The start of a new year is the ideal time to consider indoor gardening. It’s a fantastic time to brush up on your gardening terminology knowledge as well. You begin with the letter A, just as with any vocabulary. Many words in horticulture begin with the letter “A. Aroids are what A symbolizes for today!
Members of the Araceae family are aroids, sometimes known as arums. With more than 100 genera and 3700 species, predominantly subtropical monocots, the Araceae family is massive. Several varieties are unusual landscape plants, and several are well-liked as houseplants. This plant family has a wide range of maturity behaviors, leaf sizes, forms, and colors. This family’s majority of members share a recognizable inflorescence (cluster of flowers). The spathe and spadix make up the inflorescence. The spadix is a rod-shaped structure that frequently has clusters of male flowers towards the tip and female blooms near the base. The spathe, a bract that resembles a leaf and surrounds the spadix, can occasionally be bright and conspicuous. In an effort to draw pollinators, the inflorescence may produce heat (Symplocarpus) or release distinctly offensive scents (Amorphophallus).
Most likely, you have observed or grown an aroid. The philodendron, pothos, Chinese evergreen, peace lily, dumb cane, and Swiss cheese plant are typical aroid houseplants. Only a small number of aroids that are produced indoors have eye-catching blossoms. The aroids Peace lily and Anthurium have colorful spathes. Landscape species like the calla lily and jack-in-the-pulpit have colorful inflorescences.
Large, frequently pungent inflorescence on branching leaf plants; dormancy necessary for recurrent bloom
arrowhead-shaped leaves and frequently vividly colored spathe; frequently grown as cut flowers
Vining plants with green and gold variegated leaves are hardy and simple to grow inside.
Enormous plant with split or holey large dark green leaves; prefers some direct light
Vining plant with green or variegated leaves that is hardy and simple to grow
Large plants with waxy green, slit-like leaves are hardy houseplants.
Aroids are frequently grown as indoor houseplants due to their beauty and adaptability to the environment. The majority of species favor direct, strong light. Other species in this family cannot withstand more than a few hours of direct light each day, with the exception of the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera), which enjoys direct light. They often function well in windows that face north or east. Ideal room temperatures range from 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit, but temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit can harm some species’ leaves. While landscape plants like caladiums, skunk cabbages, and calla lilies prefer continually moist soil, interior plants flourish best when allowed to somewhat dry out between waterings. High humidity is advantageous, particularly indoors during the winter. The majority of indoor aroids benefit from one or two modest fertilizer applications throughout the growing season. You can be a little lazy and stop repotting plants into bigger containers every year. Aroids as indoor plants even thrive while slightly pot-bound.
Aroids belong to a diverse family. Native to China, Japan, central Africa, Tibet, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Taiwan, Mexico, and North America, Arisaema is the genus that includes the Jack-in-the-pulpit (including Iowa). Even though Iowa has less aroids that can be cultivated outside, varieties like Jack-in-the-Pulpit are still worth seeing!
In Iowa, tubers won’t dependably overwinter outdoors despite being cultivated in shaded areas outside during the growth season and being known for their colorful, variegated leaves.
Often planted as a cut flower, this colorful and beautiful trumpet-shaped spathe has green to variegated leaves but won’t dependably overwinter outside in Iowa.
Consider growing some of these varied aroids in your indoor or outdoor garden in 2021. Check out In Defense of Plants’ podcast on Aroids to find out more information on aroids. One of the greatest living collections of aroids in the world is maintained and conserved by staff from the Missouri Botanic Garden.
Other words in the A garden vocabulary:
Tillandsia air plants are epiphytes that grow in the air or on surfaces other than soil. All About Air Plants HHPN link
To aerate something means to introduce air to it. In order to allow air and water to permeate through thatch or compacted soils, aeration is a frequent procedure for lawns. Link to HHPN article about grass aeration
What kinds of plants are aroids?
Aroids include widespread indoor plants like Pothos, Philodendrons, Alocasias, Monsteras, ZZ plants, Aglaonemas, Arrowhead vines, Colocasias, and others. With the exception of Antarctica, they are found on all continents and are all related members of the aroid family, Araceae. Aroids are plants that frequently grow on the forest floor in the wild and are suited to survive in a variety of environments, including dim light. Although we label these plants as “low light plants” in the horticulture sector, no plant actually prefers to be in low light. The majority of aroids favor filtered light. Although they are understory plants and receive shade in their natural habitat, the sun does not fully block it out.
