The Hobbyist
LET GROW, LET IT GROW!
Depending on how you look at things, gardening can be either a chore or theraputic. For sure, it takes work and dedication. For more utelitarian purpuses, you can set up your garden in such a way, that it basically takes care of itself.
If you are one us people looking at it as a relaxing outlet, things like watering or even weeding releases tension and stress.
Gardening
©2018 - 2025
Gotta love houseplants!
So many reasons to love houseplants. They add beauty and color to a room, they help you bring nature indoors, and they help gardeners survive winters!
Plant Info
Pilea Peperomiodes
The Chinese Money Plant, as it is commonly known, is another Himalayan native. This beautiful plant with perfectly round leaves at the end of a long stem. Their leaves are a vibrant green color.
The Chinese money Plant
Light requirements
Pileas can thrive in multiple light settings. While they appreciate bright, indirect light, they can also find happiness with medium light space.
Water requirements
Allow Soil to dry between watering. This may be more frequently in the summer, about once a week but will probably need less water in the winter. They won’t need frequent feedings in winter months. Your plant will give you clues on what it likes
Propagation
Pilea’s are fairly easy to propagate.
DIVISION
- When they are happy, they usually give babies all around which can then be divided.
WATER PROPAGATION
- Water propagation also works for these lovely plants.
- Using a sharp cutting tool, remove a leave at the very base of the stem. The cut should be made where the stem meets the main branch.
- Place it in water ensuring that the leave is not touching the water.
- Roots and a baby plant will develop from the stem. You can leave in water with the baby sticking out of the water and the roots still submerged.
- When you have a good root system, you can transfer them to soil. Keep moist at first and once stablished, resume the recommended watering schedule.
Cymbidium Orchid
This is one easy going orchid. They are said to originate from the Himalayan foothills. Unlike their counterparts, these orchids grow on the ground. However, they are considered semi-terrestrial as they appreciate lighter growing media. Cymbidiums are generous and will give you stunning blooms with 10+ flowers on a single flower spike.
Land orchid or Boat Orchid
Light requirements
These beauties do best in bright. They love outdoors and can tolerate colder temperatures. While they can tolerate temperatures in the 30s, prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, can damage or kill your. plant.
Water requirements
cymbidiums appreciate being moist. Not wet or saggy, but prefer not to over-dry. Make sure to water frequently during dry months.
Propagation
Cymbidiums don’t mind being crowded. Some believe they prefer it. When they outgrow their pots, they can be divided. For repotting, use an airy substrate. I made my own using soil, orchid bark, perlite, and sphagnum moss. About 50% of the mix should be bark; you can also add charcoal.
Alocasia
Hilo Beauty
The name doesn’t lie, this is a beauty. This plant has a beautiful green with contrasting cream color spots. Although it is known as a Alocasia, the Hilo Beauty is actually a Caladium. The actual name for this baby is Caladium Pretermissum means neglected or forgotten. Yes, this gorgeous plant is the forgotten sibling in the caladium world. They can get to be about 36" tall. They do well in multiple grow zones (3-10)
The Forgotten Caladium
Light requirements
The Hilo Beauty likes bright, filtered lights. When a bright window is not available, you can supplement with grow lights.
Water requirements
Like other Alocasia’s, Hilo Beauty enjoy high humidity. Be careful not to overwater. They have a little bit of “goldie lock syndrome” as they like moist but not wet conditions .
Propagation
Alocasia are bulb plants. You can separate when her home becomes a little crowded.
Sarracenia
Commonly known as The American Pitcher Plant, this is a carnivorous plant. This exotic looking plant grow in bogs and obtains it’s nutrients from “eating” bugs. It produces a scent that attracts the little critters whom them slip and fall into the long pitcher filled with digestive liquids. Creepy huh?
The American Pitcher Plant
Light requirements
Sarracenias like full sun
Water requirements
These plants commonly grow in bogs. Bogs are wetlands full of dead plants and organic debris. They do great when used in bog filters for ponds and water features. They do like to have their feet wet. I keep them in pots and put the pots in a container with 1 or 2 inches of water.
Propagation
Sarracenias can be propagated by division
and grown from seeds.
SEEDS
Once the blooms dry out, you can collect seeds for propagation. Keep in mind that in the wild, these babies experience cold stratification. One way this can be achieved, is by putting the seeds in the fridge.
Notes
Hopefully you can find them locally. I had the opportunity to go to a grower once and it was great. If not, you can order them online.
Sarracenia Northwest is a grower based in Oregon. They are extremely knowledgeable and their site is full of information. They have a page detailing how to care for and propagate from seeds.
I’ve order from them before and I am so happy with their packaging and the plant of course.