At Alsip we have one of the largest house plant selections in the Northwest Indiana and Chicagoland areas. We offer foliage plants for various light requirements and sizes ranging from 3”-10” containers as well as hanging baskets and larger floor plants in 12”-17” pots including: Dracaena, Anthurium, Diffenbachia, Pothos, Philodendron, Spathiphyllum and a variety of ferns are just a few types we carry. We also carry many varieties of each plant breed. If you’re unable to find a house plant you’re looking for, be sure to ask a helpful associate and we may be able to special order the item for you.

Indoor Foliage plants add great color to your interiors, relieve stress, help with the winter blues as well as clean the air. Most indoor foliage plants have only green or colorful leaves. Other plants bloom once or twice a year.

Many Indoor Foliage plants have different care requirements but will generally succeed in a bright room with good air circulation. This allows the plants to dry a little between waterings and serve as a good area for them grow. Typically plants with colorful foliage require more light to keep their colors from turning green.

Many plants appreciate to be upshifted once a year or once the roots start to grow on the top of the soil or out of the bottom.  Choose a container that is one to two sizes larger, and plant with potting soil and a slow release fertilizer.

Anthurium

These plants naturally grow in rain forests amongst the tree canopies. It’s important that you try and create an environment indoors with plenty of bright yet indirect light with moist soil. It’s also important to find a happy medium for the soil so it does not become too dry. A saucer with pebbles and water should help with any humidity issues. With the correct environment it is possible to have these plants in bloom year round. Call for availability.

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Cordyline

These colorful plants with sword like foliage grow in an upright manner and add plenty of color to any décor. They appreciate a lot of indirect sunlight and a moderately moist soil. Cordyline is a salt intolerant plant that would appreciate organic fertilizer. If you have a water softener another source of water like rain water or bottled water will help keep this plant as healthy as possible. Browning edges on leaves are sign of salt build up in the soil. These are available most months throughout the year. 10” container is a popular size but can be found in 6” at times.

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Dracaena

There are many varieties of Dracaena but the two most popular are the Corn Plant (Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’) and Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata).  These are upright growing plants available in many  forms and in 6” to 14” containers. Indirect light with a moderately moist soil are great growing conditions for these plants. Up shifting should not be done too soon as these plants have a shallow root system and can typically stay in one container for several years. Dragon Tree will typically loose several leaves at a time on the bottom layers forming the scars on the trunk, this is absolutely normal. Corn Plant does it as well but not as much at one time. Typically these plants can be found in 6” but more common in 10” and larger containers. Larger sizes are available year round, call for availability.

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Ferns

Ferns prefer a shadier spot in the house away from direct sun exposure. They do appreciate moist soil at all times and do not like to dry between watering. They also appreciate a little bit of humidity and a pebble tray should do the trick. These plants are appreciated for their leaf textures and colors. There are hundreds of varieties and so you’re sure to find one to meet your needs. A nice foliage fertilizer will also help them retain their nice rich color. The variety you will find in our greenhouse during the winter months are typically not hardy enough to put outdoors. Available in 3” to 12” containers from August to March.

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Peace Lily

These are a very easy to care for indoor plant that enjoy indirect sunlight and moist soils. Peace Lilies get white spike flowers once or twice a year depending on how happy they are indoors. Their leaves become droopy when they have gone too long without water. These plants are salt intolerant, a brown edge at the tip of the leaf is usually a sign of this problem. If you have a water softener it will be very important to find another source of water. Rain water is actually the best for all plants but bottled water will also do. When purchasing fertilizer we highly recommend an organic fertilizer as synthetic fertilizers are typically high in salt. Peace Lilies are available in 3” to 14” container from August to March. Call for availability during spring and summer months.

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Pothos (pictured) & Philodendron

These are not the same plant but both are very easy to maintain and grow as a cascading plant. Indirect sunlight with a moderately moist soil will make these plants very happy. They will tolerate neglect and are typically forgiving. If the vines get out of control or become too long prune them back or as we like to call it, give it a haircut. These plants are available in a 3” plant to a 10” hanging basket and everything in between, they are also available in totem form from August to March.

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General House Plant Care

Most houseplants can be taken care of under these general guidelines. As varieties vary there maybe more specific information needed, but for a person who is just starting these would be general rules to follow.

Winter Months

• Indoor Plant likes bright indirect light. Direct sun is not beneficial for most plants.
• Keep plants at least 2 feet away from windows .
• Keep plants away from heating ducts and where doors are often opened.
• Allow the soil to dry about 1/3 in between waterings.
• Do not fertilize in winter months.

Spring and Summer Months

• If plant is kept inside bright indirect light, southern exposure.
• If plant is taken outside more shade is necessary, no direct light.
• Keep the soil moist but not drenched.
• Continue to water until water runs through the bottom of the pot.
• Protection from harsh winds is ideal for any houseplant, if on the patio.
• Keep plants away from air conditioning ducts, if there is no place other than by one, close the duct.
• Fertilizing should be done during these months. A houseplant fertilizer is best for indoor plants. Follow direction on the fertilizer, as to how much and how often.

Repotting

• In general repotting should be done every year.
• Repotting should be done when a plant is brought outside for the summer or taken in for the winter.
• Only go up 2 sizes larger than the pot it is in at the moment. If the plant is root bound, the roots should be pulled at to ensure outward growth of the roots.