Chlorophytum crested - description and care at home

Among indoor plants, there are champions in unpretentiousness. Sometimes it seems that they are able not only to grow, but also to bloom in any conditions and with little or no care. These are the qualities that chlorophytum crested possesses. This flower pleases with luscious greenery, perfectly cleans the air and at the same time requires a minimum of attention and care. It will be useful to find out in more detail what chlorophytum is, whether the sun loves and how it reproduces.

Chlorophytum crested: description and characteristics

The flower belongs to the vast family of Liliaceae, and its homeland is South America. Sometimes you can hear another name for chlorophytum - green lily. Most likely, this is due to the fact that the leaves of these plants are similar in shape.

Chlorophytum crested - a beautiful and unpretentious indoor flower

Chlorophytum leaves are linear and can reach 70-80 cm in length. The color of the leaf plate is light or dark green with a longitudinal white stripe along the edges or in the center, depending on the variety. There are varieties with particularly long and thin leaves, and some have beige or milky stripes.

Small white asterisks of flowers are collected in small inflorescences and are located on thin long stems. After the flowers wither, rosettes of leaves with aerial roots appear in their place.

Origin story

For the first time, the herbaceous perennial chlorophytum comosum was described by botanists in the distant 18th century. The flower conquered Europe only 100 years later, but the rate of spread was very high. Among indoor plants, chlorophytum is rightfully considered the most common species.

It should be noted that the indisputable advantage of a flower is its ability to purify the air and fill it with oxygen.

Common varieties

From the varieties of chlorophytum, a very variegated collection can be assembled that will require minimal attention. The varieties differ from each other not only in the color of the leaves, but also in their shape.

• Bonnie

The unusual variety has a curved leaf shape that resembles voluminous curls.

Bonnie

• Laxum

This variety has the thinnest and rather short leaves - their length does not exceed 20 cm.

Laxum

• Mandaianum

Compact chlorophytum with an original color of the leaf plate - a dark green background is intercepted by a longitudinally yellow stripe.

• Ocean

In this variety, the characteristic stripe does not run in the center of the leaf, but along the edges.

Ocean

Features of home care

Of course, chlorophytum can grow in almost any environment. But in order for the flower to be healthy, grow intensively and bloom, it must be provided with comfort. Fortunately for flower growers, a minimum is enough for this plant, which cannot but please.

A small table with the rules for care clearly confirms this.

Flowering period

Chlorophytum crested blooms almost continuously. Is that in winter there are small intervals, but the flower does not fall into a state of rest.

Despite the fact that the flowers of the plant are small and simple, the plant looks quite attractive during flowering. This effect is achieved by the fact that the inflorescences are located at the ends of long, curved shoots. It gives the impression of a green fountain with white splashes around the edge.

Chlorophytum flowers are small and simple

Pruning

Chlorophytum does not need intensive pruning and shaping. But due to the fact that the plant has the ability to release numerous flowers, in the place of which children are formed, certain pruning methods are applicable to it.

Roots with aerial roots should be partially removed. This procedure is carried out for two reasons:

• A large number of outlets can spoil the appearance of the flower. Children who have already reached a large size overshadow the main plant.
• The flower spends a lot of energy on the growth of rosettes and aerial roots. Removing overgrowth has a beneficial effect on the condition of the mother plant and stimulates the growth of new leaves.

It is also recommended to trim off yellowed leaves and shorten dried tips to maintain an attractive appearance.

Reproduction

Chlorophytum crested propagation is as easy as caring for it. Several methods are used, such as:

• growing from seeds;
• rooting rosettes with aerial roots;
• division of the bush.

The method of cuttings for this flower is not relevant, since it does not have shoots as such, and the leaves cannot be rooted.

Sowing seeds

To obtain seeds, boxes are left on the plant for ripening. Seeds are collected, soaked in a growth promoter and sown in moist nutrient soil. A shelter is set up and placed in a warm place.

Further care consists in watering and airing the greenhouse. In the phase of 3-4 true leaves, the rosettes dive into separate containers.

This method is rarely used. It is much easier and faster to propagate chlorophytum using other methods.

Rooting outlets

It is very easy to get a young specimen of chlorophytum by rooting a rosette with aerial roots. Such seedlings take root quickly, even without much effort and greenhouse conditions.

If the aerial roots are well developed, then you can immediately plant the rosettes in the ground. Otherwise, the seedlings are pre-placed with water to stimulate root growth. Further, the process is performed step by step:

• drainage is poured at the bottom of the prepared container, and then nutritious soil;
• make small depressions slightly exceeding the volume of the roots;
• place sockets, watering into the hole and cover with the rest of the soil;
• re-watering is not necessary, but at high air temperatures it is necessary.

For further successful rooting, it is necessary to maintain constant soil and air moisture. As soon as young plants start to grow, watering is reduced to standard volumes.

Dividing the bush

Most often, this breeding method is applicable simultaneously with a planned chlorophytum transplant. It is as simple as rooting outlets. The process itself is carried out in a similar way, the only difference is in the size of the container.

Delenki can be planted not only in pots, but also in open ground for the summer.

Transfer

The root system of chlorophytum is not only voluminous, but also prone to active growth.For this reason, the flower requires a transplant at least once every two years, and it is better to carry it out annually. Intensive growth of shoots requires a sufficient amount of nutrients in the soil and replacing the soil is necessary for the plant.

The root system of chlorophytum is prone to active growth

The transplant is carried out using the same technology as rooting outlets, but there are some nuances:

• The volume of the pot should be larger than the size of the root system. Leave a distance of 5-6 cm from the roots to the wall.
• There must be a drainage layer and at least 3 drainage holes at the bottom of the container.
• Do not bury the plant too deep in the soil. The center of the outlet must be at least below ground level, and any soil that has fallen on it must be carefully removed.
• For better rooting, all aerial shoots are removed and left for propagation.

These simple guidelines will help you transplant your plant correctly. In gratitude for the new nutrient soil and sufficient space for growth, chlorophytum will release many new leaves and inflorescences.

Possible growing problems and diseases

Chlorophytum crested almost never gets sick, and it is rarely affected by pests. But sometimes unfavorable conditions can worsen the appearance of the plant or slow down its growth.

Picture 9 This wonderful flower practically does not get sick

The most common changes that occur are:

• The color of the leaf plate fades. This can happen when the plant is constantly exposed to direct sunlight. The solution to the problem is simple - you need to rearrange the pot in a less illuminated place with diffused light. The color will be restored and the new leaves will already have a normal appearance.
• The tips of the leaves dry out. The reason for such changes is either a lack of moisture in the soil or excessive dryness of the air. Sometimes a lack of nutrients can cause similar problems. In such a situation, the damaged parts of the leaves should be cut off, the spraying and fertilizing regime should be established. If there is no improvement, you can resort to a transplant.
• The leaves turn yellow and fall off. If this is observed in individual leaves of an adult plant, then, most likely, the process is natural and there is no threat. The massive yellowing of foliage, its wilting and dying off, most likely occurs from waterlogging of the soil. In this case, the damaged parts are cut and watering is reduced.

These are the most common problems that can arise when growing chlorophytum. Such phenomena as the dropping of flowers or the mass dropping of leaves in a flower is not observed.

Parasites can damage the plant, although this is rare in chlorophytum. If such a problem is found, the flower is isolated from other plants and treated with insecticides.

Chlorophytum crested is one of the easiest indoor plants to grow. He needs a minimum amount of care and attention. This flower will not only decorate the house, but also help to make the air cleaner. It is especially worth paying attention to crested chlorophytum for novice growers, because caring for this plant at home will help you learn the basics of growing indoor flowers.