The Plant Mastery quick guide is designed to give you a fast overview of come critical information for a variety of plant types. This guide will give you fast information on a plant name, overall look, lighting and water requirements, quick pruning care tips, and types or insects and disease the plant might be susceptible to.
| PHOTO | PLANT | DESCRIPTION | LIGHT & WATERING | GROWTH & DISEASE | INSECTS & DISEASE | HELPFUL HINTS |
 | Chamaedorea seifrizii (Bamboo Palm) | Upright habit, with 18” fronds growing out of bamboo-like pole stems, plant grows wider but not much taller. | ABC-2 Prefers natural light. Survives in lower light but gets spindly. | Grows from tip of new growth. Cut out entire stem at base to thin, make shorter, etc. | Spider mites (often), also scale, mealybugs. Stem rot and leaf spot-ting can occur. | Water thoroughly, roots are bottom feeders. |
 | Chamaedorea elegans (Neanthebella Palm) | Usually multistem, low bushy habit. Very slow growing, can get spindly on bottom if in too low light. | BCDE-2 Survives in lower light than Bamboo palm. Avoid hot sun. | Grows from tip of new growth. Cut out entire steam at base to thin, make shorter, etc. | Spider mites. Leaf fungus. | Keep evenly moist. Add weak fertilizer in spring/summer. |
 | Chrysalido-carpus (Areca Palm) | Large yellow-green leaves, inverted triangle shape, with arching branches. | AB-1 Prefers natural light, large window. | Growth pint is at base of cluster. Cut entire frond at base to thin, or if brown. | Spider mites (often), also scale, mealybugs. Can get root rot. | Cold sensitive below 50°F, ph 6.5-7.0, susceptible to excess soil solubles. |
 | Chrysan-themum (Flowering mum) | Lobed dark green velvety foilage, with bright flowers, cushion or daisy type, in a variety of colors. | BCD=1 Lasts 2-4 weeks, Do not let get too dry or flowers will brown. | Not hardy variety mum. Broken flowers can be removed low on stem. | Whiteflies, and aphids. | Not hardy, do not expose to cold. Excellent to clean the air! |
 | Cissus rhombifolia (Grape Ivy) | Bushy hanging plant, Tri-lobe leaves are dark green with toothed margins and white hair. | AB-1, C-2 Sensitive roots do not tolerate wilting. | Branches tend to grow horizontally, making wider. Only vines down slightly. | Spider mites, mealybugs. Often gets powdery mildew. | Avoid over watering. Pinch new tips to encourage branching. Heavy feeder in growing season. |
 | Codiaeum varigatum (Croton) | Bushy plant with large multi-colored oval leaves, and thin upright stems. | ABC-2 Retains color only in bright light. Defoliates in low light, resprouts in high light. | Alternate leaves from stems. Cut back often to prevent stretching and bending on thin stems. | Spider mites (often). | Fragile leaves fall off easily, especially if too dry. |
 | Aechmea fasciata (Silver vase bromeliad) | 1’ flowering plant With long, spiny gray-green leaves and rosette pink flowers with blue buds. | BCDE-2 Do not water in vase, will last 3-6 months, longer in higher light. | Plant lasts 3-6 months, mother plant dies and makes a baby. Which can be re-grown to flower. | None | Leave sleeves and we gloves when planting, as spines can cause welts. |
 | Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen) Species: Diamond Bay, Mary Ann, Jubiliee, Moonlight Bay | 2-3’ busy, lanced shaped or oval leaves, multitude of colors and patterns-silver, cream, and greens. | BC-1, DE-2 Avoid hot sun. Susceptible to over watering. | Grows leaves from center plant stem, 6-20 plants/pot. Remove outer leaves around each plant. | Not very susceptible to insects. Can get mealy-bugs, or spider mites. Often gets root rot. | Keep away from cold. Trim frequently to avoid stretchiness, remove flowers to conserve energy. |
