We all practice ethnobotany when we decorate our homes with plants, add spices to our meals, or select a certain type of wood to build something useful.

We will show you, here, the many modern uses of plants, whether they be for medicinal, spiritual, practical or culinary purposes - did you know that planting with a purpose is the best use of your garden, terrace or window sill?

This page will make it apparent why a person would be better off having a 'Willow-Bark' plant for use when there is a headache then purchasing the synthetic or corrupted substances at pharmacies. Come back soon, come back often to find out more as well as dates for seminars on this subject.  

How could this be? You're being careful not to overwater your houseplants. But now, you're seeing brown tips on the ends of the leaves. Maybe whole stalks are dying. You fertilize regularly, yet the plants are not doing well at all. What could the problem be? You'd be surprised, but it's probably salts.

An experiment by my Horticultural Class in 1987, found plants grow faster when they were sang to. The sung-to plants grew two inches higher than their unsung-to counterparts. Female student voices worked especially well for faster growth. Male student voices,  couldn’t make the plants grow as quickly, and in some cases, low-voiced males stunted the growth of the plants by singing at them. This must be why we throw rotten tomatoes at horrible singers.

You should alternate the kinds of plant foods you feed your house plants. Plants, like people, get bored with the same old diet everyday. I always suggest buying two or three foods and alternate the foods every time you feed your plants with water.

If you want any of my mixtures or off the shelf favorites just ask!

Perennially,

Bamboo plants are very easy to care for. Typically, they are grown in a few inches of clear water, supported by small pebbles, stones, or marbles. It is important that the water be kept clean and fresh and not allowed to stagnate. I recommend changing it every week or so, and always keep water levels at approximately an inch from the base of the canes. In areas where the local water is heavily treated with chlorine or fluoride, the leaf tips or edges of the bamboo may become yellow or brown. This condition can also be caused by too much salt in the water, such as in "softened" water. I suggest leaving tap water to stand in an open container for 24 hours... allowing the chlorine and fluoride to dissipate before using it with your plants. Otherwise use filtered or distilled water.

Bamboo plants prefer plenty of indirect sunlight and room temperatures between 65-90 degrees. They will perform well under artificial lighting. Too much direct sun can cause burning of the leaves. Too little light will lead to weak growth and poor coloration.

Plants grown in water will only need to be fed every other month or so, using a very weak liquid fertilizer. A single drop of liquid fertilizer is plenty. The roots are susceptible to burning if the solution is too strong. 

These plants grow very slow. They can be purchased in various sizes (6" to 48").

In addition to water, bamboo can be grown in sand or a well-drained, rich potting soil. Keep the soil moist, but not soaking. Water as you would any Dracaena species.

 Thanks-

M.H

Common Name: "Snake Plant" or "Mother-in-Law Tongue"
Latin Name: Sanseveria trifasciata 'Laruentii'

The Snake Plant is the ultimate for those without a green thumb. This house plant is one of the hardest to kill. Snake Plants are so diverse and easy to grow. They can be placed nearly anywhere except total darkness. In full sun they may bleach or loose some of their coloration. This houseplant prefers to be watered once every 7 - 10 days thoroughly, allowing the soil to dry in between watering. If the foliage begins to droop, you are probably over watering. On the other hand if the foliage begins to wrinkle or bend over you are not providing enough water. The most common problem with this plant is over-watering.

They are available from small starter plants to five foot specimens. There are over 30 varieties of Snake plants which are readily available from small 3" starter plants to large and heavy specimens in 14" containers.

On a special note, this houseplant is toxic when eaten. It is one of the many poisonous houseplants, so please keep away from pets and children.

