All posts by Mark D

dracaena, office plants

Dracaena – How to Keep Your Dracaena Healthy

Dracaena is definitely one of the most sought after houseplants in the world. This is because of the many benefits the plant is known to guarantee. It is one of the most effective plants in removing toxins from the air, regulating oxygen levels as well as moisture. However, if you don’t give your plant the care it needs, you will never enjoy the full the benefits. The purpose of this post is to help you understand some of the things you need to do to keep your office foliage healthy. The healthier the plant is, the more benefits you will get.

Ensure it gets sufficient light
Plants need sunlight for the process of photosynthesis. This is the process through which they make their food. When the plant does not get adequate sunlight, it will get weak and this paves room for a range of health issues. Making sure your plant gets sufficient sunlight is the key to keeping it healthy. The best thing is that the room does not necessarily have to receive sunlight. You can make use of growing lights. It is important that before you buy a plant from plantscaper suppliers you ask them about the light needs of the specific plant. Some plants will require more sunlight than others.

Water properly
Water is crucial. Properly watering your plant is the best thing you can do. Again, you need to talk to your interior foliage provider regarding the watering needs of the plant. Some plants will require you to water more frequently. This is more so when it comes to those with large and fleshy leaves. Other plants can survive with minimal watering. Learning how to water your office foliage properly will guarantee that you have healthy plants.

Never bring home diseased plants
It is common for human nature to kick in when buying plants in wholesale nurseries. It is common for people to buy plants out of pity. This is something you must never do when shopping for dracaena or any other plant. If the plant looks sick, chances are it will die on you. You want to bring home a healthy plant. Inspect the plant thoroughly and make sure it is healthy and not infested with pests. The last thing you want is for it to infect your other healthy office plants.

Don’t water with anything but water
Although soda contains water, you must never use it to water your office plant. You only need to water the plant with fresh water; preferably rainwater. Pour beverages into the plant pot will not only introduce toxins but also attract pests to your plant.

Repot when necessary
With some plants, you will need to repot them after a couple of months. Make sure you repot the plant at the right time. You need to move it into a larger pot and use fresh growing medium. You should also ask the professionals in the wholesale nurseries for advice on using fertilizer.

The above points will help you keep your office plant healthy. The rule of thumb is to only consider the houseplants that you can comfortably care for.

Dracaena

office plants

Interior Foliage Provider – How to Choose an Interior Foliage Provider

Interior foliage providers offer unique services that help persons interested in plants to find the perfect plant that they need. They also offer guidance to ensure you end up with the plant that is right for you. The downside, however, is that there are so many wholesale nurseries to pick from and not all of them have your best interest at heart. If you are in the market for a houseplant, there are a couple of things you need to do in order to find the supplier that will appeal to your needs.

Identify your needs
The first thing you have to do is to identify your needs. To do this, you will need to consider a number of things. The first is the condition in your room. Does your room receive adequate sunlight? Is it too dry or too polluted? Looking at the conditions in your room will enable you to pick the office plant that will survive in those conditions.

The second thing you need to consider is your beautification goals. If you are targeting a tropical look, you will do best with plants with large leaves. Your goals will further determine whether you will need just one dracaena plant or several. Knowing exactly what you need to achieve is the first thing you need to do before you go searching for an interior foliage provider.

Consider the reputation of the supplier
Now that you know what you need, it is time to find the right place to buy the houseplants. As aforementioned, there are many plantscaper suppliers to choose from. The first thing you need to do is make sure the suppliers you are considering offer the specific plant you are looking for. Second, you need to consider their reputation. Are they known for offering healthy plants? If most of the reviews you find about them are negative, it will be best if you avoid them.

Go for the supplier with a large catalogue
To narrow down the list of potential suppliers further, take a look at their catalogue. Just because you need a dracaena today does not mean you will never need a lily. The idea here is to choose one supplier that you can count on for all your future needs. You don’t want to repeat the entire process of finding a supplier each time you need a different plant. Picking the supplier with a large catalogue will save you time in the future.