 | Aspidistra elatior (Cast Iron Plant) Aspidistra Milky Way | 2’ medium bush form, Leathery, oblong, vertical leaves, shiny dark green. | AB-2, CDE-3 Can survive in very low light, but can be very thin. | Grows only in spring, rhizomes sprout from below soil. Cut leaves back from base of stem at soil. | Spider mites and scale. Can be dam-aged by fluoride in water, leaf tips brown | Wash with soap and paper towel to fight mites. |
 | Bromeliad (Flowering plants) Guzmania, Neoregelia, Vrisea | Curved leaves, usually long and thin, with waxy flower from center (rosette or sword or colored leaves). | BCDE-2 Do not water in central vase, water collected can cause rot. | Flower lasts 2-6 months, then discard plant. | None | Guzmania bromeliads are not spiny. |
 | Cactus and succulents (various families and species) | Fleshy water storage plants. Cactus have spines, succulents do not. Few roots. | ABC-2 Spring-summer ABC-3 Fall-winter Prefers natural light. Succulents need more water. | Can not prune cactus. Cut back succulents at node. Avoid sap, can be toxic, wash off. | Spider mites, scale, mealy bugs. Susceptible to root rot, from bottom up. | Use newspaper to wrap cactus to avoid spines. Allow to dry but not shrivel up. |
 | Caryotis mitis (Fishtail palm) Also similar instructions for Majesty palm and Queen palm | Large, arched fronds with jagged-edged leafs, resem-bling a goldfish tail. Inverted triangle shape. | AB-1, CDE-2 If too dry will get brown tips on leaves. | Grows new fronds from center, near base enar soil level. Remove whole fronds from out-side ones. | Spider mites, mealy bugs, scale. | Heavy feeder, needs iron or gets yellow. New fronds very slow to open. |
 | Dieffecnbachia (Dieffenbachia, Dumb Cane) | Bushy upright plant with large oval leaves, variegated with green and yellow. | BC-2 Gets stretchy in low light, can bend and fall over. | Only supports a few leaves as grows taller on thin stems, which tend to bend and fall over. | Spider mites, mealybugs. Root rot. | Not useful as bush, doesn’t retain bush shape, needs staking as it grows taller, or air layer. Cold sensitive. |
 | Dracaena Deremensis “Janet Craig” (bush and cane) | 2-4’ medium to tall bush. Thick singlestem stalks have long, tapered dark-green ridged leaves. | BC-1, DE-2 Dracaena can survive below 50 fc, with proper care. | Grows upright, from top tip of stems. To shorten cut top off. If twisted cut below crooked stem. | Not very susceptible, can get mealybugs or spider mites. Iron deficiency causes yellow veins. | If yellow spots appear, move the plant to higher light and add trace elements. |
 | Dracaena Deremensis “Warneckei” | 2-4’ medium to tall bush. Single-stem stalks have long, tapered light green leaves with variegation stripes. | BC-1, DE-2 | Grows upright, from top tip of stems. To shorten cut top off. If twisted cut below crooked stem. | Not very susceptible, can get mealybugs or spider mites. Sensitive to pH imbalance. | Fluoride in water can cause tip burn, excessive drying will cause brown tips and edges, trim off. |
 | Dracaena Fragrans and Massangeana (Corn Plant) | Staggered height canes with long, tapered leaves, solid green (fragrans), or yellow striped (mass). | B-1, CD-2, E-3 Small, fragile roots. Don’t soak or let get bone dry. | Heads sprout from tops of canes, grow upright from top of head. Cut off at node. Sprout by nicking cane. | Not very susceptible, can get spider mites. Leaf spots and root rot. | Few roots to sup-port, use foam to prevent leaning. If brown tips, trim to pointed shape. Dust frequently. |
 | Dracaena marginata (Dragon tree) | Slender grayish trunk with leaf markings, thin green leaves alternate to form heads, red strip on edge. | AB-2, C-3 Grows better in a window. Fragile root system, don’t soak or let get bone dry. | Stems grown upright, only supports small number of leaves, can get crooked if allowed to bend. | Spider mites (often), scales, mealybugs. Leaf spot and root rot. | Stems can grown bent and stretchy. Take care when transporting, as easily damaged. |
 | Dracaena reflexa (Pleomele) Varieties: reflexa, Song of India, Song of Jamaica | Small bush or tall tree, short, spiky drak green leaves from grayish, thick upright stems (tree form). | AB-2, C-3 Prefers natural light. | Prune & shape to keep full. Can sprout from any-where in high light. Stems tend to grow crooked. | Spider mites (often) Scale, mealybugs, Leaf spot and root rot also possible. | Sensitive to over and underwatering, leaves will turn yellow and drop. |
 | Epipremnum arueum (Pothos) varieties: Jade, Marble Queen, Golden | Glossy heart-shaped leaves from thick vining stem. All green (Jade), with white (MQ), or yellow (Golden). | A-1, BC-2, DE-3 Can go in full sun to dark office. | Grows new leaves from the tip of vining stems. Can cut at any node to trim. Usually holds leaves even if long. | Mealybugs. Root rot. | If lower inner leaves begin to yellow, reduce watering. Fertilize & water more in high light. |
 | Euphorbia pulcherrima (Poinsettia) | Dark green lobed leaves with white sap, red bracts at top. | BCDE-1 Do not let get dry, can need water more than once a week. | Fragile stems and flowers with sap. Upright habit, top leaves turn red in December. | Whitefilies. | Cold sensitive. Wash sap off right away. |
 | Ficus benjamina (Weeping Fig) | Small, dark green, pointed oval leaves. Woody gray stems, branches grow horizontally, weep if too long. | AB-2 Prefers natural light. Has trouble acclimating to changes in light. | Complex branches grow horizontally, new growth at tips, prune often at nodes to prevent weeping branches. | Scale (usually), also spider mites and mealybugs. Can get fungal growths in stems. | Sensitive to changes in light, or temperature. Sheds some leaves normally, needs shaping often. |
 | Ficus lyrata (Fiddleleaf fig) | Large, violin shaped leaves, drak green and leathery from thin brown stems. Bush or tree form. | AB-2, C-3 Prefers natural light, can go in lower light than Ficus benajmina. | Slower growing, from tip of branches. Trees have upright stems, bushes are vertical. | Not very susceptible, can get scale, spider mites, mealybugs. | Leaves can be easily broken off, take care when cleaning. Prune often for shape and growth. |
 | Ficus “Alii” (Banana Leaf Ficus) | 8” curved, oblong leathery leaves, hanging vertically off open branched brown stems. Bush or tree form. | AB-2, C-3 Less sensitive than Ficus benjamina. | More open branching than Ficus benj, grows from branch tip, prune to keep from weeping. | Not very susceptible, can get scale, spider mites, or mealybugs. | Grows quickly, so prune often. See F. Benjamina for other hints. |
 | Hedera helix (English ivy) | Tri-lobe pointed dark green leaves, at short internodes along thin green stems. | BC-2 Fine, sensitive root system, does not tolerate wilting. | Many stemmed, cascading vines with upright leaves. Cut at any node to shorten. | Spider mites. | Good ground cover, as it fills in quickly and takes root easily. |
 | Howeia fosteriana (Kentia Palm) | Large, boldly arching and curved fronds, thick ribbed and medium green. | BC-2, D-3 Very slow growing. | Grows fronds from inside base. Remove entire frond by cutting as close to base as possible. | Spider mites (often), scale and mealybugs. Root rot. | Do not let get drafts. Plant grows very slowly, trim leaflets rather than removing whole frond. |
 | Philodendron varieties (Brazil, Lemon, cordatum, selloum, Xanadu, Black Cardinal, Red Imperial Bush) | Rosette growing, fleshy finger-shaped to sword leaves, green to burgundy colored, bushy or vining. | BC-2, D-3 Tend to grow smaller, stretchier leaves in low light. | Grows wider rather than taller, can side sprout if top is cut off. Vines can lose leaves if long & old. | Can get smelly rot. | Fungicide in Fall. |
