Natural air purifier in the house - Chlorophytum Curly (Curly, Bonnie)

What does chlorophytum curly look like, what family does it belong to?

In indoor growing, the most popular varieties of chlorophytum are:

• Curly is a compact type of bush with curled leaves that begin to curl with good care.
• Crested - has long narrow leaf blades painted bright green.
• Orange - the leaves are wider than the previous ones, have an oval shape and a dark green color.

Climbing Chlorophytum bonnie

Important! Despite the variety of species and varieties of chlorophytum, caring for these plants is identical.

Medicinal properties

The plant has a number of properties that are beneficial:

• cleans the air of dust and germs;
• absorbs any chemical compounds in the air;
• releases moisture if it receives enough of it;
• releases a lot of oxygen.

Briefly about the history of appearance

Back in 1974, the first species of this plant were described. They were discovered in South Africa. In the second half of the 19th century, the bush was brought to Europe, after which breeding work began.

Useful properties of chlorophytum

Chlorophytum is an ideal air purifier, the “green lungs” of the home. By drawing in harmful carbon compounds (formaldehyde, chlorethylene, benzene), it generously shares oxygen. The plant releases phytoncides that disinfect indoor air. Reduces the concentration of heavy metals and their compounds; neutralizes nicotine.

Therefore, the chlorophytum flower is indispensable in apartments where smokers, allergy sufferers and people with pulmonary pathologies live. By purifying the air, chlorophytum also moisturizes it and helps absorb extraneous noise. Over the course of a day, 5 average plants neutralize dangerous compounds over an area of ​​10 m2. In African countries, chlorophytum is used as a laxative for children.

Features of caring for chlorophytum curly at home

Chlorophytum - home care and reproduction

Many gardeners confirm that caring for chlorophyte is a pleasure. In order for the flower to grow well, develop and bloom lushly, you should not neglect agricultural technology.

Temperature

Since chlorophytum is native to South Africa, the plant does not tolerate low temperatures and drafts. The temperature should not fall below +18 ℃. In winter, it is better to place a flower pot in a heated room on a warm windowsill.

Reproduction of chlorophytum at home

Lighting

The flower loves diffused light and needs it. If the pot is placed in the shade, nothing will happen to the chlorophytum. The plant is often located in hallways, stairwells and corridors.

Watering

Tropical origin determines the need for frequent and abundant watering at high room temperatures. The soil in the pot should not dry out, but should always be kept moist.

Note! In the autumn-winter period, watering is carried out moderately.

Spraying

Chlorophytum bonnie variety curly loves high humidity. Periodically give the flower a light shower. This is especially true in situations where the pot is close to radiators.

Humidity

The flower tolerates dry air in the house normally, with the exception of the summer season. During this period, the crown must be sprayed daily with settled water.

Priming

The soil for planting a flower should be loose, well permeable, but at the same time nutritious. A mixture of soil from under coniferous (deciduous) trees, coarse sand and humus is suitable. Don’t forget about the drainage layer, which will retain moisture for a long time.

Feeding

Chlorophytum bonnie loves feeding. Fertilizers need to be applied only in summer. Ready-made formulations for indoor deciduous plants are suitable. Frequency – once every 2 weeks.

Necessary care at home

Chlorophytum cannot be called a capricious plant; on the contrary, in an apartment it behaves loyally and only due to strong changes in the usual environmental parameters can it change its usual behavior. For example, curly chlorophytum can straighten its leaves. This charming mutation will disappear if the air is too dry, watering is irregular, and nutrition is poor.

Light-loving flower

Chlorophytum feels best under bright but diffuse lighting. Direct rays can burn it, and deprive variegated forms of their bright color, which, however, can happen in too shaded places. The owners should find an area optimally removed from the sun where the flower will feel comfortable. It is worth noting that chlorophytum tolerates several hours of direct sunlight very well, so the south-east window is an ideal zone for it.

Direct sunlight is not very beneficial for the flower. They can burn the leaves or discolor them. If the plant is on a south-facing window, shade it during the midday hours.

A pale appearance indicates temperature disturbances

The temperature range that chlorophytum tolerates is very impressive. It easily tolerates the summer heat and also does well in the winter window at a temperature of 8–10 °C. Moreover, when the temperature drops below 8 ° C, chlorophytum will not die, it will simply affect its appearance of the flower, it will turn pale and begin to wither.

When and how does it bloom

Chlorophytum - species Green Orange, winged, green, Laxum

The plant blooms in the warm season. Flowers do not have decorative value. The foliage has a more attractive appearance than the inflorescences.

Types of flowers

Small white flowers are formed on short peduncles, which are completely inconspicuous in appearance.

Flowering period

Chlorophytum blooms in spring and summer. Throughout the warm season, you can observe the blooming inflorescences.

