Plant Care Instructions

African Violet

Prefers moderately bright, diffused sunlight. Placement near a sunny window but not exposed to direct sunlight is ideal. Keep soil moderately moist; water thoroughly when soil surface feels dry to the touch. Good drainage is important for root health. Cold water on foliage can cause spotting and mold. Set plant on a saucer or dish to protect furniture from water drainage. Warm temperatures are ideal: 70-72°F daytimes and 65-70°F nights. Avoid excessively hot or cold temperatures. Fertilize periodically with African Violet plant food, following manufacturer's directions. Key tips for success: provide good light to stimulate growth and flowering. (Lack of flowering is normally caused by low light)

Air Plants

Tillandsia, or air plants, prefer bright, diffused sunlight and lots of air circulation. Every one to two weeks, submerge your air plant in room-temperature tap water (or rain/pond water if you can find it) for a few hours. After soaking, gently shake excess water from your plant. Turn it upside-down on towel in a bright space to let it dry, typically a few hours. Allow one week for the plant to completely dry before watering again. Air plants can be mounted on wood, stone, or any number of household surfaces with a special glue, available at your local florist.

Amaryllis

Prefers bright, diffused sunlight. Placement near a sunny window but not exposed to direct sunlight is ideal. Keep soil moist and fertilize with liquid houseplant fertilizer regularly. Remove faded flowers for best display. To encourage more blossoms next year, cut the flower stalk to within 1” of the top of the bulb after all blooms are faded. Continue to water and feed the plant regularly with liquid houseplant fertilizer. In mid-august, begin withholding water and let the foliage die naturally as the pot dries out completely. Store the dormant bulb in a cool, dark, dry place for at least 8 weeks. Then, six to eight weeks before the desired bloom time, repot the bulb in fresh potting soil, and place it in bright, diffused sunlight. Resume watering sparingly at first and once new growth appears, incase watering.

Azalea

Prefers bright, diffused sunlight, but do not expose to direct sun. Keep soil moist; water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, drain excess water. Place in a cool location, avoid excessively hot and cold areas. Set plant on a saucer or dish to protect furniture from water drainage.

Begonia

Prefer full sun to partial shade. Water regularly to keep soil most, but do not over water. Do not pour water onto foliage, but rather into the soil. Once active growth is present, apply a high nitrogen fertilizer every two weeks. After flower buds are set, switch to 0-10-10 fertilizer every two weeks. Cut off blooms once they have died.

Bromeliad

Prefers bright, diffused sunlight, but can be maintained in low light. Moderate to warm temperatures are ideal. Keep soil fairly dry to avoid crown rot. Overwatering can be fatal. Plant prefers to be watered in the couplets next to the stem where you should see standing water. Do not water the soil directly unless crumbly dry. Misting during winter months will help with wilting leaves. Re-flowering: Once the main flower head fades, the rosette of leaves starts to die and is replaced by offsets at the base. When the offset is several months old, remove it with some roots attached and plant shallowly in light planting medium. Keep warm until established. Encourage flowering in a mature plant by placing it in a plastic bag with a ripening apple. The fruit gives off ethylene gas, which stimulates blossoming.

Bulb Plant

Prefers moderately moist soil. Bulb plants will flower normally under a wide range of light conditions. Allow soil surface to feel dry before watering thoroughly. Drain excess water in saucer at base of pot to prevent root rot and to protect furniture. Cool temperatures are ideal: 60-65°F daytimes. Avoid excessive heat or cold. To enjoy in your garden in future years, place pot in well lighted, cool area (50-55°F) and keep moist after flowering. when stems and leaves are no longer green, cut them off. In mid-spring, plant bulbs outdoors in a sunny area with well-drained soil. Note: years to re-flower will depend on size of bulbs and local climate conditions. Key tips for success: A cool environment at night (50-60°F) will help to extend the flowering period while plant is indoors.

Cacti

When grown indoors, prefers bright, direct sunlight near a sunny window. To determine a good place, place your hand 1 foot above the area you've chosen as their home, you should get a definite shadow. Moderately dry soil is best. Drench soil thoroughly, then allow it to become moderately dry before watering again. Temperatures found in most homes are acceptable. Fertilizer: if plants are kept for extended periods of time, use a house plant fertilizer at the manufacturer's suggested rate and frequency. Avoid excessively hot or cold locations.

Chinese Evergreen

Keep soil moist. Water less in the winter. It is important to plant in soil that drains well. Prefers indirect sunlight or low light. Thrives in normal house temperatures; not too hot or cold. 

