Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Thursday - March 17, 2016
From: Marble Falls, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives, Plant Identification
Title: Care of non-native plant
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I have a plant that grows about 1' tall, looks sort of like a dracaena. The leaves grow off of a short stem and are yellowish (no green at all) with brilliant slashes of hot pink an red. It is georgous. I put it on my porch early in the year last year and it thrived. I brought in for the winter and it seemed to be doing fine but it is getting leggy. Some of the leaves have died. I suspect over watering or irregular watering. I don't know what the name is so can't look it up. I'm afraid to put it on the porch yet - cold weather predicted this next weekend. I'm getting old and forgetful and I might forget to bring it in. What to do???ANSWER:
Your plant does sound lovely, but I am quite sure it is not a plant native to North America. Our focus here at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is with plants native to North America and to increase the sustainable use and conservation of these native wildflowers, plants, and landscapes. As such we aren't the source that can tell you how to deal with your non-native ornamental plant, but I can suggest ways for you to find the answer to your question.
First, if you would like to know what your plant is called, please take photos of it and visit our Plant Identification page to find links to several plant identification forums that will accept photos of plants for identification. Once you know its name you can do an internet search for its care. Also, there are several garden/plant forums (e.g., Garden Web) that focus on care of garden and house plants that are non-native.
More Plant Identification Questions
Identification of a vine with 3 leaves and a red trunk
January 02, 2014 - What is a vine with 3 leaves that has a red trunk?
view the full question and answer
Identification of shrub with white flowers in Arkansas
April 09, 2014 - I have about 15 flowering shrubs that just started blooming in a cut-over. They are about 6/7 feet tall and have an entire crown of white blooms that resemble a cross between a Dandelion and a Marigol...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification, possibly genus Lonicera
September 30, 2007 - My friend found a plant growing in her timber (in Iowa). It has round green leaves with groups of green balls (seed pods?) growing in the center of the leaves. The stems appear to attach to the cente...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
December 17, 2009 - For a few weeks now the front of our school has had an on and off smell that to some was like a dead animal. To others it smelled like dirty fish fry oil. Maintenance people came out and found the sou...
view the full question and answer
Plant identification
November 30, 2010 - I have had a plant for 37 years! It is a vine with leaves that grow in groups of three and they typically have 5 points. The leaves are dark green and shiny. I would love to know what this old friend ...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |