The story below is from our September/October 2021 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
You’re a plant parent now or at least want to be – congratulations! Now learn all the tips and tricks needed to care for your indoor garden.
Courtesy of Mike’s Country Market & Greenhouses
There’s never been a better time to become a plant parent, or expand your knowledge in plant care if you’re already an expert caregiver. Let’s take a look at some commonly asked questions regarding your indoor plant family.
What’s trendy for plants this season?
Air plants and succulents are a great indoor plant for those eyeing the most popular varieties right now, says Jan Hendrickson of Green Designs, LLC. If you opt for a succulent, be sure to provide exceptionally good light and avoid overwatering.
Casey Broughton, co-owner at Townside Gardens, says that while trendy plants change all the time, there are popular classics such as the fiddle leaf fig tree – one of the most-used plants in magazines, TV and movies. “Once you know what they look like, you’ll notice them everywhere!”
Mark Hodges, co-owner of Mike’s Country Market & Greenhouses, agrees on the fiddle leaf fig tree – while it has a reputation for being fickle, it’s a beautiful addition to your home once mastered. “Fiddle leaf figs have large glossy leaves and grow tall, so they are favorites for those looking for a showy plant for the corner of their living room,” he says. “But they need more light than most people realize, and they hate to be over-watered. You really have to find the perfect balance of tender care/neglect for these fashionable trees, and if you succeed, you will be the envy of all your friends!”
Broughton also recommends the popular but easier care of the Monstera Deliciosa, with its jungle look. Other options include Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma (aka Monstera Minima), Philodendron Birkin, Monstera Adansonii, Hoyas (which has many varieties), “pretty much anything variegated and anything ‘string of,’” Broughton says. “Some of the popular string options nowadays are String of Pearls, String of Hearts, String of Dolphins and String of Turtles.”
The monstera, or Swiss cheese plant, got its nickname from its unique holes and splits throughout its broad leaves, and is great for owners that can offer bright, indirect sunlight and self-control with watering (once a week is optimal).
“Another fun aspect of the monstera plant is that it comes in a multitude of interesting varieties,” Hodges says. “In our greenhouses, we most often have the monstera deliciosa variety available, but another favorite of houseplant lovers is the monstera adansonii which has smaller leaves and more defined holes in the leaves. All monstera plants are vines (although the deliciosa looks more like a shrub initially) and they all like to climb. Whatever variety of monstera you get for your home, the addition of its lush greenery will not disappoint.”
New to plant parenting?
Try snake plants, a popular option for beginners that’s both easy to grow and drought-resistant – they can go up to two months without watering in winter months! “The snake plant is our go-to recommendation for those who come into our greenhouse saying that they have a ‘brown thumb’ instead of a ‘green thumb,’” says Hodges. “It’s a great option for beginners or those who don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to their plants since it thrives on minimal care. We think snake plants, or ‘mother-in-law’s tongue,’ is one of our more interesting-looking plants with its thick sword blade leaves with alternating green variegated stripes. Snake plants can survive in the more shadowy corners of your home, but it just might not grow as fast. In most conditions it only needs watering every other week, making it very low maintenance.”
Also highly recommended is pothos (also known as Devil’s Ivy), an undemanding plant that does well in indirect or low sunlight, and can be grown in water or dry soil (if the leaves turn yellow, you’ve overwatered!). It’s nearly impossible to kill, and has been proven to improve the air by removing indoor pollutants in NASA’s Clean Air Study.
“Pothos is a favorite addition to office spaces and it is tenacious in its willful survival in almost any condition,” Hodges adds. “Pothos comes in many color varieties; we typically have the golden and marble queen varieties available in our greenhouses, but sometimes have the satin variation, too. Pothos is a trailing vine plant with broad leaves, and it grows quickly even under fluorescent lights. Pothos also takes some of the guesswork out of watering and will let you know when it needs some hydration when its leaves droop. They perk up quickly after a good soak every now and then.”
Broughton adds beginners can try their new hobby with Philodendron Cordatum and Dracaenas (often referred to as corn plants), as well as Birds Nest Ferns, Aglaonemas and ZZ plants. “These plants are fairly tolerant of various lighting conditions, need watering infrequently and do not require fertilizing often,” she advises. Avoid direct sunlight, and this hardy plant can go two to three weeks between watering.
Hodges also adds arrowhead, or goosefoot, to the list. Named for the shape of their leaves which resemble arrowheads or geese feet, these plants are easy to care for and only require medium to low light levels and like to dry out between being watered. “As the arrowhead plant matures it starts to trail and is a great option for indoor hanging baskets. Philodendron plants come from the same family and have similar low-maintenance care requirements. Philodendrons can grow in most light levels, except for direct sunlight, which might burn their leaves. Philos also come in many color varieties, making them fun to collect for beginners looking to get started growing their own indoor jungles.”