Cyclamen

Keep soil moist; water thoroughly when soil is dry to touch. Prefers bright diffused sunlight, do not expose to direct sun. Place in a moderate temperature location, avoiding excessively hot and cold areas. 

Daffodils

Inside, daffodils require bright sunlight with minimal shading. Moist, well-drained soil is preferred. Make sure to allow for drainage to avoid root rot. Set the planter on a saucer dish to protect furniture from draining water. Dump the water from the saucer dish 30 minutes after watering so the plant does not absorb the water back into the soil and become soggy. As the flowers fade, cut the flowers beneath the flower base and discard. Leave the remaining stem on the plant to collect energy and nutrients for the bulb.

If you plan to transplant bulbs into an outdoor garden, continue to fertilize soil at half the label’s recommended rate until the last flower fades. Move the pots outside to a full sun location after the danger for frost has passed. Cut off the foliage after it yellows and dies back natural, usually six to eight weeks after flowering. Transplant the bulbs to a well-drained garden bed that receives full sun exposure. Plant daffodil bulbs with the pointed tip 2 inches beneath the soil surface and space bulbs 5 inches apart.  Divide up clumps when flowers become congested, or flowering may become sparse. 

Dish Garden

Prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Keep soil moist: water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, but do not allow plants to stand in water because of risk of root rot. Place in a moderately warm location.

Dracaena

Prefers bright yet indirect sunlight. It will handle low light situations, but the green leaves will be thinner and darker. Allow the top half of the soil to dry out between waterings. Use distilled water or rain water for best results. Dracaena plants enjoys comfortable room temperatures of 75° FahrenheitThe leaves will grab their share of dust. Clean regularly and remove the dust by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth.

 

European Garden

Prefers bright, diffused sunlight. Keep soil moist; water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch. Plants in this garden may be in individual pots or have separate root systems, so water with extra care. Be careful not to overwater as there may be no drainage at the bottom of the planter and overly wet soil may induce root rot. Place in a moderate temperature location.

Fatsia

These tropical plants prefer low to medium light. They do well in shaded areas. Keep their soil moist- do not let the soil dry out but don't water too much to where it is sitting in water. Water less in the winter because the plant grows less during those months. They like warmer temperatures during spring, summer, and autumn, and cooler temperatures during winter. 

Fern Plant

Primarily Boston and Fluffly Ruffles; Care for other varieties may vary. Medium light locations are preferred. Avoid and protect from direct sunlight. Moderately moist soil is best; avoid over-watering. (For pots with drainage, just the surface soil should be dry to the touch, before watering again). Prefers average temperatures, 50-70 degrees. Avoid excessively hot or cold locations.

Flowering Plant

Keep soil moist: water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, draining excess water. Prefers bright diffused sunlight, do not expose to direct sun. Place in moderate temperature location. Set plant on a saucer or dish to protet furniture from water.

Goldfish Plant

Prefers bright indirect sunlight. The more light the plant gets, the more buds will bloom. If the leaves start to turn brown, the plant is getting too much light. It is important to keep the soil moist, especially during the warmer months. In the winter, it is ok to let the soil dry out a little more between waterings. Never let the soil dry out completely.

Green Plant (Most  Houseplants) Prefers bright diffused sunlight, do not expose to direct sunlight. Keep soil moist; water thoroughly when soil is dry to the touch, draining excess water to avoid root rot. Place in warm location, avoiding excessive hot or cold areas. Set plant on a saucer or dish to protect furniture from draining water. Plants with flowers in bud stages prefer bright light near a sunny window. Plants with open flowers do well in a wide range of light conditions. Key tips for success: Placement in a cool environment at night (60-50°F) will help to extend the flowering period.
Hyacinth

Prefers bright, diffused sunlight. Keep soil moist, but allow plenty of drainage. Water in morning or late afternoon to allow enough time for leaves to dry before night to ward off fungus growth. Cut away the flower stalks after they bloom in the spring and allow the leaves to die off naturally. Remove the dead leaves by carefully cutting, or by pulling and twisting gently at the base of leaf. Fertilize at least once a year to maintain proper nutrient uptake. Keep hyacinth plants in a very sunny area with minimal shading.

Hydrangea

Prefers bright, diffused sunlight. Ideal placement is near a sunny window. To determine appropriate light, place your hand 1 foot above the area you've chosen to be its home; you should get a definite shadow. Very moist, but well drained, soil is best, never allow soil to dry out. Your indoor hydrangea plant may require watering more than once a day. Remember, saturated soil with poor drainage may cause the roots to rot. Temperatures found in most homes are acceptable, but cool locations will greatly improve the lasting quality. Ideally, 60° to 65°F days and 55° to 60°F at night. Fertilizer: If plants are kept for extended periods of time, use a house plant fertilizer at the manufacturer's suggested rate and frequency. Avoid excessively hot or cold locations.

