The White Connection

Let me explain, it all started when I saw a White Joyweed plant growing wildly. Then I thought of placing all the white themed plants together and that lead one after another.

These are my collection of all the nice white varigated leaf plants. I was thinking of how to present them. To just keep all of them in a separate pots is going to be quite boring.

It was indeed challenging to put the whole thing together, firstly in getting the plants, and the next was to make sure they look nice. Even now, at one look - its just like one white blop grassy mess.

I hope it look interesting to you.

Joyweed (Alternanthera sp.)

A fairly easy plant to take care. Unlike other types, this one is a creeping type.

I assume a joyweed plant must be swamp plant where there is a lot stagnant water. I also noticed that alternanthera species plants are often used for aquariums for aquatic plants.

I remember once when I saw a joyweed species growing at the drainside but it do not have the varigated colours like the ornamental cultivars.

.

Dumbcane (Dieffenbachia)

Zigzag plant (Pedilanthus tithymaloides variegatus)

.

This zigzag plant and the darker green of the white dumbcane is the rescued plants from the (Opps.. I did it again - post) The dumbcane didn't look good and so I asked 2 cuttings from my neighbour whom I also exchange plants.

.

Some info about the Dumbcane plant: Easy to take care, can take overwatering (more of a swamp plant) Lack of light can make this plant leggy, too much sun can scorch the leaves, best placed in shady area.

.

a) Watch out for the sap: it can cause strong irritation to the skin

(I remember getting my hand burned - even the slightest sap can cause a strong irritation)

.

Some info about the Zigzag plant.

(Also known as Devil's backbone, Ribbon Cactus & Jacob's ladder)

.

This one is become very unpopular now compared to other ornamental plants. I understand this one is from the old world plants. I remember this is cultivated by old-time gardens, often some of my friends mentioned that these are the olden days gardening plant.

The one I have has white with pink tinge. There are other varieties of white & green or dark green. I thought of collecting all the different varieties of zigzag plant and plant them in a small tall container. (It may be my next project)

I have seen this one in so many gardens and roadside going thru abuse (plants gets knocked over, leaves & branches semi-broken and very leggy) Its a pity that the owners care less for this plant, if taken cared properly, it really makes a beautiful plant.

.

Character: Easy to grow, overwatering causes rot root, the milk sap is toxic & can cause irritation

.

.

Baby Rubber Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia var.)

.

It was said that there are over a 1000 species of peperomia, so specifically identifying it may be a bit difficult.

My office mate passed this single white varigated type to me, it has a light cream colour and it suited well in this collection. I had this plant before and had given it away as it didn't populate fast and was a bit boring in one single pot.

.

Characters: Overwatering may cause root & crown rooting. Not an easy going plant.

.

.

Striped Inch Plant (Callisia elegans)

.

I asked a cutting from my office mate who had passed me the peperomia plant and got it growing to few shoots. They make a lovely colour scheme here. It can be long and leggy and may require trimming time to time.

.

Characters:

a) Like most Wandering Jew plant or tradescantia's, they are fairly easy.

(too much water may cause root rot)

b) Has white flowers, the leaves have white stripes and are purple on the underside.

c) Grows horizontally & does well in hanging basket.

.

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)

.

I guess you may able to recognise this. One of the rescued plants from (oppps..post) I cut a short cutting and placed it here and found that the colour very well matches all the plants here.

.

Characters: Fairly easy plant to care.

.

a) May able to handle overwatering as they can be placed in the water for long time but they do not thrive unless placed in soil.

.

b) They may be sold in pet shop as an aquatic plants and may last for weeks or months but unless they are removed and planted in soil, chances are it will rot & die.

.

(Advice - this one can only survive temporary in submerged water)

.

c) Best in shady area, too much sun may cause burned leaves.

.

.

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

.

I was amazed that the opposite leave colour (white centre, green border) goes well with the varigated mondo grass and flax lily. I got this from another office mate who often pass her plants to me as she is clearing her excess plants and plan to shift. She did pass it to me before but I didn't take care of it and it slowly had crown rot and died.

.

Character:

.

a) Does not do well when overwatering (cause root & crown rot)

.

b) Best in shady area.

.

c) Spider plant produce small plantlets from it shoots, which can be propagated by cutting and placing them in water for the roots to develop. Also, the mature plant can be divided during repotting.

.

.

.

False Philodendron (Peperomia Scandens)

.

Like what have been said, peperomia are not an easy plant. Too much water may kill the plant.

.

They need constant checking as they may face branch rot (placed in soil when propagating) and may slowly die if they are not replanted quickly.

.

You will able to note the difference - they are healthy, the leaves and stalk are firm and strong, if they are still struggling - they may be limp and often times shed off the leaves.

Once they start to grow, it then considered the "red alert" is over.

.

.

Varigated Mondo Grass (Ophiopogon japonicus)

.

I got this from a gardener who tends in my wife's working place. I had asked him to keep a few clumps of it when he is free as he does the repotting and pruning and such. I was glad that I got it in time as I was planning these plants collection.

.

Character: The leaves are leathery, strong and frim.

.

.

.

Name: Unknown (will edit once discovered)

chances are it may be a flax lily but not sure.

.

Finally, this one belongs to my mum. Its very much like grass (soft, tight and fluffy) unlike mondo grass. The leaves have green centre and white border. It also have tiny tubers hanging at the ends of the roots.

.

Character:

.

a) Overwatering may cause root rot and the crown will eventually collapse without any warning signs.

.

b) Produce tiny white flowers by the base of the plant.

.

I had googled but not found the reference for this plant name. So, it may take awhile until I find this one out. Any help on identifying it would be greatly appreciated.