Table of Contents
If you’re looking for houseplants that start with G, many of them are beautiful for your home, office, garden or even for external beautification purposes.
These plants are native to different regions and continents. However, they can be cultivated in many areas globally. Below is a comprehensive list of the houseplants that start with G.
Types Of Houseplants That Start With G
There are different types of houseplants which can suit your home, office and environment. Some of them are tropical, cactus and succulent plants. However, to maintain this plant, you need to know the best ways to properly care for them by providing their essential needs.
1. Ginkgo Tree Plant
Ginkgo biloba, commonly known as ginkgo or ginkgo or maidenhair tree, is a species of gymnosperm tree native to China. It is a large tree that has a height of 20-35m. It has an angular crown and long erratic branches which are deep-rooted and resistant to wind and snow damage.
The leaves are very unique among seed plants. It is fan-shaped with veins on the leaf blade. In addition, the leaves are usually 5–10 cm, but sometimes up to 15 cm long.
Furthermore, the ginkgo leaf extract is commonly used as a dietary supplement and can support human health and cure some diseases. It is toxic to humans and pets. So grow it far away from your home. Mostly, it is seen in forests.
Ginkgo Tree Plant Care Tips
Growing and caring for this tree can be achieved by following these tips which include
A. Light Requirements
Ginkgo plant thrives in an area where there is full direct sunlight or partially shaded.
B. Water Requirements
For the healthy growth of this tree, there is a need to water as needed to keep the soil moist. However, during the young stage of the tree, keeping the soil is a major need. It is also relatively drought-tolerant at maturity.
C. Soil Mix
It prefers to be grown on well-drained sandy soil or loam with a pH of 5.0 to 8.0. However, it can still tolerate compacted soil more than many other types of trees.
D. Humidity & Temperature Levels
They love being grown in urban sites and can tolerate a wide range of moisture conditions and temperatures. However, they struggle to grow in hot, dry climates.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
It can benefit from a spring feeding of tree fertilizer especially when it is young. However, to know the right amount to apply, follow the guidelines on the label. When the tree is mature, it doesn’t require fertilizer to survive.
F. Propagation
The best propagation method for your ginkgo tree is through stem cutting. However, to do so, follow the steps below
a. Take a 6-inch stem cutting of young wood from a male ginkgo tree either in May or June.
b. Fill a 4-inch pot with potting mix and water it thoroughly until the soil is evenly moist. You can use one pot for a couple of cuttings but leave at least 1-inch space between them.
c. Dip the cut ends in the rooting hormone. Make a hole in the soil with a pencil or stick for each cutting and insert the cuttings in the holes.
d. Place the pot in an outdoor location in bright, indirect light out of the hot sun and keep the soil moist at all times but not soggy.
e. Once one of the cuttings has been rooted, cut the other one to the soil level. However, try not to pull it out, or you will disturb the tender new roots.
f. When the roots start to grow out of the drain holes, repot cuttings to larger individual pots and let them grow in pots for a couple of seasons. The stronger the sapling is when transplanted, the better it’s chance of survival in the landscape.
2. Golden Pothos Plant
The golden pothos is also known as the devil’s ivy or Epipremnum aureum. This plant is a native of Australia, Indonesia, China, Japan and India. Although it does wonderfully as a house plant, growing this plant outdoors is illegal in some states as it is regarded as an invasive species.
The beauty of this plant is in its leaves. Each arrow-shaped leaf will alternate location with the leaves around it. The leaves grow up to 39 inches long (100 cm) and 18 inches across (45 cm). This makes this plant beautiful at any age.
The tops of the leaves appear as a blotched marbled yellow and green combination, with each leaf being unique from the others on the vine. You may pinch off the leaves at the stems to shape the plant and control where it grows.
Although this plant does occasionally bloom in the wild, cases of blooms when grown indoors are extremely rare. When your indoor plant begins flowering, you may nip the flowers off below the bud when they are discovered as the flowers are nothing but a waste of energy to this plant.
Furthermore, every part of this plant is poisonous to humans and pets. So avoid keeping this plant in your home if you are again keeping pets.
Golden Pothos Plant Care Tips
It’s a climbing species that grows well indoors with the correct care given. These cares include
A. Light Requirements
This plant thrives when it is placed in a spot where it is exposed to partial shade or bright indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight or too much light as it will cause some damage to your plant such as burning the leaves or losing its unique quality.
B. Water Requirements
It requires adequate watering, especially during the first quarter inch of soil begins to feel dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering the plant as it will cause the plant’s root to rot.
Also, underwatering isn’t much of a problem as the plant can withstand the absence, but you should still avoid it.
Furthermore, during the fall and winter, reduce the amount of watering so that the top quarter inch of the soil will fully dry out before more watering.
