Tag Archives: Gardening

Home Garden – Parlour Palm (Chamaedorea Elegans)

Continuing my series, this post is about my Parlour Palm.

The Parlour Palm, scientifically known as Chamaedorea elegans, is a popular houseplant appreciated for its graceful, feathery fronds and adaptable nature.

The Parlour palm was discovered in Central America and brought back to the United States, where it became a popular indoor palm.

Parlour palms grow in attractive clumps with light-textured foliage cloaking thin trunks. These slow growers can take years to reach full height (2 to 6 feet indoors and 6 to 16 feet outdoors).

My fondness for Palms is already common knowledge.

Parlour Palm on balcony
Parlour Palm on balcony

I got it as a gift from our neighbours who were leaving Thailand and I have kept it outside my bedroom window ever since. The sight of its fronds swaying in the breeze is something I look forward to, everyday.

With minimal maintenance and stunning foliage, this plant is an excellent choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts.

I keep this plant in indirect sunlight. It lives in our south-facing balcony in the summers and north-facing balcony in the winters, where it receives sunlight 1-2 hours a day.

The only thing I do for maintenance is clipping dead fronds from time to time. Unlike Gurgaon, there’s not so much dust here, so I don’t mist it often.

water it thrice a week; less if it has rained.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Home Garden – Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia Seguine)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Dumbcane plant that my wife has been neglecting for quite some time.

Dumbcane, scientifically known as Dieffenbachia Seguine is recognized for its striking variegated leaves, typically featuring shades of green and cream. It’s a popular choice among plant enthusiasts due to its ability to adapt to lower light levels. It is one of the most common plants that people have in their homes.

It is native to the tropical regions of the Americas.

Dieffenbachia Seguine (Dumbcane)
Dieffenbachia Seguine (Dumbcane)

Although we have had it for quite some time, I recently took over its care, moving it to an earthen pot (from a black plastic pot, if you can believe it) and fertilising it. I have no idea where it came from.

I keep this plant in indirect sunlight. It lives in our south-facing balcony, in the summers and north-facing balcony in the winters, where it receives direct sunlight 1-2 hours a day.

The Dumbcane requires no maintenance at all, not even dead-leafing.

water it twice a week; less, if it has rained.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

It’s worth noting that this plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can be toxic if ingested. It’s always advisable to keep this plant out of reach of pets and small children.

Home Garden – Snake Plant (Dracaena Trifasciata)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Dracaena Trifasciata, commonly known as the Snake Plant.

The Dracaena Trifasciata is an incredibly resilient plant that thrives in various conditions. Known for its striking, upright leaves that can grow several feet tall, this plant is a favorite among indoor gardeners. People say it purifies the air, but I am skeptical of how much impact it can actually have.

This plant is native to West Africa, specifically from Nigeria to the Congo region.

Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant)
Dracaena Trifasciata (Snake Plant)

The pot is Fjärilsbuske from Ikea, and has a beautiful glaze.

I keep this plant in shade all the time, as it prefers indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions. It sits next to my working desk.

The Snake Plant requires no maintenance at all, making it perfect for those who may not have a green thumb.

I water it twice a week. It is drought-tolerant, so I don’t have to worry about watering it frequently.

Additionally, I fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth, helping to promote healthy foliage and overall vitality.

You can read more about this plant here.

Our dog was initially a bit hesitant to go near it, probably mistaking the stems for real snakes.

Home Garden – Orange Jasmine (Murraya Paniculata)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Orange Jasmine plant that we recently bought.

The Orange Jasmine (Murraya paniculata) is a fragrant, evergreen shrub or small tree prized for its lush foliage and beautifully scented white flowers. Despite its name, it’s not a true jasmine but gets its name from the sweet, citrus-like fragrance of its blooms, which resemble orange blossoms.

Orange Jasmine (Murraya Paniculata)
Orange Jasmine (Murraya Paniculata)

Native to South and Southeast Asia, it is often used as a hedge or ornamental plant due to its dense, glossy green leaves and attractive shape. It can grow up to 12 feet tall in the right conditions.