Common Name: "Peace Lily" or "White Flag"
Latin Name: Spathiphyllum 'Lynise'

Peace Lilies are probably one of the most popular plants in the US. There are numerous varieties available from small leaved plants to very broad leaved plants. They are quite easy to grow. In a well lit, warm or dry environment they can consume lots of water. Thriving in lower lighted areas make this plant work almost anywhere. Try to keep it within 5 to 8 feet of a window for best results. Do not place your plant in direct sun. Direct sunlight can damage the Peace Lily's foliage. If the leaves begin to yellow, it may mean it is receiving too much sunlight. Move it to a less lighted area.

The main care requirement for your Peace Lily is water. This plant requires heavy watering, but you must allow the soil to dry out in-between watering. It will let you know when it needs water... The leaves will begin to droop. However, do not let it droop severely. Check for water 2 - 3x per week until you are accustomed to your plants requirements. Once the plant is watered the foliage will spring back up. If you allowed it to dry out too much, some of the lower leaves may yellow and need to be removed.  If your plant becomes severely wilted... place it in a bath tub or large sink and run plenty of water through the soil to re-moisten the root ball. Repeated wilting will cause leaf spotting and brown leaf edges. 

This plant also loves higher humidity levels, so providing it with a nice misting a couple times a week will help the plant remain healthy.

Feed bi-monthly with plant food. Make sure the soil is moist before feeding. If your plant stops flowering, just be patient... it will bloom again.

Common Name: "Ponytail Palm" or "Bottle Palm"
Latin Name: Beaucarnea recurvata

Ponytail Palms get its name from its ponytail like appearance. It requires very little attention. They are slow growers... don't expect great growth spurts from year to year. These very unique plants are an excellent low maintenance plant for high light areas. Place your Ponytail Palm either in direct sunshine or very bright filtered light.

The Ponytail palm is native to desert areas therefore, it has a root system similar to cactus in that the roots go deep in order to store water for long dry spells. If you have a plant with a large trunk, water your plant sparingly... maybe twice a month (once every 7 - 14 days), allowing a small amount of water to reach the drip tray. If you have a smaller plant, allow the soil to dry 2" or 3" from the surface between watering. Feed large plants quarterly... smaller plants bi-monthly with a balanced liquid plant food.

If you notice the lower foliage is starting to turn a yellow or brown color you may be under watering the plant.

Bugs and mites usually are not a problem with the palm, however if they do appear, simply spray the houseplant down with a soapy water mix twice a day until they are gone.

Ponytail Palms are available in several different growth stages such as small plants with newly formed bulbs... to plants with large bulbs and heavy woody trunks in pot sizes ranging from small 3 inch starter plants to expensive 6 foot specimens.

Common Names: "Cast Iron Plant" or "Cast Iron"
Latin Name: Aspidistra elatior

If you need a plant that's low maintenance and easy to keep... a Cast Iron Plant is the right houseplant for you. They perform well in nearly all lighting conditions, temperatures and environments. They tolerate neglect and heavy traffic areas very well. Dust the foliage to prevent the pores from clogging. However as said before, Cast Iron Plants are very hardy and will tolerate dust filled leaves. Their durable foliage is often used in fresh cut flower, and tropical flower arrangements.

Cast Iron Plants are very slow growing and usually cost quite a bit more than other houseplants that are in similar container sizes. Cast Iron Plants produce beautiful star shaped flowers just under the soil line.

Cast Iron Plants can be placed in nearly any lighting condition except hot direct sunshine or total darkness. They prefer low to moderate light levels. Corners or table tops are ideal for this plant.

As with any plant... the higher the lighting the plant receives, the more water it will use. Check your Cast Iron Plant for water weekly until you become familiar with its needs. Allow the soil to dry 1" to 2" from the surface soil before watering. In low light conditions your Cast Iron Plant could feasibly go two weeks between watering. Never allow your plant to sit in a saucer of water as this will soon cause root rot. A daily or every other misting will also help this house plant look its best.

Feed bi-monthly with plant food to help keep the foliage glossy green.

They are available in 6" pots. Larger specimens available in 8", 10", 12" and 14" containers.