Divided plants for planting

Changes in care during the flowering period

During the flowering period, the plant expends a lot of energy and nutrients. To replenish microelements, regular fertilizing and watering are carried out. At this time, the bush begins to dry out especially quickly.

The most popular varieties

Basically, we can be pampered with crested varieties, and less often - other types of chlorophytum.

Vitatum

Variety of crested chlorophytum.

The leaves of the variety are green, but with a white stripe down the center of the leaf, running along its entire length. Moreover, this stripe can be either ideal, as if drawn under a ruler, or vague, gradually expanding.

Variegata

But this crested plant is colored exactly the opposite: the middle of its leaves is lush green, and the sides are light, even a little silver.

Ocean

It is similar to the previous variety (also green leaves with white sides), but this tufted bush has leaves arranged in a spiral. Although in fact, this is clearly visible only on a young, “skinny” plant, and only if you look closely.

Laxum

Another crested chlorophytum with green leaves edged with white. This time they grow in the shape of a fan (and this is also not very noticeable).

Maculatum

The last variety of crested chlorophytum in this list, it is also the brightest and most unusual: its longitudinal stripe (and quite wide) is colored yellow, and the leaves on the sides are green.

Green Orange

The most popular variety of winged chlorophytum.

The bush has pronounced differences in its appearance: noticeable orange petioles and dark shiny leaves. Green Orange differs from other winged chlorophytums in having longer petioles, but at the same time the compact size of the bush (30 cm).

Fire Flash

Another successful winged chlorophytum.

It differs from the previous variety in having lighter petioles.

It can also be called a sissy - for example, such a flowerpot does not like bright light, preferring partial shade, and the soil in the pot of this plant should never dry out completely (although such chlorophytum will not grow in a puddle either).

How does chlorophytum curly reproduce?

Chlorophytum curly can be propagated vegetatively and generatively.

Germination of seeds

This breeding option at home is used extremely rarely. It is mainly used by breeders in an attempt to develop new varieties. If you want to propagate a flower by seeds, you should adhere to the following scheme:

• the seeds are placed in gauze and dipped in water for germination;
• the planting substrate must contain peat and sand;
• seeds are sown on the soil surface;
• the container is covered with film and sent to a warm place;
• the crops are periodically ventilated;
• diving is done after several leaves appear on the seedlings.

Air layering

After flowering, rosettes are formed, which are used in flower propagation. To increase the chances of rooting, the cut rosette is dipped into liquid. When the roots appear, the plants are planted in a pot with soil.

Dividing the bush

The crop can be propagated by dividing the bush only after the plant reaches 3 years of age. The flower is carefully removed from the pot. The root is divided into several parts. The cuts are lubricated with crushed coal. The resulting cuttings are planted in separate containers filled with soil mixture.

Reproduction of chlorophytum

Depending on the type of plant, propagation of chlorophytum is possible in different ways.

Growing chlorophytum from seeds

Acceptable for species that do not form “children,” for example, for Chlorophytum orange.

• Fresh seeds are wrapped in a moistened napkin and placed in a plastic container.
• Cover with a lid and germinate at + 25 - 28°C, periodically wetting the napkin.
• After 2 weeks, when the seeds “hatch”, they are planted in moist soil to a depth of 5 mm, trying not to damage the long white sprout.
• Cover with film and leave in a warm place.
• The film is removed to water and ventilate the plant.
• When true leaves (2–3) form, the seedlings dive.

Reproduction of chlorophytum by rosettes

A simple method in which rosettes that have grown to 5–8 cm are separated from the peduncles. By this time, many rosettes already have roots, but if they are not there, the bush is rooted in loose soil or in water (the water must be changed more often). When rooting in water, wait for roots to appear. Then they are planted in the soil. Young “babies” take root quickly. Crested and curly species are easily propagated by this method. But the method is not suitable for winged and cape chlorophytum: they do not have “whiskers”.

Reproduction of chlorophytum by dividing the bush

Such propagation is timed to coincide with plant transplantation.

• When a plant is removed from a pot, the rhizome is washed.
• Using a sharp knife, divide it into fragments and sprinkle the cut areas with charcoal powder.
• Damaged roots are removed, elongated roots are shortened by half.
• The prepared parts are planted in the ground. A quick option for getting a powerful bush.

In this way, it is recommended to rejuvenate the bush once every 5 years. This method is suitable for propagation of all species.

The most favorable time for the propagation of chlorophytum is spring, when chlorophytum, which has rested over the winter, is ready to give birth to a new plant.

Possible problems in cultivation and diseases

The most common problem with this shrub is its drying out. To avoid problems, the flower is regularly watered, sprayed and ventilated.

Drops buds and leaves

The situation occurs due to a lack of nutrients and microelements in the soil. It is worth reviewing the fertilizing schedule and the fertilizer compositions used.

The leaves are turning pale

This can happen from excess moisture. Also, the flower most likely does not have enough light. Depleted soil and lack of microelements often lead to pale foliage.

