skip to main content

Name That Plant!

Can you help me Identify this Houseplant?

16 years ago

Please see the link below. The plant was in our office in dire straights with the roots growing out the bottom of the container and the stems flopping over. I transplanted it and am watering it once a week and it has really picked up. I'd like to know what it is! The Plant Man in our office doesn't know what it is but it reminds him of a Prayer Plant. To me it reminds me of a bamboo. I hope that someone will know what this is!

Here is a link that might be useful: Shutterfly Share

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (16)

greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
16 years ago
can't access the picture site??
la_kitty
Original Author
16 years ago
Sorry. Try this link.

Here is a link that might be useful: New Link to Houseplant
Related Discussions
Can you help me identify this oak-leaf houseplant?
Q
Comments (17)
Hello again! I wanted to get back to you all about a month after my original post with an update and another question about this plant. I do believe it is a hibiscus although it has never flowered in my care (5 years). As you may recall and see from the photos I submitted in February, it seem to be on its way out. I was distraught about this since it had been my mother's and in a way some of you may understand, I felt like I was letting her down by letting it die - and perhaps even causing its demise. So I set to work, following the suggestions given by you kind and knowledgeable folks. Here's what I did. I removed it from its pot and found a relatively small tangle of roots in rather wet soil. Now this was the same pot and soil it had been in at my mother's where it flourished. I was surprised that the root mass was not larger - it did not fill the pot, and I was surprised that it was so wet because there was plenty of drainage. Nonetheless, I removed most of the soil and repotted it in fresh, dry potting mix. It's actually a succulent mix because that's what i had. I hoped it would allow good drainage to keep the roots happy as I had been told that they don't like to be in cold wet soil. I also drilled extra holes in the pot and raised it up out of the saucer using several chopsticks so it would never sit in water. I gave it a small amount of water just to moisten the new surface but hoped the dry soil around the roots would wick away excess moisture. I also moved it closer to a heat source, right in front of a SW facing window. Of course I checked on it daily and after about a week stuck my finger in to see if the soil was still damp underneath. It was. So using a chopstick I poked around trying to gently churn it up a little. I figured it couldn't get any worse than it was. I was willing to experiment. Now, almost a month later, here are some photos. You'll see most of the leaves are completely dried up and many have fallen off. But there is one branch that still seems viable and I do believe I've even seen some new growth. The other day I noticed a small black flying insect flitting on the soil surface. I got out my insecticidal soap and sprayed the leaves and the soil surface. I don't know if it was a fruit fly from my compost bucket or something else but the plant hasn't gotten any worse. Now I am wondering if I should fertilize/feed it and if so, with what. Again, all opinions welcome - you guys really helped me out! Thanks.
...See More
Houseplant Identification
Q
Comments (7)
The first one is a grape ivy, a/k/a oak leaf ivy, Christy. Should be pretty easy to take care of. I think mites or white fly could possibly be a problem, but not positive about that! The second one sure looks like some type of vinca vine, but I've never seen one with that coloration, so I don't think that's what it is! If nobody else comes up with an answer, next time you're going somewhere that sells houseplants--garden center or somewhere where they actually know about the plants they sell--snip off a piece and take it with you to see if you can get an ID that way. You could also try posting the pics on the Houseplant Forum. Since that's their basic interest over there, I suspect you'd get somebody who knows what they're talking about! Enjoy them, Skybird Here is a link that might be useful: Grape Ivy
...See More
Please help me identify houseplant
Q
Comments (6)
Compare to P. orba & japonica (synonym of P. blanda,) both part of EA's lineup. http://www.costafarms.com/plants/peperomia However, P. orba is probably something else: http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2556294 P. blanda has a lot of synonyms! http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2556483
...See More
Mislabeled Houseplants - Can you identify these two?
Q
Comments (2)
The top plant is a Ficus benjamina, variegated form. http://www.learn2grow.com/plants/ficus-benjamina-variegata/(there are degrees of variegation :-) The second is a garden croton Codiaeum variegatum. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codiaeum_variegatum Well worth keeping (the husband as well as the plants) !
...See More
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
16 years ago
still can't view your picture, there's an error message.

A......
erict
16 years ago
Is this what it looks like?