Common Name: "Madagascar Dragon Tree"
Latin Name: Dracaena marginata

There are five different types of Dracaena marginata on the market today. The green variety, Tri-color, Bi- color, Colorama, and Magenta. The plants that have color in their names are varying shades of green, white, pink to reds. Magenta has burgundy colored foliage that may turn green if in too low of light. They require moderate to low light levels. As with many Dracaena varieties, if the dramatic coloring or variegation on the foliage begins to fade, the plant may not be receiving enough light.

Check for watering weekly... allowing the soil to dry to the touch about 1/3 down the pot. Yellowing leaves can be an indication of over watering, under watering or simply just normal leaf drop... Under watered plants will shed a large amount of totally yellow leaves from the lower portion of the head, whereas a plant that has been over-watered, the leaf will yellow from the tip towards the stem. Keep in mind, this houseplant sheds its bottom foliage frequently. This does not mean you are doing anything wrong in terms of caring for it. Just as the plant grows the bottom leaves shed.

Feed only once a year... the Dracaena family does not like to be fertilized.

Madagascar Dragon Trees are available from small starter plants to 20 foot plus specimens. They are grown in several variations such as Staggered plants, Exotic shape, Branched, tips or bush and tree form.

Research into the use of biological processes to solve environmental problems, both on Earth and in space has been carried out for many years by Dr. Bill Wolverton, formerly a senior research scientist at NASA’s John C. Stennis Space Center, Bay St. Louis, Miss.

Based on preliminary evaluations of the use of common indoor plants for indoor air purification and revitalization a study using about a dozen popular varieties of houseplants was done to determine their effectiveness in removing several key pollutants associated with indoor air pollution.

While more research is needed, Wolverton’s study showed that common indoor plants can remove certain pollutants from the indoor environment. Here are the top 9 houseplants:

Common name: "Reed Palm" or " Bamboo Palm"
Latin name: Chamaedorea seifrizii

Common name: "Silver Queen" or "Chinese Evergreen"
Latin name: Aglaonema sp

Common name: "English Ivy" or "California Ivy"
Latin name: Hedera helix sp

Common name: "Janet Craig" or "Green Corn Plant"
Latin name: Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig'
 
Common name: "Madagascar Dragon Tree"
Latin name: Dracaena marginata
 
Common name: "Corn stalk plant"
Latin name: Dracaena fragrans 'massangeana'

Common name: "Snake Plant" or "Mother-in-Law Tongue"
Latin name: Sanseveria trifasciata 'Laruentii'

Common name: "Striped Dracaena" or "Ribbon Plant"
Latin name: Dracaena deremensis 'Warneckei'

Common name: "Jade Plant" or "Jade Tree"
Latin name: Crassula argentea - synonym Crassula ovata

I use to work in the lodging industry (Hyatt Hotels) and when I was not working to further greenroofing duties I was furthering a program concerning indoor pollutants. Some house plants have  the capacity to take pollutants out the air that affect people with allergies, asthma, blurred vision, and others - just 'Google' my topic and you will find more information, so there is no need for me go through it here. 

Plants proved to be effective in my 90 day trial in keeping mold growth in the bath room minimized to levels which were brely noticeable and managable. Once I introduced 'Pothos' in box planters 6 inches from the ceiling the mold, black/brown rot most common in bath rooms, became more of a cosmetic problem then a health problem. And they actually enhanced the bath room, giving the aura of quality.

In that same 90 day I placed 'Corn Plants', 'Aloes' and 'Peace Lillies', with moderate results the first 30 days and greater results the following 60 days after I modified the soil with corn starch or baking soda in the soil, all results are available in my charts on the various plants I used, these natural scavengers removed floating dust particles right before my eyes, a magnetic like ability in some cases - especially, the red background plants!

I will continuously encourage the use of plants to help 'clean' the air with hope that one day everyone I am in contact with will have a "just how we do it" attitude.