Its white, star-shaped flowers bloom in clusters, often multiple times a year, especially in warm climates. These are followed by small, oval red berries that attract birds. The plant thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. It’s relatively low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

The pot is Honungspalm from Ikea.

I keep this plant in direct sunlight. On our south-facing balcony in winters & north-facing balcony in summers, where it receives bright sunlight 2-3 hours a day.

This plant requires low maintenance, however, pruning the branches triggers growth and maintains the desired shape.

water it four times a week, however it can tolerate drought well, once established.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Home Garden – Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Aglaonema, commonly known as Chinese Evergreen.

The Aglaonema is a versatile houseplant that thrives in lower light conditions, making it a popular choice for indoor gardens. It is known for its striking foliage, featuring vibrant green leaves often adorned with splashes of silver, cream, or red. Mine has leaves with red borders around it and a firm, white stem.

This plant is native to tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, particularly Southeast Asia. This includes countries like Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam & its namesake Southern China. This means it is right at home in our house.

Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreens)
Aglaonema (Chinese Evergreen)

I don’t know when my wife got it and stared neglecting it, but I am looking forward to restoring it to good health again. It lives in a wooden pot.

I keep this plant in shade all the time, on our living room shelf. It always grows its leaves towards the window; where it sees sunlight coming from.

The Chinese Evergreens require no maintenance at all.

water it twice a week. 

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Home Garden – Jungle Flame (Ixora Coccinea)

Continuing my series, this post is about the Jungle Flame plant that we recently bought.

The Jungle Flame, scientifically known as Ixora coccinea, is a vibrant, evergreen shrub native to Southeast Asia. Commonly referred to as Flame of the Woods, Jungle Geranium, or Maui Sunset, this plant is celebrated for its clusters of small, tubular flowers that bloom in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, providing a striking display throughout the summer months . 

What makes the this plant stand out are its dense clusters of small, tubular flowers that come in shades of red, orange, pink, and yellow—resembling tiny flames, hence the name. It blooms year-round in tropical regions, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

Scarlett Jungle Flame (Ixora Coccinea)
Scarlett Jungle Flame (Ixora Coccinea)

The pot is Persillade from Ikea.

I keep this plant in direct sunlight, on our south-facing balcony, where it receives bright sunlight 2-3 hours a day.

This plant requires low maintenance, however, pruning the branches triggers growth and maintains the desired shape (Like a hedge).

water it five times a week. It’s essential to keep the soil consistently moist but let the top soil dry out between waterings. I reduce the watering frequency if it rains.

fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

You can read more about this plant here.

Home Garden – Calibrachoa Hybrid

Ever since I moved to Bangkok, I have avoided buying new plants, because I always assumed that this was a temporary arrangement. I bought 1 Palm but that’s it. As it has become more clear that I will be here for a while, I have started considering buying some plants here. Last weekend, I got a Calibrachoa Hybrid.

The Calibrachoa Hybrid, is an evergreen short-lived perennial. Here’s a good website with more information about this plant.

Calibrachoa Hybrid
Calibrachoa Hybrid

This plant consists of a lot of dense flowers. My flowers have pink petals and orange centers.

I keep this plant in full sunlight all the time.

The Calibrachoa requires no maintenance at all.

I water it every other day.

I fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

Here’re some good tools which will help you with your gardening.

Home Garden – Slash Pine

The Slash Pine, also called Longleaf Pitch Pine is a fast-growing evergreen conifer which is found in swamps. Here’s a good website with more information about this plant.

Slash Pine
My Slash Pine

This plant consists of drooping branches and thin hair-like leaves, which turn brown after winters and then fall off.

I keep this plant in partial sunlight all the time.

The Slash Pine requires no maintenance at all.

I water it between once a week during peak winters and thrice a week during peak summers.

I fertilise it every 2 months or when it shows signs of growth.

Here’re some good tools which will help you with your gardening.