Table of Contents
Are you interested in growing houseplants that start with the letter “A” in this upcoming planting season and you don’t know the best choice to make? If you are, then, we got you covered.
We have compiled a list of the best houseplants that you can grow in your garden. Each one of these houseplants is worth the time and effort that you will put to work with a low-maintenance rate.
We also walk you through all the details of the plants as well as the necessary care requirements.
8 Houseplants That Start With A
There are numerous rare and colourful houseplants that start with the letter A that is worth being among your plant collections. Some of these houseplants include
1. Abelia
This is a houseplant that consists of about 30 species which includes both deciduous and evergreen shrubs. However, as a shrub, it has some common identifiers. It produces pointed, oval-shaped leaves that often come in different colours such as yellow or green with pink, orange, bronze, or burgundy.
The majority of the multi-coloured or variegated tends to change colour as the season changes. Its offspring (flower) are tabular in shape and often white, pink or yellow in colour. However, unlike other flowering plants, abelia shrubs usually have quite a long period of blooming season which extends from spring until fall.
Care Requirements
To care for this plant is extremely easy and it requires a low-maintenance. Some of these maintenances include
A. light Requirements
Abelia plant tends to grow and thrive best when it is placed in a position where it is exposed to either full sun or partial shade. The full sunlight helps the plant to produce more colourful foliage and also bloom healthily.
B. Soil Mix
Abelia plants adapt to all soil conditions. However, it thrives best in a fertile, well-draining, and moist soil mix. The soil must be rich in organic matter and its pH level must be slightly acidic for optimal growth. Before planting, it is important that you amend the soil with compost
C. Water Requirements
This plant is drought tolerant and does best when watered regularly. However, during the hotter summer months, it is advisable to water your plant once or twice a week as this will help to keep the plant vibrant and healthy.
Before watering the plant, you must ensure that the soil has dried off and ensure that you water deeply and infrequently.
D. Temperature And Humidity
The best temperature and humidity range for the plant is from USDA hardiness zones 4-11. However, note that the preferred growing zones depend on the specific needs of each variety.
E. Best Fertilizer
Fertilize your plant with a slow-release shrub especially in the early hours as it will help to boost them to grow healthy. Ensure that you compost annually to provide needed nutrients as well as support proper soil drainage.
F. Propagation
The propagation of the abelia plant can be done through cutting, both hardwood and software. However, to grow it in either way, you will need sharp snips, a small pot, well-draining, rich-soil.
a. Using sharp snips, cut a small branch that is around 6 inches long. Enure fdut below a node.
b. Remove any lower leaves and cut into the root hormone, then gently plant it into well-draining, rich soil.
c. Place the pot in a warm, sunny area and keep the soil moist.
d. Roots should form in around one to two months.
G. Repotting
To repot the plant, you need to:
a. Get a container that is around 8 inches or so larger than the root system.
b. Add plenty of compost-rich soil, keep it moist, and place the pot in a sunny location. However, if the plant outgrows its container, gently loosen the roots by tipping the plant on its side and tapping all around the container.
c. Slide the root system out of the pot and plant it in a new pot that provides a few inches of extra space on all sides.
d. Fill it with rich soil and water thoroughly.
H. Pests & Diseases
It is rarely infested by pests and diseases. However, powdery mildew anthracnose, and aphids may cause problems. To treat the plant, you should get an insecticide soap or neem oil.
2. Aeoniums
This species of plant which is also known as tree houseleeks is a low-growing plant that grows a few inches to larger species that grow several feet, such as A. arboreum, A. valverdense, and A. holochrysum.
Its leaves are rounded in a perfectly structured way which makes the plant sometimes mistaken as an artificial plant. They are solid in colour or variegated in different colours such as white, yellow, red, and green.
They are planted in the garden or indoors at any time. These are rather slow-growing plants and may take as many as five years before they produce the little bunches of flowers from the centre of the rosettes.
Furthermore, most of these plants are monocarpic in nature. This means that the mother plant dies after flowering, while the shoots continue to produce more shoots, as well.
