Archives: Breath Nature

Ceropegia woodii or the Chinese Lantern Plant, gets its name from its purple-coloured flowers in the shape of a lantern. Yet the purple-coloured flowers are not the woodii’s only feature. Ceropegia woodii is described in English as ‘string-of-hearts‘, because of its long tendrils with heart-shaped leaves. These tendrils can easily grow up to a metre long with the right attention spans. For instance, the Ceropegia likes a light-rich environment but not full sun, so indirect sunlight is ideal. It is interesting to rotate the plant at regular intervals, that way it grows fuller to several sides. This is because the plant grows towards the sun. Nevertheless, the sunnier the Chinese lantern plant is, the more obvious the pattern on the leaves becomes.

A Chinese lantern plant is descended from the succulent genus, hence it needs very little water. A splash of water once a week is more than enough, and the plant will grow well. It is also important for the Ceropegia to dry out in the potting soil between waterings. Too much water can harm the plant! In fact, Ceropegia woodii stores a lot of water from the root tuber it grows out of. In winter, the plant hibernates, so it needs even less watering.

The hare’s foot fern (Davallia feejeensis) has lovely and glossy fine doubly pinnate fronds that degrade noxious substances in the air. Remarkable are the rootlike structures that show above soil level and that grow beautifully over the edge of the pot. These roots (rhizomes) are very hairy, hence the name hare’s foot. The hare’s foot is a fern, and therefore an easy plant that requires relatively little care.

This air-purifying fern will thrive when the soil is kept slightly moist. Prevent water from stagnating in the pot. To avoid any risk, we have integrated a practical fuse system in the pot thanks to which the fern always absorbs enough water. This fern prefers plenty of light, but avoid direct sunlight (e.g. bright midday sunlight).

This fern is also called hare’s foot, rabbit’s foot or bear’s paw. The possession of a hare’s foot is considered almost all over the world as a good-luck amulet. The hare’s foot as a symbol of good luck finds its origin with the Celts. They believed that hares lived deep underground, which made it possible for them to communicate with the spirits from the underworld.

Whatever the case may be, good luck with your hare’s foot.

Hedera helix is the champion air purifier: unlike most indoor plants Hedera is not a tropical plant but a plant that grows in Europe and is therefore used to a somewhat cooler climate. Ivy is a low-maintenance plant that looks particularly nice in hanging pots or high pots. You can place your Hedera outdoors in summer (but not in full sun). Since Hedera is available in a great variety of leaf shapes and shades of green, everyone can find a variety to their liking.

Lepismium boliviana is an epiphyte plant that is found in Bolivia. The plant is family of the cacti, but it has no spines. Epiphytes grow on other plants or trees, but they do not extract nutrients from the host plant. Lepismium is a striking, decorative houseplant. Its ligulate, flat leaves can become quite long (they can grow to a length of more than 1m.) A flourishing plant will bloom both in spring and in autumn, and produce little white or pink flowers. A bright location, away from direct sunlight, enhances the plant’s growth. This houseplant only requires little water. It is important to let the potting soil dry out between 2 waterings. Use limefree water (rainwater) with a temperature of 12°C, if possible. In winter you can put the plant in a colder room (a bright location with a temperature of around 15°C) and give it less water. Winter is a period of rest.

Aeschynanthus (pronounced es-kee-nan-tus) occurs in the wild in the damp forests of Asia, from the Himalayas to Indonesia, where the vines can reach up to three yards in length. Natively, the plant is an epiphyte, meaning that the plant grows on trees and other plants without drawing nutrients from their hosts. Aeschynanthus is also referred to as the lipstick plant because of the striking red flowers.

Aeschynanthus enjoys plenty of light, but it is best to avoid direct sunlight. Watering once per week is sufficient in winter, twice per week in summer. Mist some water onto the plant once per month using a spray bottle.

The most common varieties are the “Japhrolepis” and the “Scoubidou”

The Crassula is a succulent plant from South Africa and Madagascar. This iconic indoor plant is by far the most well-known and most popular plant from the Crassula genus, and is offered for sale all year long in the Netherlands and Belgium. Care for this plant is exceedingly easy, and the plant is nearly indestructible.

All Crassula species have a special characteristic. In order to combat water loss, the stomata on their leaves close by day, and open only by night to absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Most plants engage in photosynthesis during the day, therefore producing oxygen during the day as well. Crassula plants do just the opposite; engaging in photosynthesis at night and producing oxygen at night. This makes the plant ideally suited for the bedroom.

In ancient China, this plant was associated with the emerald. The leaves on the Crassula ovata reminded them of money, and hence they coined the term Money Plant. In optimal conditions, the plant can reach two or three metres in height, and grow to a trunk circumference of a robust 20 centimetres.

This indoor plant requires a bright location, preferably sunlit. In summer, you can simply place it outside, following a period of adaptation to the sun, on the balcony or in the yard. If you take the plant back inside by November, it will have gone through a colder period, and will immediately thereafter begin to bloom.

The Crassula is a succulent plant that requires a healthy splash of water once in a while, while allowing the clump to dry out in between watering. The greatest risk is overwatering, which will cause the roots to rot.

The ornamental asparagus is a truly robust houseplant that owes its striking appearance to its feathery, needle-like branches and leaves, making it a highly decorative addition to any type of interior. It is best not to place your asparagus in an overly warm location, but do make sure it gets plenty of light. Such a location will ensure years of plant growth. The stems may be left long and hanging, but can be cut short if desired. Water regularly, but do not flood the plant’s roots.

Platycerium or elkhorn fern is an epiphyte that is native to the tropical forests of Australia. (Epiphytes are plants that grow on other plants, and do not have their own roots in the ground. However, they do not draw nutrients or water from the plants in which they grow.)

The irregular leaves of the elkhorn fern have a greyish-white, felt-like surface. This is a protective layer to protect against evaporation, and for drawing moisture from the air. The plant has few roots in the ground with which to take up water, therefore be sure not to wipe off this felt-like layer.

Regularly mist some water onto the leaves, and dunk the pot into water every week.

Platycerium ‘bifurcatum’ and ‘Veitchii’ are the most compact varieties.

Rhipsalis, coral cactus or cactus without spines is a natural medicine against stress. Rhipsalis brings relief! This houseplant has a calming effect, as shown by scientific research (research conducted the University of Surrey in England). Furthermore Rhipsalis is all the rage. So when you are looking for a housemate that is both trendy and that keeps you in balance, this plant is the perfect choice. Any location in your home will do.

Thanks to their long hanging vines, ‘Cassutha’, ‘Teres’ and ‘Oasis’ are the most gracious cultivars.

The fern family consists of various types of ferns, the most common of which is the Nephrolepis. This houseplant displays a nice green frond leaf that unfurls from a spiral. Other ferns have different leaf colours ranging from light green, silvery grey, deep dark green, reddish, to bronze even. The toughness of the leaves also varies. Ferns are truly easy to keep in a living room; they purify the air and ensure beneficial air humidity. In short, the ideal roommate!

The most hardy varieties of these macho ferns are ‘Green Lady’ and ‘Duffii’.