General Care Tips for Thriving Houseplants

Welcome to the world of happy plants! Each day we care for our houseplants, we'll learn how to keep them smiling. From finding the right spot to giving just enough water, let's make your home a green paradise. Ready for the plant adventure?

Every plant is different and as the days go by, if you pay attention, you can start to notice if the plant is happy or not where you placed it or if it needs water more frequently. The frequency in which you will need to water will depend on the individual conditions that you are growing your plant in (temperature and humidity), but you should get an idea of the pattern before too long. If the plant is thriving, its leaves will look shiny and crisp, if it’s not happy the leaves will start to wilt and look opaque.

Most plants live happier if you wait to water them, excessive water kills them faster than having a lack of water because roots rot faster. A drought is more frequent in real life than a continued flood. Think about it, do you know a place that has plants that are always submerged in water? (other than oceans or rivers). Instead, how many places are there that go through occasional droughts and plants mostly survive? Most plants are not meant to be submerged in water, their roots need air and water not just water.

Exploring General Knowledge of Houseplants

Most houseplants must be grown inside to survive year after year (if you live in a place that doesn't have seasons, this doesn't apply to you). Since houseplants are grown in containers, they require extra care from humans. This includes good soil drainage, proper nutrient levels, and adequate watering. Houseplants come in all types of textures and growth habits suitable for use in home décor. Flowering houseplants can provide color and sometimes fragrance. They usually require more sunlight than your typical houseplant to bloom successfully. Placing them in high-light areas like a sunny window or near a sliding glass door is advisable. Houseplants are even known to improve indoor air quality by absorbing common pollutants.

Exploring the World of Plant Varieties

Plants are known as annual or perennial, evergreen or deciduous, and tropical.

An annual plant completes its life cycle in the span of one growing season. This means they germinate from seed, grow, flower, set seed, and then die; usually Spring to Fall. Some annuals thrive in cool weather and complete their life cycle from Fall to Spring.

Perennials provide short or intermittent periods of color and come back every year for at least three years or more.

Tropical plants have great foliage and can be used as an accent to add texture to the garden or patio. Others have stunning blooms used for cut flowers. Tropical plants are evergreens and live year after year in the tropics.

Evergreen flowering shrubs maintain their leaves year-round while deciduous varieties lose their leaves in the fall and re-leaf in the spring.

Mastering the Art of Houseplant Hydration

Proper watering is crucial for the successful growth of houseplants. Understanding when and how much water is essential.

In general, it's advisable to let the soil dry slightly between waterings. This helps prevent overwatering, the primary culprit behind houseplant fatalities.

• Observe the feel and color of the soil after a thorough watering; dry soils usually have a different color than moist ones.

• Ensure you add enough water to moisten the entire volume of soil. If the container lacks drainage, eliminate any excess water by literally flipping it upside down. Never let the roots stand in water, as this can lead to flooding and eventual root rot.

• Always use room-temperature water when watering your houseplants; cold water can damage the roots. Water slowly and deeply, ensuring the root ball is completely saturated.

• If a new plant wilts between waterings, consider increasing the frequency of watering.

• As a bonus tip, avoid watering at night if possible, as morning watering helps prevent diseases.

Here's a handy trick to determine if your plant needs water: insert a toothpick into the soil and wait a couple of minutes. If the entire toothpick comes out wet, refrain from adding more water.

New Toothpick

Insert it in the soil

Only the tip is wet. Add + H2O

The whole soil is moist

1. Grab a New Toothpick.

2. Insert in soil for a couple of minutes.

3. Check if the toothpick gets wet. In this example, only the tip is wet so the plant needs more water

4. Water and check again.

5. The last picture shows the whole toothpick is wet, which means the whole soil is moist.

Navigating the Light Preferences of Your Houseplants

Ensuring the right amount of sunlight is crucial for the well-being of your houseplants. Different plants have varying needs when it comes to sunlight, so understanding these requirements is key to fostering a thriving indoor garden. Generally, there are three categories of sunlight conditions: bright light, indirect light, and low light.

Plants that thrive in bright light need direct sunlight for a significant portion of the day. These are typically positioned near south or west-facing windows, where the sunlight is intense. Examples of plants that love bright light include flowering plants. On the other hand, plants that prefer indirect light thrive in the filtered sunlight found in areas away from direct rays. East or west-facing windows often provide suitable conditions for these plants. Some popular choices for indirect light include ferns, snake plants, and pothos.

