Question
Can you help me to identify these two plants and how to care for them. I am also sending you pictures to better assist you.
Viney plant: this household plant is very common, however, I get conflicting info as to the name and how to care for it. It seems to like being somewhat root bound?? occasionally, (especially when transplanted) the vine/rope stem grows but no leaves? Can you recommend what I may be doing wrong when transplanting, or offer guidlines to follow when a plant needs a bigger pot? Currently it is in a 8in. diameter pot X 8.5in high with no direct light.
"palm tree" like plant: This plant was given to me about 1 year ago. I know basically nothing about it. More then normal it has been loosing the bottom larger leaves. new leaves grow on the top of some stems(or)stalks but not on others?
Currently it is in a 10in diameter pot X 8in high just below an East window. (only a few of the leaves actually reach to the window)

Answer
Hi Heather,

Thanks for the photos.

The viney plant is commonly called Pothos and mistakenly called Philodendron. Its botanical name is Epipremnum aureum, although that was changed for Scindapsus aureus. Yours appears to be very healthy and I would not suggest using a larger pot. As you observed, it does prefer to be potbound. As stems become very long, they often start to lose older leaves on the ends closest to the pot. Eventually, you will end up with long strings with leaves only at the ends. The only antidote for this is to prune these long stems back to a length of 3 - 5 inches. This will help keep the plant full and compact.

Your palm-like tree is a Croton and is not at all related to any palms. Crotons do best in very sunny windows. They need lots of direct sun to maintain their red and yellow colors. In reduced light, the new growth will be mostly green and the new leaves will be much smaller. The older leaves gradually fall off. That is what is happening with your Croton. It also prefers to stay potbound. In addition to increasing its light, I suggest that you prune back the bare stems and the long stems with leaves only at the ends to a length of three inches. This will promote new growth close to the center of the plant.

In the photos of the Croton, there is a slightly whitish color or film on the leaves. Perhaps this is just the flash bouncing off the shiney leaves. However, it might be spider mites. If the whitish film appears to be tiny webs and/or you see white specks of dust-like particles on the undersides of leaves, then let me know and I will tell you how to treat spider mites on Crotons.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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Hi Heather,

I have not received the photos and they would be helpful. Please e-mail the photos to me at [email protected].

Your viney plant is probably a Pothos or Philodendron, but I will need a photo to be sure. If so, it is most unlikley that it needs a larger pot.

The palm-like plant may be a Dracaena marginata, but again I will need a photo to be sure.

I look forward to seeing the photos so I can be more specific in helping you.

Will Creed