Kalanchoe

Prefers bright, diffused sunlight, placement near a sunny window is ideal, but a wide range of light levels will be tolerated. Maintain soil on the dry side. Water thoroughly after soil surface has become dry to the touch. Drain excess water in a saucer at base of pot to prevent root rot and to protect furniture. Then dump the collected water to avoid soil becoming overly saturated. Moderate temperatures are ideal: 65-70°F daytimes and 60-65°F nights. Avoid excessively hot or cold areas. Fertilize periodically, starting two to three weeks after purchase. Follow manufacturer's instructions carefully. Key tips for success: Bright light will help to sustain flower’s bright colors. Pale-colored flowers indicate inadequate light.

Norfolk Island Pine

Prefers bright, diffused light. This plant is sensitive to cold temperatures and should never be exposed to temperatures below 45°F. Water generously in spring, summer, and fall, but less in winter. Let the water drain through to a dish or container. Do not let the plant sit in water. Fertilize every 2-4 months. Keeping the air humid will help the plant to thrive. Let the plant adapt to new spots; it does not like to be moved around. 

Orchid

Place plant in a warm location. Prefers bright, diffused sunlight, but do not expose to direct sunlight. Orchids do not like 'wet feet' - do not let water pool below the plant. It is crucial to keep the soil very well drained, as roots can rot easily. The key to orchid watering is to not over-water; too little is better than too much. One way to check for watering is by poking your finger about an inch into the growing media. If it's dry, give it some water; otherwise, let it be. Another way to check is by observing the roots and leaves: root tips should be firm and bright green. Leaves should be firm and not "veiny". Higher humidity is preferred; in dry climates, mist blooms with a little water every so often. DO NOT PUT ICE CUBES IN YOUR ORCHID PLANTS! Ice cubes can contribute to long-term health issues for orchid plants. Refer to specific orchid variety care information for best growing results. 

Peace Lily

Prefers bright, indirect sunlight from a nearby window. Keep out of direct sun. Keep soil moist by water thoroughly and frequently and draining excess water. Soil should not dry out. Place in a warm location, avoiding excessively hot and cold areas. Set plant on a saucer or dish to protect furniture from draining water.

Philodendron

Place plant in medium indirect light. Water thoroughly once the soil is 50% dry. If the plant is getting to much sun or water the leaves will turn a pale yellow color- adjust accordingly. Fertilize every month in the spring and summer and every other month in the fall and winter. Make sure to add fertilizer when the soil is damp. 

Poinsettia

Prefers bright diffused sunlight, do not expose to direct sun. Bright light and cool nights will help maintain bright coloring. Keep soil moist; water thoroughly when soil is dry to touch. Place in a moderate temperature location. 

Ponytail Palm

Prefers bright light, but can spend up to half the year indoors with soft light. The Ponytail Palm thrives in semi-dry conditions. Keep the soil fairly dry, only water once the soil is no longer damp. Let the water drain through to a liner or dish and then empty it out. If the leaves are turning yellow, that is a sign of overwatering. During the warmer months of the year, it can live outside. In the winter, it will do better away from any cold windows. When it grows too big for its current pot, transfer it into a larger one with a hole in the bottom for drainage. Use succulent and cacti soil so that the water can drain through. 

Succulent

Keep soil fairly dry; water thoroughly when soil is dry to touch, draining any excess water. Water according to the seasons. Succulents go through a growth period during warmer months, requiring more water than when they are resting in the cooler months. Overwatering can be fatal. Also, don't use a spray bottle to water. Misting can cause brittle roots and moldy leaves. Succulents thrive best in bright sunlight; Will tolerate limited lower light. If placed in direct sunlight, be sure to rotate frequently for even exposure. Place in a moderate to warm temperature location.

Terrarium

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Do not allow plants to stand in water. Prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Place in a moderate to warm temperature location. Set terrarium on a saucer dish to protect furniture from draining water. To maintain, cut plants back (at the main stalk) as they grow out the top of the container.

Tulip

Keep tulips in a cool shady spot out of direct sunlight. Place a dish or ceramic under pot to catch drainage water. Water as needed, once or twice weekly. Water until it drips from the bottom of the pot, allow it to drain for 30 minutes, then dump out the water collected in the dish under the pot.