Consider customer service
Last but not least, prior to making the final choice, you need to pay attention to the quality of customer service that the interior foliage provider offers. There will come a time when you will need advice on caring for the plant. When this time comes, you don’t want to be ignored when you contact the supplier.

These points will help you find the best supplier to buy office foliage from. All in all, when making your choice, you have to listen to your gut. You also need to match the plant to your needs.

Interior foliage providers

office plants

Office Plants – Why Ficus Lyrata are great office plants

Office plants

can lighten the mood, make the room more welcoming and improve the health of employees. This can be attributed to the fact that plants help with air purification, humidity control and also help achieve a tropical look. All in all, the benefits you get will depend on the type of plant you adopt and the attention you give it. In this post, we will be focusing on the Ficus Lyrata. It is a must have for any office.

Characteristics

The Ficus Lyrata is commonly referred to as the fiddle-leaf fig. It belongs to a species of fig tree which are native to western Africa; more precisely west of Sierra Leone, Cameroon. The plant thrives in lowland tropical rainforest. You have to recreate these conditions for your office plants to flourish.

In its native habitat, the plant can grow up to 39 to 49 feet tall. It has leaves that are variable in shape but which are broad at the apex and narrow at the middle. The leaves resemble a fiddle or lyre. They can be up to 18 inches long and 12 inches broad. They have a leathery texture, wavy margin and prominent veins.

Why use Ficus Lyrata as office plants?

The Ficus Lyrata plants are popular as ornamental trees. They are common in the subtropical and tropical gardens. They are ideal as houseplants or office plants in temperate areas. In such conditions, the plant will stay shorter and will not flower or fruit. The plant is frost tender. The large leaves are what make this plant an ideal choice for office decoration.

In addition to the aesthetic appeal, the Ficus Lyrata will bring a range of health benefits. For starters, its broad leaves will help with air purification. Through the process of metabolic breakdown, the office plants will eliminate various chemical compounds from the air. This means fewer ailments especially those related to the respiratory system. In addition to that, the plant will help with humidity control. This is essential in the elimination of dust from the air and preventing such problems as coughs, colds, sore throats and fatigue.

At the end of the day, having Ficus Lyrata as office plants will improve your productivity and generally lift your spirits. All in all, the plant needs special care.

Caring for Ficus Lyrata

The Ficus Lyrata requires bright, filtered light. These plants can also tolerate some full sun especially when they are placed in the eastern-facing window. Placing the plant in a dark room will inhibit rapid growth.

The soil should be kept steadily moist. Don’t overwater as sitting in water causes the leaves to drop and the roots may start to rot. Any fast-draining potting soil is good. Feed the plant with liquid fertilizer throughout its growing season.

Propagating your office plants may include stem-tip cutting. However, buying a new plant is highly advised. Healthy specimens grow pretty fast. Repot to a larger pot until the plant reaches a desired size.

All things considered, Ficus Lyrata plants are not demanding plants. They make great office plants.

Office Plants

office plants

Office Plants – Why Aralia Fabian are Great Office Plants

Office plants

are a great addition to any setting. They improve the ambience, purify the air, help with humidity control and they have also been found to increase productivity and boost the overall mood of the employees. However, not every plant you purchase will bring the aforementioned benefits. You have to be meticulous when choosing a plant. Some plants offer more benefits than others. A good example is the Aralia Fabian. It is a shrubby evergreen tree that almost fell out of existence a few years back. However, it is making a comeback as one of the most preferred office plants.

Characteristics

The Aralia Fabian is mostly favored because of its foliage. It has large bipinnate leaves that are clustered at the end of the stems/ branches. Some species have bristles with most stems being prickly. These office plants bear whitish or greenish flowers that occur in the terminal panicles.

Why is it a great office plant?

As we mentioned earlier, Aralia Fabian make great office plants because of their foliage. They have a variety of leaf forms as well as coloration. The leaf forms range from elegant, lacy leaves found on the Ming to the rounded leaflets of the chicken gizzard. The variegations range from gold to cream to white to solid green. The plants have massive woody trunks that make them attractive as indoor plants. The branches are sweeping, curving and heavy. The foliage is shaggy. These traits make the plant ideal for ornamental benefits.

