Guide
to indoor plants
and herbsv

1

Introduction
page 3Full sunSemi-shade

Plant profiles
from page 8

Plant profiles
from page 14

Shady but bright,
no direct sunlight

Shady and dark,
no direct sunlight

Herbs
kitchen, terrace and balcony

Plant profiles
from page 27

Plant profiles
from page 33

Plant profiles
from page 39

Care and propagate
from page 46

2

Lots of light,
no direct sunlight
Plant profiles
from page 20

In order to oﬀer more than just a selection of high-quality,
decorative plant pots, we have also thought about what might
be planted in them. In this brochure, you will ﬁnd tips on whichplants are most suited for use in the Terracotta Pots and the best
conditions for them.
We have separated the plants into six groups based on locationand position requirements and included pictures of them in the
new Vitra Terracotta Pots. Based on the position requirements,
we then present a few plants that can be combined together.

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These plant proﬁles provide information on the plants’ origin, how large they grow and how long they live, where theyshould be placed and what location requirements they have,the temperatures and growing media required for them tothrive, how often they need to be fertilised and watered andeven how to propagate them.
Attached to this document is information and tips on room climate and how to water, feed and repot plants. The ﬁnal partcontains advice on growing and propagating houseplants.

Cephalocereus senilis

Cycas Revoluta

Opuntia ficus indica

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Clay pots: Yes or no?

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Asplenium nidus

Sukkulenten

The classic tapered pot in traditional terracotta is a timeless favourite. On the other hand, this porous material does not suit every
type of plant as it absorbs a lot of water from the soil and thus fromthe plant itself. This problem is avoided with the Terracotta Pots
thanks to a glazed finish on the inside, allowing the plant to benefit
from the full volume of water. The glaze also prevents the formationof white lime deposits typically seen on clay pots.

Full sun, semi-shade, lots of light, bright or shady – what do all these recommendations mean? Our aim is to shed some light on the diﬀerent deﬁnitions
when deciding where to put your plant.
Full-sunsouth-facing windows

Semi-shademorning or evening sun

Lots of light,
no direct sunlightRooms with a lot of sunlight include those with south-facing windows. Cacti and succulents in particular will feelat home here.

East- or west-facing windows are the perfect locations
for many plants suited to partial shade.

Rooms lit indirectly through skylights or large glass fronts
that do not face directly into the sun are perfect for thefiddle-leaf fig, elephant’s ear, or ferns and palms.

Yucca palms also thrive in sunny positions, and strelitzias
too adore direct sun.
Pay attention to whether your plant enjoys direct sun
all day or only for a few hours at a time, and position it
accordingly.

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Rubber trees, many Philodendron species, begonias andthe candelabra tree cactus do really well in this type ofenvironment.
Be careful of windows with radiators in front of them andcheck whether your plant likes the stream of warm air –if it does, it can be placed in an elevated position andsome distance from the heat source, or set directly on thefloor.

Uniform ambient light also helps plants to grow evenly inall directions.
Many of these plants like high levels of humidity, so a
conservatory or bathroom with natural light is anothergood option.

Shady but bright,
no direct sunlight

Shady and dark,
no direct sunlight

Conservatories and bathrooms,
rooms with high humidity levels

This description covers most rooms that do not have large
windows. The light often comes from one side and theplants will tend to grow in that direction.

There are a few plants that thrive in darker locations.
Zamioculcas, peace lilies and bow hemp are the mostwell-known.

Many plants like higher humidity levels than are usuallyfound in our homes. For such plants, conservatories andbathrooms are a good location, provided that the light
conditions are also suitable.

You can help to compensate for this by rotating yourplant and checking to see how it copes.

Dark green devil’s ivy, a few Calathea plants, the climbing Philodendron verrucosum or the Aglaonema arealso suitable for such spots.

In the winter months, the amount of ambient light will
be greatly reduced, and some plants will react to thischange by dropping their leaves. This is where plant
lamps can be really useful.

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However, the less light there is, the more slowly theplants will grow due to a reduction in photosynthesis.

If no bathroom or conservatory is available, humidifiers
can be used to raise the humidity levels in the air – more
about this in the appendix.

Full-sunsouth-facing windows

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Strelitzia

Cycas Revoluta

Crassulaceae

Bird of paradise
Strelitzie

Japanese sago palm
Palmfarn

Succulents
Dickblattgewächse

Origin: South Africa

Origin: Japan, South-East Asia

Size: 80 cm–2 m in height, depending on variety,can take 3–5 years until ﬁrst ﬂowering

Size: 2–3 m in height, 1–2 m spread, grows quite
slowly and produces a new leaf rosette every 1–2
years

Origin: Deserts, mountains, coasts, jungles, Southand Central America, Africa, Sri Lanka

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, lots oflight and warmth, can be kept outside from May to
September
Temperature: 18–24°C in summer, 8–12°C in winterGrowing medium: Potting soil
Water requirements: Water around once a week,
always keep soil moist, should never be allowed to
fully dry out but leave the top layer of soil to dry
slightly between waterings
Feed: Feed with a general purpose fertiliser once amonth from March to October
Propagation: Can be propagated by division andfrom shoot cuttings, and also from seed but this isdiﬃcult and takes a long timeLifespan: Perennial, may reach over 200 years old
Position requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, requires approx. 3–5 hours of sunlight per day. Verysensitive to strong midday sun. Provide light fromall sides if possible, warm and bright, no draft
Temperature: Can also be kept outside if temperatures are above 20°C; around 15°C in winter, notbelow 10°C
Growing medium: Potting or cactus soil
Water requirements: Water evenly throughout
the year, leaving the top layer of soil to dry out
between waterings; in winter, soil can be left dryfor 2 weeks at a time
Feed: Feed with a weak organic liquid fertiliser
every two weeks from April to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from seed but
this is very diﬃcult and only recommended forexperts

Size: Can be up to 12 cm tall depending on species
Lifespan: Varies greatly, mostly around 4 years,
rarely more than 10
Position requirements: Full sun, lots of light, southfacing window
Temperature: Can stand temperatures over 35°C,
likes cooler temperatures in winter and at night(5–10°C); some are even frost-hardy
Growing medium: Cactus soil mix
Water requirements: : Around every 1–2 weeks fromspring to autumn, water regularly but sparingly
when substrate is dry. In winter, water occasionallyand sparingly
Feed: Feed with weak cactus fertiliser every 3–4
weeks from April to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from seeds,
shoots and leaf cuttings

Notes: Considered to be very challenging; one ofthe oldest plants in the world
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Yucca elephantipes

Echinocactus grusonii

Opuntia ﬁcus indica

Spineless yucca
Yucca

Golden Barrel Cactus
Goldkugelkaktus

Indian ﬁg opuntia
Feigenkaktus

Origin: Central America, Gulf Coast

Origin: Mexico, grows on coastal hillsides

Size: 2–3 m in height, grows around 30 cm per year

Size: 20–130 cm in height, 20–80 cm spread; may
take 30 years to reach full size

Origin: America, diﬀerent types from Argentina to
Canada, dry subtropics

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun, can be outside from
May to October
Temperature: Warm in summer, around 10°C in
winter, tolerates temperatures down to -8°C
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Around once per week fromspring to autumn, once per month is suﬃcient incooler periods; only water when top layer of soil isdry. Water infrequently but thoroughly
Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant liquid fertiliser
every 2 weeks from May to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from stem
cuttings
Notes: Many palms can be bought second hand as
they live for a very long timeSize: 3–5 m in height, 1.5–2 m spread, quick growing