Care Requirements
You can care for the plant by providing the below:
A. Light
Aeonium plants grow best in full or partial sunlight. In hot summers and desert conditions, light shade may be necessary, especially during the hotter afternoon hours.
So, if you’re growing the plant indoors, place them in a window that gets bright, indirect light for at least 6-8 hours a day.
Furthermore, if you begin to notice white or brown marks on the tips of your leaves, it indicates a good sign that your aeonium plants are getting too much direct light and should be relocated.
B. Soil
It thrives best when grown in sandy loam or a regular potting mix that has been amended with perlite.
For strong and effective soil mix, do well to avoid placing the plants in a mixture that’s designated for succulents and cacti, since aeoniums need more moisture than this combination typically provides.
Furthermore, if you’re looking to grow your aeonium plants in a traditional garden bed that has dense soil, you should amend the mixture with peat moss to improve it.
C. Water
When planted outdoors, aeonium plants should get all the water they need from rainfall, however, when indoors, you should allow the soil to dry out to at least an inch or two before soaking at the base of the plant.
Furthermore, when grown outdoors, the plant will typically go dormant in the peak of summer and winter, so it is advisable to avoid watering and only do so when your plant begins to shrivel.
Do well to avoid overwatering or underwatering of your plant as it will cause common problems to the plant.
D. Temperature and Humidity
These plants prefer a mediterranean-like climate, that’s not too hot, not too cold, and not too dry. Growing aeoniums in moist and shaded soil will keep them growing in high heat, but their true growth season is late winter through spring, when temperatures are cool and between 65°F to 75°F degrees.
E. Fertilizer
Feed your aeonium plants during their growing season with a half-strength balanced fertilizer.
While doing so, the frequency with which you fertilize your aeoniums will depend on their maturity and the nutritional density of your soil.
Young plants may benefit from monthly applications, while older plants can thrive off of a single feeding in the spring. Always fertilize the plants at soil level and avoid getting too much on their leaves. Do not feed while they’re dormant.
F. Propagation
Propagating aeoniums should be done in the spring when the plant is in the thick of its growing season.
Below are the steps on how to propagate aeonium from cuttings:
a. Using a very sharp, clean cutting tool, cut off a younger stem piece containing a leaf rosette. Place the cutting on its side in a dry, warm, and shady spot for about three days to allow the cut end to heal.
b. Fill a small pot with a mixture of half potting soil and half cactus or succulent potting mix.
c. Place the severed end of the cutting into the potting mix, just deep enough to hold it upright.
d. Place the pot in bright indirect light and water it lightly once each week. Make sure to choose a pot with ample drainage at the base to avoid rot.
e. Once the plant has developed strong roots, allow the top 2 inches of soil to dry out before watering. Repot into a larger container as needed.
G. Repotting
When potting your aeonium, it is advisable to look for a container that boasts ample drainage holes at its base as it will help to avoid soggy soil, standing water, and root rot. A container made of a moisture-wicking material, like terracotta or clay, can also be an effective way to maintain the right soil moisture.
Repot your aeonium during the spring months, when the plants are in their active growing period.
You should refresh the soil annually, either by topping off your existing container or potting up the plant if it has outgrown its current vessel.
Generally, most varieties will be ready for a new pot every two to three years.
H. Common Pests
The common pest includes aphids and mealybugs which secrete sugary substances that attract the ants to succulents.
To get rid of these pests, you need to place an ant as bait next to the plants to draw them out. After the ants are gone, then you concentrate on eliminating the other pests. Treat the plant with a spray of water or mild insecticidal soap to remove these insects.
3. African Daisies
African daisies (Osteospermum spp.) are members of the Asteraceae family, along with Shasta daisies and zinnias.
These flowers are best planted in the spring after the threat of frost has passed, and they have a fairly quick growth rate, blooming about two months after sprouting from seeds.
Care Requirements
Basic care requirements include
A. Light
African daisies bloom best in full sun. They can tolerate partial shade, but this will likely cause them to produce fewer flowers. So, avoid exposing the plant to bright indirect sunlight as it will harm the plant.