C. Soil Mix
The best soil mix for your plant must be the potting mixture used for cactus plants that drain well. For drainage, you should add gravel or small pebbles at the bottom of the pot. It will help to encourage the drainage of water.
D. Humidity & Temperature Levels
This plant prefers normal household humidity during the summer months. However, you should try and give additional misting every other day during the winter if your home’s air humidity is exceptionally dry. You can opt for a cool-mist humidifier or a pebble tray to balance the air level.
Furthermore, to keep your plant as healthy as possible, you should ensure that the average room temperature must be between 60-85ºF (15-29ºC) year-round. It will withstand occasional cold snaps down to 50ºF (10 ºC). However, any level below will cause your plant to die.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
The best fertilizer for your plant is a balanced fertilizer. You should feed the plant every other week. Avoid fertilizing your plant in the winter months as the plant will be dormant during the period.
F. Repotting
You should repot your plant at least once or twice every year. It needs to be done when the roots of the plant have overgrown the pot. Get a larger pot with drainage holes and replant. Then, ensure that you water thoroughly.
G. Propagation
This is best done through stem cutting. To propagate your plant, you should follow these steps
a. Cut a section of the plant off the parent plant and submerge the cut ends in water for two weeks.
b. When the roots have formed within the weeks, then transfer the plant to a container for growing.
H. Potential Problems Of Golden Pothos Plant
Below are the problems that your plant might encounter. They include
a. Dropping Of Yellowing Leaves
This is caused by the overwatering of your plant. To resolve the problem, you should water the plant less before adjusting to a more sufficient amount according to the watering procedure.
b. Dry Brown Leaf Tips
This is caused by the dryness of the room. So to resolve this problem, you should try misting the plant leaves as it will help to increase the humidity level and prevent further dryness of the leaves.
c. Stems Rotting
This can be a result of the decrease in the temperature or the over-watering of the plant. I will recommend that you try and increase the temperature level and reduce the over-watering of your plant through regulation of the amount of water to be supplied.
3. Guiana Chestnut Plant
It is also commonly known as a money tree. It is a species of tree native to Central and South America.
It is a small plant with a braided trunk comprising three, five or seven stems. They tend to grow continuously from the braiding till they are mature. However, they rarely start from seeds at home but if you want to plant the tree indoors, then you should start it from seed in the spring.
Furthermore, the tree tends to grow quickly either when grown indoors or outdoors with a height of 24 inches a year. That’s why it is best for your office, banks and home.
More House Plants:
Guiana Chestnut Plant Care Tips
This is an easy-going plant that requires low maintenance and care. However, you can care for this plant by following the steps.
A. Light Requirements
When grown outdoors, this plant can tolerate direct sunlight but while indoors, money trees need specific light requirements which place it in bright to medium indirect sunlight for at least 6 hours per day.
Furthermore, if you don’t have a sunny window that provides enough sunlight for your plant’s survival, then you can place them under fluorescent light.
B. Water Requirements
Water your tree regularly especially when you notice that the top inch of the soil is dry. However, during the spring and summer, it is advisable to increase the amount of time that you water your tree and also reduce it in fall and winter.
Avoid overwatering your tree as it can damage and kill the plant. However, you can avoid such an incident from taking place with your tree plant by ensuring that the potting container and soil have the proper drainage.
C. Soil Mix
They grow healthier when they are grown on well-draining, nutrient-rich potting soil. However, a peat moss-based mixture or a regular cactus or flower soil can also work. If your soil will be needing more drainage, you can amend it with sand or gravel.
D. Temperature & Humidity Levels
Guiana chestnuts will enjoy a place with a mild temperature and high humidity. However, keep them specifically in a room or environment with a temperature level between 65°F and 75°F. Avoid keeping them close to warm or cold drafts.
You can increase the humidity around your tree if the level of the room isn’t enough. You can use a cool-mist room humidifier or a pebble tray filled with water.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Always fertilize your tree plant monthly with a basic fertilizer blend that’s diluted to half-strength throughout spring and summer when the is actively producing new leaves and bi-monthly throughout the fall and winter.
F. Repotting
Repot your tree plant as it will help to help your tree to grow larger. However, you can keep it small by keeping it in a small pot.
G. Potential Problems Of Guiana Chestnut Plant
The most common problem is your plant developing leggy. This Is a result of a lack of insufficient light. You can treat it by moving your tree to a new location where there is sufficient sunlight.
4. Ghost Plant
This is commonly known as Graptopetalum paraguayense. It is a small evergreen succulent plant that can be grown as a garden plant in warmer regions. Though it is mostly grown as a potted houseplant.
