Chlorophytum ‘Mandarin Orange’ Live Plant – 6 inch Potted Houseplant

Overview

Introduce a splash of vibrant color and unique texture to your indoor garden with the stunning Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant. This captivating houseplant, often referred to as the ‘Mandarin plant’ or ‘orange stem spider plant’, is a relative of the popular spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) but boasts its own distinct charm. Known for its glossy green foliage and brilliant, contrasting orange stems, the Mandarin Orange Chlorophytum is an absolute showstopper. It’s an excellent choice for those seeking an easy care houseplant that truly stands out. Originating from tropical regions, this plant thrives in indoor environments, bringing a touch of the exotic to your home or office. Its upright growth habit and compact size make it versatile for various display options, from shelves to tabletops.

The botanical name, Chlorophytum orchidastrum ‘Mandarin Orange’, hints at its unique lineage and features. Unlike the traditional spider plant, it doesn’t typically produce plantlets on long runners, but rather forms a dense clump of upright leaves. The rich, deep green of the leaves provides a perfect backdrop for the vivid, almost glowing, orange petioles (leaf stems). This striking coloration is consistent, providing year-round visual interest. Whether you’re a seasoned plant collector or just starting your green journey, the Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant offers an unparalleled combination of beauty and resilience, establishing itself as a must-have indoor foliage plant.

Key Benefits

The Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant offers a multitude of benefits that make it a highly desirable addition to any living space. Its striking appearance is just the beginning; this plant is also celebrated for its adaptability and ease of maintenance.

• Exceptional Visual Appeal: The primary draw of the Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant is its unique aesthetic. The vibrant orange stems create a stunning contrast with the deep green leaves, providing a continuous pop of color that brightens any room. It acts as a natural focal point, drawing the eye and adding dynamic interest to your decor.
• Low Maintenance & Easy Care: As an easy care houseplant, the Mandarin Orange Chlorophytum is forgiving and resilient, making it suitable for beginners and busy individuals. It tolerates a range of conditions and doesn’t demand constant attention, allowing you to enjoy its beauty without extensive effort.
• Air Purification Qualities: While not as widely studied as its cousin, the common spider plant, Chlorophytum species are generally known for their air-purifying capabilities, helping to remove common indoor toxins and improve overall air quality.
• Versatile Placement: Its compact and upright growth habit means this indoor foliage plant can fit into various spaces, from bright desks and bookshelves to floor stands. It thrives in different light conditions, further enhancing its versatility in home placement.
• Unique Spider Plant Relative: For those who love the classic spider plant, the Mandarin Orange offers a fresh, exciting twist. It shares the easy-going nature of its Chlorophytum comosum relative but brings a completely different visual experience with its distinctive coloration.
• Pet-Friendly Option: While always advisable to research specific plants for pets, Chlorophytum species are generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, offering peace of mind for pet owners.
• Drought Tolerance: The Mandarin Orange plant can withstand periods of dryness, making it an excellent choice for those who occasionally forget to water. This resilience contributes significantly to its reputation as an easy care houseplant.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant is straightforward, ensuring it remains a vibrant and healthy addition to your home. This plant’s resilience makes it a joy to grow, even for those new to houseplants. Understanding its basic needs will help it flourish, maintaining its brilliant orange stems and lush green foliage.

Sunlight Requirements: The Mandarin plant thrives in medium to bright indirect light. While it tolerates lower light conditions, brighter light will enhance the intensity of its orange stems. Avoid direct afternoon sun, especially during warmer months, as its leaves can be susceptible to sunburn, leading to discolored patches. An east or north-facing window is often ideal, or a spot a few feet away from a south or west-facing window. Ensuring proper light exposure is key to maintaining the plant’s vibrant appearance and overall health as an indoor foliage plant.

Watering Schedule and Soil Moisture Preferences: Water your orange stem spider plant when the top inch or two of the potting mix feels dry to the touch. The frequency will depend on your home’s environment; warmer, brighter conditions will lead to faster water usage. It prefers consistent moisture but can tolerate short periods of dryness, making it quite forgiving if you miss a watering. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot. If you notice yellow, brown, or black edges on the leaves, it might be sensitive to fluoride in tap water. Consider using rainwater, filtered water, or letting tap water sit out overnight before use to dissipate chlorine.

