Dragon trees are members of the Dracaena group which have heavy trunks. Each trunk is topped with a thick rosette of dark or blue-green, dagger like leaves. Leaf edges may be outlined in red. Madagascar dragon tree is native to Africa and dragon tree is indigenous to the Canary Islands. Height varies for dragon trees from 1-15 feed used indoors.

Plant care

• Medium or high light is best for growth. Dragon trees will survive under low light, but will not grow very much.

• Keep plant soil moist. Don’t allow soil to dry out. Avoid using water containing fluorides on dragon trees as tipburn or leaf spotting will result.

• Maintain temperatures between 65-80F. Dragon trees will tolerate low temperatures of 50F for short periods.

• Apply a fertilizer once every 2 months under medium or high light, every 3-4 months under low light.

Dracaena are native to Africa, Asia – corn plant and nurseries in Florida. Plant leaves might be oval or lance-formed, and from three to 24 inches lengthy. Dracaena leaves vary colored from emerald to graygreen, with whitened or yellow stripes, or might be mottled with creamy yellow spots.

Stripes on leaves become wider under low light levels. Dracaena will go to several different heights, depending on the variety. Florida beauty grows form 6 to 12 inches high. Other variety may grow from 2 to 5 feet tall. Another popular variety of Dracaena is glod dust.

Plant care tips:

• Medium to hight light are required to produce the greatest leaf color. Avoid full sun locations to prevent leaf burn.

• Keep plant soil moist, but don’t overwater. Avoid using water containing fluorides as tip burn or leaf spotting will result.

• Maintain temperatures 65 to 80 F.

• Apply fertilizer to most Dracaena every 3 to 4 months.

Silver nerve plant is native to the warm, moist regions of Peru. It has flat, dark green, 3-inch oval leaves netted with white veins. It is a low, sprawling plant with branches extending 8 inches long. Silver nerve plant may grow from 4 to 6 inches high and 6 to 17 inches wide. Under favorable conditions, it blooms small yellow flowers.

Plant care:

• High light intensity is required for growth, but avoid full sin as leaves will burn. Silver nerve plant will tolerate lower light levels for a short period of time.

• Keep plant soil moist, but not constantly wet.

• Maintain temperatures of 65-80 Fahrenheit. Place in draft free areas and avoid temperatures below 50 F.

• Apply a fertilizer once every 2 months in high light areas and every 3 months in medium light areas.

• Silver nerve plant is striking as a hanging basket, shelf or table plant. It grows best in a terrarium or grouped with other green plants.

The cacti family includes approximately 1500-2000 species varying in size, shape and form. The majority of cacti are drought resistant plants from central and south America. Cacti are often called succulents, because they have the unique capacity to store water in their thick, fleshy stems or modified leaves. All cacti have aureoles, cushion like structures found on the stems from which leaves, spines and bell shaped flowers grow in a variety of colors. Cacti stems are often covered with wax, bristles or silky hair. Cacti require only a minimum of care but should not be abused.

Cacti monitoring tips:

Light: Cacti prefer direct sunlight, but will survive in high interior light levels.

Water: Apply water about once a week. Allow the surface soil to dry out between watering.

Temperature: Maintain day temperatures of 70-75F and night temperatures of 62-65F.

Fertilization: Generally, fertilization every three to four months is adequate.

Uses: Cacti are especially attractive in dish gardens and terrariums. Large specimens are also decorative as table or floor plants.