Plants at the ECS

Chamaedorea elegans

The parlour palm originates from the tropical forests of Mexico and Guatemala. In its natural habitat, it grows in the shade, under towering trees, forming part of the undergrowth. The species belongs to the Arecaceae (palm) family. It is sometimes called the neanthe bella palm due to its ability to reach heights of up to 3 metres in the wild. It has beautiful, feathery, lush leaves.
It blooms at various times of the year, producing a fairly long, branched inflorescence shoot with small yellow flowers, which can develop into spherical orange-coloured bead-like fruits.
In other tropical regions worldwide, it is grown as an ornamental plant, while in Poland, it is cultivated exclusively as a potted plant.

Interesting Facts
/ The parlour palm has been listed by NASA as one of the 17 best air-purifying plants. It not only removes harmful substances from the air but also humidifies it.
/ Its inflorescences are edible and are often used as an addition to salads.
/ It is a stunning houseplant that is safe for pets.
/ This long-lived plant can thrive in a home for at least 5–6 years.

Cultivation
The parlour palm is easy to grow. It tolerates shaded areas well but thrives best in partial shade. Excessive light exposure can cause leaf burn. The optimal temperature for this plant is below 20°C. Browning leaf tips are usually a sign of soil drying out too much. In summer, it should be watered 2–3 times a week; in winter, once a week is sufficient. The leaves should not be polished. It requires soil with a high peat content and a slightly acidic pH. The potting soil should be light and permeable. The parlour palm prefers tall, snug pots and should only be repotted when it outgrows them, ideally in spring. Care should be taken when repotting as the roots of the parlour palm are sensitive and delicate. Seeds require high temperatures (27°C) and constant humidity to germinate, which is easiest to achieve in a greenhouse. This is why the plant is typically purchased ready to plant, grown by experts.

Hedera helix „Wonder”

The common ivy is a long-lived, evergreen climber of the Araliaceae family. It is the only member of this family native to Poland and the only climbing plant with winter-hardy leaves in the region. It is naturally found across Europe and Asia Minor, while its flowering specimens are protected by species conservation laws.
Using aerial rootlets, it climbs rough surfaces, such as building walls and tree trunks. The plant’s leaves are glossy, dark green, with a distinct network of yellowish veins on the upper surface, while the underside is paler and matte. The common ivy is highly adaptable. It can thrive not only in its natural moist and shaded woodland habitat but also in dry, sunny areas and rocky debris, provided the climate is not too continental.

Interesting Facts
/ The oldest specimens can live for up to 1,000 years.
/ Ivy is a nectar-producing (melliferous) plant.
/ Ivy leaf extracts are commonly used to relieve persistent coughs and bronchitis, in inflammation of the mucous membranes, and as a supportive remedy for asthma and whooping cough.
/ Ivy is used in the cosmetics industry as an ingredient in creams. It benefits connective tissue and slows down skin ageing processes.
/ Ivy has been listed by NASA as one of the 17 best air-purifying plants. Studies have shown that it effectively absorbs and removes the carcinogenic substance benzene from the air.
/ Incorrect dosing of ivy can be toxic not only to humans but also to livestock, chickens, dogs, deer and sheep.
/ The most impressive ivy specimens in Poland can be seen at Wawel Castle in Kraków, Malbork Castle, and Książ Castle near Wałbrzych.

Cultivation
The common ivy is a low-maintenance plant. It tolerates most standard garden soils but thrives best in moist, permeable substrates rich in humus, with a near-neutral pH. It prefers partial shade, away from windows and intense sunlight. It can also tolerate warmer indoor conditions, provided the leaves are misted regularly with soft water. The soil should always be slightly moist and enriched with fertiliser for green plants from spring to autumn, no more than once a week. It is essential to avoid either overwatering or allowing the plant to dry out. Pruning is a necessary care routine, and the main stems should be trimmed at least once a year. Ivy propagates through tip cuttings or stem sections with a single leaf. Cuttings should be no longer than 10 cm. Dipping their ends in a rooting agent helps encourage healthy root development.

