UK: Commitment free plants are houseplants of the month in June
Origin
Croton (aka Codiaeum) is derived from the Greek word ‘kroton’, which means ‘tick’ and refers to the seeds, which resemble these bugs. This handsome plant grows in Indonesia, but can also be found in many other warm holiday destinations. Croton is an evergreen shrub with variegated, very colourful leaves that are unlike any other plant.
Philodendron grows in the tropical rainforests of South America and occurs as a bush, small tree and climbing plant with aerial roots. The name derives from the Greek and means ‘tree hugger’. This refers to its preference for growing up the giants of the forest.
Snake Plant (Sansevieria) is one of the easiest houseplant ever. The plant grows in the dry regions of southern Africa and Asia, where it has to survive in deserts. The Snake Plant does that with sturdy rhizomes from which thick upward-pointing sword-shaped leaves with succulent properties emerge.
Umbrella Tree (Schefflera) is native to the deciduous forests of New Zealand, Taiwan and Australia, where the plants can reach a height of 20 to 30 metres. It is one of the most air purifying plants, and offers an impressive green presence with eye-catching leaves which resemble a hand with a few to many fingers.
Devil’s Ivy (Scindapsus) is a hanging climbing plant which is a member of the arum family, the Araceae, and can be identified by the spike-shaped flower/spadix with a bract. This houseplant is known as a bringer of luck. In the tropical rainforests of South-East Asia and Indonesia, Devil’s Ivy also serves as a rich source of food for lizards and other reptiles, amongst others.
Choice of range
The range of ‘Commitment Free Plants’ is varied in terms of shape, size and colour. Various species and cultivars exist of each type, making for an impressive choice.
In addition to many different sizes, Croton also comes in many cultivars. They are all part of the species C. variegatum, which means variegated and refers to the fantastic leaves.
Philodendron is available both as a climber with large or small leaves, and in bush form. The leathery leaves are often green, or slightly reddish. Larger climbers sometimes have aerial roots.
Snake Plant is available in many different sizes and shapes, from fans and interwoven specimens through to plants with painted or felt-covered tops to the leaves. The leaves are green or grey, depending on the variety.
Umbrella Tree comes in various forms, which are mainly members of the arboricola species, which means ‘tree-like’. In the wild the Umbrella Tree can grow into a real tree. The trade offering ranges from single and branched plants in a pot through to indoor trees. All Umbrella Trees can be recognised by the hand-shaped leaves.
Devil’s Ivy (Scindapus or Epipremnum) is known as a climbing and hanging plant with attractive green and yellow marked leaves.
Sales and display tips for commitment free plants
Their size means that Commitment Free Plants are ideally suited to a display that suggests an indoor forest. This fits with the trend of bringing living nature indoors and placing it on a pedestal in the home or office. An additional sales argument for Many Plants is that the profusion of leaves has an air-purifying effect. Finally the fact that these are very easy plants is often also important argument for the target group.
For more information:
Thejoyofplants.co.uk