Houseplants Under Lights

Lesson 4: Proper Plant Selection and Care

Scientific names explained and Suggested Plants

Pardon me if this is already known by you! I've discovered that many experienced gardeners don't understand scientific names, therefore I include this information in every course or gardening column I write.

The scientific name for a plant or animal consists of a 'genus' and a 'species' name. These names are used by professionals around the world so that every person understands exactly what plant is being discussed.

The genus is written first followed by the species. In print, the scientific name should always be in italics or underlined. The genus starts with a capital letter and the species starts with a lowercase letter. [The plural of genus is genera.] The common name is written in English and doesn't have to start with a capital letter. If more than one species within the genus is mentioned, you may find the genus abbreviated as just the first letter followed with a period and then the species name. Using scientific names insures that horticulturists, botanists and gardeners worldwide are discussing the same plant. The scientific name may be followed by a name in single quotation marks. This is called a "cultivar" which is a named variety of a species.

When reading this section, the common name will be in bold type while the scientific name is in italics. If a name is both in bold type and italics, this means there is no common name for the plant. Note: Unfortunately, many printed materials do not follow the accepted way of printing scientific names. YOU know what is correct though! Many of the plants listed below are considered good for beginners. Some look their best only with specialized care. Indoor gardeners using plant lights will often find that they are true beginners since the growing conditions are so different between windowsills and the optimal conditions provided by a light garden.

Low Light (1,000 1,500 footcandles)

Ferns (many species available): The potting media must be kept moist and its roots kept cool. Ferns need humid air (perhaps terrariums are best).

Cast Iron plant (Aspidistra elatior): This plant is very tolerant even of drying out. It will look its best if kept moist. Some still call this the "bar room plant" because it was found in so many bars and even survived having beer poured on it. Have you tried the variegated versions? So far, I've managed to kill every one!

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum): Keep soil moist. Dust off leaves as necessary. There are many cultivars available. Most have spotted or stripped foliage.

Prayer plant (Maranta leuconeura): Keep the potting media evenly moist. There are several cultivars available. Select one that appeals to you. These are called prayer plants because the leaves fold up after dark. They make excellent hanging basket plants.

Swiss Cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa): This is a large plant that needs good humidity and moist soil. Don't attempt this plant unless you have adequate room surrounding its planter. Its leaves are easily damaged by being brushed constantly by passing people.

Mother-in-law tongues or snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata species): These plants are very tolerant of dry conditions. It may even flower in the fall or early winter if it was outside for the summer. These can grow quite tall. They spread slowly from orange colored rhizomes. Each leaf may last several years. If you want a smaller plant, look for the many cultivars of the "Bird's nest Sansevieria" that is only about 4-6" tall. All Sansevierias like to be pot bound.

Philodendron (Philodendron scandens): Don't let the potting media dry out. This is excellent in hanging baskets. This plant always has solid green, thin, heart-shaped leaves. Don't confuse this plant with those called Pothos that always have variegated leaves (either white and green or gold and green).

Peace lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii): This is a very easy plant that produces white spathes (look like petals). Keep soil moist but not soggy. This plant is found in many shopping mall planters because it is so tolerant of low light conditions.

Medium Light (1,500 2,500 footcandles)

Tree Philodendron (Philodendron selloum): This is a large plant you can often find at places like Home Depot or Lowe's in the United States. Keep the soil moist. It needs a protected location so its leaves don't get ragged looking from being brushed by passing people.

Peperomia species: These plants can tolerate brief periods of dry potting media. They look their best if kept evenly moist.

Haworthia species (succulents from Southern Africa): These desert growers do well with periods of dry media. They frequently flower when grown indoors. Water thoroughly and let media dry out before re-watering.

Moses-in-a-boat (Rhoeo spathacea): Needs a moist soil. Sometimes grown in hanging baskets.

Euphorbia species: These plants grow world-wide. They are normally very tolerant of dry conditions. Be careful not to water it when the media is cold or rot quickly takes over.

African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha cultivars): Violets do best as wicked plants with fertilized water. You may need to wax the edges of the pot with paraffin to keep their leaves from being damaged. African violets flower easily under lights.

High Light (2,500 or higher footcandles)

Cacti and succulents and some other plant species are tolerant of bright, hot, and dry conditions. It is important to provide both warmth and bright light for successful growth and flowering. Be careful when watering in cold weather. Cold temperatures and wet media is a deadly combination. Many collectors chose to summer these plants outside on a patio or porch. If you do, be sure to acclimate them first. Succulents moved from the inside to full sun outside too quickly may develop burn spots.

Cacti and succulents often require specialized media and culture. Please look up each species in the appropriate reference book for complete information. Suggested species to try: Kalanchoe species, Golden Barrel Cactus (Echinocactus grusonii, Crown-of-Thorns (Euphorbia milii varieties), Geranium (Pelargonium species), Crotons (Codiaeum variegatum).

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