Aspidistra elatior

The cast-iron plant is a forest perennial of the Asparagaceae family. In the wild, it grows in the dark, cool forests of Japan and China. It is cultivated as a potted plant in countries with cooler climates, including Poland. The cast-iron plant is a stemless rhizomatous species that forms irregular clumps of large, single leaves about 60 cm in height, its most striking decorative feature. It rarely blooms, producing red-brown, inconspicuous and very quickly fading flowers close to the ground.

Interesting Facts
/ The cast-iron plant is long-lived.
/ It is perfect for balconies, terraces and interior design.
/ Aspidistra earns its ‘cast-iron plant’ nickname for two reasons. Firstly, and obviously, its leaves are very durable once cut, making it useful in floral arrangements. Secondly, it’s very low-maintenance and does not require any special care or specific site conditions.
/ It grows very slowly, and even small seedlings take years to develop.
/ Due to its hardiness and resilience, it came to symbolise the middle-class conformity that the protagonist rebels against  in George Orwell’s novel Keep the Aspidistra Flying (1936).

Cultivation
The cast-iron plant is considered one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It is hardy and simple to care for, tolerating draughts, dust, low humidity, and even deep shade and prolonged periods without water. However, it thrives best in consistently moist soil, which helps it grow faster and maintain its leaf colour. That is why it should be watered regularly but sparingly.
A few centimetres of drainage material (e.g. gravel, expanded clay) should be placed at the bottom of the pot, and excess water should be removed from the pot saucer after watering. Leaves will maintain their shine if occasionally wiped with a damp cloth. While the plant tolerates dry air, it responds well to misting. It requires permeable soil: a universal potting mix can be combined with finely milled bark and perlite. It can grow at room temperature but prefers slightly cooler conditions (10–15°C). It should be planted in snug pots to encourage lush foliage growth.
Propagation is typically done by dividing mature plants, ensuring that each section has a rhizome fragment with roots and at least one leaf. Only older, well-established plants should be divided, ideally during spring repotting.
The cast-iron plant should be repotted every four years, in spring.

Tetrastigma voinierianum

The chestnut vine originates from the Tonkin  forests of Vietnam. The species belongs to the grapevine family and naturally occurs in present-day Laos. An evergreen plant, it reaches incredible sizes, with an annual growth rate of up to several metres. Its palmate leaves are very fragile, dark green on the upper side and covered with a brownish tomentum (dense, tangled hairs) underneath. It requires stable supports and regular training of young shoots. In its natural habitat, its rather inconspicuous greenish, clustered flowers emerge from the stems.

Interesting Facts
/ The leaves of the chestnut vine usually consist of five leaflets resembling beech leaves in shape.
/ The plant has a unique feature: small, roundish lumps of a sticky substance appear on the underside of its leaves. This cell secretion contains a high concentration of sugars. Scientists are unsure of its exact purpose but speculate that it serves as food for ants, which in return protect the plant from leaf-eating insects. So, if you notice these lipid granules on your tetrastigma, there’s no need to worry!
/ In the wild, the plant can grow up to six metres per year, with its growth pattern genetically programmed.

Cultivation
The plant requires permeable soil with a high humus content. The chestnut vine should be watered consistently throughout the year to keep the substrate slightly moist at all times.
Even in winter, regular fertilisation is beneficial. When misting the plant, use lukewarm, boiled water to prevent leaf staining. The tetrastigma thrives in abundant, diffused light. An east-, south- or west-facing window with some shade to protect the leaves from direct sunlight is preferable. Room temperature is ideal for the plant year-round. The chestnut vine does not require a dormant period so it grows continuously.

Bucida buceras „Shady Lady”

This tree belongs to the Combretaceae family. It comes from Central America, mainly Mexico and the Caribbean, but can also be found in Florida. The bucida grows in coastal swamps and humid inland forests at low altitudes. It is an evergreen tree, highly resilient and resistant to most pests and fungal diseases. It has small, round leaves arranged in a distinctive zigzag pattern, and thorny branches. The flowers are small, greenish-white and clustered in spikes. The fruits take about 3 months to mature; they are lightweight, easily dispersed by strong winds and buoyant in water. The tree can reach a height of 8–27 metres.

