Ask The Plant Expert:
I have inherited several houseplants, but I don’t know what kind they are. I have attached pictures of 4 plants, any help would be much appreciated! – Jenny
Flower Shop Network Plant Expert Reply:
Plants 1 & 2 are Schefflera (care tips also at this link), sometimes referred to as Octopus plant or Umbrella plant.
Pant 3 is a Tradescantia zebrina, sometimes reffered to as Wandering Jew.
Plant 4 is a type of Sansevieria.
Hope this information was helpful. Please let me know if you need any culture information on the plants.
I have been trying to figure out what type of plant this is for quite a long time. It seems to be growing out of control lately and I’m not sure how best to prune it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated… thank you!
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Teresa,
I believe what you have is a type of Rhizomatous Begonia. It is hard to tell from the picture which type. If you could send a picture of the top side of one of the leaves, I could possibly tell which type it is. As for care – humidity is crucial as well as even moisture. You want the plant to have moist but not soggy soil. Over-watering can cause the plant to rot and die. Test your soil before watering by sticking your finger about an inch deep in the soil. If the soil is moist to the touch leave it alone. As for light, the plants require a bright indirect light source.
When pruning the plant pinch the tips to encourage branching. If the plant has leggy or unsightly growth, you can cut is back to encourage more compact growth from the center of the plant.
Hope this information was helpful.
do you have any idea with this amazing plant is. been in the family for over 20 years. lived for 15 years with very little light. when I received it and set out in direct light, not only did it grow, but it produced a beautiful flower. Please help.
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Driselda,
On first glance it seems to be a Ficus lyrata commonly called Fiddle-leaf Fig. However the fact that you say the plant had a beautiful bloom, makes me second guess my id. Although Fiddle-leaf Figs can bloom, the blooms are considered insignificant. Can you send me a couple more photos – 1 from a distance of the whole plant, 1 of a whole leaf and 1 of a branch. Hopefully these photos will point me in a positive direction. Also, will you describe the flower?
I rescued this plant from an abandoned house. It was almost dead in a pot on the porch. I have no idea how big it gets or how to care for it I’ve searched and searched for identification. It bloomed mid May. It started with these small reddish balls that opened into really pretty ~ very small purple flowers that eventually turn into little yellow balls. It has round thick stem with oval soft leathery leaves. Kind of like a succulent ???
Joannah,
It is Talinum paniculatum, Jewels of Opar. It is a short lived annual. The little balls will turn brown and drop seeds which will come up the following year or you could save the seed and sow it outdoors in early spring.
I have a gorgeous houseplant I would like to identify! Is there anywhere that I could send an image ?
You can send photos to jamie.woods@flowershopnetwork.com