Sprigs of Philodendron

Some people are gifted with a green thumb and some people are not. I am not. However, that doesn’t stop me from trying to grow a plant or two. I currently have a few potted plants in my office and about three at home. One plant that doesn’t die on me is the Philodendron, a tropical American climbing vine plant. My plant is the heart-leaf species houseplant and it just keeps growing. This plant is hardy and resists against all types of non-green thumb conditions. I have to credit my mom for starting me with growing this plant. One day when I was in elementary school, I came home with a piece of a plant in my pocket. My mom found it while doing laundry, thought it looked like a houseplant and stuck it in a cup of water. The plant rooted and started to grow from then on. To this day, I still own this plant and have rooted other plants from it.

I have found that this plant is wonderful to give away to friends and family. When the vines grows really long, you just cut a sprig of the leaves, including the root nub and dip it in some water. The plant can grow from the water, but make sure you change the water once in awhile. Eventually you will want to transfer it into a pot. A potted Philodendron likes cramped roots, so don’t repot into a pot that will swallow the plant.

Every office and home should have a real plant or two. So if you have a friend or co-worker who doesn’t have any plants, think about giving them a sprig. Not only do plants provide better air quality, but they seem to have a calming effect and provide an inviting, comfortable environment. I found this list of the Top 10 Houseplants for Cleaner Air on a website called Care2. Even if I can’t keep a large variety of plants alive, at least I can give the gift of sprigs from the one single plant that has lived for years and years.