Lifespan: Perennial, may reach over 100 years old

Lifespan: Perennial, can reach over 80 years old

Position requirements: Full sun, bright, warm, can be
kept outside in summer

Position requirements: Full sun, warm, air humidity
max. 60%, can also be kept outside in the sunshine
in summer; bright and dry in winterTemperature: Between 20°C and 30°C in summer,
will tolerate 6°C to 10°C in winterGrowing medium: Cactus soil mix
Water requirements: Softened water, water it thoroughly at regular but relatively long intervals when
the soil is completely dry. Water very sparingly in
winterTemperature: 18–25°C in summer, 6–8°C in winter,not hardy
Growing medium: Cactus soil mix
Water requirements: Lime-free water, around every
14 days in summer, once a month in winter; only
water when substrate surface is dry

Feed: Feed with liquid cactus fertiliser every 2–3
weeks from March to September

Feed: Feed with liquid cactus fertiliser every 4 weeks
from May to September

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed or leaf
cuttings

Notes: Threatened with extinction. If left at cooler
temperatures over the winter (6–10°C), it grows
in a more rounded shape. If kept in normal heat,it grows in more of a column shape. Cacti can bepurchased from specialist cactus growers

Notes: Cacti can be purchased from specialist
cactus growers

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Crassula Ovata

Aloe Vera

Pachycereus pringlei «cardon»

Jade Plant

Aloe vera

Mexican giant cardon

Origin: South Africa, rocky/dry regions

Origin: Warm, dry regions, Arabian Peninsula

Origin: Mexico

Growing medium: Cactus soil mix

Size: 50–100 cm in height, grows 5–20 cm per year

Size: 40–90 cm in height and spread, reaches fullsize after 5–10 years

Size: 1–4 m in height, can reach up to 18 m tall in
the wild

Lifespan: Perennial, can live for 25 years or more

Lifespan: Perennial

Water requirements: Water around once a week,
does not require much water, tolerates drought,
allow soil to fully dry out between waterings

Position requirements: : Full sun to semi-shade,warm, south-facing window, can be kept outside insummerPosition requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, lots oflight and warmth, can be kept outside in summer,
avoid high air humidity

Temperature: 20–30°C in summer, around 10°C in
winterTemperature: 20–25°C, tolerates temperatures
down to 5°C

Temperature: 20–35°C all year round, not below
10°C

Growing medium: Cactus soil mix

Growing medium: Cactus soil mix

Water requirements: Water abundantly on warmdays, once or twice per week; water more infrequently during cool periods. In winter, the soil canbe left to dry out over several days; only water
when substrate is dry

Water requirements: Water sparingly, checkingaround once a week, and allow soil to dry out
between waterings

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun or semi-shade, does
not like air from heating systems; in summer by awindow or on a balcony/patio, in winter cool but
bright, if possible

Feed: Feed with succulent/cactus fertiliser once amonth from April to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from shoot orleaf cuttings

Feed: Feed with cactus fertiliser once a month from
April to October
Propagation: Can be propagated from seed orshoot cuttings or by division

Feed: Feed with succulent/cactus fertiliser every
6–8 weeks from May to August
Propagation: Can be propagated from shoots,
seeds or leaf cuttings

Notes: Many trees can be bought second hand as
they live for a very long time

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Kalanchoe beharensis

Euphorbia tirucalli

Elephant‘s Ear Kalanchoe

Pencil cactus

Origin: Madagascar, dry
Size: Can reach up to 3 m in height; 50–100 cm ina potLifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, atleast 2 hours direct sunlight daily, can be placedoutside in summer but must be acclimatised to these
conditions beforehand

Origin: Madagascar, South and East Africa, dry
areas, savannahs

Feed: Feed with cactus fertiliser every 2–4 weeks
from April to September

Size: 40–80 cm in height, 30–50 cm spread, grows
up to 50 cm per year

Propagation: Can be propagated from shootcuttings

Water requirements: Stores water, only water it
when soil has almost dried out. Water thoroughly
but infrequently from spring to autumn, and sparingly in small amounts in winterLifespan: Perennial

Notes: Has been widely imported for a long time

Feed: Feed with cactus fertiliser every 8 weeks from
April to September

Temperature: 18–25°C in summer (warmer is possible), not below 12°C in winterPropagation: Can be propagated from tip cuttings
or oﬀsets

Growing medium: Cactus soil mix

Temperature: Room temperature or above (up toaround 30°C) all year round, can be kept cooler inwinter at around 15°C
Growing medium: Cactus soil mix

Water requirements: In summer, approx. every 7
days; in winter, approx. every 14 days, does notneed much water but keep lightly moist; water
when the top layer of soil is slightly dry

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Position requirements: Full sun, warm, south-facing
window

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Corokia cotoneaster
Wire Netting Bush
Origin: Forests of New ZealandSize: 1–2 m in height and spread, reaches full size
after 5–10 years
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, good
ventilation, can be kept outside in summer, butshould be brought inside in winterTemperature: Around 15°C in summer, 5–10°C in
winterGrowing medium: Potting soil
Water requirements: Water every 14 days or so,
keep moderately moist but not too wet; water when
the soil surface has dried out. Survives with lesswater in winterFeed: Feed with a general purpose fertiliser every
2 weeks from April to September; do not feed whenin ﬂower
Propagation: Can be propagated from seed orshoot cuttings

Corokia cotoneaster

Notes: Has not long been available in Europe

13Semi-shademorning or evening sun

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Philodendron Xanadu

Asparagus densiﬂorus «sprengeri»

Euphorbia trigona

WinterbournAsparagus fern

African milk tree

Origin: Rainforests of Central and South America,
Caribbean islands

Origin: South-East Africa and Asia, humid andwarm forests

Size: 80–130 cm in height, 50–100 cm spread, quick
growing, up to 10 cm per week during growing
periodSize: 30 cm–1 m in height, 40–60 cm spread, quick
growing

Lifespan: On average, 20 years
Position requirements: Semi-shade, east- or west-facing window, no midday sun, high air humidity, canbe kept outside in the shade in summer
Temperature: Room temperature all year round(20°C) not below 18°C, not hardy

Lifespan: Perennial, over 10 years
Position requirements: Bright to semi-shaded, canbe kept outside in a sheltered spot in summer

Water requirements: Does not tolerate drought,
keep evenly moist, water when top layer of soil isslightly dry; if indoor air is dry, spray leaves withwater from time to time

Origin: Africa, Namibia (hot and dry)Feed: Feed with liquid fertiliser for herbaceous
plants once a week from April to September andonce a month from October to March

Lifespan: Perennial

Propagation: Can be propagated by divisionTemperature: Optimal 20–25°C, not below 10°C in
winter, not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant or potting soil

Size: 1–2 m in height, 30–60 cm spread, quick growing, can reach 1.5 m in 5–6 years

Position requirements: Lots of light, tolerates semishade, east- or west-facing window, no midday sun
Temperature: 18–25°C in summer, can be kept
outside during summer; dormant from October to
February, still in bright natural light, but with temperatures no lower than 12–15°C, not hardy
Growing medium: Cactus soil mix

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Water requirements: At regular but relatively longintervals, allow soil to completely dry out between
waterings; water sparingly in winter

Water requirements: Water approx. once a week
when the top layer of soil is slightly dry, keep substrate lightly moist

Feed: Feed with cactus fertiliser every 10 weeks
from April to September

Feed: Feed with liquid fertiliser every 14 days from
April to August, and once every 2 months from
September to March

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Propagation: Can be propagated from shootcuttings and seed

Propagation: Can be propagated from shootcuttings

Notes: Air purifying eﬀects (formaldehyde, benzene), dust leaves from time to time

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Philodendron Red Emerald

Ficus elastica «Abidjan»

Red Emerald

Philodendron scandens«Micans»

Rubber Plant «Abidjan»

