Pan Am Plant Care – A Guide To Evergreen Friendship Plants

In this blog post, we discuss Pan Am Plant Care, knowing your plant, the best soil for growing them, and much more. Having the correct knowledge about your plants can afford you a deep sense of satisfaction when you see them thriving.

Native to Central and North America, the Pan Am plant is also fondly known as a friendship plant. It is said, if this perennial is given to a friend, the friendship will also blossom just as the plant does. Also, this stunning plant does not require constant attention which makes it easy to care for.

Pan Am is usually grown as a hanging plant or a table plant that boasts the different beautiful colors of its leaves. These include green, purple, or black leaves that are attractive to the eye. Its thick purple veins are very noticeable and make this plant stand out amongst many.

Knowing Your Pan Am Plant

The Pan Am plant is a perennial that makes an excellent gift and can be grown from a seed or plant cutting. It is a tropical, low-maintenance plant that can turn any garden or home into a beautiful setting, giving it a fresh look.

The best growing temperatures for this plant are between 60 to 80 degrees F during the daytime as they adjust themselves accordingly when temperatures drop at night. Although they thrive extremely well in high temperatures, they prefer medium sunlight instead of direct sunlight.

These plants can be grown either as indoor or outdoor plants. If growing Pan Am as an indoor plant, it can be planted any time of the year. However, the spring, summer, and autumn seasons are the best for outdoor planting. Overwatering this plant can lead to root rot.

The noticeable warning signs when this occurs will result in droopy leaves. Here’s a video with information about propagating pilea cadierei. 

Recommended Soil Types For Pilea Plants

Using the best soil as well as implementing the best care strategies will allow your plant to grow to its optimum potential. Hardiness zones are best for growing pilea plants especially if they are well maintained. Below are a few soil types that are recommended for growing these stunning plants.

Soil Types:

• Well-draining soil – Check out the moisture absorption and drainage properties of the soil in the area where you are intending to grow your Pan am.
• Acidic soil – This tropical plant grows best in slightly acidic soil with a ph of 6.0 to 6.5.
• Mineral Rich Soil– Soil that is rich in minerals includes a mixture of peat moss, perlite, and leaf mold which is great for Pan Am plants.
• African Violet potting mix – This soil type is acidic and perfect for growing these plants. They are also readily available at most local gardening centers and nurseries.
• Fertilizer – If you are growing Pan Am for the first time or transplanting it, then consider adding earthworm castings as a natural fertilizer.

Pests And Diseases That Affect Pan Am

If this plant is grown outdoors, it can easily become infested with pests. These pests are attracted to the texture of the Pan Am leaves and enjoy hiding in them. This makes it more difficult to rid the plant of them.

Below Are a Few Pests that you Should Take Heed of when Growing These Plants:

• Spider mites – To control spider mites, spray the plant with horticultural soap.
• Whiteflies – These pests survive by sucking off the juices from the plant. The plant can become infested very quickly. To get rid of them timeously, give the plant a good firm spray of water. Alternatively, you can also dunk the pot plant in a bucket of water.
• Plant Viruses – Identify plant viruses by checking the leaves of your Pan Am. If they turn yellow or have spots, this could pose a problem as it can affect other plants. It is, therefore, best to Immediately rid your garden of the plant to avoid a bigger problem.
• Botrytis – Pan Am is commonly affected by the botrytis fungus. To get rid of it, remove the affected leaves and allow for sufficient airflow. It is best to cut back any foliage that will restrict airflow.

Pan Am Plant Care Tips

Taking good care of your garden will ensure healthy and happy plants. Although Pan Am plants are commonly affected by the elements, pests, and diseases, they are actually low-maintenance plants. Therefore, giving them the proper care will ensure that they grow their best

Listed Below Are a Few Tips:

i.Testing soil moisture before planting will save you a lot of trouble because Pan Am plants require well-draining soil. Overwatering will prove detrimental to your plant so take heed.
ii. For indoor growing, place the plant in an eastward direction for sufficient sunlight. A room temperature of 70 to 75 degrees F is recommended when growing them indoors.
iii. Spray your plant regularly to give it moisture or you can alternatively place it in a saucer with water and pebbles to ensure sufficient hydration. Remember to place the plant pot on the pebbles and not directly on the saucer of water.
iv. Pan Am plants should be fertilized every 5 to 6 weeks for initial growth. Keep in mind that it is best to fertilize when the soil is moist. The roots of the plant can be damaged easily if you fertilize them when the soil has dried out.
v. Check for disease and pest invasion regularly. These plants can easily contract diseases that are usually spread from neighboring plants.

Conclusion

This friendship plant is ideal as a gift to a special friend. According to the natives where the Pan Am plant originated, as the plant grows, so will your friendships. Additionally, these plants are easy to grow and can be propagated from the ends of stem clippings. However, during the harsh summer season, move the plant to a shady spot if possible.

Remember that before planting these beautiful perennials, you must check the moisture of the soil. Also, ensure that it is well-aerated and has good drainage. Pests like to hide in the well-structured leaves of the Pan Am plant. Therefore, it is essential to check the plant regularly for pests and diseases. Viruses can also affect the wellness of the plant so proper care is recommended to keep them healthy.

For a thriving beautiful landscape, this could be an ideal plant to have as they spread easily and do not need too much maintenance. This plant needs sunlight during the winter months so sun chasing and moving them accordingly is advised. Click on the link for more information about this magnificent plant. 

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