B. Soil Mix
African daisies prefer organically rich soil with sharp drainage and a slightly acidic soil pH.
You can add compost or other organic matter to the soil at the time of planting to improve drainage and add nutrients.
Ensure that you plant them at least 12 inches apart as it will give them room to spread, as some varieties can stretch out to about 12 inches wide.
C. Water
African daisies still need at least 1 inch of water per week to grow their best. During periods of drought or intense heat, the plants will slow down and go dormant. So ensure to water the soil to retain its moisture. However, avoid overwatering as it will cause the root of your plant to rot.
D. Temperature And Humidity
African daisies prefer mild weather, which is when they bloom most profusely. They can handle nighttime temperatures down to about 40°F, though frost will damage or kill them.
Furthermore, humidity typically isn’t an issue for them, as long as they have good air circulation and proper watering and soil drainage.
E. Fertilizer
Mix the compost into the soil and apply a balanced fertilizer for flowering plants monthly throughout the growing season.
F. Propagation
This is also the best way to overwinter the plant outside of its hardiness zones. To do so:
a. First, fill a shallow tray with a sterile seed-starting mixture and dampen the mix slightly.
b. Then, take plant cuttings 2 to 3 inches long that have at least two sets of leaf nodes, using sharp bypass pruners. Pinch off any flower buds that are present, and remove the lower leaves.
c. Dip the cut end in the rooting hormone, and then plant the cut end in the seed-starting mix.
d. Cover the tray with a plastic dome, and place it in a location with bright indirect light and temperatures between 60 and 68 degrees.
e. In four to six weeks, the plants should be sufficiently rooted to transplant to individual containers filled with potting mix or to an outdoor garden location.
G. Common Pests & Plant Diseases
During damp or humid conditions be on the lookout for fungal problems as such problems can damage or discolored problems will present with damaged or discolored foliage.
Try to improve the air circulation around your plant, which can combat fungal diseases, and use a fungicide if necessary.
Furthermore, some common plant pests, including whiteflies and aphids, attack the plant especially if all of us will be oresen But they can be controlled with an insecticidal soap or chemical spray if caught early.
4. African Milk Tree
The African milk tree (Euphorbia trigona) is native to Central Africa. It is often grown as a hedge due to its rapid and enthusiastic growth. This plant looks a lot like a cactus.
It features triangular stems, with three distinct sides seamed with ridges. The ridges are peppered with thorns and teardrop-shaped leaves. This plant stays lush and green throughout its growing season, with new growth sprouting a light green hue.
It is also popular for its dramatic colour, taking on bright red accents late in the season.
Furthermore, çThe sap of the African milk tree is toxic to both pets and humans and can be irritating to the skin, eyes, and mouth. So much so that it can cause blisters, and severe eye irritation, and, if swallowed, can sometimes result in convulsions.
Care Requirements
Below are the basic care requirements that you must take into consideration. They are as follows:
A. Light
African milk trees thrive in bright, indirect sunlight or you can try a southern-facing window that works well for indoor growing, as does an outdoor spot that receives partial sun.
An area that receives full sun is suitable, as long as the summers are not consistently hot. In this instance, extra watering may be needed to offset the hot, bright sunlight.
B. Soil Mix
Sandy and sandy loam soils help this plant thrive in a xeriscaped environment. The heavy clay soil for proper drainage and pH African milk tree grows best with a soil pH of 6.1 to 7.8), or it may hamper the plant’s growth.
C. Water
African milk trees don’t need much water. However, there is still a need for supplemental watering only if you’re experiencing bad drought conditions. Otherwise, your region’s normal rainfall should be sufficient.
If you are growing the plant indoors, do well to water the plant moderately once a week and make sure to let the soil dry out between each watering as this will help to avoid the overwatering of the plants.
D. Temperature And Humidity
This plant doesn’t need extra humidity, however, if your growing environment experiences hot summers, locate the plant in a spot with indirect sunlight or partial shade to avoid overheating.