Origin: Tropical regions of Colombia

Origin: Jungle, Mexico, Caribbean

Origin: East Indies, Indonesia, topics and subtropics

Size: 1–1.8 m in height, 50 cm–1 m spread, grows as
a climbing or hanging plantSize: 1–2 m in height, 50 cm–1 m spread, grows as aclimbing or hanging plant

Lifespan: Perennial

Lifespan: Perennial

Size: : 1–2 m in height, 80 cm–1 m spread, grows
quite slowly, sometimes takes 15 years to reach fullsize, looks similar to a tree after just 3–4 years

Position requirements: Lots of light to semi-shade,no midday sun, should not be kept directly by thewindow, avoid air from heating systems, can be
kept outside in summer

Position requirements: Bright, semi-shaded, east- or
west-facing window, can also be in a fully shaded
but bright position

Temperature: 20–22°C all year round, not below
18°C in winterGrowing medium: Potting soil
Water requirements: Water regularly, keep soil
constantly moist and do not allow to dry out, butallow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings
Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every 14
days from March to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from cuttings

Temperature: Warm all year round, 20–25°C, notbelow 10°C in winterLifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Lots of light, but tolerates
semi-shade, warm, avoid drafts, can be kept on abalcony or patio in semi-shade in summer
Temperature: Room temperature, not below 18°C

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Water requirements: Water regularly when top layerof soil is dry, should never be allowed to fully dry out

Water requirements: Water moderately aroundonce a week, only when the surface substrate is dry

Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every 14
days from March to September

Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every 2
weeks from March to September

Propagation: Can be propagated from leaf cuttings

Propagation: : Can be propagated from tip cuttings
Notes: To promote branching, always cut above abud or axil when pruning; after a short time, newshoots will emerge from these growing points. Has
an air-purifying properties

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Pilea peperomioides

Alocasia Gageana

Chinese money plant

Elephant Ear

Origin: China, provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan

Origin: Tropical areas of Asia

Size: 30–40 cm in height, 40–50 cm spread, its size
can double within one year, reaches full size after
approx. 5 years

Size: 1–1.5 m in height, 50–70 cm spread, grows
relatively quickly

Lifespan: Up to around 10 years
Position requirements: Bright to semi-shaded, eastor west-facing window, no drafts; grows towards
the sun so it must be turned often
Temperature: 15–18°C, even down to 5°C in winterGrowing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Water weekly, keep substrate
lightly moist, do not get water on the leaves

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Semi-shade, warm, prefers
high air humidity, suitable for conservatories orbathrooms
Temperature: Room temperature up to 25°C all
year round; can (but does not need to) be kept
cooler in winter (not below 15°C)

Water requirements: Water regularly and thoroughly, requires high soil moisture, always keep
moist. Water a little less in winter. Water as soon
as the top layer of soil is dry, spray regularly withwater
Feed: Feed with liquid fertiliser every 2 weeks fromMarch to October
Propagation: Can be propagated by dividing therhizomeGrowing medium: Houseplant soil

Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every
2 weeks from March to September and every 4–5
weeks from October to February
Propagation: Can be propagated from cuttings
Notes: Requires support when larger, has air-purifying properties

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Chamaedorea elegans

Begonia maculata

Parlour palm

Polka dot begonia

Origin: Central America, mountain regions of Mexico Temperature: Around 20°C in summer, 12–15°C in
and Guatemala
winterSize: : 50 cm–2.5 m in height, 40 cm–1.5 m spread,
grows 20–30 cm per year
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Bright to semi-shaded, no
midday sun, can also be kept outside in the shadefrom June onwards

Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Every 3–4 days, requires lotsof water, keep evenly moist, must not be allowed
to dry out. Water approx. every 2 weeks in winter,
keep the substrate moist

Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
at half strength every 2 weeks from March to
September

Origin: Forests of Brazil

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed andshootsLifespan: Perennial

Size: 80 cm–1 m in height, 30–50 cm spread

Position requirements: Bright, semi-shaded, no
midday sun, no air from heating systems, high air
humidity is beneﬁcial but not required, no drafts
Temperature: 20°C or above, not below 15°C in
winterGrowing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Water every 3 days or so insummer, keep the roots moist, allow the soil to dry
out between waterings, water requirement is veryvariable. Adjust as required in winter. Spray leaves
occasionally
Feed: Feed with a liquid houseplant fertiliser every
2–4 weeks

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Propagation: Can be propagated from tip or stem
cuttings
Notes: Requires support to grow upwards

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Asparagus setaceus
Asparagus fern
Origin: Tropical East Africa, shaded woodland
Size: 30–60 cm in height, 30–60 cm spread, quick
growing
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, brightTemperature: 18–22°C in summer, 10–15°C in winter,not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant or potting soil
Water requirements: Does not tolerate drought,
keep evenly moist; water when top layer of soil isslightly dry; if indoor air is dry, spray leaves withwater from time to time
Feed: Feed with liquid fertiliser every 14 days from
April to September

Asparagus setaceus

Propagation: Can be propagated by division

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Lots of light,
no direct sunlight

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Hoya kerii

Alocasia Portodora

Hoya hearts

Elephant Ear «Portodora»

Origin: Tropical South-East Asia

Origin: South-East Asia, Bengal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar

Size: Climber; 50 cm–3 m in height, 50 cm–1.5 m
spread, fully grown after 2–7 years, ﬁrst ﬂowers
generally after 2–3 years

Size: 1.5–2 m in height, 50 cm–1 m spread, grows
relatively quickly

Lifespan: Perennial, up to 30 years
Position requirements: Lots of light, no direct
sunlight, prefers high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms
Temperature: 18–25°C in summer, 10–15°C in winterGrowing medium: Houseplant or cactus soil

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Lots of light, no direct sunlight, warm, prefers high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms

Water requirements: Requires lots of water, keep
constantly moist; wait until the top layer of soil isslightly dry before watering. Water less in winterFeed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
once or twice a month from March to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from seed or
rhizomes

Temperature: 20–25°C, over 15°C in winterGrowing medium: Houseplant soil

Water requirements: Softened water, check every
10–14 days, soil should be allowed to dry between
waterings
Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every
3–4 weeks from March to October
Propagation: Can be propagated from leaf cuttings or layering
Notes: Suitable for beginners

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Ficus Lyrata

Philodendron«Imperial Red»

Polyscias Fruticosa (Ming)

Fiddle leaf ﬁg
Origin: Tropical regions of West Africa
Size: 2–4 m in height, 80 cm–1 m spread grows
30–45 cm per year
Lifespan: Perennial, 1–5 years
Position requirements: Lots of light but no direct
sunlight, avoid drafts, turn or change positions every now and then, leaves should not touch walls
Temperature: Approx. 25°C in summer, not below
15°C in winter, not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Water approx. every 5 daysin summer, keeping the soil constantly moist; water
when top layer of substrate is dry. Around every 14
days in winterFeed: Feed with a liquid herbaceous plant or ﬂower
fertiliser every 2 weeks from March to October andevery 6 weeks from November to February

Origin: Tropical regions, Central and South America
Size: 1–1.8 m in height, 50 cm–1 m spread, 60–90 cm
in the ﬁrst year
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Lots of light but no direct
sunlight, east- or north-facing window, likes high
air humidity, suitable for conservatories andbathrooms
Temperature: 20–22°C in summer, not below 15°C
in winter

Size: 70 cm–2 m in height, 60–90 cm spread, grows
relatively slowly
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Bright to semi-shaded, nodirect sunlight, high air humidity is recommended
but not obligatory, suitable for conservatories andbathrooms
Temperature: 20–22°C, at least 16°C in winter,
hardy
Growing medium: Well-drained, humus-rich soil, pHof 6, for example standard soil

Water requirements: Water approx. once a week,
keep lightly moist; water when substrate is slightly
dry

