the chef (Schefflera Arboricola) is one of those indoor plants that cannot be overlooked thanks to both its great decorative value and the simplicity of its care, within the reach of any plant lover, no matter how beginner or little time they have. If you want to have a spectacular chef plant that will give life to your home, you just have to join us in this EcologíaVerde article in which we tell you everything you need to know about the chef’s care.
Characteristics of the chef plant
Its scientific name is Schefflera Arboricola, although it is usually known as cheflera. It is a tropical plant that has its origin in Australia, in which its large number of shiny and very decorative leaves stands out, which can be completely green or nuanced depending on the variety in question.
With proper care, the plant can reach heights of up to more than 2 meters although you do not have to worry, because at home, in a pot, it will remain in a much more controlled size. In addition, there is a variety called Yanini or mini chefmuch smaller than its relatives.
Another characteristic of this plant that makes it unique for the home is that it has the ability to act as natural air filterpurifying the air in your home from harmful elements, and it is one of the purifying plants that NASA recommends.
If you want to know other plants that purify the air, do not hesitate to take a look at the following article that we recommend.
Location for the chef plant
As with many tropical plants, location is key with the chefera. There are two possibilities regarding the location for the chef plant:
- In warm and cold climates: It is always grown as an indoor plant.
- In warmer or tropical climates: the chef can be kept outside.
This plant needs a lot of natural light and if it does not have enough, the plant will let us know by throwing away its leaves. Find a place at home with as much light as possible because, unlike what happens with most tropical plants, the cheflera supports direct sunlight that is not intense without problems, especially during the winter. If your cheflera is losing a lot of leaves, it means that it needs more light.
Regarding the temperature, the ideal is to maintain it all year round around 21º Calthough it can develop without problems between 15º C and 25º C. Of course, it is vital that you keep the plant away from drafts both inside and outside the house, as these can dry it out quickly.
If you want, you can consult the following article about outdoor plants resistant to cold and heat.
Irrigation and environmental humidity for the chef plant
Irrigation and environmental humidity are the other key points in the cultivation of this plant, and here you have to be careful because they could seem contradictory needs: the cheflera does not tolerate waterlogging nor the excess of irrigation, but requires a certain constant ambient humidity.
How do we manage to meet these objectives at the same time? Enough with to water plant rather little, and it is that the lack of water will do much less damage than its excess. Check that the potting soil has dried beyond the topsoil before watering by sticking your finger or a stick into it and seeing if the soil sticks to it (if it does, it’s still wet).
Additionally, you can spray water once a day on its leaves, especially if the climate at home is very dry due to heating or air conditioning, and you should always keep the plant away from these sources of heat or air. You can also place the pot on a plate or tray with coarse pebbles or stones and a centimeter of water, so that the base of the pot remains above it. Thus, the water, when it evaporates, will naturally provide the plant with the humidity it needs.
Substrate and fertilizer for the chef plant
The basic thing here is to get a light, nutrient-rich substrate. To do this, the easiest thing is to resort to the universal mixture that we often recommend, with peat, coconut fiber and earthworm humus mixed in equal parts, together with a handful of vermiculite and perlite that further improve its properties. water retention properties. Thus, you will have a light soil, with excellent drainage and very rich for your plant.
If you also add one or two centimeters of organic fertilizer such as compost or earthworm humus to the base of the pot Come in once and twice a month during the warm season, your chef plant will be in the best condition. If you don’t have access to these organic fertilizers, you can also use liquid fertilizer made for green plants.
Find out more about Coconut fiber for plants: properties and how to make it and Vermiculite: what it is, uses and how to make it, here.
Other care for the chef plant
You scheffler It will also appreciate that you clean the leaves from time to time, spraying them with warm water (never cold, nor very hot) and carefully passing them with a soft cloth. It is also advisable to monitor it regularly to prune the bad leaves or branchesalways with sharp and disinfected scissors.
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