Growing it in a humid climate may cause stress, leading to fungus or pest infestation.
E. Fertilizer
In the spring and summer when growing is active, you can treat your African milk tree to a monthly feeding of half-strength diluted water-soluble fertilizer.
Avoid fertilizing your plant during the off-season. allow it naturally to go dormant.
F. Propagation
To propagate this plant, follow that he is here. Here’s how to propagate African milk tree from cuttings:
a. Gather a sharp knife or hand pruners, alcohol wipes, a 4-inch container with potting medium, and coarse gravel.
b. Sterilize the blades of your knife or scissors with alcohol, and then cut off one of the plant’s at its base.
c. Rinse the arm with cold running water until it stops oozing.
d. Let the arm sit in a dry spot on a paper towel, out of direct sunlight, for five to seven days, allowing the cut to form a callous.
e. Once the callus has formed, plant the arm in your container so that the end sits about an inch below the soil.
f. Add a layer of gravel on top of the soil to help keep the cutting upright.
g. Place the pot in a warm area with sufficient light and a temperature between 65F and 75F, but out of direct sunlight. The cutting should root within two months.
h. As soon as you see root growth, transplant the plant into a slightly larger, 6-inch pot.
G. Repotting
Repot the plant every year or two as it continues to grow taller. This will ensure that there’s enough room for the roots to hold it in place with a little help be always wear gloves and note that it may take two people to repot a large plant, assuring a damage-free process.
H. Common Pests & Diseases
A healthy African milk tree is usually not susceptible to pests or diseases. However, watch for the cotton-like threads made by mealybugs.
To get rid of them, mix a solution of water and a few drops of mild dish detergent, then wipe the bugs off with a cloth dipped in this solution. You can also use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol to remove bugs or spray off the bugs with water from a garden hose.
Another problem is the overwatering of your plant as it causes fungal problems, such as cork disease, where the stems develop cork-like patches.
Try saving the plant by cutting off the infected stems. Yellowing or browning of the succulent may also indicate root rot from overwatering. In this case, you will likely need to dispose of your plant entirely.
5. African Spear Plant
The African spear plant (Sansevieria cylindrica), also known as the cylindrical snake plant, is a succulent that consists of upright, grey-green, subtly striped leaves. Its leaves are cylindrical in shape but narrow to a point at their tips.
When grown in optimal conditions, African spear plants might send up a long flower spike from their centre that’s full of tiny, delicate, white blooms.
Furthermore, they are best planted at the start of the growing season in the spring, and they’re generally a slow-growing succulent.
Care Requirement
Below are the basic care requirements. They include:
A. Light
These plants can tolerate somewhat low light conditions, but they prefer some full sunlight along with bright filtered light.
However, you should avoid keeping the plant in direct sunlight, especially when growing outdoors. If planted indoors, then place the plant at a bright north-facing window.
B. Soil
Like most succulents, these plants prefer sandy soil that has excellent drainage and doesn’t retain water. A potting mix made especially for succulents is ideal.
C. Water
Let the soil dry out between waterings and then water the plant deeply every week.
However, if you’re growing your plant in a container, be sure to empty the saucer of any excess water that comes through the drainage holes.
During the winter months, it is advisable that you put a little more time between your waterings than during the growing season. Watering roughly once a month should be fine.
D. Temperature and Humidity
These succulents grow naturally in hot, dry climates, and cold temperatures can damage or kill them. So, make sure they remain in temperatures above 50°F degrees.
That includes protecting them from cool drafts, such as those from air conditioners. Humidity usually isn’t an issue as long as the soil isn’t saturated.
E. Fertilizer
Feed the plant with a succulent fertilizer diluted to half strength monthly from spring to fall. During the winter no fertilization is necessary.
6. African Iris
The African Iris (Dietes iridioides) is an evergreen plant that grows well in warmer zones, with a long season of flowering from spring through fall. Native in South Africa.
It has strappy narrow blue-green leaves that remain upright throughout the season. It can be grown as a perennial in zones 8 to 11, and in colder zones is commonly grown as an annual.
