This week’s plant choice is the Chlorophytum amaniense ‘Orange Mandarin’ Plant…
There’s something so peaceful and relaxing about having plants inside your home. I love the look of plants tucked into the corners of a room, displayed on coffee tables and kitchen counters, and gracing bathroom vanities.
Plants help a room feel grounded.
I especially love unique plants. Plants that act as conversation starters, and not something you see everywhere you go.
I’m always on the look-out for unique plants, and with this new series on my blog, I’ll share my latest finds with you. Here’s the latest find…
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Chlorophytum amaniense ‘Orange Mandarin’ Spider Plant
Oh those orange leaf stems – they almost look like they glow! What a gorgeous and interesting plant this is. The striking contrast of orange and green really brightens up a room. I’m thrilled to have this plant in my home!
About the Plant
This Chlorophytuym amaniense ‘Orange Mandarin’ Spider Plant is also known as the ‘Fire Flash’. It is related to the common Spider Plant.
The plant has shiny green leaves that grow on bright orange stems that radiate from the center of the plant. It has a very tropical look to it!
This plant is very easy to grow and care for. It can tolerate low-light, medium-light, or bright, filtered light conditions. It also does well in artificial lighting – it’s very adaptable. It’s best to keep the plant out of direct afternoon sun, as the leaves might sunburn.
The Orange Mandarin prefers regular watering when the top inch of the soil is dry.
This plant is native to the rainforests of East Africa. It was first brought to the USA in the 1990s, so is still a fairly new plant for most people.
This plant grows to about 12-inches tall by 12-inches wide. The leaves can grow to about 12-inches long.
This is an easy-to-grow plant and is also easy to care for. It does well as a houseplant, or can be grown in a container on a patio in warm months.
This plant is non-toxic to humans and pets.
Why I Love It
I love the tropical feel of this plant, and those orange stems are simply amazing! I love that this plant stays fairly compact, making it a great plant for a shelf or even as a centerpiece on a table or center island. Depending on the lighting conditions, the orange stems look so bright, they seem to glow.
Where to Buy
You can purchase this plant online from American Plants on Etsy for $25.99 in a 6″ pot.
If you have more suggestions for unique or unusual plants, please leave a comment below.
I bought one about 6 months ago. Every time I water it at least 2 of the bottom leave die. And I mean like drown/black crunchy. I have not changed it’s soil, it’s still in the nursery pot and everything. Can you tell me what I’m doing wrong? It’s in a west window where it gets bright indirect light (I have a covered porch) and I water once a week. TIA
Hi Sarah – I’m sorry to hear about your plant.
Here are a few things I can think of:
– When watering, make sure to water the soil and not let water pool in the crevices of where the leaves come together. Water sitting in this area will rot the leaves and cause them to turn brown and die off. Best to add the water directly to the soil, away from the leaves.
– Depending on your environment (i.e. room temperature, humidity level, etc.), watering once a week might be too much (or too little in very warm conditions). I water my plant when the first 1-2 inches or so are dry – so here in Minnesota, that is about once every 10-14 days.
– This plant also likes to have well-draining soil that doesn’t stay soggy. Consistently moist is a good thing, but not overly water-logged. Make sure the planter you have it in has a drain hole to allow this excess moisture to run out the bottom.
– This plant definitely likes bright-indirect sun, so your covered porch sounds like it would be a good fit for the lighting. Maybe experiment and move the plant even further under cover, or try a bright south facing room, but not near a window.
– While the plant tends to do well in any humidity levels, boosting the humidity a little around the plant can help it. I have a pebble saucer under my plant. The excess water from watering runs into these pebbles, and when the water envaporates, it helps hydrate the plant even more. I would definitely recommend trying a pebble tray to see if you notice any difference.
I hope this information helps. Please check back and let me know how your plant is doing, or let me know if you have more questions – I am always happy to help!