Aluminum plants are one of the most common types of indoor plants in the world. They can be found in offices, living rooms, and restaurants. The reason for their popularity is that they require little maintenance and are easy to care for. Some people like to keep them in their kitchen because they look great in there. This post offers a brief overview of how to grow an aluminum plant.
Aluminum plants are very attractive. This is because they are green and they look like real plants. If you want to keep an aluminum plant healthy, you should use a water filter. You should also make sure that you don’t allow too much light onto your plant. If you do, your plant will get sick and die. You should also make sure that you don’t put your plant in direct sunlight. If you do, it will burn and will not look as good as it should.
They are very easy to care for. You just have to give them a little water and some sunlight.
Where you can find the Aluminum Plant?
Aluminum Plant has a great variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures. They can also be found in various sizes and shapes. They are also available in different heights, such as tall, medium, and short.
Featuring wide bushy leaves that are marked with silver patterns, Aluminum Plant is native to China and Vietnam does spectacular as a houseplant.
Aluminum Plants are easily available in the local nurseries. Otherwise, you can order them online.
Potting Needs
Depending on the size of your plant, it can grow well for quite some weeks in a 6-inch to 8-inch pot or container. Provided the pot or container has drainage holes at the bottom.
This plant is famous for its lustrous leaves and after several years of growth, the plant loses its luster and is disposed of. However, new plants are propagated through cuttings. Through the propagation, you will get many years of the healthy plants to grow.
if you are wondering how to check if the plant requires a new pot or not? If the roots of the plant are filling the present container, by growing outside the pot through drainage holes, it is time to move the entire plant to a bigger size container or pot.
Repotting an Aluminum Plant is super easy:
Fill the Container (Larger than the previous one) with 1/4 full of a pertile, well-drained potting mix. Before filling the soil, ensure drainage holes are open in the bottom of the pot. if not then make some. Now water the soil to settle it.
Now place the aluminum plant in the exact center of the container, while handling the leaves of the plant carefully, and again fill with soil. Do not plant deeper than it was growing in the previous container.
Firm the plant by filling the soil around the base of the plant and again water the plant to let it settle into the new container.
Propagating Aluminum Plant
It is observed that if the aluminum plant is well-taken care of, it can last up to 3 years. After that, they become dull and show a sign that they need to be disposed of.
But we can use the previous plant to grow a new one by the method of propagation. Propagation by cutting is the easiest way to grow multiple aluminum plants.
Aluminum Plant’s leaves and stems allow and make it easy to propagate through cuttings. Using sanitized pair of scissors, cut off a stem that is 4 to 6 inches long.
Now remove the bottom leaves and place the cutting in a glass of water or you can directly place it into a moist potting mix. Be careful and do not allow foliage to be submerged in the water.
For propagating in water, change the water of the glass twice a week or when the water becomes cloudy. The roots will be developed in 2 weeks.
For cuttings planted in potting mix, keep the soil moist. Do not overwater the soil to turn it into soggy soil. Otherwise, the rot would develop and the plant will die. The roots of the Aluminum Plant cutting will be developed in 2 weeks. The whole root system will take about 6 to 8 weeks to develop fully. Just be sure, that the container or pot has a drainage hole at the bottom to let air and water pass through.
How to Care and Maintain an aluminum plant?
The Aluminum Plant is an easy to care for, low-maintenance plant but when it comes to its growing conditions it becomes somewhat picky. A moderate amount of maintenance is involved in caring for your aluminum plant during the growing season. The most common issue you may have is checking the plant for root growth each spring. Also, you can’t let the soil dry out during the most active growing periods of spring and summer.
During dormancy in fall and winter growth is suspended and the soil dries out more slowly, at which time maintenance is reduced.
Light
Aluminum plants like to grow in shade. But an hour of direct sunlight would do no harm to the plant. Also, too much sun can scorch the plant leaves and harm them. However, to avoid such conditions bring back the container inside the house, or place it so that it can get indirect sunlight.
if you are growing an aluminum plant in the garden, choose a shady place where the plant gets limited direct sunlight.
Soil
Wondering which soil is needed for growing aluminum plants? The aluminum plant thrives best in well-drained organic-rich soil which provides all the basic nutrients to the plant. The pH of the soil is not that much important, it just should be rich in organic matter.
Water: Moisture is very important for the aluminum plant to grow. You should increase the frequency of watering the plant, especially in hot and dry weather so that the plant can get water regularly.
Humidity
Aluminum plants like to grow in humid conditions. During hot weather, the humidity in the surroundings decreases so you have to take care of the humidity in the environment.