One of the oldest and most fundamental basal families of all monocotyledonous plants, the family Araceae is made up of perennial herbaceous plants that frequently have milky or clear acrid sap. The leaves have calcium oxalate crystals that are irritating to herbivores because they create needle-like fibers that are akin to asbestos, and the stems are lianescent, tuberous, rhizomatous, or reduced. The flowers are produced on a spadix, an inflorescence with a spathe that typically envelops the flower spike’s fleshy center. You’ve probably seen peace lily blossoms, which are a typical illustration of the spadix-type inflorescence.
Some aroids, such as skunk cabbage, have the capacity to produce heat (Symplocarpus foetidus). It is one of the very few plants that can produce heat by utilising starches that have been stored in the roots. One of the first flowers to bloom in the spring in North America, the flower’s spathe generates heat that melts snow. This plant stinks, as implied by its name, but for good reason. To pollinate it, flies that are active from late February to early March are drawn to the scent.
This plant gathers a lot of energy since its leaves emerge before those of any other plant and because snow is very reflective. Additionally, the leaves remain on the plant during the entire growing season, and even if it is later in the season shadowed by trees, the plant has already attained its peak growth and will continue to gather ambient light to boost its starch store for the following year.
Aroids have extraordinary abilities to grow in water in addition to some of them being able to produce their own heat. This family descends from plants that live in lowland swamps. Swamps would frequently flood, which put pressure on plants to adapt such that their roots could resist temporary flooding. All of the aroids that we can see today are descended from the plants that survived these floods, and they all possess the capacity to establish roots in water. Waxy roots and thick waxy leaves are adaptations that prevent the plant from ever absorbing too much water. All aroid plants can take root in liquid. You should be aware that water lacks nutrients when you are propagating. Simply because something can grow in water doesn’t mean you should keep it there indefinitely. The plant won’t develop as well as it would if it were put in soil.
can handle low light but prefers medium light. Limit your exposure to the sun. Ideal sunshine is dappled light. able to endure three hours of direct sunshine.
once per week. Before watering, let the potting mixture dry completely. Dry to the touch soil should be found approximately 1-2 down. During the warmer months, water more regularly, and fertilize during the growing season. The plant will typically droop to indicate that it needs more water. Overwatering or keeping the soil wet for an extended period of time will promote root rot. Skip watering for a week or two if your plants are browning from overwatering.
Generally speaking, it is a fairly laid-back plant. prone to mealybugs and scale. As soon as scale bugs and mealybugs appear, treat them by wiping down the plant often and weekly applications of horticultural (Neem) oil.
If consumed, irritating to people, dogs, and cats. Always keep indoor plants out of tiny children’s and animals’ reach.
All anthuriums considered epiphytes?
A lovely Valentine’s Day gift is the anthurium plant’s striking red or pink, heart-shaped blossoms (also known as the Flamingo Lily or Painter’s Palette).
With this vibrant, durable plant, you can bring a little touch of the tropics indoors. A excellent low-maintenance addition to your indoor garden is any variety.
The vibrant, heart-shaped flowers are actually merely spathes, which are altered leaves. The spadix, which resembles a tail, is surrounded by little, yellow blooms called genuine flowers. On the plant or as cut flowers in a vase, the flowers can last for several weeks. And keep an eye out for fresh blooms all year long.
The majority of anthuriums are epiphytes that are found in tropical rainforest canopies. They cling to trees by burying their roots there. then collect nutrients and water from the world around you rather than by parasitizing the tree.
You can buy plants that have been mounted on stones to replicate their natural habits. Or, planted and growing in an organic potting mix with good drainage.
Anthuriums should be grown in a warm, well-lit area. Although they can endure reduced light levels, the plants do not readily blossom. These exotic beauties prefer warm weather and prefer drafts of hot, dry air with temperatures below 60 degrees.
