10 Best Nephthytis Companion Plants And 3 Avoid: Expert Tips

Nephthytis thrives with the right companions. Pothos, Philodendron, Spider Plant, and Peace Lily make excellent choices. Avoid these 3 plants as companions. #NephthytisCompanionPlants

Why Nephthytis Needs Companion Plants

Nephthytis companion plants are beneficial for several reasons. The interplay between plants helps create a balanced microclimate that nephthytis thrives in. Companion plants supply nephthytis with nutrients from the soil, moisture from the air, and physical structure for support. They also attract beneficial insects that help control pests while requiring similar growing conditions. When paired with the right companions, nephthytis grows fuller and shows improved health and vitality. Choosing plants with contrasting foliage also offers visual interest and aesthetic diversity in the landscape.
More comprehensive information and care guidelines can be read here.

nephthytis companion plants, pothos, green plant in white pot
Photo by Kelsey Brown / Unsplash

Pothos: The Perfect Partner for Nephthytis

Pothos plants make ideal companions for nephthytis due to their similar growing requirements and complementary appearance. Both plants thrive in warm, humid conditions with moderate to bright indirect light. They prefer moist but well-draining soil and tolerate neglect between waterings.

Some key benefits of pairing nephthytis with pothos:

Low maintenance: Pothos and nephthytis are easy care indoor plants. They require similar intervals of watering and infrequent fertilizing.

Complementary vines: Pothos grow as vining plants like nephthytis, creating an aesthetically pleasing combination. Their variegated foliage contrasts nicely with nephthytis’ large, dark green leaves.

Shade tolerance: Both plants adapt well to medium to low-light conditions, making them suitable for placement under trees or in shaded areas.

Air purification: Pothos are known as natural air purifiers , removing toxins like formaldehyde and benzene from the air. Nephthytis likewise helps purify indoor air.

Companionship: When grown together, the intertwined vines of pothos and nephthytis provide each other physical support and stability.

Some of the best pothos varieties to pair with nephthytis include:

  • Golden pothos
  • Marble queen pothos
  • Jade pothos
  • Manjula or pearls and jade pothos

Placing pothos and nephthytis in the same pot also works, allowing their vines to intermingle while sharing the same soil and nutrients. Regular trimming is required to control excess growth and maintain an orderly appearance.

nephthytis companion plants, pothos, green leaf plant in close up photography
Photo by Lydia Mailloux / Unsplash

Philodendron: A Complement to Nephthytis

Philodendron plants make excellent companions for nephthytis due to their similar growth habits and aesthetically pleasing foliage. Both plants are considered tropical favorites that thrive in humid indoor environments with medium to low light levels.

Key benefits of pairing philodendron with nephthytis include:

Similar conditions: Nephthytis and philodendron require similar growing conditions with warm temperatures, high humidity, and moisture-retentive soil. Both can handle occasional drying out between waterings.

Heart-shaped foliage: Many philodendron varieties feature distinctive heart-shaped leaves that provide an eye-catching contrast to nephthytis’ oval leaves. The complementary shapes and textures bring visual interest when combined.

Tolerance to neglect: Both plants are somewhat tolerant of neglect, making them suitable choices for plant parents with irregular schedules. They can go longer between waterings and fertilizing compared to some other houseplants.

Air purification: Nephthytis and philodendron, like most plants, release oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to purify the air and reduce toxins indoors.

Beneficial vines: Vining philodendron varieties – such as brasil, selloum or micans – can be grown with nephthytis to create a lush environment of intertwining stems and leaves. Regular monitoring and pruning are needed to manage excess growth.

Good philodendron choices for pairing with nephthytis include:

  • Brasil philodendron
  • Selloum or Thaumatophyllum bipinnatifidum
  • Prince of Orange philodendron
  • Micans or Thaumatophyllum micans
  • Glossophyllum or philodendron hederaceum

While growing philodendron and nephthytis in the same pot may be convenient, providing them each with their own containers allows for optimal care tailored to their specific needs. Place the companion plants side by side to maximize their visual and environmental benefits.

nephthytis companion plants, pothos, white and green leaf plant
Photo by おにぎり / Unsplash

Spider Plant: A Great Match for Nephthytis

Spider plants make a superb companion for nephthytis due to their complementary needs, growth habits, and contrasting appearance. They share many of the same preferences as nephthytis, including high humidity, warm temperatures and medium to low light.

Key benefits of pairing spider plants with nephthytis:

Thrives in similar conditions: Both plants succeed in warm indoor environments with moderate humidity and moisture-retentive soil that drains well. They tolerate sparse watering and scant fertilizing.