It has whitish-grey pointed leaves in a trailing rosette form. The rosette can grow up to 4 inches in diameter and they can take the form of blue-grey when placed in a partial shade or a pinkish-yellow colour in hot or full sunlight.
Furthermore, if you grow this plant outdoors during spring, it will produce star-shaped yellow flowers which can bloom at random times when placed indoors.
Ghost Plant Care Tips
Just like other succulent plants, a ghost plant is a low-maintenance specimen as long as you meet its basic care requirements which include
A. Light Requirements
They thrive in full sunlight or partial sunlight. However, when growing your plant as a houseplant, keep the plant in a south or east-facing window.
If your houseplant isn’t receiving sufficient sunlight, it will cause a condition called leggy or leaf drop. So do well to provide sunlight for healthy growth.
B. Water Requirements
Water your ghost plant occasionally at least on a weekly basis, especially if it grows outdoors while indoors, it may need only watering every other week. Ensure that while watering your ghost plant it is at the soil level. This Is to help prevent water from stagnating your rosettes.
Furthermore, avoid overwatering your plant to prevent the roots of your plant from getting rotten. Create water routines for the guide.
C. Soil Mix
It will grow perfectly with good drainage soil which helps to maintain a healthy root system. However, if your garden has clay soil, then you should plant your ghost plant on raised beds at least 6 inches tall with a planting mix composed of half grit, gravel, or sand, and organic material like peat, coco coir or commercial potting soil.
Furthermore, potted plants do well on a potting mix designed for cacti or in a standard potting mix blended with 50% sand.
D. Humidity & Temperature Levels
They thrive in hardy USDA cold hardiness zones 9 to 11, but they will often survive temperatures as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit if they are covered over for winter. However, if you are a gardener in zones 7 and 8, you can often grow them outdoors successfully if they are willing to offer some winter protection.
Furthermore, these plants will do well in hot weather, but their most active growth will occur in the relatively cool periods of spring and fall.
Excess humidity can be a problem in areas with poorly draining soil. So, grow your ghost plants in containers or raised beds. Also, try to space them away from each other and away from other plants to increase air circulation.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
All plants need some form of nutrients in order to grow and flower. Succulent plants tend to grow quite well in low-nutrient soil, and might even react badly to too much fertilizer as it can cause some burns to your leaves.
However, you can try using a soil-enriching approach like manure tea or a side-dressing of compost to keep your plant healthy. Also, a very light annual feeding with diluted cactus fertilizer can still serve.
F. Repotting
Ghost plants don’t necessarily require frequent repotting. However, when your young plant has outgrown its container, do well to transplant in a much larger container which must be done with care to avoid damage.
Grasp the plant at the base of the crown rather than by the leaves, and repot it in a light potting mix or cactus mix.
G. Propagation
You can propagate your plant by following the steps below
a. When the offset is about 1/4 which is the size of the parent plant, use clean pruners to clip it off, leaving about 1½ inches of stem below the rosette.
b. Allow the stem to sit for two or three days to callus over, then replant it in a new pot filled with cactus potting mix.
c. Wait until five days for the plant to be established, then water thoroughly.
d. Continue to grow in bright filtered sun, watering every four or five days until well established. Then, reduce watering to no more than every two weeks.
H. Potential Problem Of Ghost Plant
The most common problem of this plant is the decomposition of leaves thereby creating a habitat for pests such as mealybugs. However, if you notice the signs, treat it with a dab of isopropyl alcohol which must be applied with cotton wool and not poured directly. You can also use horticultural oils such as neem oil.
5. Gold Dust Plant
This plant is also known as Aucuba japonica ‘Variegata’ which a native to Japan and China. It grows up to 3 ft (90 cm) when grown indoors. However, you can prune the plant to keep its shrub small.
It has green leaves which are heavily dusted with golden-yellow spots which help to make the gold dust plant a cherry houseplant for your home.
You’ll have easy success with this compact, upright shrub because it adapts well to indoor conditions.
There are different varieties of this plant. There are male and female species which produce tiny purplish flowers in spring. Some of the cultivars include crotonifolia, serratifolia and picturata.
Furthermore, they are not appeasing but if pollination occurs, the flowers are followed by bright red berries which have been carried on the plant through the winter.
Gold Dust Plant Care Tips
If you want this plant to bloom, you need to ensure that you provide this basic care. They include
A. Light Requirements
This plant thrives when placed in bright, indirect sunlight or filtered sunlight as it will help to maintain its variegation. However, avoid moving the plant outdoors as direct sunlight will damage the plant’s productivity unless you have a cool, and shady spot where you can keep it.
Additionally, if you choose to expose it to a bit of direct sunlight, then preferably the morning sunlight is perfect.
B. Water Requirements
Grow the plant on evenly moist soil, especially in the spring and fall seasons. The perfect pot for growing it must have drainage holes to filter out excess water and avoid overwatering which will cause the root of the plant to rot.