To maintain a high level of humidity around the plant, group them with other plants. Alternately, place stones in the saucer’s base. As a result, root rot is prevented by elevating the pot above extra water that accumulates in the saucer. The humidity level around the plants rises as a result of this water’s evaporation.
To keep the roots from drying out, be sure to water deeply and frequently enough. Steer clear of overwatering, which causes wet soil and root rot. Near the soil’s surface, new roots sprout. To prevent them from drying out, cover them with sphagnum moss.
Don’t use much fertilizer. Between March and November, give these lovely plants a very diluted solution of a liquid fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer as required. You can always add additional fertilizer if your plants need an extra boost of nutrients, so err on the side of underfertilizing.
Water: Frequently enough to keep soil moist but not drenched or roots from drying out.
Between March and November, use a slow-release fertilizer or dilute the solution every few months.
Melinda Myers, a horticultural specialist, wrote the article. Melinda will highlight a low maintenance plant each month that is ideal for novice and seasoned gardeners looking for gorgeous, low-maintenance plants. Melinda Myers has more than 30 years of horticulture experience and is a widely respected gardening specialist. We are happy to share Melinda’s Low Maintenance Plant of the Month with you because she is a wealth of information!
Aroids are what kind of indoor plants?
Many common houseplants, including aglaonemas, monsteras, philodendrons, pothos, and ZZ plants, are aroids, members of the Araceae family. In the wild, these plants are frequently understory plants even though they are typically “low light indoor plants.”
The extra-large corpse flower and the desk-sized peace lily are just two examples of the many sizes that aroids come in. Usually, you may identify them by their bright, prickly flowers. Numerous tiny flowers are grouped together on a “spadix, which is located inside a curving, leaf-like “spathe,” to form each aroid blossom.
Some aroids possess unique abilities, such as the capacity to produce heat on their own or the ability to grow in water. This family has a long history of living in swamps and has evolved to withstand frequent floods, which is one of the reasons they are a low-maintenance houseplant.
In order to avoid absorbing too much water, many of these plants have waxy roots and leaves. Remember that the longer you choose to root your aroid in water, the more difficult it will be for it to adjust to the soil’s conditions.
Since many aroids have similar preferences, they thrive when grouped together and are simple for beginners to grow. Although they can withstand low light, these plants prefer medium light. They could get sunburned from too much direct sunlight. The top one to two inches of the potting mix should dry out between waterings, and they should be watered around once per week.
A necessary houseplant is the peace lily. In addition to having gorgeous green leaves, if given adequate light, it will also blossom with traditional lily blooms. They are the ideal addition to your air-cooling house plant team because they have the capacity to purify and chill the air. Medium to moderate light levels and well-drained soil are ideal for peace lilies. Try Espoma’s Organic Potting Mix for high-quality potting soil and success with indoor plants. Overwatering is the main threat to peace lilies and most other plants. A resilient, understanding plant, the peace lily will let you know when it needs water. It has a recognizable droop when it is thirsty. As soon as it receives the water it needs, it will rise again.
This is one hardy indoor plant! It doesn’t need any natural light; it can make do with only fluorescent lights. If you neglect to water it, don’t panic; it may begin to shed a few of its leaflets to conserve the water and will blossom again after a nice sip.
The foliage on this plant, also referred to as the split leaf philodendron, is remarkable. Being a tropical cultivar, this plant can endure greater humidity and less light. It is one of the most well-liked plants of the year due to its enormous, rich, dark green leaves, which stands out against a white background. Watch it grow by keeping it next to a window that gets indirect light.
This indoor plant, also known as the Chinese evergreen, can be found in a variety of hues, including deep green, silver, and red. It has slow growth and huge, elongated, glossy oval leaves. The brighter the variegation, the more light your aglaonema needs, so keep that in mind when determining where to place it. Therefore, it can survive in low light if you desire dark green foliage. When it’s summer, surround ags with other indoor plants to increase humidity, or place the pot on top of a saucer filled with stones and water. Water when the top two inches of the soil are dry. To provide it with the nutrients it need throughout the growing season, use Espoma’s Indoor! liquid plant food.
Looking for other indoor plants that require less maintenance? Check out the top indoor low light plants recommended by Garden Answer!