Water requirements: Every 2 weeks, or weekly forlarger plants, even soil moisture; water when top
layer of soil is slightly dry

Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every 2
weeks from April to September

Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
every 2 weeks from March to September and oncea month from October to February

Propagation: Can be propagated from leaf
cuttings

Notes: Dust leaves weekly

Notes: Requires support as size increases

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Origin: Paciﬁc region, tropical Asia

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed or tip
cuttings

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Ming Aralia

Propagation: Can be propagated from leaf andshoot cuttings or seed
Notes: Use air humidiﬁer or spray regularly withsoftened water

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Phlebodium Aureum Bluestar

Platycerium bifurcatum

Nephrolepis exaltata

Blue star Fern

Staghorn fern

Boston fern

Origin: Tropical regions of South America, Africa,
South-East Asia and Australia

Origin: Tropical forests, mostly in Central Americaand Africa, often as an epiphyte in swampy areas

Size: 50 cm–1 m in height, 50 cm–1 m spread, slow
growing

Size: 60 cm–1 m in height, 60 cm–1 m spread, grows
20–25 cm per year

Lifespan: Perennial

Lifespan: Perennial

Position requirements: Bright, no direct sunlight,
prefers high air humidity, suitable for conservatories and bathrooms

Position requirements: Lots of light but no direct
sunlight, warm, likes high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms, avoid drafts and air
from heating systems

Origin: Tropical and subtropical regions of North,Central and South America
Size: 50 cm–1 m in height, 30–50 cm spread, reaches full size after approx. 5 years

Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Water approx. once a week,
substrate should always be slightly moist

Lifespan: Perennial

Feed: Feed with ﬂower fertiliser every 2 weeks fromMarch to October and once or twice between
November and February

Position requirements: Lots of light but no direct
sunlight, high air humidity is recommended but
not obligatory, suitable for conservatories andbathrooms

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed or by
splitting the root crowns

Temperature: 20°C or above, not below 16°C in
winterTemperature: Approx. 20°C, a little cooler in winterby not below 12°C, not hardy

Growing medium: Orchid potting mix
Water requirements: Water approx. once a week,
until soil is soggy, water again when substrate has
almost dried out, root ball must not be allowed to
fully dry out, air humidity of at least 50%. Water lessin winter

Temperature: Approx. 20°C all year round, notbelow 18°C, not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Approx. every 2–3 days, sprayleaves occasionally, requires relatively high air
humidity

Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every
3–4 weeks from April to August

Feed: Feed with liquid ﬂower fertiliser weekly fromMarch to October and no more than every 4 weeks
from November to February

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed orshoot cuttings

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed orshoots or by division

Notes: Challenging in terms of positioning andwatering, will not tolerate dark areas in rooms

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Dypsis lutescens

Anthurium crassinervium «Jungle Bush»Areca Palm
Origin: Tropical Madagascar
Size: 2–3 m in height, 1–1.5 m spread, grows 15–25
cm per year

Origin: Tropical South America, Venezuela, Colombia

Feed: Feed with liquid foliar fertiliser every 6 weeks
throughout the year

Size: 80 cm–1 m in height, 60–80 cm spread

Propagation: Can be propagated by division, fromstem cuttings or seed

Lifespan: Perennial, around 10 years on averageLifespan: Perennial

Position requirements: Lots of light, no direct
sunlight, no drafts, high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms

Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, prefers high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms

Temperature: Around 20°C all year round, youngplants not below 18°C, can tolerate 15°C whenmore mature, no ﬂuctuating temperatures

Temperature: 18–24°C in summer, not below 12°C in
winter, not hardy

Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Keep moist at all times, needs
a constant water supply; less water needed at cooler temperatures, water as soon as top layer of soil
is dry, prefers to be watered little and often

Notes: Showering brieﬂy with lukewarm water
removes dust and revives your plant; soil should not
be dry when fertiliser is applied

Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Water once or twice a week,
keep watered and do not allow to dry out

Feed: Feed with liquid ﬂower fertiliser weekly fromMarch to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from seed orshoot cuttings
Notes: Air-purifying properties

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Hydnophytum formicarum
Ant plant
Origin: Philippines, Malaysia, Sumatra
Size: Tuber reaches around 25 cm in height, full plant
50–60 cm in height, grows quite slowly
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Lots of light, no direct sunlight,
warm, high air humidity, suitable for conservatories
and bathrooms
Temperature: Room temperature, 15–20°C in winterGrowing medium: Orchid potting mix
Water requirements: Keep soil constantly moist; water
as soon as top layer of soil is dry. Spray regularly
Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser every
14 days from April to September

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26

Hydnophytum formicarum

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed

Shady but bright,
no direct sunlight

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5

Oxalis Triangularis

Alocasia zebrina

False shamrock

Zebra plant

Origin: Tropical South America, Brazil, Paraguay,
Argentina

Origin: Tropical and subtropical forests of SouthEast Asia, Philippines

Size: 15–20 cm in height, 20–30 cm spread

Size: 1–1.5 m in height, 50–70 cm spread, quick
growing

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, north- or east-facing window sill, can be
kept outside in summer in a sheltered spot
Temperature: Room temperature – not above 21°C
and not below 11°C
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Requires suﬃcient moisture,
allow top layer of soil to dry before watering

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, loves high air humidity, suitable for conservatories and bathrooms
Temperature: 20–25°C, can tolerate temperatures
under 18°C for short periods
Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Feed: Feed with ﬂowering plant fertiliser every 2–3
weeks from April to September

Water requirements: Lots of softened water, keep
substrate permanently moist, do not allow theroots to fully dry out but let the top layer of soil dry
between waterings

Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom rhizomes

Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
once or twice a month from March to October
Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom rhizomes or seeds
5

Notes: Place under shower brieﬂy from time to time

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2

Monstera Deliciosa

Rhaphidophora tetrasperma Asparagus setaceus

Swiss cheese plant

Monstera Minima

Asparagus fern

Origin: Tropical forests of Central and South America Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Origin: Thailand, Malaysia

Origin: Tropical East Africa, shaded woodland

Size: 50 cm–3 m in height and spread, grows 30–60
cm per year, spreads quickly in all directions

Size: 30–60 cm in height, 30–60 cm spread, quick
Size: 50 cm–2 m in height, grows as a climbing or
hanging plant, requires support to climb, grows up to growing
60 cm per year
Lifespan: Perennial
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, brightPosition requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, min. air humidity 50%, suitable for conserva- Temperature: 18–22°C in summer, 10–15°C in winter,not hardy
tories and bathrooms

Lifespan: Perennial, up to 40+ years
Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, warm, also tolerates shady places, but theleaves do not develop well in these environments,
suitable for conservatories or bathrooms
Temperature: Approx. 21°C in spring and summer,
16–18°C in winter, not hardy

Water requirements: Keep slightly moist, it is betterfor it to be too dry than too wet; water as soon as
the top layer of soil is dry
Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser at
half strength every 2 weeks from April to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from tip andstem cuttings or shoots
Notes: Requires support as size increases; wipe
leaves on both sides with a damp cloth from time
to timeTemperature: 16–24°C all year round, not below
15°C, not above 27°C
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Around once a week, keep
constantly moist; water regularly when top layer ofsoil is slightly dry
Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
every 2 weeks from March to October

4

Growing medium: Houseplant or potting soil
Water requirements: Does not tolerate drought,
keep evenly moist; water when top layer of soil isslightly dry; if indoor air is dry, spray leaves withwater from time to time
Feed: Feed with liquid fertiliser every 14 days from
April to September
Propagation: Can be propagated by division

Propagation: Can be propagated from shoot cuttings
Notes: Requires support to climb; place under
shower brieﬂy from time to time