 | Polyscias fruticose (Ming Aralia) Also Parsley aralia variety | Lacy, delicate drooping leaves, off grayish canes or developed stump. Bush or cane form. | A-1, BC-2 Very sensitive roots. | Sprouts new growth from tip of cane, pinch back new growth to try to sprout lower. | Spider mites, mealybugs. Root rot. | Slow growing plant, whole leaf is attached by petiole, Very cold & draft sensitive. |
 | Polyscias balfouriana (Dinnerplate, Curly chicken gizzard, or Balfour aralia) | Tri-lobe leaves have puckered sur-face, with scalloped edges. Dark green or variegated leaves (balfour). | A-1, BC-2 Very sensitive roots. | Sprouts new growth from tip of cane, pinch back new growth to try to sprout lower. | Spider mites, mealybugs. Root rot. | Slow growing plant. Sheds some leaves year-round. Very cold & draft sensitive. |
 | Ravenea rivularis (Majesty Palm) | Arching palm with wide fronds, trian-gular base. | ABC-2 | Fronds sprout slowly from inside, cut off old fronds at base, remove as much stalk as possible. | Spider mites (often), scale, mealybugs. | Very wide. Trim fronds rather than remove whole one, only supports few leaves. |
 | Rhapis excelsa (Lady Palm) (Bush or cane) | Dark green fan-shaped leaves grow from hairy brown stems. 3-5’ bush, canes are taller and thinner. | A-1, BC-2 Wilted plant will take weeks to show it. | Grows fronds from tip of stem. Reduce height by cuting entire stem at the soil base. | Spider mites (often), scale, mealybugs. | Very slow growing. Cold sensitive. Do not expose to drafts. |
 | Sanseveria trifaxiata (Snake Plant, Mother in Law’s tongue) | Stemless plant with upright sword-shaped, fleshy leaves, Variegated green and w/yellow. | AB-2, CDE-3 Very hardy plant, in terms of both water and light. | Grows new leaves from base. Cut back from soil. | Leaf rot. | Don’t overwater. |
 | Schefflera actinophylla (Schefflera Amate , Umbrella tree) | Large, hand shaped, medium green leaves, with thick upright stem. Usually bushy form, 4-8’ tall. | BC-2, D-3 | Grows upwards from tip of stems, cut back at any node, remove whole leafs from stem. | Spider mites. | Can get top heavy as grows too tall to support itself. Fast growing in high light. Can air layer. |
 | Schefflera arboricola (Hawaiian or dwarf schefflera, Nora) | Dark green handshaped leafs, bush form (2-3’) or tree form (stem with head and often twisted trunks), column form | AB-2, C-3 Tree requires direct sun, bush can tolerate interior lighting. | Bush has upright stems, tree has more horizontal stems. Leaves grow from stem tip. Cut at node to shape. | Scale (often), spider mites, mealybugs, Trees are more susceptible to root rot. | Prune to prevent stretchiness, stems will grow too long. Be careful cleaning, leaves can be broken off. |
 | Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) varieties: Supreme,Petite, Sensation | Long, tapered-oval, ridged leaves attach to base and curve downward, bush habit, with white flowers. | BC-1 Does not flower in low light. If wilted, can recover, but may get root rot. | Leaves sprout from center plant base in a rosette pat-tern. Remove oldest leaves from outer circle of base. | Scale, spider mites, mealybugs. | Remove spad (which contains pollen) as color fades to green, to prevent shedding on leaves. |
 | Syngonium podophyllum (Nepthytis, Arrowhead plant) | Variegated, silvery white or yellow-green arrow shaped leaves. | AB-1, CDE-2 | Grows horizontally, vining when stems get longer. Pinch back new growth to keep full. Cut at nodes to trim. | Spider mites. | Grows fuller and more compact in natural light. |