.

Sarracenia sp. (Pitcher Plant) is a versatile and beautiful native plant to Eastern North America. As its scientific name implies, this plant is a carnivorous species, whose pitcher shaped leaves trap insects for it's nourishment in nature. Growing up to 2 feet (61 cm) in height with ornamental foliage, the Pitcher Plant comes in a variety of colors, including green with purple tints, off-white, red, crimson, vinous, and yellow-orange.

Being a hardy species, the Sarracenia sp. (Pitcher Plant) thrives in full sun or semi-shade conditions, as well as bog or aquatic areas with moist and peaty soil. It is suitable for any USDA Zone between 9 - 11. During the active growing period, the soil must be kept moist, while cool and humid conditions should be used in the winter.

In regards to the propagation of the Pitcher Plant, it can be either done through seed or by dividing the plant in the spring season. As a groundcover or a low-growing shrub, this specimen can also be used to beautify your garden beds or a potted environment. In colder regions, planting in pots will ensure sufficient protection during frosty weathers. To ensure the full potential of the Plant, be sure to keep the soil moist and provide enough sunlight for its growth.

Overall, the Sarracenia sp. (Pitcher Plant) is an attractive garden plant, known for its plentiful and colorful flowers. Furthermore, it is a flood-tolerant species, so these plants can still thrive in damp environments. Its varied color spectrum and adaptability make this specimen a great asset to any garden, and its carnivorous quality ensures that the population of pests remain under control.