To increase the humidity levels around the plant you can follow some tips:
First, Put the container on a tray full of pebbles and fill the tray with the water. The water will then evaporate creating a humid environment around the plant.
Second, You can place the pot or container in the kitchen or bathroom. These are the most humid place in the whole house.
Third, Never place the aluminum plant near the heating or drafting location.
Fertilizer
Like watering, you will want to adjust feeding as the seasons change. When in a growing season, you should fertilize this plant with a quality 5-5-5 water-soluble plant food monthly. During the winter months, it is not needed.
Pruning: Aluminum plant is a fast-growing species that requires regular pruning during the growing season to maintain a compact form. The removal of dead and damaged leaves, as well as leggy stems, optimizes visual appeal.
Tips for Growing Aluminium Plants
There are several plants that do well in growing conditions that are similar to those found around us. Growing Tips – The Aluminum Plant will help you grow plants that thrive in this environment.
Water this plant generously, adding a little bit of water each day. Feed it regularly throughout the growing season, using a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Watering plants in the spring is important. It helps to maintain the moisture in the soil before the plant actually starts growing. In the summer and fall, waterless.
Always sanitize pruners in a 10% bleach solution (one-part bleach to nine parts water) before and after use.
Make cuts just above a pair of leaves to stimulate upward foliar growth
Periodically pinch off the top inch or two of fresh spring and summer growth to encourage bushier growth.
Maintain even moisture by watering before the soil completely dries out.
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Common Problems with Aluminum Plants
Bugs and insects love to eat the green leaves of the aluminum plant. So you remove them immediately after spotting them on your plant.
If the plant is exposed too much to the sun, the green leaves will get a sunburn and turn yellow.
And, The most common problem with aluminum plants is the overly abundant growth of roots in each spring season. if planted in a small pot, the aluminum plant will outgrow the pot by breaking through the pot.
How To fertilize Aluminum Plant?
Aluminum plants need to be fertilized every two to four weeks during the growing season of spring throughout summer. When fall and winter come and the plants are not actively growing and dormant, cease all feedings until spring arrives.
After planting the seedlings, they will require a soil-fertilizer blend, which may need to be fed for approximately three months. Most soil fertilizers continue feeding the plants for a 12-week period.
Fertilize your houseplants by diluting their fertilizer to half its strength. Use this fertilizer in the same manner as for regular houseplant fertilizer, applying it when you normally water your plants and allowing it to drain out the bottom holes of your pots.
Too much fertilizer or too strong of a fertilizer blend can burn the Aluminium plants’ foliage. To get rid of the fertilizer salts build up in the soil, flush it out with water every three to four months.
You don’t have to do a thing to your soil to get your plants and flowers ready for planting. Just allow the water to slowly seep into the ground, and the plants will be ready in no time.
How to Water an Aluminum Plant?
When it comes to Aluminum plants, they prefer the soil to be slightly moist. However, this does not mean soaking wet or the plant will develop rot and die. During the growing season of spring throughout summer, stick your finger into the soil and if the top 1/2 inch top inch feels dry to the touch, apply water until it runs from the bottom drain holes.
You’ll know when the winter dormancy has started when you touch the top couple of inches of the soil and it feels dry. Watering the plants when their water requirements are low makes sense so they can recover after going through the winter dormancy.
Using the right type of water is important for your plants. When the tap water runs, collect it and leave it out overnight. If you use room-temperature water, use the cooler tap water only for your houseplants. Don’t let your plants sit in the water that’s collected after the pot has drained.
You should empty your watering cans at least once every six to eight hours to avoid soil from becoming stuck and clogged. If the container is allowed to sit in water, it will eventually open up and develop problems with rot.
Are Aluminum Plants Toxic To Pets?
Some reputable sources say it is and some say it is not, but on the side of caution and do not allow your pets or children to access the plant easily. Keep it out of reach from them.
Can I Grow Aluminum Plant In An Aquarium?
The aluminum plant is not aquatic and will not survive for very long submerged underwater. It will live for only two to three months before dying. However, if used as an aquarium plant it will live for only two to three months before dying.
Why Are My Aluminum Plant’s Leaves Losing Their Color With Browning Tips?
Aluminum plant parts turn brown and then black and rot because they are exposed to wet conditions. It can also be due to containers that have no bottom drain holes or too much water.
Prevent this problem by using plastic pot liners, planting in pots with bottom drain holes, watering during the growing season when the top 1/2 inch to inch of soil becomes dry, and watering in winter when the top several inches of soil become dry.
What is the best time to grow an Aluminum plant?
The best time to grow an aluminum plant is in its growing season over the spring and summer seasons. Also, the plant needs well-drained moist soil and humid conditions to grow well.