Soil Type and Drainage: A well-draining potting mix is crucial for the health of your Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant. A standard houseplant potting mix amended with perlite or orchid bark for extra aeration works well. Good drainage prevents the roots from sitting in stagnant water, which is vital for this plant’s well-being. The plant generally prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil pH.

Temperature Range and Humidity: This tropical plant prefers average room temperatures, ideally between 65-80°F (18-27°C). It is not tolerant of cold drafts or temperatures below 50°F (10°C). While it appreciates higher humidity, average household humidity levels are usually sufficient. If your home is particularly dry, especially during winter with heating, occasional misting or placing the plant near a humidifier can be beneficial. This resilient Chlorophytum comosum relative adapts well to typical indoor conditions.

Fertilization Schedule and Type: Fertilize your Mandarin plant during its active growing season, which is typically spring and summer. Use a balanced, general-purpose liquid houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength, once every 2-4 weeks. Always follow the product packaging instructions for application rates. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can lead to salt buildup in the soil and potentially harm the plant. Reduce or cease fertilization during fall and winter when the plant’s growth naturally slows down.

Size & Details

The Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant you will receive is presented in a 6-inch nursery pot, providing a healthy and established specimen ready to thrive in your home. At this size, the plant typically stands approximately 8-12 inches tall from the base of the pot, with a similar spread, forming an attractive, upright clump of foliage. Its growth rate is moderate, allowing it to gradually fill out its space without becoming unruly. This particular variety is known for its compact nature, making it an ideal indoor foliage plant for smaller spaces or as part of a larger plant display.

Upon arrival, your plant will be securely packaged in its nursery pot, ensuring minimal stress during transit. It will be rooted in a quality potting mix, providing the necessary nutrients for its initial growth. The 6-inch pot size offers ample room for root development and allows the plant to settle into its new environment before requiring a larger container. With proper care, this easy care houseplant will continue to grow, showcasing its vibrant orange stems and glossy green leaves, offering continuous beauty for many years.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant typically grows to a height and spread of 8-12 inches, forming an attractive, compact clump. Its size makes it suitable for tabletops, shelves, and desks.
• Q: What size pot does it come in? A: This plant comes in a standard 6-inch nursery pot, providing a good starting size for its root system and continued growth.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: The Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant is primarily cultivated as an indoor houseplant in most climates due to its tropical origins. It can be placed outdoors in shaded areas during warm summer months in suitable zones, but should be brought inside before temperatures drop.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: This indoor foliage plant prefers medium to bright indirect light. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its leaves. Too little light may reduce the vibrancy of its orange stems.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the Mandarin Orange Chlorophytum is considered an easy care houseplant, making it an excellent choice for beginners and those seeking a low-maintenance plant. It’s quite forgiving of occasional neglect.
• Q: Is it good for beginners? A: Absolutely! Its resilience and adaptability make it a fantastic choice for novice plant parents looking for a striking yet straightforward plant to care for.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: Your plant will arrive healthy and securely packaged in its 6-inch nursery pot, ready to be placed in your home. We take great care to ensure safe transit.
• Q: Is it shipped in soil? A: Yes, the Chlorophytum Mandarin Orange live plant is shipped in its nursery pot with its established soil, minimizing stress and allowing for a smooth transition to your home.
• Q: Is it pet-safe? A: Chlorophytum species, including this Chlorophytum comosum relative, are generally considered non-toxic to pets, making it a safer choice for households with cats and dogs. However, it’s always best to prevent pets from ingesting plant material.
• Q: How often should I water my orange stem spider plant? A: Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. The frequency will vary based on light, temperature, and humidity in your home. Ensure good drainage to prevent root issues.
• Q: Will the orange stems fade? A: The vibrant orange stems are a natural characteristic of this variety. With adequate bright indirect light, the color should remain strong. Insufficient light may cause the orange to appear less intense.