The tips of the leaves are drying out

This indicates that the plant is simply drying out. The earthen ball has not been watered for a long time. Additionally, it is worth paying attention to air humidity and spraying.

The lower leaves fall off

Perhaps the soil was too flooded and the process of rotting of the root system began. In this case, moisturizing should be stopped immediately.

Pests

Among the popular pests that bother chlorophytum are aphids, thrips, and scale insects. To begin with, use a soap solution; if the solution does not help, then you will have to use chemicals.

Important! Doctors do not recommend displaying a large number of flowers in the bedroom, despite their beneficial properties.

Chlorophytum curly flower close up

Brief description of the flower

Chlorophytum curly is a fairly common specimen, often found in apartments and offices. The tropics and Africa are considered the homeland of the perennial, where it grows directly on the bark of trees. Exotic belongs to herbaceous plants, and scientists are still arguing about its relationship to a certain family: first the Liliaceae family was mentioned, then the Asparagus family.

A distinctive feature of chlorophytum is its hanging narrow leaves, on which there are peculiar tendrils that form young bushes with aerial roots. The plant's soft white flowers, resembling stars, form panicles.

Sheet plates have several color options:

• green;
• creamy green;
• white-green.

Under suitable conditions, the plant is a voluminous cascade of leaves up to 80 cm long. Chlorophytum is distinguished by a fleshy root system that accumulates a large amount of moisture. If the exotic plant is not watered for some time, it will grow and develop beautifully due to this moisture.

The perennial takes root very easily, its life expectancy is more than 10 years.

Types of chlorophytum with photos

Chlorophytum capense

This herbaceous perennial rosette plant has roots similar to tubers. The shape of the smooth pale green leaf plates is lanceolate, they taper towards the base and apex, there is a groove on the front surface of the leaf, and a keel on the back surface. The width of the leaves is about 3 centimeters, and their length is up to 50 centimeters. During flowering, a peduncle appears from the rosette. White small flowers are collected in racemes; they grow from the axils of the leaves located on the peduncle. The fruit is a capsule. In this species, the formation of young leaf rosettes is not observed on the peduncles.

Winged chlorophytum (Chlorophytum amaniense)

The dark green leaf blades have long petioles that range in color from pink to reddish-orange. The grooved foliage tapers at the top and base (near the petiole). Varieties such as Fire Flash and Green Orange have petioles of an unusual orange color. To prevent the petioles from losing their rich color, the flower stalks should be cut off in a timely manner.

Chlorophytum comosum

This is also a herbaceous perennial plant with a very short stem. Pale green smooth leaf blades grow from the stem, they have an elongated lanceolate shape and at the same time they bend effectively. A shoot appears from the middle of the rosette, and small white star-shaped flowers grow on it. When flowering comes to an end, young leaf rosettes grow from the axils of the leaves of this shoot. The white roots are very dense and juicy.

Chlorophytum crested / Caring for chlorophytum at home

Optimal conditions and timing of reproduction

Reproduction should be planned for early spring. However, if required, it can be carried out in the summer. After planting, the flower should be placed in a place with diffused light.

During the first 1.5 weeks of adaptation, this location will be the best for active growth and development. In the future, the plant will be able to grow well both in a sunny place and in the shade. The only thing is that on the sunny side the colors of its leaves will be brighter.

The temperature of the flower does not matter. It can tolerate a decrease in the thermometer to +8°C and an increase to +32°C without harm to decorativeness. The flower also does not make any demands on air humidity. Does not require spraying.

Benefits and harms

Bonnie is capable of not only decorating the interior. It has a lot of useful properties:

The listed qualities make it indispensable for houses and apartments whose residents suffer from allergies, asthma, bronchitis and other lung diseases.

It is not for nothing that flower growers pay tribute to the cleansing properties of the flower.

Unlike some house plants, chlorophytum is harmless and can be grown in any room, regardless of the age of the household, be it a baby or an elderly person.

At the same time, Bonnie needs protection from pets - cats love to feast on its succulent leaves, which is why the flower loses its decorative effect and takes a long time to recover.

Doctors do not recommend keeping a large number of indoor flowers in the bedroom. It is believed that at night, when plants release carbon dioxide into the surrounding air, a person may experience a lack of oxygen.

This does not apply to chlorophytum - feel free to place the flower in any room in accordance with your aesthetic preferences and conditions suitable for growing Bonnie.

Peculiarities

Recently, one can increasingly see a relatively new variety for domestic gardeners - Bonnie (Chlorophytum comosum bonnie). Its peculiarity is the formation of a curled leaf blade.

Unlike crested, Bonnie's leaves, hanging from the pot, curl into a light spiral. The leaves of the plant have a two-color color - in the middle of the green leaf blades there is a wide white longitudinal stripe.

Unusual spiral leaves give a special charm to the flower, and in combination with the flower stalks released, Bonnie looks especially impressive.