This attractive plant has a round, six-petalled creamy white flower with a smaller four-petalled blue-purple flower that emerges in its centre, with bright yellow accents running down the centre of the white petals.
Furthermore, the blooms fade rather quickly but new ones are produced continually during the blooming season.
Care Requirements
The African iris is commonly used as a ground cover in mild climates due to its long season of bloom, vigorous growth habit, and relatively low maintenance. Other maintenance includes
A. Light
The plant thrives best in full sunlight, and it blooms in partial sunlight.
However, Blooming may not be as vigorous. Ideally, it should get six hours of sun per day in its blooming season if possible, and the afternoon sun is a bit stronger than the morning sun for the placement of this perennial.
B. Soil Mix
These plants like rich, well-drained loamy soil to keep the rhizomes healthy. However, if you have clay soil, you can add some compost or other amendments to improve drainage before planting African iris.
C. Water
African iris is very drought tolerant and doesn’t need any special watering. In times of extreme drought, it might need to be watered especially during the first two years, or right after planting. It must be watered regularly.
D. Temperature And Humidity
The African iris is not cold-tolerant and will not survive as a perennial in places with harsh winter temperatures. Being very drought tolerant, they may not do too well in areas with high humidity in summer.
To ensure that each plant gets the right temperature, you can divide them frequently to allow air circulation and prevent any issues that might be caused by dampness.
E. Fertilizer
During the growing season, do well to apply a basic all-purpose plant food in spring and mid-summer to help promote blooms and keep insects at bay.
For better results, apply the fertilizer several inches from the plant as it will help to prevent burning the roots.
F. Propagation
The best way to propagate is from existing plants after dividing. But they can also be grown from seeds.
To divide by root division:
a. To get the root divisions you will need to divide the plant or obtain divisions from someone else.
b. Divide as you would similar clumping irises such as Japanese iris. You can dig them up, shake off excess dirt, and use a sharp knife to cut the roots.
c. Plant in potting medium or well-drained soil. Plant indoors in the fall, or outside after the last frost date in spring.
d. Be sure the plant will get at least six hours of direct sunlight per day; eight hours of indirect sunlight may be sufficient. Be sure to water regularly.
To propagate from seed:
a. Gather seeds from the pods in the fall.
b. Plant seeds indoors in the fall, or after the last frost date in spring. The seeds do not need to be soaked or cold-stratified.
c. Plant in well-drained soil where there is at least six hours of direct sunlight per day. Water lightly and frequently. Seeds should begin to germinate within four weeks.
G. Common Pests And Plant Diseases
The most common disease involves crown rot or root rot. This tends to occur when the plant remains damp for too long.
To remedy this problem, you should plant in well-draining soil, divide the plant frequently to keep the roots healthy, and plant in a location with good air circulation.
If your plant does develop rot, dig it up, cut off the affected area, and replant. During autumn is a good time to divide and replant them to keep them healthy.
Furthermore, there is also a possibility of fungal and bacterial diseases such as rust, botrytis blight, and fungal leaf spot.
You can predict the presence of fungal diseases by the appearance of yellow or brown spots on the leaves. However, it is important to tackle such problems immediately in order to avoid further spreading.
To remedy the problem of bacterial leaf spots, remove all damaged plant parts and allow the plant to dry out well, and also avoid overwatering.
Furthermore, common pests that may affect your African iris include aphids, iris borers, and nematodes.
To get rid of these pests, you need to invest in a weekly application of neem oil spray.
As for the infestation of nematodes, you can prevent this by removing any damaged or diseased plant parts and ensuring cleanliness which also includes in your gardening tools.
7. Amazonian Elephant’s ear
This houseplant is native to Southeast Asia. It is a popular tropical hybrid plant that has a striking beauty. It can be purchased, planted, and cared for while in an indoor environment.
The Amazonian elephant’s ear is defined by its deep green leaves, with its whitish or light green veins. The leaves are roughly serrated, and in some cases, the leaf color appears as an almost purple-green.