Interesting Facts
/ The name of the tree has nothing to do with edible fruit production.
/ The tree is known by a variety of names, including bullet tree, black olive tree, gregorywood (or gregory wood), Antigua whitewood and oxhorn bucida.
/ Its roots can displace paving stones and damage foundations.
/ The tree’s wood is exceptionally hard and durable.
/ Due to its high resistance to insects and fungi, it is sometimes used to make bridge beams.
/ Rich in tannins, its bark can be used to tan leather.
/ It is primarily grown as an ornamental tree.
/ In Puerto Rico and Florida, it flowers all year round.

Cultivation
The bucida thrives in warm temperatures that do not go below 15°C. A drop below this threshold may cause leaf shedding. The tree dislikes draughts. It prefers full sun exposure and rich, moist, well-permeable soil. It is highly tolerant of salt, insects, fungi, wind, and air pollution.

Asplenium nidus

The bird’s nest fern belongs to the spleenwort family of ferns (Aspleniaceae). Its natural habitat are the rainforests of Asia and Australia. Its leaves are a vibrant green, similar to fresh peas, slightly glossy and lanceolate (spear-shaped). They sprout from a rhizome that widens as the fern grows. Young, unfurling fronds resemble spiralled curls before proudly extending to their full length. On the underside of mature leaves, clusters (sori) of spore-producing structures (sporangia) appear, resembling a brown feather stuck to the leaf surface.

Interesting Facts
/ It is an epiphytic fern, which means that in its natural habitat, i.e. the rainforests of Asia and Australia, it often grows on decayed tree bark, where it feeds on decomposed organic matter.
/ In tropical regions, its leaves can grow up to 150 cm long and 20 cm wide. Unsurprisingly, some birds use them as nesting sites, which is why the plant is commonly called ‘bird’s nest fern.’
/ In Taiwan, this plant is known as wugus and is a popular vegetable.
/ It has air-humidifying properties and removes toxins from its environment.
/ It is safe for pets.

Cultivation
The fern prefers locations with plenty of diffused light but can also tolerate partial or complete shade. It requires high air humidity. As this is an essential condition for ferns, it needs to be frequently misted and fogged. Watering should be frequent but moderate. In summer, room temperature (around 20°C) is sufficient. During winter, it can tolerate slightly lower temperatures, around 16–18°C.
The soil should be permeable, light, humus-rich and slightly acidic.

Chlorophytum 

The genus name Chlorophytum means ‘green plant’ in Latin, which is the origin of its Polish name, zielistka or zielistek (zielony = green ).
Numerous species of this genus grow in dense tropical forests across much of the world, where they are not exposed to intense sunlight. The species cultivated as a houseplant originates from South Africa.
This evergreen grass is highly decorative and can add an exotic touch to interiors. Interestingly, it impresses not only with its charming appearance but also with its rapid and abundant growth.
In dimly lit rooms with less access to natural light, the leaves of the spider plant become even greener. It thrives in fresh air and is not bothered by draughts. Additionally, this exotic plant can adapt to varying temperatures. During the communist era in Poland, it was a popular houseplant and has recently returned to favour.

Interesting Facts
/ The spider plant has been mentioned in literature as an ornamental houseplant since 1809.
/ Thanks to Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the spider plant became a fashionable potted plant, first in palaces and manor houses, and later in private homes. At the time, it was considered a symbol of wealth.
/ It purifies the air by absorbing harmful substances such as xylene, carbon monoxide, acetone, ammonia and heavy metals. It also removes the harmful formaldehyde from the air.
/ Like garlic, the spider plant produces phytoncides, substances known as plant antibiotics.
/ An additional feature of the plant is its ability to reduce electromagnetic radiation.
/ It is safe for pets.

Cultivation
The optimal growth temperature is 18–20°C. The plant is not demanding in terms of the soil; a standard potting mix for green plants, which is humus-rich, permeable and moderately moist with a neutral pH, will suffice. Water potted spider plants only when the top layer of soil is dry. They also appreciate misting. The best location for them is in the shade or partial shade as they don’t like direct sunlight.