More foliage means better metabolic breakdown of airborne chemicals. Unlike other office plants that have fewer leaves, Aralia Fabian has more leaves which mean efficient elimination of chemical compounds from the air. The plant will help eliminate such compounds as formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and carbon dioxide. This leads to a more pleasant atmosphere that promotes good health and better mood.

Still on foliage, the use of one or more Aralia Fabian office plants will help with humidity control. Plants release moisture into the atmosphere. Studies show that a plant will release approximately 97% of the water it takes in. This is done through the process of photosynthesis. Effective humidity control leads to reduced sore throats, fatigue, coughs and a number of illnesses that are related to cold. Humidity control will further help reduce dust from the air. Aralia Fabian will therefore benefit persons with respiratory illnesses.

Who can use it?

The Aralia Fabian will benefit anybody in any setting. It does not matter whether your day job involves sitting by the desk all day or moving from one warehouse to the other, having an office plant will actually do-good to both your health and mood. The persons that stand to gain the most are those with respiratory problems.

Aralia Fabian plants are superior table top and reception counter accents. However, for these office plants to thrive, they require adequate light and a soil that is well-aerated. Adequate watering is essential but you must never over-water as doing so can cause the demise of the plant. In low light situations, watering only once in three weeks can be sufficient.

Office Plants

office plants

Office Plants – Why Ming Aralia are Great Office Plants

Office plants

add life to the room by purifying the air, improving aesthetic appeal and sharpening the focus of workers. If you are searching for the ultimate indoor plant, the Ming Aralia might just be what you need. These plants are poplar for indoor ornamentals, versatile, decorative and because they are easy to maintain. They are basically the essence of indoor plant excellence. Let us look at some of the reasons why they make great office plants.

Ornamental benefits

Ming Aralia is particularly interesting because of its foliage. As a matter of fact, Polyscias (its genus name) means many shaded. This is in reference to the luxuriant foliage of this evergreen shrub/ dwarf tree that is native to India. The plant grows slowly but can reach a height of 1 to 2 meters. Its leaves have a dark green pigment, glossy texture and tripinnate and they appear divided. The individual leaves vary from narrowly ovate to lanceolate and are about 10 centimeters long. The leaves are highly variable even on the same plant.

Unlike other trees that branch sideways, the Ming Aralia grows vertically. It is especially beautiful hence the perfect choice for office plants. The tips can be trimmed to encourage rapid branching and to thicken the trunk. With age, the lower branches will die off; leaving a beautiful ashen tan. The complex leaves, closely-set joints and bushy look are what make Ming Aralia particularly ornamental-looking.

The Ming Aralia can be used in virtually any decorative situation. You can use it for architectural treatment or sculptural calling.

Easy to manage

The Ming Aralia can be kept small by trimming or left to grow to several feet. The important thing to do is to ensure the office plants receive adequate sunlight. It can grow in any soil. Making rooted cuttings is quite easy too. The roots are fine and don’t spread far. Neglect of water causes the loss of leaves although the plant can withstand some level of drought without any permanent damage. All in all, they are not as tolerant to wet feet. Excessive watering will cause rot.

The Ming Aralia thrives in an environment with minimum temperatures of 60 degrees F. They can endure cold temperatures of 40 degrees F for a short while. Other than that, these office plants are not subject to pest attacks. They are highly resistant to infestation.

Purchasing Ming Aralia

When buying the office pants, you need to realize that although price is not a measure of quality; the low priced plants are linked to worse culture and poor selection. Poor Ming Aralia plants have blemished and light colored leaves. They are also thinner in texture and have a weak and pulpy stem.

Ming Aralia plants are ideal as office plants if you know how to take good care of them. You need to always remember that for office aesthetics, the plant requires full sun to partial shade or high interior lighting. The plant will not do well in a room that is too dark. You should also keep in mind that these plants grow fairly slow.

Office Plants

dracaena, office plants

Office Plants – What are the best types of office plants?

Office plants

do more than just purifying the air. They will help control humidity, help create a tropical look and also make you feel happy. Dracaena will actually sharpen focus and improve productivity. This is according to studies by the Texas A&M University and the Royal College of Agriculture in Circencester, England. With that out of the way, the question you might be asking yourself is this; what are the best types of office plants? Here are some of the best dracaena indoor plants you should consider for your office.