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11

Pachira aquatica

Pilea peperomioides

Rhapis excelsa

Chinese money plant

Money Tree

Lady palm

Origin: Central America, Mexico, Peru, Brazil

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Origin: China, provinces of Yunnan and Sichuan

Origin: Subtropical forests, China, Indonesia

Size: 1–2 m in height, 50 cm–1 m spread, grows
20–30 cm per year

Water requirements: Water regularly, but allow
the soil to completely dry out each time, does not
require much as it stores water in its stem. Water
infrequently/hardly at all in winterSize: 30–40 cm in height, 40–50 cm spread, its size
can double within one year, reaches full size after
approx. 5 years

Size: 1.5–2 m in height, grows 20–30 cm per year
under optimal conditions

Lifespan: Perennial, may reach up to 15 years old
Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, relatively high air humidity, suitable forconservatories or bathrooms, can be kept outside insummer in a position sheltered from wind and rain
Temperature: 18–22°C in summer, a little cooler inwinter but not below 12°C

Feed: Feed with general purpose fertiliser every 2
weeks from May to August
Propagation: Can be propagated from seeds andtip cuttings
Notes: Spray occasionally to ensure the required
air humidity. Reaches up to 20 m in height in thewild; is related to the baobab

Lifespan: Up to around 10 years
Position requirements: Bright to semi-shaded, eastor west-facing window, no drafts; grows towards
the sun so it must be turned often

Lifespan: Perennial, around 50 years
Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, tolerates shade well, and can be placedoutside in summer in a semi-shaded position

Temperature: 15–18°C, even down to 5°C in winterTemperature: 15–20°C; in winter 5–10°C is suﬃcient
but it can also be kept at room temperature

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Water requirements: Water weekly, keep substrate
lightly moist, do not get water on the leaves

Water requirements: Water every 6–8 days or sofor plants in brighter locations and less for plants inshade, maintain even soil moisture, should not beallowed to dry out

Feed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every
2 weeks from March to September and every 4–5
weeks from October to February
Propagation: Can be propagated from cuttings
Notes: Requires support when larger, has air-purifying properties

Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
every 2 weeks from May to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from seed or
rhizomes
Notes: Air purifying properties, spray regularly andplace under shower brieﬂy once or twice a year

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12

Chlorophytum comosum

Polyscias scutellaria «fabian»Spider plant

Shield aralia

Origin: South Africa, tropical regions
Size: 30–60 cm in height, 30–60 cm spread, grows
relatively quickly, reaches maximum size in a few
years
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight
Temperature: Approx. 20°C in summer, can also be
kept outside; not below 10°C in winter, not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Water requirements: Water regularly from spring
to autumn and keep soil moist; water when soil isslightly dry. Water less in winterFeed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
weekly from March to August
Propagation: Can be propagated from shoots orby division
Notes: Good plant for beginners, easy to maintain;
air-purifying properties. Leaves grow downwards.
If they come into contact with a table or the ground,the tips may turn brown.

Origin: Tropical rainforests of Asia

Temperature: Approx. 20°C all year round, notbelow 16°C

Size: 1–1.5 m in height, 40–60 cm spread, grows
approx. 8 cm per year

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Shady but bright with nodirect sunlight or in semi-shade, likes high air humidity, suitable for conservatories and bathrooms

31

Feed: Feed with liquid general purpose fertiliser
every 2 weeks from April to September
Propagation: Can be propagated from tip cuttings
Notes: Spray occasionally

12

6

Water requirements: Water with softened water
once or twice a week, keep moderately moist at all
times; water as soon as soil begins to dry

8Anthurium crassinervium«Jungle Bush»
Origin: Tropical South America, Venezuela, Colombia
Size: 80 cm–1 m in height, 60–80 cm spread
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Shady but bright, no direct
sunlight, prefers high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms
Temperature: 18–24°C in summer, not below 12°C in
winter, not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Water once or twice a week,
keep watered and do not allow to dry out
Feed: Feed with liquid foliar fertiliser every 6 weeks
throughout the year
Propagation: Can be propagated by division, fromstem cuttings or seed

Anthurium crassinervium«Jungle Bush»

Notes: Showering brieﬂy with lukewarm water
removes dust and revives your plant; soil should not
be dry when fertiliser is applied

832

Shady and dark,
no direct sunlight

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Philodendron verrucosum
incensi

Sansevieria «fernwood»

Sansevieria

Snake Plant «fernwood»

Snake plant

Origin: West Africa, Nigeria, Congo

Origin: Tropical Africa, warm and dry climate

Size: 1–2 m in height, up to 1 m spread

Size: 25 cm–1.5 m in height, slow growing, takes
years to reach full height

Size: 60 cm–1.5 m in height, grows 10–30 cm per
year

Lifespan: Perennial

Lifespan: Perennial

Lifespan: Perennial, can live for more than 25 years

Position requirements: Tolerates dark and shadypositions without direct sunlight, but pattern fades
in these conditions; loves bright, semi-shade, warm,
no drafts, prefers high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms

Position requirements: Tolerates shady and dark
spots without direct sunlight, warm, not demanding
but prefers semi-shaded or bright positions

Position requirements: Tolerates dark and shadyspots without direct sunlight, with dark leaves, must
be kept warm

Temperature: Approx. 22°C, does not like ﬂuctuating temperatures, not below 15°C in winterTemperature: 20–24°C in summer, not below 15°C
in winter

Growing medium: Cactus soil mix

Growing medium: Cactus or houseplant soil

Water requirements: Keep evenly moist, water
regularly and thoroughly when top layer of soil isslightly dry. Never allow to fully dry out. Adjust as
required in winter

Water requirements: Water sparingly every 2
weeks from April to August depending on temperature and location, allow soil to dry out between
waterings; in winter, water approx. every 4–6
weeks, less water is better than too much

Water requirements: Water sparingly every 2
weeks from April to August depending on temperature and location, allow soil to dry out between
waterings; in winter, water approx. every 4–6
weeks, less water is better than too much

Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
monthly from April to October

Feed: Feed with half-strength cactus fertiliser monthly from April to August

Feed: Feed with cactus fertiliser monthly from April
to AugustPropagation: Can be propagated from tip cuttings

Propagation: Can be propagated from leaf cuttings, rhizomes or shoots

Propagation: Can be propagated from leaf cuttings, rhizomes or shoots

Notes: Good plant for beginners

Notes: Good plants for beginners, types with lightleaves need more light

Origin: Rainforests, Central and South America,
grows on large trees

Temperature: 15–21°C all year round
Growing medium: Houseplant soil

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Calathea orbifolia
Orbifolia prayer plant
Origin: Tropical forests of Brazil, tropical SouthAmerica
Size: 50 cm–1 m in height, 30–40 cm spread, moderate growthLifespan: Perennial

8

Position requirements: Dark and shady, no direct
sunlight, prefers high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms
Temperature: 20–26°C from March to September,not below 16°C during the dormancy period until
the end of January, not hardy
Growing medium: Rhododendron soil

8

Aglaonema

Chinese evergreens
Origin: Tropical and subtropical regions of Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka
Size: 50 cm–1.2 m in height, 50 cm–1.5 m spread,very variable depending on variety, fully grownafter approx. 5 years
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Tolerates dark and shadyspots without direct sunlight, lots of warmth, high
air humidity, suitable for conservatories and bathrooms, requires suﬃcient space
Temperature: 20–25°C in summer, not below 18°C
in winter
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
35

Water requirements: Room-temperature, softenedwater, always keep soil evenly moist but never wet;water when the top layer of soil is dry. Water lessin winter
Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
every 14 days from April to September
Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom shoots
Notes: Position should not be changed too often,spray regularly except in winter, air humidiﬁer
recommended

