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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.

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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.

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Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

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Sunday - November 23, 2008

From: Round Rock, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Non-Natives
Title: Problems with non-native closet plant
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have three closet plants. All are putting on new growth and even blooming. However, the leaves are turning brown from the edges. What is the problem?

ANSWER:

The "closet plant" is also known as the Peace Lily, and its scientific name is Spathyphyllum. As it happens, it is non-native to North America, but is native  to southeastern Asia and the tropical Americas. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is focused on plants native to North America and to the area in which they are being grown. We are going to refer you to our previous answer. You will find in it a link to an excellent site on Indoor Plants, which hopefully will give you some guidance in what to do for yours.

 

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