Dracaena Warneckii

This plant is also called the striped dracaena. It is a medium sized shrub with distinctive white stripes that run lengthwise in the leaf’s center. The plant has low water requirements and requires a comfortable temperature of 75 degrees. This is one of the plants used in NASA Clean Air Study. When adopted as office plants, Dracaena Warneckii will effectively remove Formaldehyde.

The leaves of Dracaena Warneckii collect dust. They need to be wiped regularly. You should also watch out for pests like spider mites, scales and bugs.

Dracaena Massangeana

This is one of the most common office plants. It is often referred to as the Corn Plant. It is ideal for areas with low light. It has wide leaves that arc gracefully from its stalk. You can grow this plant as a shrub by rooting tip cuttings or as a tree by rooting mature canes. The yellow variegation that runs down the center of the leaves is what makes Massangeana one of the most preferred office plants. It has a low water requirement and requires a comfortable temperature of 75 degrees.

The broad leaves accumulate dust hence the need for regularly wiping. Occasionally, you may have to deal with such pests as scale and mealy bugs.

Dracaena Marginata

If you are looking for office plants that can grow to a height of up to 15 feet, then the Dracaena Marginata is what you need. It is also known as the Madagascar dragon tree or the Red-edge Dracaena. It is a popular indoor plant. This plant has narrow pointed leaves with red to purple stripes along the outer edge. The plant can be trained to curve so as to create a unique character plant.

The leaves may accumulate dust. Wipe them with a damp piece of cloth. Although rare, the plant may attract mealy bugs, spider mites and scale.

Dracaena Janet Craig

The Janet Craig is probably the most popular of office plants. It has a unique ability to grow in low light and is considerably tolerate to dryness. You will find 3 to 5 stalks in one pot. The leaves are dark and about 2 feet in length and 3 inches wide. The leaves cascade downward gently from the plant’s stalk. This is a compact indoor plant that is about 1 foot tall. It is effective in the removal of Formaldehyde.

In your search for office plants, you will be spoilt for choice. Understand the characteristics and requirements before you buy an office or house plant.

Office Plants

dracaena

Dracaena – Why is dracaena good for indoors?

Dracaena

is probably one of the most sought after houseplants in the world. Although the focus of most people when buying a houseplant is the ornamental benefits, there is more to a good houseplant than the visible looks. Let us look at the key reasons why dracaena is the perfect plant for indoor use.

Purify air

You have certainly heard it all about houseplants and air purification. They absorb the chemicals in the air. Plants remove up to 87% of volatile organic compounds every 24 hours. This is according to a NASA research. However, some plants are better in air purification than others.

Dracaena is one of the most effective houseplants in air purification. It helps remove formaldehyde, benzene, trichloroethylene and carbon dioxide. These are chemicals linked with several health problems among them headaches, respiratory problems, anemia, marrow disease, kidney disease among others.

The houseplant will improve the indoor air quality. According to the American Society of Horticultural Science, indoor air can be 12 times more polluted than the air outside in some areas. This is mostly because of the compounds in furnishings, paints, clothing as well as building materials. Eliminating the pollutants with dracaena will make breathing easier, fight colds, remove airborne contaminants, and improve overall health.

Humidity control

Through photosynthetic and respiratory processes, plants release moisture into the air. This will increase humidity in the air. Plants typically release about 97% of the water they take in. The placement of several dracaena houseplants will increase humidity in the room. This will in turn help you control respiratory distresses. According to studies by the Agricultural University of Norway, the use of houseplants will help decrease incidences of colds, dry skin, dry coughs and sore throats. Dracaena is effective in humidity control.

Sharpening focus

The Royal College of Agriculture in Circencester, England, found that when there were plants in the room, 70% of students demonstrated attentiveness during lessons. Attendance was also higher in classrooms that had plants. The reason behind these findings is the fact that houseplants enhance cognitive function. They improve concentration, memory, better goal achievement as well as heightened attention. A study by the Texas A&M University found that workers in rooms that had at least two potted plants generated 13% more ideas than the other workers.