{{gwi:146049}}
la_kitty
Original Author
16 years ago
No. Sorry, Erict. And to everyone else, I have to figure out how to post the picture. I'll try again later today. Thanks for looking!
stigmaandstyle
16 years ago
Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana'

check out www.dracaena.com
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
16 years ago
K, got an email from you earlier, the link you mailed me won't work either, have just replied to it with details of how to get/use photobucket account, hope it helps.
Gill.
tjsangel
16 years ago
Just a shot in the dark, could it be Dieffenbachia?

Jen
la_kitty
Original Author
16 years ago
Sorry, Jen, it's not Dieffenbachia. Thanks to Gill I'm using a Photobucket link below and I hope all of you will give me another look and help me "Name that Plant!"

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:146048}}
la_kitty
Original Author
16 years ago
It's not Dracaenna either. The stems of my plant are very slim and when the plant was weak all of the stems were bowed over. Now, the plant is strong and the slim stems are upright. Oh, by the way, in our office, the plant was replaced by a bromeliad
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
16 years ago
Compare it to Calatheas or Ctenanthes, very similar to Maranta.

A......
la_kitty
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you, Aftermidnight. Good work! Mine is about 4' high and has variegated leaves. I love it but think I need to take better care of it - especially giving it more water and/or misting. You're a genius!
Best regards,
Kathy
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
16 years ago
Well you know what they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, I use to have a few of these many moons ago :o).

A......
greenclaws UK, Zone 8a
16 years ago
Kathy, glad to see you got a positive ID for your plant in the end! You can also paste the html line direct into this message box to get your pic to show immediately, without others having to click on the link to open the pic page. Glad I was able to help, good luck with your plant!
Regards.
Gill.
aftermidnight Zone7b B.C. Canada
16 years ago
I should have mentioned, check into the misting of this type of plant, I think if I remember correctly it's one of those plants that likes humidity, sitting on pebbles in a tray of water rather than misting.
I'm glad we were able to help with the identification, I know when I have a plant and don't know it's name it drives me nuts until I find out what it is LOL. This is such a great forum, I check in here often as there are so many knowledgeable people and I have learned a lot from them.

A......
la_kitty
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you to everyone! GardenWeb is fabulous - I've learned so much!

Gill, I'll try the hmtl line next time. When I tried it last night, I got an error message and I didn't have time to figure out what I was doing wrong!

Bye for now.
. . . Kathy

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR The Perfect Houseplant for People Who Kill Houseplants

By creative jewish mom.com

If you can fill a jar with water, you can keep golden pothos vine happy — and it will pay you back with cleaner air and a greener home

HOUSEPLANTS 8 Houseplants You Can't Kill

By J. Peterson Garden Design

They're forgiving and let you forget. Houseplants don't get any easier than this

GARDENING FOR BIRDS Backyard Birds: How to Identify Two Common Woodpeckers

By Habitat Network

Downy and hairy woodpeckers have similar coloration and behavior. But there are two big differences that separate them

MOVING Relocating Help: 8 Tips for a Happier Long-Distance Move

By Laura Gaskill

Trash bags, houseplants and a good cry all have their role when it comes to this major life change

DECORATING GUIDES Could a Mission Statement Help Your House?

By Laura Gaskill

Identify your home’s purpose and style to make everything from choosing paint colors to buying a new home easier

DECORATING GUIDES Meet a Houseplant That Doesn't Mind Neglect

By creative jewish mom.com

Got better things to do than remember to water your houseplants on schedule? Schefflera will forgive and forget

HOME TECH Hello, It's Your Houseplant Calling

Or even tweeting. Today's apps and gadgets let plants communicate in better ways than with a show of withered leaves

HOUSEPLANTS Outsmart Winter — Make Houseplants of Your Garden Growers

By creative jewish mom.com

No need to watch Jack Frost play Wreck the Rosemary. Bring your garden inside for the winter, using containers and these guidelines

CONTAINER GARDENS Happy Houseplants, Happy People

By Laura Gaskill

Potted plants add life and beauty to a room. Learn easy ways to keep them healthy

HOUSEPLANTS Meet a Long-Lasting Houseplant With a Forgiving Heart

By creative jewish mom.com

Low light and little watering won't scar Zee Zee plant for life; this East Africa native has a tolerant nature and an exotic beauty

Sponsored

More Discussions

Anyone know what this type of salvia is?

18

Now what is this?

6

A volunteer in my pot of basil Zone 7b

3

Quilty leaved unknown patio crack vollunteer?

8

Did not plant but may not be weed?

5