Low maintenance: Spider plants and nephthytis are considered low maintenance houseplants that remain attractive with minimal care. They are ideal choices for people with irregular schedules.

Contrasting foliage: Spider plants feature strappy, grass-like leaves that provide visual contrast to nephthytis’ wider oval leaves, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the pairing.

Air purification: Like most plants, spider plants and nephthytis help purify indoor air by absorbing carbon dioxide and emitting oxygen.

Easy propagation: The spider plantlets that form on spider plant stems can be removed and grown with nephthytis in the same container for an added visual element. Monitor water and light levels closely.

The two most common spider plant varieties suitable for pairing with nephthytis are:

  • Green spider plant
  • Variegated or striped spider plant

While growing spider plants and nephthytis in the same pot can be an attractive option, providing them with separate containers allows for optimum growing conditions customized to their respective needs. Place the pots together to maximize the environmental benefits they provide for one another.

nephthytis companion plants, pothos, two white-and-blue ceramic bowls on wooden rack
Photo by Kara Eads / Unsplash

Peace Lily: A Harmonious Combination

Peace lilies form a harmonious pairing with nephthytis due to their similar cultural requirements and complementary foliage. Both plants thrive in warm, humid conditions with high indirect light levels and moist but well-draining soil.

Some key benefits of combining nephthytis and peace lilies:

Similar needs: Nephthytis and peace lilies share the preference for warm temperatures, high humidity, and reduced sunlight. They both require irrigation every 7 to 14 days.

Low maintenance: Both plants are considered fairly undemanding, making them suitable for plant owners with irregular schedules. They require infrequent fertilizing and respond poorly to overwatering.

Purifying pair: As houseplants, both nephthytis and peace lilies help cleanse indoor air by absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis.

Visual appeal: The large, glossy leaves of peace lilies provide an attractive visual foil for nephthytis’ oval leaves, especially when the peace lily is in bloom and its white spathes are in full view.

Tolerance to neglect: Though they prefer consistent moisture, both plants can go longer between waterings and suffer little permanent damage if care is irregular. They resuscitate quickly with improved care.

Good peace lily varieties to pair with nephthytis include:

  • Common peace lily
  • Siam Aurora peace lily
  • Kim
  • Sunset

While growing nephthytis and peace lilies in the same pot can be convenient, providing each plant with its own container allows for optimal soil moisture levels and nutrition tailored to their individual needs. Place the pots side by side for maximum environmental benefits.

nephthytis companion plants, neresthys vines, red flowers under blue sky during daytime
Photo by Barbara Adamczyk / Unsplash

Avoid These 3 Plants as Nephthytis Companions

While many plants make suitable companions for nephthytis, some pairs are simply incompatible due to differences in their cultural requirements and growth habits. The following species are best avoided as nephthytis companion plants:

Ficus (Ficus spp.) : Though some ficus varieties are very low maintenance and tolerate a wide range of conditions, they generally prefer drier soil than nephthytis. If grown together, the nephthytis is likely to suffer from under-watering. Their differences in foliage and structure also limit visual appeal as companions.

Ferns (Polypodiopsida): Most ferns prefer consistently humid environments with shaded locations and evenly moist soil. In contrast, nephthytis thrives with warm temperatures and moderate humidity. When grown together, the nephthytis risks being outcompeted for moisture and nutrients.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Though vining pothos and nephthytis have a similar appearance, their differing needs make them unsuitable companions. Pothos prefer drier soil and less frequent watering compared to nephthytis. Pothos stems are also tend to be woody with age, limiting the companionship between intertwined vines.

In general, avoid pairing nephthytis with plants that have:

• Very different moisture and light requirements
• Needs for more frequent or infrequent fertilizing
• Denser or faster-growing foliage that risks crowding out the nephthytis
• Root systems that compete heavily for soil nutrients and space

While visually appealing combinations are tempting, evaluating a potential companion plant based on its cultural requirements will ensure the health and longevity of both plants when grown together. Matching growth habits and conditions trumps coordinating appearances.

nephthytis companion plants, neresthys vines, green wooden door on green grass
Photo by Brian Fegter / Unsplash

More Helpful Guide

Frequently Asked Question

How much light does a nephthytis plant need?

Use a well-draining potting mix made for tropical plants. Add perlite or orchid bark to improve drainage.

How do you prune a nephthytis plant?

Pinch back leggy stems to promote bushier growth. Prune off damaged leaves and stems.

How warm should the temperature be for a nephthytis plant?

Can be grown outside in warm climates with part shade. Not frost hardy.

What are signs that a nephthytis plant is getting too much or too little water?

Misting is not necessary. These plants prefer higher humidity but do fine in normal household humidity.

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