5

Water requirements: Water approx. twice a week insummer, always keep soil moist, let top layer of soildry. Water every 7–14 days in winterFeed: Feed with a lime-free fertiliser every 2 weeks
from March to October and monthly from November to February
Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom shoot cuttings or rhizomes
Notes: Air humidiﬁer is recommended, challenging
in terms of positioning and watering

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7

Calathea lancifolia

Spathiphyllum Vivaldi

Epipremnum pinnatum

Rattlesnake plant

Peace Lily

Centipede tongavine

Origin: Tropical forests of Central and South America, Colombia and Venezuela

Origin: Tropical regions, South-East Asia, Australia,
Paciﬁc islandsSize: 30–80 cm in height, 30–50 cm spread

Size: 50 cm–2 m in height, hanging or climbing
plant, grows quickly

Origin: Tropical rainforest, Brazil
Size: 60–80 cm in height, 30–50 cm spread
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Tolerates dark and shadypositions without direct sunlight, but pattern fades
in these conditions; loves bright, semi-shade, warm,
no drafts, prefers high air humidity, suitable forconservatories and bathrooms

Water requirements: Keep substrate constantly moist, water regularly and thoroughly when top layerof soil is slightly dry. Adjust as required in winterFeed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser monthly
from April to August
Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom shoot cuttings or rhizomes
Notes: Spray regularly, air humidiﬁer recommended

Temperature: 20–25°C all year round, not below
18°C in winterLifespan: Perennial, 3–5 years
Position requirements: Semi-shaded to shady anddark, no direct sunlight, prefers high air humidity,
suitable for conservatories and bathrooms
Temperature: 18–25°C in summer, not below 16°C in
winter, not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Water requirements: Softened water, around oncea week, keep substrate slightly moist, never allow
roots to fully dry out; water when the top layer ofsoil is dry
Feed: Feed with weak liquid fertiliser weekly during
the ﬂowering period (April to September) andevery 3 weeks from October to March
Propagation: Can be propagated by division
Notes: Air-purifying properties
7

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Shady and dark, no direct
sunlight, for varieties with dark foliage, no drafts,
prefers high air humidity, suitable for conservatories and bathrooms
Temperature: Approx. 20°C all year round, notbelow 16°C in winter, not hardy
Growing medium: Houseplant soil
Water requirements: Around once a week, keep
evenly and slightly moist, can tolerate periods ofdrought; water when the top layer of soil is dry.
Approx. every 2 weeks in winterFeed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every
14 days from March to August, can also survive
without fertiliser
Propagation: Can be propagated from shoots or
tip and shoot cuttings
Notes: Very resilient, highly versatile, good forbeginners; spray leaves occasionally. Varieties
with light leaves require lots of light but no direct
sunlight

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10

Aspidistra elatior

Zamioculcas

Cast-iron-plant

Emerald Palm

Origin: Forests of China and Japan

Origin: Forests of East Africa

Size: 60 cm–1 m in height, 40–60 cm spread

Size: 40–60 cm in height, can theoretically reach 1
m in height, grows around 15 cm per month

Lifespan: Perennial, sometimes over 50 years
Position requirements: Shady position of any brightness, without direct sunlight, north-facing window
is ideal, does not need very much light but grows
slower in darker conditions

Water requirements: Every 2 to 3 weeks, too little isbetter than too much; only water when soil is very
dry. Can survive if dry for 1 week in summer and 4
weeks in winterFeed: Feed with herbaceous plant fertiliser every 2months from March to October

Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Likes lots of light but cantolerate dark shady positions, no direct sunlight

Temperature: 19–25°C, not below 10°C, not hardy

Temperature: Approx. 20°C, do not keep below
18°C for long periods

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Growing medium: Houseplant soil

Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom leaf cuttings
Notes: Suitable for beginners, very easy to maintain

Water requirements: Water thoroughly andregularly around every 10–14 days, likes high air
humidity; water when the top layer of soil is dry
Feed: Feed with liquid herbaceous plant fertiliser
monthly from April to October
Propagation: Can be propagated by dividing therhizome1

Notes: Place under shower brieﬂy or wipe leaves
with a damp cloth

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Herbskitchen, terrace and balcony
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Laurus Nobilis

Salvia oﬃcinalis

Salvia rosmarinus

Sage

Rosemary

Growing medium: Herb soil

Origin: Mediterranean region and North Africa

Origin: Mediterranean, coasts and rocky slopes

Water requirements: Does not need a lot of water.
If soil is dry, water until completely moist again

Size: 30–50 cm in height, varies depending on
varietySize: 50 cm–1 m in height and spread, grows relatively slowly

Lifespan: Perennial

Feed: Feed with slow-release fertiliser in spring.
Feed with liquid fertiliser only if leaves lose colour

Lifespan: Perennial

Lifespan: Perennial

Position requirements: Full sun, patios, balconies
and conservatories, protect well in winterPropagation: Can be propagated from shoots, tip
cuttings or layering

Position requirements: Full sun, bright, warm, heattolerant, protected from rain and wind, balcony
and patio, can overwinter outside

Position requirements: Full sun, bright, warm, heattolerant, protected from rain and wind, in winterdown to -10°C outside or around 5–10°C inside

Temperature: Approx. 20°C, but can withstandmore, hardy down -40°C

Temperature: Around 20°C in summer, but can tolerate higher temperatures, hardy down to -10°C

Growing medium: Herb soil

Growing medium: Herb soil

Water requirements: Does not need a lot of water.
If soil is dry, water until completely moist again.
Tolerates drought without problem

Water requirements: Does not need a lot of water.
If soil is dry, water until completely moist again.
Tolerates drought without problem

Feed: Feed with a little liquid fertiliser every 2–4
weeks from March to August

Feed: Requires barely any fertiliser; when required, fertilise in spring with a little compost or hornshavings

Bay laurel

Origin: Spread from Near East to Mediterranean
regionSize: 60–250 cm in height, grows 15–30 cm peryear, should be regularly pruned

Temperature: Not below -7°C, hardy down to -7°C

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed, tip
cuttings or by division
1

Harvesting: Can be harvested all year round by
picking young leaves before ﬂowering intensiﬁes
the ﬂavour – this is the optimum time for harvestingand drying

Propagation: Can be propagated from shoot cuttings or seeds, but propagating from seed is diﬃcult
and slow
Harvesting: Can be harvested year round, picking
individual leaves or cutting oﬀ whole shoots

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7

Petroselinum crispum

Allium schoenoprasum

Ocimum basilicum

Coriandrum sativum

Parsley

Chives

Basil

Coriander

Origin: South-East Europe, Mediterranean region

Origin: Eurasia, indigenous plant, still grows wild inmarshes today

Origin: Tropical areas of Africa, Asia and SouthAmerica

Origin: Mediterranean region, Middle East, Egypt,
Morocco, etc.

