ASK THE INDOOR GARDENER : Put Bounce Back in Rubber Plant
QUESTION: I recently bought a rubber plant with three stalks. I put it in a northern window and kept it moist but two of the stalks have lost almost all their leaves. Can I bring these stalks back to life? And how should I take care of the survivor?
ANSWER: This problem with rubber plants (Ficus elastica) is not uncommon, probably because they are sub-tropical plants and the transition to indoor conditions is difficult. You’ve added to the problem by overwatering: a rubber plant should be watered only when the soil is dry to the touch.
And I’d provide the plant with more sunlight--rubber plants need at least an eastern exposure. Unless the two stalks are dead, which I doubt, you can “retread” them by cutting them back to within about six inches of the soil and cultivating them as described above.
Brightening Up a Dark Entry Hall
Q: I have a spot in my entry hall that could really use a bit of greenery, but there’s hardly any light in that area. What plants will grow in the dark?
A: The only plants that will grow in the dark are mushrooms, which won’t do much to brighten up an entry hall. But there are several plants that will do well in a minimum of light (there must be at least enough light to cast a shadow where the plant will be during peak light hours.) The best plants for darker spots include peace lily (Spathyphyllum), philodendron, palms ( Neathe bella and the kentia palm are especially good), pothos, snake plant (Sanseveria laurentii) and the cast-iron plant (Aspidistra) .
Don’t Reuse Soil From Pest-Ridden Plants
Q: Is it okay to use potting soil that’s been used before? I planted some of my plants outside in the garden, and the soil left in the pots seems so nice I hate to throw it out.
A: Don’t! It’s perfectly okay to reuse potting mix as long as the plants that were in the pots were free of pests. Mealybugs, scale, aphids and other indoor plant pests lay eggs in the soil during the course of their invasions, thus soil from pest-ridden plants should be discarded along with the plants.
Take Personal Interest in Your Houseplants
Q: Everywhere I go I see gadgets to help me raise my houseplants: little machines to tell me when to water and when to feed, other machines that actually do the watering and feeding for me. How do you feel about these mechanized plant tenders?
A: Very strongly against! Not that they don’t work--most water meters will let you know if your plant is wet or dry, and those self-watering and self-feeding pots are fine if you’re taking an extra-long vacation. But I believe the best way to have lush, healthy houseplants is to have a personal involvement with every one.
Let your finger be your guide to watering; check out your “plantation” every day, feeling the soil, misting the leaves to keep the humidity up and the foliage clean, and looking under leaves and stems for telltale signs of pests or diseases to be nipped in the bud. And don’t forget to talk to your plants--even if it doesn’t help them, it’ll make you feel a lot better, I promise!
Philodendron May Need a Bigger Pot
Q: Why are the new leaves on my philodendrons coming in small and stunted? This is also true of a couple of other of my vining plants--especially a pothos. Does this always happen to vining plants growing indoors?
A: Not always, but it’s not an uncommon problem. It could be your philodendron and pothos plants need to be put into bigger pots, or it could be they need to be fed more often, but the most probable cause is not enough light. Move the plants to a more sunny exposure, cut the vines back about six inches to invigorate them, and the subsequent new growth should be hale and hearty!
