Why nurturing these popular houseplants provide added benefits to gardeners
“Pets are the new kids and plants are the new pets,” according to a new survey. Most houseplant enthusiasts agree with this statement, along with noting that houseplants have contributed to their mental health during the pandemic. (The survey, sent to me by a marketing firm, was conducted by CraftJack, a provider of leads to contractors.)
The implications of this caring mindset are profound. I believe it reflects a need for nurturing that can be fulfilled through attending to the needs of plants. That is, in nurturing them, we are nurtured in return. And the steadily increasing number of dog and cat owners reflects a similar trend. Perhaps this is the silver lining to the pandemic: As more of us take plants and animals into our homes, the nurturing skills we acquire and the uplifting feelings that ensue are bound to demand further expression until we cannot rest until the people around us are appropriately cared for as well.
Based on the above survey, the most popular indoor plants are succulents, and Aloe vera is the most widely grown among them. The origin of the word “Aloe” is found in both the Hebrew and Arabic languages. “Ohalim” in Hebrew means “tents” and thus a connection to aloes is found, since aloe seeds are tent-shaped. Aloe vera is thought to be native to the Arabian peninsula, North Africa, and the Canary Islands, although nearly every other Aloe species is indigenous to South Africa.
There are more kinds of aloes than any one of us is likely to see in several lifetimes. They range from small-leafed ground covers and vines to inspiring trees with every size of shrub in between. Close to 200 aloe species are grown by San Marcos Growers in Santa Barbara. To see images of them, go to smgrowers.com. Retail nurseries that carry San Marcos Growers stock are listed on the website.
Aloe vera is distinguished from other aloe species by its success as a houseplant. Other aloes are much more difficult to culture indoors. However, in order to see Aloe vera produce spires of yellow flowers, you will need to plant it outside. Although it can accept full sun, I have seen it grow more lush in half-day sun when planted in sizzling summer locales such as Woodland Hills, for example, which is the hottest part of the San Fernando Valley.
From ancient times until today, aloes have been extolled for their therapeutic value, especially as the gelatinous substance that fills their leaves is used in treating burns and other skin conditions, but it may also be eaten raw or mixed into smoothies. Aloe gel has antioxidant and antibacterial properties and improves overall digestive and oral health. The market value of Aloe vera gel and its derivatives, used primarily in body care products such as lotions and shampoos, eclipses a billion dollars a year.
There are resources online that show how to harvest aloe gel for immediate use or for storage, but, as always, it’s a good idea to do your homework or consult an expert with your questions before attempting.
Incidentally, the name Aloe vera, meaning true aloe, was not given until explorers brought back agave plants from Mexico and the American Southwest to Europe. Because of agaves’ resemblance to aloes, the name Aloe vera came about, distinguishing it as ‘truly an aloe,’ and not to be taken for an agave. The botanical name Aloe barbadensis is used interchangeably with Aloe vera, referencing its lush growth on the island of Barbados, the place where it was first grown commercially, even though it arrived there as an import from half a world away.
According to the houseplant survey mentioned above, Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa) is the trendiest houseplant as measured by the frequency of its appearance on social media. Sea green leaves are perforated and deep cuts are everywhere. Monstera (mon-STER-a) grows as a sturdy vine in its tropical Central American habitat, climbing to the top of 70-foot tall trees. You can encourage your Monstera to vine up vertically by placing a sphagnum moss pole in its container. Poles are available in nurseries and through Internet vendors in 18-inch and 36-inch lengths.
Monstera inflorescences will remind you of those on the peace lily (Spathiphyllum), to which it is closely related; a milky white curvaceous spathe encloses a white columnar spadix. The spadix is studded with scores of unremarkable flowers but each of these develops into a small but tasty fruit, whose tropical flavor is a blend of pineapple, banana, and coconut. Monsteras do not flower or fruit indoors but may do so outdoors in protected locations in southern Orange or San Diego County. Still, you will have to pollinate by hand. After the spadix opens, shake pollen onto a cloth, pick it up with a small artist’s paintbrush, and dab it on the female organs or stigmas.
Vegetative or clonal propagation of your Monstera is easily accomplished due to its production of aerial roots along its stems as it grows. Simply detach the terminal piece of a stem, down to an aerial root or two, and place in a container, covering the roots and a minimum portion of the stem with potting soil. Potting soil should cover the minimum amount of stem necessary for the stem cutting to stand on its own since if you bury too much of the stem it could rot.
The second trendiest plant is fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata). It would appear that drama is a motivating factor in houseplant selection since fiddleleaf fig, like Monstera (named for monstrous leaves that can grow three feet long and nearly as wide, with harrowing holes and gashes), has foliage that is likely to elicit its fair share of oohs and aahs. Yes, the leaves do look like fiddles, which can grow as large as 18 inches in length while the plant itself will grow up to your ceiling and then some. If you appreciate the presence of this species but not its size, you can opt for ‘Bambino,’ a fiddleleaf cultivar that grows only two feet tall. Its leaves expand to just eight inches but they are a bit more rounded than regular fiddleleaf foliage.
Michael Kappel, a master gardener friend of mine, succeeded in propagating his fiddleleaf fig hydroponically. First, he filled a vase with glass marbles and water. Next, he cut back the terminal portion of a stem with five leaves attached and anchored the stem below the leaves in the marbles. Eventually, a mass of roots started to grow from the stem base and new leaves sprouted at the apex of the stem.
Tip of the Week: According to the survey cited above, what is familiarly known as lucky bamboo is a highly popular houseplant. It’s hard to miss with its twisting stems and lanceolate leaves. Lucky bamboo is regularly recommended by interior designers who adhere to the principles of feng shui. The stems and leaves of this plant definitely resemble bamboo, but it is only a resemblance. Lucky bamboo’s scientific name is Dracaena sanderiana and it actually belongs to the asparagus family. The twisting formations that you see are the result of covering the plants as they grow so that their stem tips stretch for the light. Lucky bamboo is easy to propagate. You can take sections as small as a few inches in size and place them in a cup of water. Make sure each stem piece to be propagated has at least one node, which is the junction where leaf meets stem. Roots should start to grow within a few weeks. Lucky bamboo should not be placed in direct light or a dark corner. Indirect light suits it perfectly. If leaves should start to turn yellow or burn at the tips, this is a sign that it is getting too much light. Give it a few drops of liquid plant food every month or two.The water where lucky bamboo is growing should be changed every two weeks. You can, of course, pot your plants in soil at any time. Another way to propagate this plant is to cut a stem and place it on its side on top of ordinary potting soil. Roots will form at each node along the stem, to be followed by leaves.
Please send questions, comments, and photos to joshua@perfectplants.com