Ensure that you water thoroughly by wetting all the roots in the pot and emptying the drainage tray upon which it is kept.
Furthermore, reduce the amount of water that you feed your plant in the winter season as the growth of the plant at that time will be slower.
C. Soil Mix
The perfect soil mix for the effective and healthy growth of this plant is the all-purpose houseplant potting mix. However, ensure that it has drainage pores.
D. Humidity & Temperature Levels
The average room humidity must be around 40% or higher. This is a result of a drastic drop in the humidity level in the winter. So it is important to keep it at that point. However, if the humidity level of the room isn’t up to, you can opt for a cool-mist humidifier or the use of a pebble tray.
Furthermore, the room temperature must be from 45-65°F/7-18°C) all year-round. However, it can still adapt to a cold down of 5°F/-15°C.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
The right fertilizer for your plant must be water-soluble. You should feed it to your plant in the spring and fall seasons.
In the winter season, reduce the amount of fertilizer as the plant will be dormant at that period and can’t absorb nutrients.
F. Pruning
If you are pruning this plant, it will help to keep it at a manageable size indoors and also encourage branching. This must be done in the spring.
However, to prune your plant, you must follow these steps:
a. Cut stems at a 45° angle, just after a node which is the place where a leaf or branch is attached to the stem.
b. Afterwards, use sharp pruners to avoid tearing the stems.
G. Repotting
Repot your plant in the spring, especially if you notice that the roots of your plant are shooting out from the drainage holes of the pot.
To repot, follow these steps
a. Move up the container 1 size larger than the previous one in use every 2-3 years.
b. If your plant is big already, then top-dress by removing the top 2-3 (5-7.5cm) inches of soil and replacing it with fresh potting soil mix.
H. Propagation
You need to propagate your plant by sowing the seeds in the spring or you can take 4 in 10cm step tip cuttings in the spring or the summer and root it in a moist potting mix.
I. Clean The Beautiful Spotted Leaves
You must dust off your plant with a damp cloth as leaving the plant dusty can cause some dust build-up on the foliage and further obstruct the day of sunlight for growth. However, avoid using leaf shine products as they can cause problems.
6. Grape Ivy Plant
It is also known as Cissus rhombifolia which is native to South America and it has a height that varies depending on the variety of the grape ivy plant you are growing indoors. However, as a climbing plant, some will climb up to 6 ft (1.8 m) or more with support. You can keep it to 2 ft (60 cm) with pruning.
This is a vigorous, evergreen vine with attractive glossy compound leaves, each bearing three leaflets. These young leaves are fuzzy and have a silvery sheen. It is adaptable to any indoor condition and this is what makes it the perfect houseplant for your home.
Additionally, it has other varieties which include Ellen Danica, Oak leaf ivy, Mandaiana compacta and kangaroo vine. To show off this beautiful foliage in your home, put the vine in a hanging basket and see the new look that it gives you.
Furthermore, the plant blooms and produces more fruits or flowers mostly when it is grown in its habitat than when grown indoors. In case you notice such. However, the good part of this plant is that it isn’t toxic to children or pets. So you can place it freely in your home.
Grape Ivy Plant Care Tips
You can care for this plant by ensuring that you place them in the right spot, water and grow in the right soil mix. However, it is a low-maintenance plant.
A. Light Requirements
Place the plant in a spot where it will be exposed to bright indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight as it can cause your plant to have brown scorch marks on the leaves.
Although your grape ivy can adapt to lower light levels, it still flourishes better when it gets bright light.
B. Water Requirements
The best time to water your plant thoroughly is during its growing seasons which are spring and fall. After watering your plant, allow the top 1 inch (2.5cm) of the soil mix to dry between waterings.
However, you should water less in the winter season as the growth is usually slower. If you ever notice the shrivelling of the leaves and falling off, then it is a clear sign that the soil is either too wet or too dry.
C. Soil Mix
The best soil mix for growing your grape ivy plant is the peat moss-based potting mix. For instance, the African violet potting mix.
D. Humidity & Temperature Levels
Grape ivies enjoy a relative humidity of about 40%-60%. You can use a humidity pebble tray or humidifier to increase the level of the room if it is not enough to withhold the plant. However, failure to do the needful, your plant might encounter further problems such as powdery mildew or brown leaf tips.
Furthermore, the average room temperature for your plant must be between 65-80°F/18-27°C as it is usually warm during the spring and summer seasons.
However, during the fall and winter seasons when the room might be slightly cooler, you must maintain the room temperature to about 55-70°F/13-21°C.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Feed your plant monthly with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer such as 10-10-10 NPK diluted by half.