Make you happy

The benefits of dracaena can be seen across many studies in the psychological, cognitive, physical and social realms. The plants have been linked to increased self-esteem, improved mood and sense of well-being, increased sense of stability and control as well as increased feelings of relaxation, calm and optimism. All these contribute to the feeling of being happy.

As you can see, dracaena houseplants are good not only for producing oxygen and improving the visual appeal. They contribute to a Zen feeling and bring actual health benefits. You can either have one houseplant in the house or several. The recommended number of plants is one in every 129 square feet. Match the right houseplant with the theme of your house and the right growing conditions.

Dracaena

dracaena

Dracaena – Who uses Dracaena?

Dracaena

is popularly used as a houseplant. More often than not, it is used to achieve a tropical look. You can either use it indoors or outdoors. Considering it is a genus of over 40 species of trees and succulent shrubs, you will find a pot or landscaping plant that is perfect for you. With the noise about the many benefits of this plant, the question you may be asking yourself is this; is dracaena a plant for me? The direct answer is yes.

Anyone can benefit from the plant

If you love houseplants, then dracaena is perfect for you. This is certainly the perfect plant to use if you are looking for a tropical look. It will significantly help with your ornamental needs. In addition to that, the plant will help you remove harmful chemicals from the air, control humidity and offer many more health benefits among them sharpening your focus and soothing respiratory problems.

You can use dracaena in landscaping. There are several shrubby species to suit your needs. When used indoors, the plant will brighten up your room and create an atmosphere that is relaxing.

Simply put, dracaena can be used by anyone. However, some people benefit more from the plant than others.

Persons with respiratory problems

Respiratory problems are often agitated by chemicals/particles in the air. Formaldehyde is a common chemical that causes the irritation of the mucous membranes of the throat, nose, eyes and respiratory system. The chemical is found in foam insulation and in most wood fitted furniture such as wardrobes and cupboards. When there is an excess of this chemical in the house, a person with respiratory problems may experience more discomfort. Prolonged exposure to formaldehyde can also cause respiratory problems and other illnesses. Dracaena is an effective remover of formaldehyde. It will further help you remove other dangerous chemicals like benzene, trichloroethylene as well as carbon dioxide.

Another way that dracaena benefits persons with respiratory problems is through humidity control. This is achieved through the process of photosynthesis. A plant releases about 97% of the water it takes in. This will help prevent the situations of dry coughs, dry skin, colds as well as sore throats.

Persons that spend most of their time indoors

If you spend a lot of time indoors, a dracaena houseplant will benefit you in many ways. In addition to purifying the air through metabolic breakdown, the plant will help brighten your mood and improve creativity. Studies have found that the presence of houseplants can improve attentiveness by up to 70%. Persons working in environments that have potted plants also generate more ideas than those in rooms that don’t have plants.

Using dracaena in your house or office or classroom can make you feel better. There are a range of studies that have identified the benefits of the plant across cognitive, psychological, social and physical realms. In addition to making your house more beautiful, the plant will boost your self-esteem, improve your mood as well as boost your sense of well-being. All you need to do is take good care of your plant.

Dracaena

dracaena

Dracaena – Dracaena for a tropical look

Dracaena

is popular as a houseplant. It is mostly preferred because of the many health benefits it offers. The benefits range from the removal of chemicals in the air to humidity control. If you are considering this plant for its beautification, you will be spoilt for choice. There are many kinds of this plant that you can pick from especially if you are targeting a tropical look. You can go with the Fragrans (corn plant), Braunii (the Lucky Bamboo plant), Marginata (Madagascar Dragon Tree) and so on. However, for that perfect look with dracaena, you need to take proper care of the plant. Here are a few points to help you achieve the best look.

Best growing conditions

If there is no direct light, dracaena will do best in an environment that is bright. It can also be maintained in a lower light environment with good care. Don’t place your plant in hot direct sun.

When overwatered, the plant is prone to root rot particularly if it is in a lower light environment. Spider mites may be a nuisance if the plant is in a hot, sunny location. Keep an eye out for them as well as leaf scorch.