For low-light conditions, where natural light is limited, plants that can adapt to shade are ideal. These are often placed in north-facing windows or areas with minimal light. Common low-light houseplants include peace lilies, ZZ plants, and certain varieties of ivy. Always consider the specific needs of each plant and observe how they respond to their location. Adjusting their placement accordingly ensures they receive the right amount of sunlight for optimal growth and health.

Trimming Tips: How to Prune Plants with Ease

Pruning houseplants is a catalyst for new growth. Perform this task while the plant is actively growing, ensuring a swift recovery and the emergence of fresh greenery. Post-pruning, fertilize to expedite the growth process.

Pruning involves removing damaged stems, dead leaves, and any dry or decaying flowers promptly from both the plant and its container.

When pruning, opt for angled cuts just above the bud.

Using proper tools, such as hand pruners, is advisable, though regular scissors can work as well. Ensure all equipment is clean and sharp, and consider cleaning your tools with alcohol before and after each pruning session for optimal plant health.

If you ever wish to repot your houseplant in your garden,

There are many sustainable practices that can be used to control weeds and pests, such as:

• Cover cropping: Cover crops are planted between cash crops to help suppress weeds and improve soil health.

• Intercropping: is the practice of planting different crops in close proximity to each other. This helps to create a more diverse ecosystem that is better able to resist pests and diseases.

• Mulching: Mulch is a layer of organic material that is placed around plants to help suppress weeds and retain moisture.

By using these and other sustainable gardening practices, we can help to protect our health and the environment.

In the future, it is important that we move towards a more sustainable way of farming and gardening. This means using methods that do not rely on harmful chemicals, such as herbicides.

Roundup is a glyphosate-based herbicide widely used in industrial agriculture and home gardens. It has been linked to a number of health problems, including roundup cancer. There are a number of safe and effective alternatives to Roundup that can be used to control weeds and pests.

The use of Roundup and other herbicides has a number of negative environmental impacts, including water pollution, soil contamination, and air pollution.

People who developed non-Hodgkin lymphoma after heavy Roundup use have been filing Roundup cancer lawsuits against Monsanto and other defendants, claiming the company should have warned the public about the risk.

The use of safe and effective alternatives to glyphosate-based herbicides such as Roundup, like cover cropping, intercropping, and mulching, can help protect our health and the environment, and control weeds and pests effectively. Switching to safe alternatives is a key step towards sustainable gardening.

Now that we learned all these tips on how to care for houseplants, I hope your plants start to thrive! Remember, no over-watering, and enough sunlight, those are the two main tips when taking care of houseplants! And each plant requires different amounts of these two elements. Check out our other blog post for detailed care instructions tailored to each specific plant.

If you have any questions or need advice for a specific plant, let me know in the comments and I'll do my best to help you.

Wrapped Up Right: Practical Tips for Your Wrapped Bouquet's Beauty

Unveiling the Secrets to Long-Lasting Beauty: Tips for Your Wrapped Bouquet or Ramo Buchon

Have you ever experienced the fleeting joy of receiving a stunning floral arrangement, only to see it fade away too soon? Well, fear not! As your trusted local florist, we've gathered lots of helpful tips and tricks over the years to ensure your cut flowers and wrapped bouquets stand the test of time. Caring for flowers is simpler than you think—just keep an eye on the water level and maintain an optimal room temperature, and you're well on your way to victory.

Unwrapping the Beauty: Steps for Your Wrapped Bouquet's Extended Lifespan

Removing the Wrapping:

Whether you decide to remove or leave the wrapping on, make sure all stems are submerged in water. Typically, our wrapped bouquets are designed with the idea that the wrapping doesn't need to be removed; it's part of the design. You can leave it on if you notice there are no shorter stems and that all will be underwater. Keep in mind that if any of the stems are not underwater, said stem won't drink water and might be dead the next day, so make sure they're all the same length and submerged.

Choosing the Perfect Vase:

Select your favorite vase and fill it with water, adding flower food as directed on the package. A tip for choosing the right vase is to keep in mind the height of the tallest flower. If the arrangement is too tall and you place it in a short vase, the weight of the flowers might tip it over. Try to find a vase that is at least half the length of the tallest flower. You can always trim the stems shorter if you don't have a big vase handy. For example, if you have 100 roses, they'll be heavy! So you will need a wider and heavier vase. If you don't have a vase that is big enough, a good idea is to place it in a bucket or add rocks inside a short vase, giving it more stability. Make sure to rinse the rocks or bucket first so they don't get your water cloudy and dirty faster.