F. Pinch & Prune
You must regularly pinch your plant off with your fingernails if you want to keep your grape ivy plant compact and bushy. However, avoid removing the stem tips as you can propagate them for more plants.
Furthermore, control your plant size by pruning every spring. To prune your plant, you must use sharp prinners and cut at a 45° angle after a leaf node. However, if the lower stem become bare, cut it back at the soil level.
G. Repotting
Repot your grape ivy plant once every couple of years or if you notice that the roots have outgrown the pot. However, ensure that the pot has drainage holes and it is 1 size larger than the older pot in use.
H. Propagation
Propagate your plant through stem-cutting tips and follow these steps
a. Take a 4 in (7.5-10 cm) stem tip cuttings in late spring.
b. Strip off the lower leaves and dip cut ends in rooting hormone powder.
c. Then insert cuttings in a 1:1 mixture of moist peat and perlite.
d. Enclose the pot in a plastic bag to maintain humidity.
e. Within 6-8 weeks, you will start seeing the growth of roots.
I. Potential Problems Of Grape Ivy Plant
Below are the problems that your plant might encounter throughout its growing period. They include
a. Brown Leaf Tips
This usually occurs on your plant when the temperature or the humidity levels of the room are dry or insufficient to aid the growth of the plant.
To resolve this problem, you should opt for a cool-mist room humidifier as it can help to maintain the room humidity level. However, you should ensure that you provide extra care in the winter season.
b. Dropped Leaves
This is a symptom that shows that your potting mix is too wet or too dry. To resolve this problem, you should regulate the amount of water that you feed your plant, especially during the winter season. Allow your plant to dry out before watering again.
c. Powdery Mildew
If you notice some whitish dust on the leaves of your plant, then it is a clear indication that your plant has been infected by a disease called powdery mildew. It is caused by a lack of air circulation or overwatering.
Reduce the amount of water that you feed your plant and ensure that you place your place where the humidity level is sufficient to go around.
d. Aphid
They are small green or black insects that are attracted to new growth on this soft-stemmed plant.
To get rid of these pests, rinse them off with water or you can make use of pesticides, insecticidal soap or horticultural oils such as neem oil. However, as grape ivy is sensitive to chemicals, I will recommend that before you use any on your plant, you should test the spray on one leaf first.
e. Red Spider Mites
They are so tiny and can only be noticed when there is a fine webbing between stems. To get rid of these pests, isolate your plant and cut off any infested leaves and stems.
Use a soft cloth to gently clean the undersides of the remaining leaves. However, if your plant is badly infested, then get rid of it totally to avoid spreading it out to other plants.
7. Green Velvet Alocasia
The Green Velvet Alocasia is also known as the Elephants Ear plant or Alocasia Frydek Nlnative to SouthEast Asia, this perennial rhizome-rooted plant has a height of about 2-3ft.
This is likely indoors if you have a very warm environment with high humidity. The flowers are a spathe and spadix type. The leaves have arrow-shaped, displaying thick white veins on a dark green velvet leaf surface.
They are best grown in a greenhouse, although some growers do have success. It is toxic to pets and mild to kids.
Green Velvet Alocasia Care Tips
You will have to work at keeping these happy indoors, but they will bounce back to good health if they struggle during winter, even if grown outdoors not much is left of the leaves but the rhizome will survive.
A. Light Requirements
It thrives in a room that gets plenty of indirect light. However, direct sunlight is suitable. Place the plant in a south, east or west-facing window.
B. Water Requirements
During the spring and summer water the plant thoroughly when the topsoil starts to become slightly dry to the touch. Reduce the amount of water during the winter season as the growth will be slower.
C. Soil Mix
Use a fast-draining peat-based potting mix to grow your plant. If you’re using your mix, then you must include perlite or sand and bark to help in improving its drainage.
D. Humidity & Temperature Levels
Mist the leaves as often as possible and increase the humidity level using other methods if your plant is showing signs of a lack of air circulation. You can use a cool-mist room humidifier or a pebble tray.
Furthermore, the best temperature for this plant is approximately 65-75ºF + (18-24ºC) or more. Any level below will only cause damage to the plant.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
During spring and the end of summer months, you should use a diluted balanced feed of about half the strength recommended on the bottle once every 2 weeks. Avoid fertilizing during the winter months as the plant will be dormant.
F. Repotting
Your plant doesn’t need to be repotted very often after it has matured. Rather, it should be done once every 2 years in a slightly bigger pot if it has grown much or if not just make a complete soil change keeping the same pot.
Preferably, use a clay pot if you can, because it will help dry the soil out quicker and may improve humidity under the plant.
G. Propagation
This plant is usually propagated by dividing the plant when it’s being re-potted in spring.
