Care of foliage plants indoors is relatively easy but there are a few factors which should be regulated if plants are to remain healthy.

LIGHT
The importance of adequate light cannot be overemphasised when growing foliage plants indoors. Without ample light, foliage plants cannot produce enough food for plant growth. Plants must utilise stored food, which causes them to deteriorate.

Light intensity strongly influences the rate of food production in the plant; generally with more light, more food is produced. Many foliage plants are native to tropical rain forests and can be injured if placed in full sun. Usually light levels near windows, other than a northern exposure, range from 50 to 2000 foot-candles which is very satisfactory for foliage plants. Foot-candle units are an expression of light intensity.

Light duration is also important, since the total number of foot-candles of light received is a product of intensity and duration. The longer a plant is lighted the more food it produces. When plants are grown in low light areas they should be lighted for longer periods to compensate for the reduced light intensity.

Light quality refers to the colour of light. Natural sunlight contains all visible wavelengths utilised by plants and is the best and cheapest source of light for plants. However, plants may be grown solely under artificial light (light from electrical lamps).

Lamps are being utilised more and more to aid in maintaining and highlighting foliage plants. When electrical lamps are used to supplement natural light, incandescent or fluorescent lamps will give satisfactory results. Supplemental lighting may be applied anytime during the day or night when convenient, or as a by-product of normal interior lighting.

TEMPERATURE
The most desirable temperature range for foliage plants is similar to normal conditions in the home. If it is comfortable for you it should suit your plants.

HUMIDITY
Foliage plants grow best where the humidity is high. However, the air indoors is often too dry for some foliage plants, especially during winter months. Proper care in watering, temperature control, and maintenance of light levels will do much to overcome adverse effects of low humidity. Relative humidity should be maintained at 40% or higher where possible and plants should be watered adequately.

WATERING
This cultural practice is relatively simple but often misunderstood. Most foliage plants are adapted to regions where the soil is moist, but not continually saturated with water. Therefore, never allow soils to become completely dry between waterings, but apply enough water to thoroughly wet the entire soil ball during each watering. Roots should not be allowed to stand in water for any length of time.

CONTAINERS
Many types of attractive containers are available. Foliage plants, are shown to best advantage in containers of neutral colours - white, brown, black, grey, copper or aluminium. Containers without drainage holes should be checked frequently to prevent over watering. On the other hand, plants grown in clay pots or containers made of other porous materials must be watered more frequently than those in plastic, ceramic or metal because of moisture evaporation through the side of the pot.

SOILS
Foliage plants can be grown in a variety of soil mixes, but are easier to care for if planted in soils containing high levels of peat moss. Such soils retain water and fertiliser and provide good aeration if peat moss is mixed with course sandy soils or perlite.

FERTILISATION
When foliage plants are used for interior design purposes, little fertilisation is required, since it is usually desirable to keep plants from growing excessively. Frequently, a lot of new growth is undesirable since plants may soon outgrow their location or new growth may be spindly if grown under less than optimum light conditions.

Application of fertilisers once a month is unnecessary and in most cases two applications a year will be sufficient unless considerable new growth is desired. Many types of slow release fertilisers are prepared for indoor use and are frequently more convenient than types sold for lawns or gardens.

CLEANING FOLIAGE
The dust and other residues which accumulate on foliage indoors and become unsightly can be removed by syringing the foliage with water or wiping it with a soft cloth. A small amount of hand soap may be added to the water when stubborn spots are encountered. Don't fold, crease, or rub leaves too hard, as they may be damaged.

DIAGNOSING TROUBLES
Improper culture may cause foliage plants to decline prematurely. Some of the more common troubles and conditions which may cause these symptoms are:

• Brown leaf tips or burned leaf margins - too much fertiliser or soil allowed to dry excessively.
• Yellowing and dropping of leaves - low light intensity, over-watering or poor soil drainage and aeration or root decay from soil-borne diseases or insect pests, or air pollution.
• Weak growth or light green or yellow foliage - light too intense, lack of fertiliser, root-rot or poor root system.
• Small leaves and spindly stems - too little light.
• Small leaves and close leaf spacing on stem - lack of fertiliser or grown too dry.

The large variety of plant types available provides the opportunity to select plants which will enhance any interior area. Foliage plants, which in some cases also have flowers, are excellent for indoor culture since they can survive environmental conditions unfavourable to most other plants.

Use foliage plants to clean the air in your home to make it a
brighter and healthier place for your family.