My mom had some houseplants which werent getting taken care of, so tonight I brought them all back to my place. I need help to ID them, and how to save them, if I can. I would like to trim this one back, it seems top-heavy and Im worried the stem will break...what do you guys think? (Its by the door to show the height) ( photo / image / picture from TheBip's Garden ) No clue what happened here... ( photo / image / picture from TheBip's Garden ) Repotted this earlier this summer. What to do with it? peace lily ( photo / image / picture from TheBip's Garden ) I know this one needs more soil. Should I prune it? ( photo / image / picture from TheBip's Garden ) Can I prune this one? Ive googled sites about pruning dracena, buuut...Im still concerned on how to go about it, and whether I should. ( photo / image / picture from TheBip's Garden )
#1 Dracaena fragrans) 'Janet Craig Compacta' Does well with bright indirect bright light a little sun is ok.Water when soil is dry, or close to it. I never had experience cutting this one from the top. I did cut a neighbors back by cutting the roots off and shortening the stem, then re-rooted it which it did pretty quick. The leaves didn't even sulk! Maybe staking it might be an option to consider, at least until spring before new growth starts. #2 Not sure??? #3 Looks like a Peace Lily - Spathiphyllum (peace lily) Well draining soil, somewhat pot-bound, bright indirect light is best, strong sun can burn the leaves so be careful. Constant semi moist soil. I water mine when top inch or two feels dries, or the leaves droop just slightly #4 Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)These do well in bright light, some sun ok.I have one in a wests window. Water when close to dry, not dried out completely #5 Dracaena marginata 'dragon tree' Likes bright light, water when close to dry, too dry and it will droop. As it grows, the bottom leaves yellow and naturally fall off, so don't get too worried when that happens :-D
Thanks. Ill try to get some better pics of #2, although since I only have a camera phone, they may not be that great. I can say the leaves have pale green (or yellow?) stripes down the center. I did give 2 of the plants fresh potting mix, and Ill do the others when I get some more, cause I have no idea how long those plants have been in that soil (except for the peace lily).
4. Dracaena, if the top breaks off, it will make multiple tops. Personally, I would just repot it in new soil. The soil in all of them looks tired and old. They might be rootbound. The peace lily will probably do nicely in new soil and flourescent light, the damaged leaves pruned off. If it is spring where you live, some plant food would help them.
I wouldn't prune any of them. I would however get them bigger pots and fresh soil. And the Peace Lily might be getting too much sun. I keep mine in a West window so it only gets filtered-through-the-trees light when the sun is setting. I believe these will all bounce back for you with just a bit of TLC. Good luck!
I did repot them with fresh soil, and most seem to be doing ok, except the ones in the 2nd and 4th pics are still kinda blah looking.
The only one I can comment on is the Peace Lily. I've cut back all of the mature leaves before, to allow the new growth to take over and have had good success. The new leaves fill it back in quickly. They do well in artificial light too. You can't overwater them.
I belive the photo #2 is bromeliad, Looks to be what is left after the main plant has died and made pups.They like strong light but not midday or full sun. Let soil dry somewhat before adding more water. As far a pruning the dracaenas #1, and #5 that is how they grow, so prune if you like but they will look the same shortly. #4 looks like a dumb cane, Dieffenbachia,
