Two Lovely Heart Plants for Valentine’s Day

Love is in the air! At Home & Travel Cafe, we are celebrating February by having our friend Sargam share some tips to care for 2 love’ly houseplants with heart-shaped leaves.

A popular potted plant sold during winter time is the Cyclamen, bright lacy blooms propped up on long stalks adorned with olive green heart-shaped leaves variegated with silver veins.

The frilly flowers range from ruby red to vivid violet and brighten up any space. Contrary to common belief, this indoor plant is a petit perennial and can last for several seasons.

Fun Fact: Cyclamen is a frost-tender hybrid derived from the C. persicum.

While it may seem like your Cyclamen is perishing, it is normal for it to lose its leaves after blooming, don’t toss the plant out just yet; here is how to get your Cyclamen to bloom again.

-Leave the leaves on the plant until they are either completely wilted or shriveled and dried.

-Gently trim the leaves back with sharp sheers.

-Make sure the top of the bulb is exposed, and only the bottom 2/3rd are in the soil.

-Leave the bulbs in their pot, watering occasionally.

-Position the plant in a bright spot in a room with temperature between 55 and 65 F.

-New leaves should emerge in six to eight weeks.

-With an annual soil top off, this plant won’t require any additional fertilizer.

If you are looking for a slightly larger plant to gift to your special someone this valentines day, consider the Anthurium. Popularly known as the flamingo lily, this evergreen boasts deep green foliage contrasted with glossy, vivid red, pink, orange, or bright white heart-shaped spathes. This plant makes for a great houseplant; it is low maintenance and grows to about a foot and a half.

Fun Fact: The waxy bloom known as a spathe is designed to protect the spadix that contains flowers when in bloom.

Anthurium spathes usually last for months if not weeks; these plants are capable of pushing out serval spathes a year. When the plant is not in bloom, it can be showcased as a tropical foliage plant around the house.

-Leave the spathes on the plant until they are wholly dried, then trim back with sharp sheers.

-This plant prefers well-draining soil.

-Water when soil is dry to touch; you can water using a watering can or rehydrate using the bottom sip method.

-To use the bottom sip method, your plant must be in a pot with drainage holes at the bottom.

-Place the plant in a deep pot of water and allow the soil to become saturated.

-Remember to remove it from the soak within sixty minutes.

-Position the plant away from direct sunlight and windows or heating vents. A spot with plenty of bright indirect light close to a humidifier is ideal.

-This plant prefers temperatures between 65 and 80 F.

Grow Tip: Move your plant to a cooler room, with slightly lesser light in October and November, fertilizing it in late December, and moving it to a brighter location will encourage blooms by valentines day.

What plants with heart-shaped leaves do you have in your home? Let us know in the comments below.

By Sargam Merchant

For Home and Travel Cafe by Linette.