Size: 20–50 cm in height

Size: Up to 40 cm in height, grows 6–8 cm per week

Size: 30–70 cm in height

Lifespan: Perennial, can live for over 20 years withgood maintenance

Lifespan: Perennial in a pot, annual in the garden

Lifespan: Annual

Position requirements: Full sun, warm location,
balcony or patio

Position requirements: Full sun, warm, protectedfrom wind, should be shaded if in positions in fullsunSize: 30–60 cm in height
Lifespan: Biennial plant. Grows 30 cm in the ﬁrst
year and forms rosettes, grows a 60 cm ﬂower stalkin the second year on which umbel ﬂowers form.
This is where the seeds form in autumn, after which
growth stops
Position requirements: Full sun to semi-shade, protected from wind, balcony, garden or patio

Position requirements: Full sun, bright, balcony,
garden or patio, in a cool, frost-free place from October, preferably not in a warm indoor environment

Temperature: 12–16°C, not over 22°C, hardy

Temperature: Tolerates temperatures down to-25°C

Growing medium: Potting soil

Growing medium: Potting soil

Water requirements: Water regularly, keep soil
slightly moist at all times and only water when top
layer of soil is dry

Water requirements: Water regularly, keep soil
slightly most at all times

Feed: A little liquid fertiliser once a monthFeed: Feed with organic slow-release fertiliser twice
between March and September

Propagation: Can be propagated from seeds,
which can be taken from the ﬂowers

Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom seed

Harvesting: Can be harvested continuously fromlate spring, becomes inedible after ﬂowering

Harvesting: Can be regularly harvested fromMarch to October, leaves should be at least 15 cm
and no more than 25 cm tall, cut to a height of 2 cm

Temperature: Approx. 20°C, should be brought
inside to overwinter at 15–20°C
Growing medium: Potting or herb soil

Growing medium: Potting soil

Water requirements: Water daily in summer, should
always be kept moist. A little less in winter, but mustnever dry out

Water requirements: Water regularly, keep soil
slightly moist at all times and only water when top
layer of soil is dry

Feed: Organic slow-release fertiliser

Feed: Does not require fertiliser, but a liquid fertiliser may be applied once a month

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed, by division, or for perennial varieties, from shoot cuttings
Harvesting: Can be harvested after around 8
weeks, always take whole stalks and not just leaves

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41

Temperature: 12–22°C, not hardy

Propagation: Can be propagated from seed or bydivision
Harvesting: Harvest shortly before ﬂowering in
June, picking individual leaves or cutting oﬀ wholeshoots; seeds can be harvested shortly before they
are fully mature in August/September10ThymusThyme
89

Origin: Mediterranean, diﬀerent varieties also in
Asia, North and West Africa
Size: 10–40 cm in height9

8

MenthaAloysia citrodora

Origin: Mediterranean region, Near East, marshes
and shorelines

Origin: South America, Uruguay, Chile, Peru

Mint

Size: Small and bushy, up to 1 m in height depending on species and variety
Lifespan: Around 5 years, and 10 years if planted in
the ground
Position requirements: Semi-shade, on balconies or
patios, not indoors
Temperature: Hardy down to around -15°C, coversoil with brushwood or mulch for protection
Growing medium: Herb or potting soil
Water requirements: Water on hot summer days,
likes moist soils. Only water on frost-free winterdays as mint can quickly die of thirst in frozen soils
Feed: Feed with compost or granulated cattle
manure in spring
Propagation: Can be propagated by division orfrom shoots and tip cuttings
Harvesting: Can be harvested approx. 30 days
after planting, from spring until the ﬁrst frost

42

Lemon verbena

Water requirements: Does not need a lot of water.
If soil is dry, water until completely moist again.
Tolerates drought without problem

Lifespan: Perennial, 6 years on average

Feed: Does not require fertiliser, but a little compost
can be mixed into the pot when planting

Position requirements: Full sun, bright, warm, protected from rain and wind, balcony and patio

Propagation: Can be propagated from seeds or tip
cuttings or by divisionTemperature: 16–20°C, hardy down to -20°C

Harvesting: Can be harvested continuously; thebest time is before the ﬂowering period between
May and October

Growing medium: Herb soil

Size: 60 cm–1.5 m in height depending on variety
Lifespan: Perennial
Position requirements: Full sun, warm, patios, balconies, can overwinter outside in temperatures justbelow freezing
Temperature: Hardy down to -5°C but if temperatures fall to around 4°C, should be brought inside(temperatures around 10–16°C)
Growing medium: Potting soil
Water requirements: Water regularly, keep soil
slightly moist at all times and only water when top
layer of soil is dry
Feed: Feed with liquid fertiliser every 14 days from
April to August
Propagation: Can be propagated from tip cuttingsor seeds
Harvesting: Leaves can be harvested as required,ideally just after ﬂowering begins when the aroma
is at its most intense

10

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Origin of houseplants
Sustainably grown plants (often organic) are relatively
easy to find when it comes to herbs or kitchen plants. However, it is still very difficult with houseplants – the plant
passport information on the growing pots is not always
entirely clear. The passport lists the last dealer. It does
not clarify whether the rhizome, cutting or offshoot was
imported.

The origin of rare plants or of plants that grow slowly or
are difficult to grow from seed should be of particularinterest. Plants are still simply being dug up and cuttings
taken in virgin forests. One especially egregious example
is the illegal picking of cacti and succulents in California.
Ask where the plants come from and force the industry to
act sustainably.

Before buying a houseplant, ask yourself a few
questions:
Will the plant suit me?
Can I provide the right location for the plant?
Am I prepared to deal with the plant’s specificneeds (temperature, humidity, watering, fertilising,plant soil, repotting)?

Cephalocereus senilis

Is the plant of sustainable origin?

44

Can I buy the plant ‘second hand’?
Can I grow the plant myself?
The appendix contains information on how to propagate houseplants. The relevant details are listed undereach plant profile.

Chlorophytum comosum

Anthurium crassinervium«Jungle Bush»

Pilea peperomioides

Asparagus densiflorus «sprengeri»

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Temperature

Humidity

Considering the origin of most houseplants, it comes as no surprise that a temperature of 18–24 °C is ideal and they tend to thrive inside our homes. But this is only
if we know a few of their preferences and look after them accordingly. Here are a
few simple tips:

Most houseplants are used to tropical climates and are therefore happiest in
50–60% humidity. If you have a bathroom with daylight, you can place theseplants there – using the shower will help create humid conditions. However, many
houseplants can tolerate a little less humidity. Here are a few simple tips to create
the ideal environment:

Radiators dry out the air
Find out if your plant can be placed near a radiator. Thisis a spot that will be warmer and above all much drier
than elsewhere in the room.

Plant groups create their own microclimate
Arrange plants in groups and they will create theirown microclimate. They release moisture through theirleaves by means of transpiration.

Avoid drafts
Avoid any drafts from open windows or doors, and place
your plant slightly away from the main airflow.

Use a humidifier
Humidifiers are the safest way to create a humid climate
and come in a variety of sizes and designs.

Roots are being heated by underfloor heating
Underfloor heating heats the pots from underneath andcan cause the roots to get too warm, so raise your plantsslightly off the floor.

Spray your plants
Spraying plants with lime-free water three times a day
produces the same effect.
Give your plants a shower every now and then.

Winter rooms with cooler temperatures
In winter, some plants stop growing while others, such as cacti, like it a little cooler andwill reward you with good growth and a bloom the following season.

46

Give your plants a shower or a bath
Placing dishes of water on a heat source should only bea temporary solution, as they can be the ideal place forpathogens to develop in the longer term.

Watering
The guideline values for watering suggested in the plant profiles depend on
temperature and season and may differ from the actual water requirement.
As a general rule: the cooler it is, the less water the plants need.

The finger test
The finger test is the most reliable way to find out if a plant needs water: use yourfingers to feel the soil at a depth of 2–3 cm. Your plant only needs watering if thesoil is dry and falls loosely off your fingers.

Use soft or lime-free water.
Using soft water is what plants like best (some do not like lime at all).
Soft water includes, for example:+ Rainwater+ Filtered water+ Tap water that has been stagnant for at least 3 dayst– Distilled water! This water does not contain any useful minerals

It is best to water in the morning.
This fortifies the plants as they commence photosynthesis.
Water slowly!
Use an indoor watering can with a long neck and a small
opening to water the soil slowly and directly.

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Water too infrequently rather than too often.
As a rule of thumb, fill about a quarter of the pot withwater. This allows sufficient water to reach the roots.