Already got a green thumb?
Hendrickson says advanced plant owners can tackle a challenge with carnivorous plants, such as the Venus flytrap or cobra lilies, as well as calathea, known for its wide leaves and patterned foliage (and also a pet-friendly choice!).
If you’re willing to put in the daily care and maintenance, Broughton suggests trying Maidenhair Ferns, Calatheas, Heart Ferns and some varieties of Orchid (Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Miltonias). The hard work is well worth the effort as they flourish, and “whether they tout extremely delicate lace like foliage, or colorful long-lived flowers, these are some of the most prized indoor plants.”
“Orchid lovers tend to be zealous in their passion for growing and tending to their beautiful blooms,” Hodges says. “The work is worth the reward since orchids produce some of the most unique flowers. Orchids come in a plethora of splendid varieties, but they require very particular conditions to truly thrive, such as a decent amount of consistent humidity and a preference for indirect light (eastern facing windows are best). Orchids only like moist soil that drains easily, such as moss, bark, pebbles or a combination. It is also a good idea to find an orchid-specific fertilizer to keep your plant well-fed while trying to coax it to bloom for you.”
And who doesn’t love the smell of a gardenia flower? Velvety white flowers on this shrub pair beautifully with their scent, and while they’re not perennials in our region, plant parents can bring them inside and care for them throughout the winter. Don’t let them get below 65 degrees – keep them in a warm, sunny spot, as gardenias love light and are happiest with bright indirect sunlight for as many hours of the day as possible.
Need more plant tips?
One common plant care issue that seems simple but is easy to miss, according to Hodges, is to beware of placing your plants directly next to or underneath vents in your home. “The draft from a vent can easily dry out a plant, especially if that plant usually prefers to grow in humid conditions.”
Speaking of humidity, getting a spritz bottle to mist your plants in between watering is a great way to mimic the humidity in most plants’ natural environments. “Or if you are really committed to being a plant parent, you can invest in a humidifier for the drier winter months,” he suggests.
“Another easy investment to help grow plants in apartments or homes without sunny windows is to purchase grow lamp bulbs to ensure your plants are getting the light they need to thrive. Grow bulbs are easily purchased online and even fit into normal house lamps.”
“Know your specific plants’ needs and ‘microclimate’ in your home,” says Hendrickson. “And fertilizing is often neglected, but is extremely important.”
It’s also smart to research your new plant before you even bring it home. “You can love a plant all you want, but if you can’t offer it the conditions it needs, it will not survive,” Broughton says.
Things to keep in mind: how much light your plant needs, how often it needs water, how often it needs fertilized and the type of fertilizer it needs, and whether it requires high humidity.
“I say how often your plant needs watered, because of the frequent misconception that overwatering means giving your plant too much water. This is not the case,” Broughton says. “When you water plants, you should always aim to soak the entire root ball. Never tease plants with a few ounces of water. For some plants ... allow it to dry completely between watering; others prefer to stay more moist. Never allow plants to sit in water for long periods of time ... water them normally from the top every once in a while in order to flush out excess nutrients and soluble salts build-up.”
To help control the urge to over-water plants indoors, pick a day of the week to be your set watering days, such as “Sundays are for the plants.” Plants also typically need less water in the winter to correspond with their naturally slower growth cycles in the winter. Make sure your indoor plant pot has proper drainage, since you definitely want to avoid the plant sitting in water and being susceptible to root-rot.
Most importantly, enjoy the process, Broughton says. “Everyone struggles with some plants – it’s how we learn. Learn from your mistakes and focus on the improved quality of life that comes with sharing your home with your new plant babies!”
Bonus question!
What plants are safest for households with pets?
“We get asked all the time which plants are safest for pets,” Hodges says. “We usually recommend the following plants that we normally have in our greenhouses as non-toxic option for pets: hypoestes (polka dot plant), Swedish ivy, spider plants, parlor palms, African violets, Boston ferns and succulents. However, it is important to stress that ingesting any plant can cause stomach upset for pets. The ASPCA has a very comprehensive list online of toxic and non-toxic household plants for pets and we always recommend our customers check out their list before committing to a plant if they are concerned their pet is likely to munch on anything green and leafy that they bring home!”
The story above is from our September/October 2021. For more stories, subscribe today or view our FREE digital edition. Thank you for supporting local journalism!