Which Houseplant Grows Faster?

Encourage fast growth in houseplants with good light and regular feeding and watering.

Houseplants bring a slice of nature indoors, clean the air and contribute to a sense of tranquility. People grow houseplants for many reasons, including interior decorating and an interest in living, growing things. Plants are not one size fits all. They have individual growth habits and environmental requirements. Some plants are slow growing even under optimal conditions while other plants grow fast even in harsh environments. Houseplant enthusiasts with little time or know-how choose fast-growing houseplants for a healthy, green display of foliage.

Fast-Growing Plants

Pothos or devil's ivy and philodendron are two of the fastest-growing houseplants. They are both tropical vining plants whose native environments are the treetops of tropical forests. Pothos has rounded, heart-shaped leaves and philodendron has longer, pointed leaves. Both plants have many varieties, with some types of philodendrons that are very large and some pothos with variegated coloring. Rich, well-drained potting soil, bright filtered light and regular watering and feeding support fast plant growth and produce long, healthy vines ideal for cuttings.

What Makes Plants Grow

Water, food, light, temperature and soil all affect the growth of houseplants. Tropical plants left in a cold area of the garage or basement will not grow as fast as they normally do in their native environments. They need warmer temperatures to thrive and produce normal growth. Plants that are under stress won't grow well if at all. For example, under watering to the point of dried leaves limits or stops growth. Plants left in poor soil without any feeding will produce only spindly, weak growth.

Care and Cultivation

Care and cultivation of plants affect how fast and healthy they grow. Care of houseplants includes watering, fertilizing, providing light, good soil and the right temperature, trimming leaves and stems and transplanting. A rich, well-drained potting soil for most foliage plants and special soils for plants like orchids and cactus support plants physically and nutritionally. Regular water without over-watering is important for plant health. A watering and fertilizing log, noting each date and time you water and fertilize plants, helps with consistent care. A general houseplant fertilizer applied weekly during spring and summer growing seasons is adequate for green foliage plants, but flowering plants need a fertilizer that supports blooming plants. Tropical plants need warmth and enough light to grow well and suffer in drafty or cold locations.

Tips for Fast Growth

Three things support fast growth of foliage plants: the right light, fertilizing spring through summer and consistent watering. Encourage fast growth with regular fertilizing with weekly applications of liquid fertilizer beginning in mid-March through the end of summer. Consistent watering according to the plant's native habitat also supports and encourages plant growth: bog plants like moisture and can tolerate "wet feet" but succulents and cactus require drier conditions and will die off if over-watered. Pinching off the tips of plants will encourage fuller, bushier growth and eliminate scraggly, thin plants.

References

• "The Complete Houseplant Survival Manual: Essential Gardening Know-How for Keeping (Not Killing) More Than 160 Indoor Plants"; Barbara Pleasant; 2005
• "The Houseplant Encyclopedia"; Ingrid Jantra and Ursula Kruger; 2006
• "The Complete Houseplant Bible"; Peter McHoy; 2000
• "Complete Houseplants: Featuring Over 200 Easy-Care Favorites"; Jack Kramer; 2008