Trimming and Placing the Bouquet In Water:

Trim each stem by 1/4 inch, remove excess foliage (so none will be underwater), and place the arrangement in the vase. For bouquets that have endured a lack of water during delivery, this step revitalizes the stems.

Nurturing Your Blooms: Tips for Cut Flowers and Wrapped Bouquets

1. Shade and Stillness: Keep flowers away from direct sunlight and drafts, as cut flowers lack roots to absorb nutrients and prefer cool, dark environments.

2. Cooler Climates: Maintain a cool room for your arrangement, mimicking the conditions of a floral cooler to extend the flowers' lifespan.

3. Refresh Regularly: Change the water every 2 to 3 days or when it becomes cloudy, dissolving flower food per package guidelines to prevent bacterial growth. Click here for a video on how to change your floral arrangement's water.

4. Prune Wisely: Remove wilted flowers or decaying petals every few days to prevent the spread of bacteria to healthy flowers and foliage.

5. Strategic Placement: Avoid proximity to electronic devices and food, as heat and ethylene gas can hasten flower maturation and deterioration.

Embracing the Beauty: Final Thoughts on Cut Flowers and Wrapped Bouquets

In conclusion, enjoy the beauty of cut flowers without worry. Transform your space into a cozy haven with a few simple care steps: keep them cool, shielded from drafts, and ensure a fresh water supply.

Share your own tips and tricks in the comments below—let's celebrate the enduring beauty of wrapped bouquets together!

How To Care For Your Cut Flowers Arranged In Floral Foam

Have you ever felt the disappointment of a stunning floral arrangement fading too soon? Fear not, as we're here to share some fresh insights and tricks to ensure your cut flowers arranged in floral foam stand the test of time.

Let's debunk the myth that taking care of cut flowers is a daunting task. Even if you're not a seasoned gardener, a little attention to water levels and ambient room temperature can go a long way.

Now, let's delve into the realm of Floral Foam arrangements:

In our experience, flowers arranged in Floral Foam tend to outlast those designed in a vase with water, provided the foam stays consistently moist, and the flowers remain undisturbed. Think of floral foam as a sponge, with flowers absorbing water from it. Brands like Oasis and Aquafoam are our go-to choices for floral foam.

Here's a quick guide to ensure your floral foam arrangements flourish:

- Keep the floral foam consistently wet, and don't forget to dissolve flower food in the water. Add around 1/2 cup of fresh water every 2-3 days to keep your flowers hydrated and thriving. When adding water, find a spot on the back of the arrangement and pour it gently onto the foam. Ensure the foam stays wet, but be cautious not to spill water on furniture.

It will never hurt to add more water as often as you like, the worst thing that can happen is that it might overflow.

When floral foam is wet it has a different color than when it is dry:

Left: wet floral foam (darker), Right: dry floral foam (lighter)

- Avoid moving the flowers during water replenishment, as doing so can create an air bubble between the end of the stem and the foam, hindering water intake and leading to a shorter lifespan.

- Never pour water directly into flowers, as excess moisture can cause mold and hasten the demise of the entire arrangement.

If you receive one of our unique flower arrangements that looks like the one below, scroll down for a picture that shows how it's built.

We sometimes include one flower inside the vase that will have water for as long as it needs it so you only need to add water to the top part where the foam is.

This is how the arrangement looks without the flowers and this is the foam that needs to be always wet.

Now that you're well-versed in the art of floral foam, let's circle back to the general tips for keeping your cut flowers fresher for longer:

1. Shield your flowers from direct sunlight and air currents, as they prefer cool, dark places.

2. Maintain a cool room temperature to extend the lifespan of your arrangement.

3. Change the water every 3-4 days or when it becomes cloudy, and always dissolve flower food following package guidelines. In the case of cut flowers designed in floral foam, just add more water to the foam to keep it always wet.

4. Remove wilted flowers and petals every 3-4 days to prevent bacteria from harming the healthy ones but don't move the healthy flowers around in the foam to avoid air bubbles.

5. Keep your arrangement away from electronic devices and heat-producing appliances.

6. Steer clear of placing flowers near food or fruits, as they release ethylene, causing faster maturation and a shorter lifespan.

In conclusion, embrace the beauty of cut flowers without fear. Create a cozy ambiance in your home, office, or favorite spot by following these simple yet effective tips. Share your flower care hacks in the comments below and share this post with someone who needs help!