As you may already know, dracaena can take generations to be fully grown. However, with proper care, the growth can be accelerated. One way of accelerating growth is to ensure the plant receives adequate sunlight and that the soil does not dry out. Dry soil causes the plant to wilt and the plant may take a very long time to recover. Great care will ensure you achieve and enjoy a beautiful tropical look.

Watering

When you purchase dracaena in a pot, the first thing you need to do before you start irrigating it is to check the soil with a probe. In lower light, water the plant when the potting media has dried to ½ to ¾ of the pot’s depth. In bright light, water when soil is dry to a depth of 1/2.

For the new plants that have minimal roots, only water with a cane. Plants with an established root system can be watered thoroughly. Again, if kept too wet, dracaena is prone to root rot. A slight drooping of the plant’s leaves is a sign of under-watering whereas the first sign of overwatering is the yellowing of the tips of the leaves.

Keep foliage clean

The lower leaves may yellow. Remove the yellow leaves and trim the brown tips to the natural shape. A new plant will often shed its old foliage when moved to a new environment. It will, however, acclimate and turn into a beautiful plant that suits your tropical look.

You must always keep an eye out for insect problems. Check your plant for thrips, mealy-bug and mites. It is okay to wash the leaves with soapy water when controlling pests.

The above practices will help achieve the tropical look you desire. However, you must always remember that the dracaena is a slow growing plant. Don’t be impatient with it.

Dracaena

dracaena

Dracaena – Why use Dracaena

Dracaena

is a genus of approximately 40 species of trees as well as succulent shrubs. That simply means you will be spoilt for choice if you are searching for a house plant in this genus. But did you know that these plants offer more than ornamental benefits? Here are some of the reasons why you should consider using these plants.

Ornamental benefits

The obvious reason for adopting a houseplant is for the ornamental benefits. The shrubby species such as D. fragrans, D. godseffiana, D. braunii and D. deremensis make perfect choices. Most of these species are toxic to pets but not to humans. Other than that, these houseplants will surely brighten up your room and create a relaxing atmosphere. Other than that, most people use dracaena mostly for the health benefits they offer.

Air purification

Plant leaves absorb and destroy various organic chemicals through a process known as metabolic breakdown. A group of German scientists were able to prove this by demonstrating the absorption and metabolic destruction of formaldehyde. The plant converts the organic chemicals to sugars, organic acid and amino acids.

  • Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a chemical used in construction sites. It is in the form of urea-formaldehyde foam insulation. It is also common in wood fitted furniture such as kitchen cupboards, bedroom wardrobes and counters. Most household cleaning products also produce this chemical. Dracaena can help reduce the concentration of formaldehyde from your house thereby reducing the irritation of the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, throat and the respiratory system.

  • Benzene

This is a chemical found mostly in tobacco smoke. It is also used as a solvent and is found in various products like rubber, paints, oils, inks, household cleaning products, gasoline and plastics. Chronic exposure to this chemical leads to headaches, drowsiness, loss of appetite, psychological disturbance, nervousness and blood system diseases such as marrow disease and anemia. Dracaena houseplants are considered among the best for removing benzene.

  • Trichloroethylene

This is a common industrial solvent found in paints, varnishes, adhesives and printing inks. It can cause dizziness, headaches and confusion. The chemical can also cause kidney and liver problems in the case of prolonged exposure. There are a variety of dracaena plants you can use to remove trichloroethylene.

  • Carbon dioxide

This is produced from various sources of combustion including heating boilers and gas stoves. Low level exposure can cause headaches and dizziness. Acute exposure can cause death. Again, there are various dracaena houseplants that will effectively remove carbon monoxide.

Humidity control

A study conducted in the University of Agriculture in Norway concluded that houseplants can actually reduce fatigue, sore throats, coughs and a range of other illnesses related to cold. They achieve this by increasing the levels of humidity in a room and reducing dust. In addition to that, the interior plant will regulate humidity in the house by releasing moisture.

The above are just the main benefits of using dracaena. There are also options for landscaping and other outdoor uses. Go through the assortment of plants. There is definitely a plant for everyone.

Dracaena