¼

Too much watering results in waterlogging and causes the roots to rot.
Most plants like it when the soil dries out a little. Persistently wet soil prevents the roots
from absorbing oxygen and causes them to rot.
Make sure that the drainage hole is always free so that excess water can drain awayeasily.
The columns of the Terracotta Pots are also glazed on the inside and collect the water
beneath the pot. 15 minutes after watering – when the soil has drained – empty out theexcess water to avoid creating breeding grounds for pathogens.

Fertilising
In nature, a nutrient cycle constantly replenishes the soil. Dead plant material, earthworms etc. all contribute to these complex processes. This cycle does not exist forhouseplants.

Organic and mineral fertilisers
Organic fertilisers are processed by micro-organisms, while mineral fertilisers dissolve
through contact with water or are applied in liquid form, enabling them to seep into thesoil and be directly available to the plant.

As a rule of thumb, the faster your plant grows, the more often it will need fertiliser
or the bigger the dose of fertiliser needed. Soil will become exhausted at least every
three years, even if you use fertiliser. That is when you will need to repot your plant.
Fertilising is not an emergency treatment for your plants, but part of their regular,
routine care.
It boosts their growth and flowering, and makes them resistant to diseases.
Liquid fertilisers
Most liquid fertilisers are all-in-one products and contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and micronutrients. This means that your houseplants immediately
receive all the nutrients they need when watered at the roots. When buying fertiliser,
make sure it contains the right amount of nutrients for your plants. All-in-one fertilisers
for cacti, flowering plants, green plants, orchids etc. are all available on the market.

Experience shows that a mixture of coffee grounds, eggshells and wood ash provides
the most important micronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, andhas a weak acidic effect.
The nutritional requirements of plants vary greatly depending on their origins. Cacti
require different nutrients from green leafy plants. Similarly, different substances areneeded to encourage abundant flowering.

Slow-release fertiliser
Slow-release fertilisers are also usually all-in-one fertilisers, and generally come in theform of sticks or small pellets and are effective for 2 to 3 months. These are inserted 2–3
cm deep in the soil and release nutrients whenever the plant is watered. Make sure you
buy the right fertiliser for your plant.

Nitrogen contributes to strong, green leaves and phosphorus is important for the formation of flowers and fruits, while potassium helps cell division in the roots.

Direct fertiliser
Foliar fertiliser, which is applied onto the leaves of a plant, is an example of a direct
fertiliser. It contains micro-organisms that stimulate leaf strength, prevent disease anddeliver nutrients that are absorbed directly by the leaf.
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Not all soil is the same
Good potting soil contains sufficient nutrients to meet the needs of different plants.
Some plants grow quickly and need plenty of nutrients, while others require fewer
nutrients to form healthy roots. Some potting soil stores a lot of water, others muchless – again, you need to consider the needs of the plant. Because not all soil is thesame!
Orchid potting mix
Orchids are tropical perennial plants. Since they do not get enough light on the groundof the tropical rainforests, they grow high up in the branches of trees. There is no soil
there, so orchids get their nutrients from the deposits in the branch forks and the moist
tree bark. This is why orchid potting mixes look different from all other types of soil.

Seeding & cutting soil and herb soil
When sowing and in the first weeks of germination, the fine sprouts are unable to use
nutrients. The potting soil must therefore be low in nutrients, and fine and loose as thishelps make the young plant stable and strong.
Herbs do not need many nutrients for healthy growth. Many popular garden herbs suchas thyme, oregano and rosemary originate from the Mediterranean region, where theygrow in dry, nutrient-poor soil.

Cacti and succulent soil mix
Cacti and succulents are true survivors, able to colonise hostile places in their stonyand sandy natural habitats. The ideal soil mix for these plants is structurally stable fora particularly long time, so that the heavy, fleshy plants remain supported and do nottopple over to one side. The fertiliser in the soil is adapted to the needs of cacti andsucculents and is particularly mild.

Houseplant soil/potting soil
High-quality houseplant soil contains a broad mix of nutrients tailored to the needs ofthe plants. Nitrogen, magnesium and iron are particularly important for beautiful green
foliage. A good soil must not soak up the water like a sponge, but must remain loose
and permeable to air even after watering. For the sake of the environment, make sure
you use peat-free soil.

The right pot for your plants
As a rule of thumb: when repotting, the new pot
should be about 2 cm bigger than the previous
one. The inner diameters of the Terracotta Potsare:
XS = 11 cm
S = 16 cm
M = 22 cm
L = 29 cm

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Happy repotting!

How to propagate plants
In our plant profiles you will find information on how to grow your favourite plants
yourself – either from seed, offshoots, cuttings, leaf cuttings, rhizomes or by dividing
the plant.
Shoot cuttings
A cutting is a part of a plant that is severed so that it will form roots and growinto a new independent plant. The shootshould be cut under a leaf node (in thecase of Monstera with aerial roots) and beat least 8 cm long. Allow roots to sprout ina water glass.

Seeds
Growing from seed is the most time-consuming method. You will be able to findthe seeds you want online and in well-stocked specialist stores. To create optimal
conditions, you will need potting soil.
Keep it moist, possibly covering it withtransparent film to create a humid climate
and then airing it once a day.

Tip cuttings
A tip cutting is a plant shoot from the topof a stem or branch. It must generally
have at least 3 nodes in order to develop
into a new plant. The lowest bud shouldbe placed in water and/or potting soil toform new roots.

Oﬀshoots
Some plants form offshoots to propagate.
The best known for this is the green lily. It
forms a few new small plants with roots onlong shoots, which can be pre-sprouted
in a water glass and then planted in the
ground.

Leaf cuttings

Shoot section

A simple and effective method for propagating begonias is through leaf cuttings.
This will give you a better chance of successfully propagating the plant than using
seeds that dry out quickly.

The side shoots of e.g. cacti or succulents,
which can form a new plant when put into
soil, are called shoot sections.

50

How to do it with cuttings
In spring, most plants are in the middle of their growth phase. They will be producing
new shoots and will recover well from a cutting being taken. The cuttings then also
have enough strength to grow.
Remove most of the leaves, so the new plant can concentrate on rooting. To make thecutting cling to the soil, you can put it in a glass of water in a bright place until it takesroot.

Layering
A layering method can be used to propagate plants with long flexible shoots.
To do this, direct a shoot into anotherpot and cover a bud with soil. New
roots will form after some time, and the
new shoot can then be separated fromthe mother plant.

Rhizomes
The rhizome is a mostly underground andhorizontally growing plant stem formed bymany herbaceous plants. You can separate the rhizome from the parent plant andgrow it as a new plant.

You can speed up the subsequent rooting process by creating darker conditions, forexample by wrapping the glass in paper.

Dividing
For rejuvenation or propagation, many
plants can also be divided. To do this, dig
up the plant, shake off the soil and carefully separate the plant into two or threeparts. Now put each part back into thesoil and care for it as usual.

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When enough roots are formed, plant the shoot in small pots containing potting soil.
For succulents, use a cactus soil mix. These need moisture, warmth and light, but notdirect sunlight. To provide ideal conditions for the young plant and increase humidity, put a transparent film or the cut-off top of a PET bottle over it (air briefly everyday) or use a mini-greenhouse until new green shoots have appeared. Some newplants take root after a few weeks, while others take a few months. Once the plantis well rooted and sufficiently strong, it can be repotted.

350 13¾”

130 5”
120 4¾”

Ø135 Ø5¼”

Terracotta Pot M - medium

180 7”
165 6½”

Ø250 Ø9¾”

Terracotta Pot L - large

290 11½”
350 13¾”

330 13”220 8¾”
415 16¼”

235 9¼”

Ø235 Ø9¼”

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Terracotta Pot S - small

470 18½”

Terracotta Pot XS - extra small

Ø330 Ø13”

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