Features of plants with decorative leaves
The biggest decoration of such plants are their leaves. Flowers in a pot that bloom beautifully make an impression only for a short time. An ornamental plant with colorful leaves, different shapes and textures looks beautiful all the time.
Additional Information! Usually these plants have inconspicuous and not very decorative flowers. Their main decoration are leaves of various shapes, textures and colors.
There are many species whose leaves are decorated with a characteristic pattern. The leaves can be small, large, narrow, leathery, green or red. Among the most popular representatives of this group are calatheas. The leaves of plants such as phytonia or alocasia are characterized by well-defined veins on the leaf blade.
Care
The advantage of plants with decorative leaves is ease of care. Some grow well in warm, dry climates, while others prefer moist, cool environments. Some prefer bright sunlight, others grow better in the shade.
It is necessary to provide the plant with conditions for growth. Indoor plants can be quite large, so you need to choose a place that will fit their size.
The soil should be fertile and light, moist enough. So that the plant can receive a sufficient amount of oxygen, humus or sand is added to the soil.
How to water plants with decorative leaves? Water when necessary, that is, when the soil becomes dry.
- Only soft water should be used.
- Plants should be watered abundantly enough so that moisture penetrates to the roots.
- Watering should be in the morning or evening to avoid the scorching rays of the sun and prevent moisture from evaporating.
Fertilizers. Use special fertilizers for plants with decorative leaves. They need a lot of nitrogen in order for the leaves to develop well and have an intense color. Nitrogen absorption requires other macronutrients, especially phosphorus and potassium, as well as micronutrients.
Fertilizers should be applied regularly, but not more than once every two weeks. It is necessary to follow the dosage indicated on the package and avoid getting them on the leaves, as this can lead to damage to them. After applying fertilizers, plants are watered to help them absorb nutrients.
Houseplants should be planted in the right pots. They should not be too large so as not to overload the plant, as it will focus on the formation of roots, and not the above-ground part. It will grow more slowly or stop growth altogether. The size of the pot should be 1-2 cm larger than the old one.
To protect plants from pests, it is recommended to apply preventive and treatment measures. Regular inspections are carried out, and if signs of pests are found, treatment measures are immediately applied. Carry out preventive treatments of plants with the help of insecticides designed to control pests.
Indoor flowers with beautiful leaves
Arrowroot bicolor – a genus of plants, including more than 30 species with bright multi-colored leaves. Plant height 30-40 cm. Shoots can be creeping or erect. Their main decoration is wide, oval leaves with a picturesque color. The leaves are patterned depending on the species. The green background of leaf blades is decorated with a pattern of red or silver veins, spots and stripes.
Maranta two-colorIn summer, the arrowroot blooms, forming small spike-shaped or paniculate inflorescences of cream, lilac or pink shades. Flowering is short, and in terms of decoration it is much inferior to the beauty of the leaves.
Cordilina erect . The form of the plant is a small palm-shaped tree, reaching up to 60 cm in height. Colorful, oblong-oval raised leaves of interesting color: red-pink leaves with a light pink border.
An adult plant blooms in June-July with white small flowers. Prefers sunny or semi-shaded places. Care consists in regular watering, wiping the leaves from dust and top dressing.
Philodendron. The genus Philodendron has up to 700 species, so it is difficult to describe them all, and they all (sometimes very) differ from each other. Common to all are glossy leathery leaves of elegant shapes and colors. Among them there are both climbing plants and those forming dense rosettes of leaves. The leaves are large, which makes the plant look good in a large interior. The leaf blade is usually green and shiny.
Philodendron blushing – the decoration of which are arrow-shaped or heart-shaped leaves, red on the underside and with red stems. The top of the leaf is dark green, shiny. It is worth planting them in a shallow, but wide pot, adapted to the branching of the root system. Bowl pots work well for philodendrons.
Bloom’s coleus is colloquially referred to as hives due to the shape of the leaves, they can be of different shapes. Beautiful multi-colored leaves: red, pink, maroon, yellow and green.
This tall species reaches up to 80 cm, so the pot must be large. Grows best in a sunny position. Coleus flowers get sick due to dry air and can even shed their leaves, so in winter they need to be moved to a cooler room with a temperature of 15-18 C.
Caladium bicolor is a highly ornamental plant growing on long stems. The leaves are arrow-shaped, and their surface is covered with various shades of white, red and pink.
At the end of the growing season, the leaves die off, leaving a single tuber. During the dormant period, the caladium should be moved to a cooler room, and watering should be reduced for several weeks. In spring, the plant will come to life.
Caladium has completely unique requirements. The place should be warm (up to 26°C) and very bright, but not exposed to direct sunlight. It also needs high humidity and regular watering. It can not be overdried and filled with water.
Aglaonema – this popular houseplant has several varieties. The leaves come in different colors: with white, cream or pink patterns. There is also a variety with green-yellow leaves, with a pink stripe along the edge.
Aglaonema is unpretentious in relation to the soil and will grow in any soil. It is best to place it in a bright place, but not in direct sunlight.
Note! Try to put flower pots higher so that small children and pets cannot get to them, because aglaonema sap is toxic.
Royal begonia with bizarre leaves. They are not only colorful, but also have a texture with folds and bumps. The color of the leaves has shades of pink, red and burgundy, but the leaves are always red on the underside. In addition, they have various patterns. It is enough to regularly water the begonia and provide it with a bright place in the room.
Dieffenbachia spotted grows quite quickly, and can reach two meters in height. There are over 30 species of this genus. The flower has an interesting color and pattern on the leaves. Most often they have white-green or green-cream leaves, but there are also varieties with a yellow tint. Dieffenbachia love warmth, moisture and diffused light.
Fragrant dracaena is one of the most popular indoor plants that can be found in apartments. This is due to the fact that the plant looks interesting and exotic, and at the same time there are no excessive requirements for growing. Types of dracaena may differ in size, color and shape of the leaves.
Bordered dracaena has narrow leaves with a colored edge, but may have additional stripes along the leaves (white, pink, reddish).
Phytonia are attractive and popular houseplants. The dark green oval leaves may be veined with white, yellow, pink or red in a mosaic of patterns.
Fitonia needs to be watered regularly so that the soil is moist (does not like overflows and drying out), and also provide fertile soil and diffused light. In winter, she should not stand near the radiator (but she loves warmth and hates drafts).
Calathea is a beautiful plant with many varieties. Requires careful care. It is especially demanding on air humidity, which should be high. You also need to remember about regular watering. The soil in the pot should be moist, but not wet. Colorful leaves with spots, stripes and other patterns, and the yellow calathea also blooms.
Crotons are quite demanding, but exceptionally beautiful. The variegated leaves can be two-colored, but there are also those that have four colors. The shape of the leaves can also be different. Crotons need a lot of light, but they cannot withstand direct sunlight. They need to be regularly watered and moistened, especially in winter.
The poinsettia is a favorite plant during the winter holidays, with red, pink or cream bracts (colored leaves).
Note! Most people throw away a flower after it starts losing leaves. But few people know what needs to be done to make the Christmas Star even more beautiful in the coming year. If the plant loses bracts, it needs a dormant period: slightly lower temperature and stop fertilizing.
In early November, a special program should begin to color the bracts. Strictly observe the light regime (14-15 hours of darkness every day), cover it every evening (about 17:00) with an opaque material. In the morning, around 8 o’clock, the poinsettia must be opened and properly watered.
