Aglaonema

Aglaonema, pronounced Agg-low-neem-uh, is another one of my all time favourite house plants.

I think I'm a foliage girl more than a flowery girl.

What’s not to love? 

• Spectacular Foliage Colours

• Fabulous Indoors Plant

• Grows well outside in Full Shade but can tolerate a little sun

• Great for Pots or Gardens

• Tolerates Dry Conditions

Aglaonemas have attractive glossy variegated foliage and colourful stems. They can be green and white, shades of pink, pink and green, pink and white and all shades in between. There are so many variations it’s easy to start a collection.

I grow them just for the foliage but they do flower it’s just not anything to write home about.

I feel they bring a lovely tropical feel to your indoor space.

Aglaonemas are relatively slow growing. They don't like having wet feet or being overpotted. I find it's better to treat them mean to keep them looking good. I have killed a few over the years simply by never letting them dry out. I now still use an excellent quality potting mix, like Searles Platinum Mix but I just don't water as often and I never let them sit in a saucer of water.

I find Aglaonemas can handle a dark position inside but really thrive in a well lit position. They also don’t mind being planted in gardens or pots outside in shady positions.

I find Aglaonemas to be so versatile, I love using them around the home. Up high, down low, they seem to suit all positions. As an added bonus these plants are known as luck-bringers and The NASA Clean Air Study determined that they were effective at removing common household air toxins formaldehyde and benzene.

So they really are the perfect houseplant. To keep them continually looking good and putting on a great display, fertilise with Plant of Health Eco Friendly Fertilisers Organic Link about every three months and a fertilise of granular sulphate of potash, usually once weather has warmed up, around late August to help to help the foliage remain vibrant. I also like to keep their leaves free from dust so every few weeks I take them outside and give it a liquid feed (and shower) with Triple Boost Liquid Fertiliser.

On a side note Aglaonemas are not for human or animal consumption. These plants, like many others, are considered poisonous as they contain calcium oxalate crystals. If ingested they cause irritation of the mucous membranes, and the juice can cause skin irritation and painful rash. So as with all plants unless you know its edible ... Don't eat it!

Kokedama

Viola hederacea’s made into kokedamas at Trevallan

Kokedama is a style of Japanese bonsai made by taking a plant out of its pot and turning it into a ball held together with a unique soil mixture, moss and string.

Trevallan's Kokedamas can be hung outside in full or part shade, and some are perfectly suited to indoors.

Trevallan stocks a range of  Kokedamas, such as Native Violets, Ficus Pimula, Parlour Palm, Brazilian Walking Iris, Ficus Fiddle Leaf and Anthuriums .

How to look after me

When the sphagnum moss feels dry to touch and the ball is light, I soak them in a bucket of water for about ten minutes. If it’s really hot, you may need to do this more than once a week. If it’s cold, you may only have to do it once a fortnight.

Alternatively, similar to your other plants, you can just water them with a hose or watering can.

If my Kokedamas are inside, I like to sit them in a bowl and top the bowl up with water.

Where to put me

Trevallan's kokedama

Some of Trevallan's Kokedamas come with their own hanger. These can be hung outside in shade or part shade, maybe under a tree or on your patio. They look fantastic as a group.

Some Kokedamas are perfectly suited to indoors and can be hung from the ceiling, or Trevallan's handmade Timber Kokedama Stand.

If hanging isn’t an option, you can sit your Kokedama on a plate or in a bowl. The sphagnum moss will be wet most of the time, so be sure to protect your furniture.

Kokedama’s are definitely worth trying - remember, not every plant needs to be potted!