H. Potential Problems Of Green Velvet Alocasia
Below are the problems that your plant can encounter. They include:
a. Brown Leaf Tips Or Edges
This happens due to a lack of humidity or dry air in the location of the plant. Try and improve the humidity level through the methods provided above.
b. Wilting And Damp Soil
Wilting can be caused when certain care factors are not correct, but when the soil is damp it’s likely to be overwatering.
To resolve the problem, remove the plant from the pot and check if the roots are healthy, then take further action from there. If the soil is dry it could be the opposite of overwatering, underwatering or possibly not enough light.
8. Golden Barrel Cactus
It is also known as Golden barrel cactus, golden ball cactus, mother-in-law’s cushion, and Echinocactus Grusonii. It has a height of 60in (24cm) and a diameter of 36in (91cm).
The golden barrel cactus is a globe-shaped type cacti suitable for growing in conservatories, on patios or any other type of indoor glass room. The barrel cactus is primarily suited for growing in garden rockery settings, desert-type landscapes, patios and botanical gardens. They are grown indoors inside conservatories or other glass rooms where enough sunlight is provided. However, they seem to have great difficulty flowering indoors.
The stem is ribbed and produces prickly yellowish spines and the crown of the cactus has white-coloured wollen hairs at the top. The golden barrel cacti will produce yellow flowers during mid-summer, although these are unlikely to appear indoors.
Golden Barrel Cactus Care Tips
Below are the care tips for this plant. They include:
A. Light Requirements
Plenty of sunshine will keep this cactus more than happy. If placed in a glass room, you may have to provide some shade during a hot summer’s day to prevent sunburn.
B. Water Requirements
From spring and fall, water the plant when the soil begins drying. Before and during winter barley water the plant. Advice overwatering, especially when the temperature becomes cold, can rot this species.
C. Soil Mix
A pot mixture used for cactus plants that drain well will suffice. You can add gravel or small pebbles at the bottom first few inches of the pot will encourage drainage.
D. Humidity & Temperature Levels
It does not seem to be a major concern for the Echinocactus grusonii, which makes the average indoor environment fine, as it is. Provide as much fresh air as you can, but not cold drafts.
Furthermore, the average room temperatures must be between 50°F/10°C – 75°F/23.8°C. However, any level below 40°F/5°C will cause stunted growth in the plant.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Feed your plant every 4 weeks with a high-potassium fertilizer during the summer months.
F. Repotting
When they are young and growing it’s best to re-pot these once a year during spring in a slightly bigger container. Additionally, once they mature, re-pot maybe every 2 – 3 years or when necessary.
G. Propagation
They are best propagated through seeds once it fruits after flowering.
9. Goat’s Horn Cactus
The Goat’s horn cactus is one of the most popular cacti from the Astrophytum genus (Astrophytum Capricorne), although quite rare. These drought-tolerant cacti will adapt well to various temperatures but prefer the temperature to be above 50°F (10°C).
It is native to Mexico and displays curved spines from its globe-shaped stem which can become egg-shaped with age. It grows to a height of 18 in/45 cm and a diameter of 10 in/25 cm. The succulent globular stem has prominent ribs that form around the edge from the top of the cacti to the bottom. Because this cacti has fairly sharp prickly spines do protect the hands with gloves when handling.
The light and subtle yellow petalled flowers the centre of the flower is red in colour and blooms during summer and then fruit, after a couple of weeks. The reddish fruits contain black seeds that you can germinate to produce new plants.
Goat’s Horn Cactus Care Tips
This cactus is an easy grower which even the worst plant neglecter should be able to manage. Follow the care tips for better growth and flowering.
A. Light Requirements
Desert cacti love the sun in their natural habitat and will grow well if you provide plenty of sunshine or are partially shaded.
B. Water Requirements
It’s best to water the plant when the soil becomes dry from spring until near the end of fall. Just before the end of fall and throughout winter water now and again, only. If the cacti begin to shrivel then do water straight away, otherwise if it’s dry and not shrivelling it’s doing fine.
C. Soil Mix
A well-draining soil mix is advised to be something like 60% perlite, 20% peat, and 20% compost, or a variation of this.
However, you can buy a mix that is prepared if you do not want to prepare your own. You can add a type of gravel mix or small pebbles, laid at the top maybe an inch deep which gives the cactus a desert look.
C. Humidity & Temperature Levels
Normal indoor humidity is fine for the Goat’s horn cactus and provides fresh air when it’s hot inside. The average temperatures are between 60-80°F (15-21°C) in spring and fall months and between 50-55°F (10-12°C) during winter months.
D. Repotting
When they’re young, up to 3-4 years, you can re-pot into a slightly bigger pot every spring. Then after 3-4 years, you should only re-pot when necessary.