This plant grows quickly and can reach a mature height of up to 2 Ft. It rarely blooms especially when placed indoors. This plant is grown mainly for its attractive foliage.
Care Requirements
Caring for this plant is very easy. Follow the instructions and carry them out.
A. Light
Amazonian elephant’s ear plants require lots of bright, indirect light. They can survive in 80% shades but prefer about 60% shade, which will guarantee you the best growth and a rich, green shade on the leaves.
However, take care not to expose the plant to harsh direct rays of sunlight, which can bleach or scorch the leaves.
B. Soil Mix
The best soil mix is fast-draining, well-aerated potting soil. An organic, loose soil that contains a good amount of peat moss is ideal.
However, If your soil mixture is too heavy, you can lighten it with some sand or perlite.
C. Water
Keep the soil moist but ensure that the Amazonian elephant’s ear plants do not have wet feet.
Water your plant in the morning from below at the root zone to keep the leaves from getting too wet.
Furthermore, the plant needs a rest period in winter, so allow the soil to become almost dry between waterings during these months. However, if it dries completely, the plant may go dormant.
D. Temperature And Humidity
The plant enjoys being kept in a climate similar to its native Southeast Asia, with temperatures ranging between 65°F degrees and 75°F degrees.
Additionally, it also enjoys above-average humidity levels. So, keep your plant in a typically humid room in your home such as a bathroom. You can also keep the plant on a humidity tray with pebbles or invest in a small space with a humidifier to put nearby.
All these will help to increase the humidity level of the room especially if it is not enough.
E. Fertilizer
Amazonian elephant’s ear tends to be a heavy feeder during its growing period and will respond well to applications of diluted balanced fertilizer. Starting in spring, feed the plant every two weeks, stopping at the end of August, then beginning the cycle again at the start of the following spring. Occasionally, the plant’s leaves will be yellow if this happens, try adding fertilizer with micronutrients, or sprinkling Epsom salts around the base of the plant once a month.
F. Repotting
When repotting an Amazonian elephant’s ear in a pot, it is important that you choose a stable container with ample room to support the plant’s growth.
A well-grown plant may need yearly repotting. However, keep in mind that these plants like to be slightly under-potted for best foliage development.
G. Common Pests & Diseases
This plant is not susceptible to diseases, but the over-watering of the plant can lead to fungal infections.
If you notice dark brown or black spots often accompanied by a yellowish rim on the leaves, then, it is a clear indication that there is a fungal infection brewing on the plant.
To remedy the infection, do well to treat and remove the damaged leaves off the plant.
Move the plant away from any other plants, and treat it with a fungicide spray.
You must also mist the plant with a soapy water mixture every few weeks. Doing that will help to expose more pests such as mealybugs, spider mites, and aphids.
8. Agapanthus
Agapanthus is a genus of six species of perennial plants with bell-shaped vibrant flowers. They tend to bloom from early summer until fall in shades of blue, pink, purple, and white often with a darker centre stripe on each petal.
Flowers bloom on tall stalks, and leaves spread out wide and long from the base.
Also, the leaves can be evergreen or deciduous depending on the variety as it has a dark to light green, grey-green, or blue-green in color.
This plant is very toxic for both humans and pets.
Care Requirements
The type of care for your agapanthus houseplant differs as it depends on whether the plant is a species or a hybrid. However, the most time that this plant needs lots of care and protection is during the winter.
A. Light
Agapanthus requires full sun of at least six to eight hours daily, to produce better blooms.
B. Soil
Agapanthus is tolerant of soil types but grows best when placed in a fertile, light, sandy loam with good drainage.
They prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 to 6.5 while other species of this plant grow well in a neutral soil pH of 7.0.
So therefore, If you’re growing agapanthus in pots, plant rhizomes in spring, 1 inch deep and 8 inches apart. you need to use a fertile, well-draining potting mix and a container with drainage holes.
Preferably a 12-inch diameter pot is the right size to accommodate one plant, but plants bloom best when they are pot-bound.
C. Water
Water regularly to provide 1 inch per week until plants are established, then reduce the amount to 1/2 inch per week.
Also, these plants are drought resistant and won’t tolerate standing water. So, try to reduce the amount of water that you feed the plant during the winter until there is new growth in the next season, spring.
D. Temperature And Humidity
Ideal temperatures range from 50°F to 60°F degrees.
However, some species tolerate temperatures as low as 20°F degrees but many evergreen types should be brought indoors when temperatures reach an average of 50°F degrees to avoid damage to the plant.
Furthermore, ensure that you thin the plants for good air circulation, especially when placed in areas with high humidity as it will cut down on fungal problems.
E. Fertilizer
The best fertilizer for the plant is a balanced fertilizer. Add the fertilizer once in spring and again two months later.
However, you can still choose a fertilizer with an NPK slightly higher in phosphorus such as a 5-10-10 ratio.
Avoid feeding your plants with fertilizer that contains too much nitrogen as it causes a reduction in the blooming or causes flower stems to fail to reach their full height.
Furthermore, avoid feeding your plants with fertilizer after August.
F. Propagation
Agapanthus is easily and most reliably propagated by division. The division is accomplished best in early spring for deciduous plants and in autumn after blooming for evergreen varieties.
To propagate your plant, you need to divide the plants, and then use tools such as shovels, hand shears, a sharp knife, and gloves.
To propagate by division, follow these steps:
a. Choose a clump of agapanthus and use shears to cut the foliage down to six to eight inches for easier handling.
b. Use the shovel to dig around the clump 6 inches from the center and eight inches deep
c. Lift the clump and shake the soil from the roots, removing as much as you can.
d. Grasp 1/2 of the clump at the base in each hand and gently pull apart the plants and attached roots. They should separate easily. If necessary, use a sharp knife to cut through the bottom of the root ball to separate plants.
e. Divided plants that were difficult to divide should be cured to heal over for several days before replanting while the plants that were easily divided must immediately be replanted in a new location in the garden.
f. Dig a new hole, wide and deep enough to accommodate plant roots, Place each division 12 to 18 inches apart.
g. Do not water the plant for several days. This is to allow the plant to settle before commencing.
G. Repotting
Agapanthus plants thrive well when grown in pots and bloom best when root bound. Individual plants should be potted up into containers four inches wider every two years to accommodate spread.
A 12-inch pot will hold one agapanthus plant and plants in 24-inch containers can be grown out until blooms start to diminish, then should be divided.
To repot your plant, follow these steps:
a. Choose a container 12 inches wide with drainage holes. It will do well in pots that are clay, ceramic, or plastic.
b. Fill the container with a lightly moistened mix of compost or potting soil and sand or grit for drainage.
c. Make a shallow depression in the center of the pot. Plant rhizomes 1 inch deep with the pointed end up and cover with potting medium.
d. Remove a purchased plant from its original container and place it in the pot at the same level.
e. Place the pot in indirect sunlight and withhold water for several days to allow the plant to acclimate.
f. Move the pot into a sunnier spot and add 1 inch of water per week until the plant is well established. Then you can reduce the amount of water to 1/2 inch per week.
H. Common Pest & Plant Diseases
This plant attracts aphids, mealy bugs, and red spider mites.
To get rid of these pests, you can choose to use a strong spray with a hose that can knock them off the plant.
If the infestations are beyond measure, do well to treat them with horticultural oils or neem oil.
Furthermore, it is also affected by fungal diseases such as verticillium which can affect overcrowded plants.
To remedy the infection, pot up and ensure that you divide the plants regularly to allow good air circulation.
- House Plants That Starts With Q
- House Plants That Start With P
- House Plants That Start With O
- Houseplants That Start With N
- Houseplants That Start With L
Conclusion
Houseplants tend to add more beauty and colour to your home, office and your space. All the houseplants that have been listed for you in the article can give all these and more if you can invest your time and patience.
These houseplants aren’t the only ones that start with A, but these are our best picks.
Give it a trial and we will be glad to get feedback on how helpful we must have been to your journey. All the best!
