This grow guide will help you keep this houseplant year round.
The boa is one of the easiest plants to grow and is therefore very suitable for novice gardeners. Beloved for its lush, leafy stems, the species is also known as devil’s ivy.
This creeper can also be confused with a scanden of philodendron or heart leaf that look very much alike.
There are a few types of colorful boa constrictors, if the variegated green and yellow species don’t fit your interior. “Neon” has yellow leaves that will provide a pop of bright color, or try “Marble Queen”, with its rich green and cream look.
The boa is native to the Pacific islands of French Polynesia and can really help transform your indoor garden into a tropical paradise.
It is believed that the name devil ivy originated because it is a very difficult plant to kill and which recovers after periods of neglect, which also explains why it is so popular.
Discover the main tricks to have a successful cultivation:
Keep it out of direct sunlight
This type of plant prefers indirect light, i.e. place the pot away from a bright window. Like a vine, the boa constrictor climbed from mottled light on the forest floor to a leafy canopy, so try to replicate these lighting conditions in your home.
Look for a bright spot out of direct sunlight for optimal growth, as too much sun can cause burns and bleach leaves.
Also know that the species grows well in low humidity levels, so it can be successfully grown as an indoor plant, as well as being suitable for most rooms.
But in darker areas, your seedling may not grow as quickly and may lose its variegation, becoming mostly green.
Also remember that, over time, care will include needing enough space for your stems to grow, whether that’s climbing a pole or high shelf or plant stand.
Give your stems a lot of freedom
The species has beautiful green and yellow, heart- or spear-shaped leaves that form long, flexible stems, which can be left hanging in a vase on a shelf, or trained on a moss pole or along horizontal strands attached to a wall .
Hanging in a basket, where its stems can elegantly slide along the sides, the boa will over time grow into a large plant, with each stem reaching several feet in length.
However, if you want flowers, this is not the species for you, as a genetic deficiency means that it never produces flowers, reproducing through its stems and roots.
Water no more than once a week
Grow your boa in a pot with drainage holes at the base and water when the top of the compost is dry, run it under a faucet and let excess moisture drain before placing it back in a waterproof container.
Moist or soggy compost can promote root rot and, during spring and summer, water no more than once every two weeks.
Excessive watering is one of the few ways to kill these low-maintenance houseplants, but they recover quickly if watered after a period of neglect. Also, include a dose of balanced liquid fertilizer once a month from spring to fall.
common problem
The species is actually nearly indestructible as it is generally resistant to most pests and diseases. However, the boa can occasionally suffer from mealybugs, mites, scales, and thrips, which manage to live in cubicles between the stems and undersides of leaves.
If you detect a pest or the damage it causes, wash the plant in the shower or use a damp cloth to remove the bugs as best you can.
If the mealybugs, which look like small hard bumps, persist, try cleaning them with a cotton swab dipped in some denatured alcohol.
Is the plant toxic to cats?
Unfortunately, yes, the species is toxic to cats and other pets if ingested. If your cat has bitten on the sly, he may be showing signs of an upset stomach and starting to vomit – a visit to the vet is usually a good idea if you’re worried.
You can discourage any curious pet by placing devil’s ivy high on a shelf or plant stand, or try using citrus peels around the base to discourage them.
Why is my boa constrictor turning yellow?
As with many houseplants, improper watering has consequences for the seedling. Yellowing leaves are usually caused by too much or too little water.
Fallen leaves that slowly turn yellow and then dry out are usually a sign that your seedling needs good water. On the other hand, leaves that suddenly turn a pale yellow before turning brown are a sign of excess, so let them sit and wait for them to dry.
If the compost is soggy, repot the plant in a container with drainage holes at the base and don’t water for a few weeks until it recovers.
* Via gardening etc.
Source: Terra
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