E. Propagation
They are best easily propagated through seeds and you must ensure that the germination temperature should be approximately 70°F – 80°F (21°C – 26.6°C).
10. Galaxy Petunia
Also called night sky petunia. It is a new species that was created by an Italian plant breeder who crossed two other petunia varieties. It won the prestigious Fleurostar award for ‘Winner with the Wow Factor’ when it was released commercially in 2016.
The galaxy petunia’s purple trumpet-shaped flowers have white spots dotted across them that create an other-worldly look reminiscent of the cosmos. These fast-growing plants typically only last one growing season, but once they’re in bloom, the flowers remain until late fall when the first frosts hit. Plant galaxy petunias in the spring after temperatures are above 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Additionally, the temperatures of their environment heavily influence the blooming pattern of galaxy petunias. If the weather is too hot, the plants might not display the white spots that give them an impressive appearance.
Galaxy Petunia Care Tips
Growing your galaxy petunias won’t require much maintenance. It’s also a bonus that they aren’t fazed by urban pollution, making them a great choice for city gardeners.
A. Light Requirements
Although this plant is easy to grow, the galaxy petunia does require full sun. If they have too much shade, these plants won’t produce so many flowers, and they won’t be as healthy.
B. Water Requirements
Although they don’t like to be dry for long periods, overwatering is a problem for the galaxy petunia. Too much water can weaken your plant’s stems, and the flowers won’t grow well with wet feet from standing water. Weekly watering in the warm months is usually sufficient.
If your galaxy petunias are growing in hanging baskets or containers, they will need more frequent watering than those grown in the ground even daily in the hot summer months. It’s generally recommended to water these plants when the top 5 to 6 inches of soil are dry to the touch. Once dry, water deeply with 1 to 2 inches of water.
C. Soil Mix
Select one soil mix with good drainage. It won’t tolerate standing water and prefers even moisture.
Ideally, you want a soil that is also rich in organic matter. Their long blooming season means galaxy petunias use a lot of energy, and fertile soil will supply them with the nutrients they need to flourish.
D. Temperature & Humidity Levels
Temperatures can have a big impact on the striking pattern that the galaxy petunia is known for. Warmer summer temperatures have been shown to result in fewer white spots. You will find that the patterns on your flowers will change throughout as the season progresses.
During the hottest part of the season, you will notice that the flowers may be a solid purple colour when temperatures remain high at night. As night temperatures become milder and contrast with the daytime weather, your plant’s flowers should begin to appear spotted again.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Your long-blooming galaxy petunia will benefit from regular fertilization throughout its growing season, particularly if the soil it’s planted in isn’t particularly rich. If these plants are kept in hanging baskets or containers, feeding them a balanced, slow-release fertilizer every other week should be sufficient.
For those grown in the ground as bedding plants, fertilizing once every three to four weeks will likely be enough. For the amount of fertilizer to use, follow the instructions on the product label.
F. Pruning
Like other types of petunias, your galaxy petunias will do best with regular pruning or deadheading to encourage new flower growth.
So do well to prune away any dead or dying flowers and leggy stems. Along with producing more flowers, this will also help your plant grow fuller.
G. Repotting
Young petunias should be repotted when they begin to overtake the pot, while petunias in containers that are too large may be more susceptible to developing root rot.
Repot petunias in the spring when the growing season begins. Choose a container that leaves a few inches of soil around your plant’s root cluster avoid oversized containers. Pots made from unglazed ceramic or terracotta are best to allow for plenty of drainage.
Always ensure your galaxy petunia container has drainage holes on the bottom. Gently remove your petunias, including the entire root ball, from their previous container. Shake off excess soil from the roots, then transplant them into the new pot. Then, water the soil to keep it moist and add a boost of fertilizer to begin the growing season.
H. Propagation
Propagate your galaxy petunia in the summer when you take cuttings to prune the plant. Taking cuttings will help keep your petunias growing healthy, and they can also be used to grow new plants. Below are the steps to follow:
a. Prepare a container for your cuttings with a well-drained soil medium mixed with peat moss and sand. Water until it is moist, but not saturated.
b. Trim a healthy stem at least 4 inches long from your galaxy petunia plant and remove all but the top leaves.
c. Dip the cut end in a powdered rooting hormone and plant your cutting in the moistened growing medium. Press the soil down around it gently.
d. Place your new plants in a cool area with indirect sunlight for several weeks to allow their roots to grow.
e. Lightly tug on the plants to determine whether their roots have taken hold under the soil’s surface. After around three to four weeks, pinching is recommended to improve growth, and your rooted plant should be ready for transplanting.
I. Potential Problems Of Galaxy Petunias
Below is the problem that your plant might encounter. They include
a. Wilted Leaves
Galaxy petunias can have wilted leaves due to improper watering, whether too much or too little.
