Name That Foliage
Often referred to in the industry as a Split Leaf, this iconic tropical plant is famous for developing deep cutouts in its large, heart-shaped leaves as it matures.
What is Monstera deliciosa?
These small, white, cottony insects love to nest in leaf joints and stem crotches while sucking plant sap.
What are mealybugs?
This inorganic volcanic substrate is known for storing and releasing water evenly over long periods without compacting or causing root rot.
What is Vulkaponics?
If a plant's specific epithet is variegata, its foliage features this visual trait.
What are multiple colors (or pattern patches/stripes)?
This simple, two-pronged electronic tool prevents technicians from having to guess if deep soil in large planters is dry.
What is a moisture meter? (Also accept: soil probe, moisture probe, or probe)
This virtually indestructible plant gets its common name from its upright, sword-like leaves, though it is also widely known as "Snake Plant."
What is Sansevieria
If an indoor plant shows yellowing lower leaves combined with soft, mushy, black roots, it is suffering from this moisture-related condition.
What is root rot (or overwatering)?
Crispy, brown leaf tips on tropical plants in air-conditioned offices usually indicate a lack of this ambient environmental factor.
What is humidity?
In botanical names like Ficus elastica, the word Ficus represents this taxonomic rank.
What is the genus?
Techs use this product on clean rags to remove dust and give decorative foliage a clean, professional finish before client walk-throughs.
What is leaf shine (or neem oil)?
Known for its glossy, dark green leaves and thick rhizomes, this tough plant can tolerate extreme neglect and low-light corners.
What is a ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)?
These tiny, dark flies don't feed on the plant foliage itself, but their larvae thrive in constantly damp topsoil.
What are fungus gnats?
This closed-loop watering system delivers moisture directly to a plant's root zone from a subterranean reservoir, drastically reducing technician watering frequency.
What is sub-irrigation?
The Latin word micro in species names like Ficus microcarpa translates to this English word.
What is small (or tiny)?
These bypass cutting tools are a plant technician's primary instrument for trimming dead foliage and shaping branches.
What are pruning shears (or pruners/secateurs)?
This popular indoor tree features large, violin-shaped leaves that drop easily if moved or subjected to drafty conditions.
What is a Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)?
Fine webbing on the undersides of leaves accompanied by speckled, stippled yellow foliage is a clear sign of this arachnid pest.
What are spider mites?
The process where plants lean, stretch, or grow toward their primary light source, often resulting in leggy stems.
What is phototropism?
If a plant's name includes aurea, its foliage or flowers typically display this color.
What is gold (or yellow)?
The practice of gently turning potted plants every few visits ensures even light exposure and prevents this uneven growth habit.
What is lopsided growth (or leaning)?
Often confused with Golden Pothos, this classic trailing vine is easily identified by its smooth, heart-shaped leaves, thin stems, and papery brown leaf sheaths.
What is a Heartleaf Philodendron?
Hard brown bumps stuck to stems that secret a sticky residue known as "honeydew" indicate an infestation of this armored pest.
What is scale (or scale insects)?
When plants lose internal cell pressure—known as turgor pressure—from acute underwatering or severe root loss, they exhibit this common physiological drooping.
What is wilting?
The species name compacta tells a technician that the plant exhibits this growth habit compared to standard varieties.
What is dense, tight, or small-growing?
When staging or repotting large floor plants in commercial containers, technicians use this lightweight material at the base to improve drainage without adding excess weight.
What is styrofoam (or nursery pot inserts/lava rock/foam blocks)?