To resolve the problem, check the top few inches of your plant’s soil to see if it’s moist. Dry soil means it’s time to begin watering more often, while overly wet soil is a sign that your plants need to dry out.
b. Brown Leaves
Brown leaves on your galaxy petunias indicate that your plants aren’t receiving enough water. While resolving the problem, avoid overwatering this species, it’s best to provide 1 to 2 inches of water when the soil begins to dry out.
c. Yellow Leaves
Yellowed leaves may be a sign that your galaxy petunias aren’t receiving enough sun, but this can also mean they need more fertilizer. So do your best to fertilize your plant regularly about every other week throughout the growing season.
d. Botrytis
Galaxy petunias are also prone to developing Botrytis a grey mould fungal disease when overwatered. Always ensure that your petunias have plenty of drainage holes in their containers, and allow the top of the soil to begin drying out before watering.
e. Pests
It is susceptible to a few common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and slugs. You can keep pests off your plants with a homemade solution. Simply mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of liquid dish soap in 1 gallon of water, then spray the plants down.
11. Gasteria
Gasteria (Gasteria spp.) is a genus of relatively rare, aloe-like succulents. It sometimes goes by the common name of “ox tongue” because it typically has long leaves with a rough texture. Depending on the species, gasteria leaves also are often marked with interesting patterns and colours. Moreover, mature gasteria plants typically produce tubular, curved flowers in the winter to spring.
The genus is native to South Africa, where it grows in lightly shaded conditions. As a result, the plant tolerates lower light conditions than many other succulents do, making it a good option for a houseplant. Planting is best done in the spring, though you generally can start them as houseplants at any point.
Gasteria Care Tips
Below are the ways to care for your plant which include
A. Light Requirements
These plants appreciate bright light but not the harsh sun. Protect them from hot afternoon sunlight. White or yellow leaves can signify that the plant is getting too much sun.
B. Water Requirements
Like other succulents, these plants don’t need much water. Allow the soil to almost completely dry out between waterings. If the plant gets rainfall outdoors, usually no supplemental watering will be necessary.
C. Soil Mix
For container plantings, use a cactus potting mix or another fast-draining potting soil mixed with a few handfuls of sand. For garden plantings, somewhat sandy soils with a pH of around 6 to 7 are best to provide sufficient drainage.
D. Temperature & Humidity Levels
Gasteria generally likes warm summers and slightly cool winters down to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Frost can be deadly to plants. During warm weather, gasteria leaves might turn a lighter, brighter colour, which is perfectly natural.
Like most succulents, gasteria plants don’t enjoy very humid environments. So if you live in a humid climate be sure only to water your plant when the soil is dry to prevent rot, as the humidity will provide much of the plant’s required moisture.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Fertilize once every spring with a cactus fertilizer. For the amount, follow the label instructions. Gasteria plants like a bit more organic matter in their soil than most succulents do, so mixing in about 10% of compost at the time of planting can be a good idea.
F. Repotting
When potting gasteria, choose a container with ample drainage holes. Many gardeners prefer unglazed terra cotta pots, which allow soil moisture to evaporate through their walls. This helps to prevent rot issues from overwatering. Also, opt for a shallow and wide container over a deep and narrow one, as these plants grow shallow roots.
Furthermore, because gasteria plants grow slowly and remain small even when they’re mature, you likely won’t have to repot often. But over time, mature plants will send up baby offset plants, which can eventually overcrowd the container. You can either repot the whole cluster of plants into a larger container or remove the offsets from the parent plant and place them in separate containers.
G. Propagation
Gasteria is easily propagated using offsets, the same way you plant succulent cuttings.
a. When taking offsets, use a clean, sharp knife or scissors. Cut as close to the parent plant’s stem as you can, including as many roots attached to the offset as possible.
b. Allow the offset to dry and callous over for at least a few hours before repotting it.
c. Plant the offset in a small pot, using the same soil type that the parent plant.
d. Put the pot in a warm, bright spot, and keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy until you see growth in a few weeks.
H. Potential Problems Of Gasteria
Below is the basic problem of your gasteria plant.
a. Fungal Infections
Gasteria plants are susceptible to fungal infections, which usually appear as black spots on the leaves. This is typically the result of too much humidity or water on the leaves.
It doesn’t spread quickly. So you can keep the plant contained by keeping the plant drier, with more air moving by, and using a fungicidal soap.
Conclusion
This article helped enlighten you on the best types of houseplants with the letter G that are worth trying out this season. All you need to do is to provide whatever plant you choose the right care and maintenance that it requires.
We will be glad to get feedback from you if you have tried out anyone and what your experience was like. For more questions, leave them in the comment section below.
