Category

Blog Post

Jul 07
300

Pansy – One Tough Flower

By | Blog Post | No Comments

Scientific Name: Viola x wittrockiana

Common Name: Pansy

Common Species/Varieties: Bolero, Cool Wave, Joker, Black Magic

Common Colors: Available in nearly all colors, most often found in cool colors

Plant Type: Flower

Annual or Perennial: Perennial, usually grown as an Annual

Hardiness Zone: 7-10 USDA

Self-Seeding: Somewhat, but not prolific

Bloom Season: Late winter to Early Summer

Grows Best In: Cool weather or heavily shaded areas once warmer weather sets in

Fun Fact: Pansies are very cold hardy plants. Any blooms already open may die in a deep freeze, but if the freeze is temporary, the plant itself will survive and bloom again.

 

“Don’t be a pansy” is a phrase commonly used when the speaker is calling someone out for appearing weak – but this phrase is quite inaccurate as Pansies are rather tough little flowers! Pansies can survive low and even freezing temperatures, and not many flowering plants can boast that ability. They are quite tough, and can even stick around once hot temperatures arrive if planted in a cool or shaded area.

Pansies are edible and are often used as decorative live flowers on baked goods. They make a beautiful addition to spring rolls, as well. They can even be frozen into ice cubes for use in cocktails or a delicious lemonade!

While Pansies may not flower in the heat of the summer, they are likely to bloom again in Fall when temperatures cool down again. They may go dormant but the green leaves of the plant are absorbing energy from the sun as the plant avoids blooming in order to gather its resources for another round of beautiful blooming “faces” in the Fall. If Pansies grow leggy (tall and stretched out), they likely need more sun. If planting Pansies in bright sun, plant them near other plants that will provide shade during the summer. Deadhead the blooms (nip the spent blooms before they expire completely) to encourage more flowers. Keep Pansies relatively moist (don’t drown them, but don’t allow them to dry out) and remember to water in Summer to encourage re-blooming in Fall.

Pansies symbolise sympathy and care, and are also known to represent free thinking. William Shakespeare mentions Pansies in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Hamlet, and The Taming of the Shrew. Most often they represent love or affection in Shakespeare’s plays. Historically, pansies were used to treat eczema, convulsions, and inflammation (always consult a physician before employing the use of herbal or plant medicine). Pansy’s cousin, Violet, is the birth flower for the month of February, along with Primrose.

Jun 30
300

Marigold – Natural Pest Control

By | Blog Post | No Comments

Scientific Name: Tagetes spp.

Common Name: Marigold

Common Species: Signet, French, African

Common Colors: Reds, Oranges, Yellows

Plant Type: Flower

Annual or Perennial: Annual

Hardiness Zone: Annual in All Zones

Self-Seeding: Yes

Bloom Season: Summer leading well into Fall

Grows Best In: Full sun (but will tolerate some shade), moderate watering levels, and are generally not picky.

Fun Fact: Marigold is the traditional Birth Flower for October, along with Cosmos.

Marigolds are one of the most useful flowering plants found in the garden. They’re easy to grow, put on a beautiful show, have edible petals, and best of all… they are wonderful pest repellents.

Marigolds are known for repelling not only tiny pests like knot root nematodes (those are the nematodes that are not beneficial), tomato hornworms, cabbage worms, thrips, squash bugs, whiteflies, but they have also been known to repel even large pests like deer! Plant marigold around the border of your gardening space to help keep deer and rabbits away (though they have been known to pluck the marigold and toss it aside to get to the plants they love the most). To help with pests of the insect variety, plant Marigold near plants preyed upon by such pests – tomatoes, cabbage, squash, strawberries, roses, etc.

Culturally, Marigolds are associated with celebrating the souls of those who have passed. Known as Flor de Muerto (Flower of the Dead), Marigold is said to be the only scent that the dead are able to detect and therefore this flower is able to attract the souls of the dead. They feature heavily in the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead. The flower is used to decorate Ofrendas (altars) dedicated to loved ones who have passed on from this world. Other western cultures have been known to refer to this flower as the “Herb of the Sun,” and it is associated with warm feelings of happiness and warmth.

Planting Marigold is easy, and can be done by simply scattering the seed and dusting the seeds with a light layering of soil. They germinate quickly, and are quite tough little plants. Keep the soil moist while the seed is germinating, and water at standard one inch per week levels after established. In the Fall during garden winterization, mulch the Marigolds into the soil to help keep nematodes at bay. Allow the flowers to self-seed in order to encourage more Marigolds for the next season.

Jun 22
300

Calathea Freddie

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

The Calathea family is vast and contains around 300 different kinds of Calathea! This blog will cover Calathea Freddie, or Calathea Concinna. Freddie’s foliage is the same general shape and size of other Calathea plants. Freddie’s foliage coloring starts with bright green and is overlaid with darker green zebra-like stripes and edging in the same shade. One thing that helps Freddie to stand out from other Calathea plants is its lack of reddish-purple undersides. When other Calathea plants fold up their leaves at night, they show off that rosey underleaf. Freddie is also more likely than other Calathea plants to develop flowers when grown indoors.

Caring for Calathea Freddie is similar to caring for other Calathea plants. Their water requirements are somewhat needy, so they require a bit more attention than some houseplants. Water Freddie when the soil is dry one to two inches down. Watering too soon can cause root rot, or encourage the growth of pests in the soil (if you see little black gnats flying around your  home, water your houseplants less often). Make sure Freddie is in a pot with soil that will remain evenly moist. It’s also important that your pot has good drainage. Use the Drench and Drain method – soak the soil and allow the excess water to flow out of the bottom of the pot. If your pot does not have good drainage, use a moisture meter to check the very bottom levels of the soil for moisture. If you over-water, gently tip the pot to the side and allow some water to trickle out without letting the soil or the plant dislodge from the pot.

Calathea Freddie enjoys indirect bright light and high levels of humidity (higher levels than most Calathea). With the right conditions, Freddie can grow to be 2-3 feet tall, making it a great floor plant. If you live in a place without much humidity, you can add a humidifier to Freddie’s space and mist its leaves. Freddie would be very happy in a bright bathroom, as well.

Make sure Freddie’s home is at a comfortable temperature of between 65 and 75 degrees fahrenheit, and keep Freddie away from drafts and vents. Calathea Freddie, like most Calathea plants, is said to be safe for pets and people, but we always recommend checking with veterinarians and doctors to be sure! Calathea is also known to be air cleaning, so it can help keep your space fresh. Because Calathea plants do require a bit more care than other plants, we recommend them for Plant Parents who have some experience.

Don’t forget to save our Plant Parent Chalkboard image for Calthea Freddie for future quick-reference!

Happy Plant Parenting!

Jun 16
300

Emerald Ripple Pepper

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

Peperomia is arguably one of the most popular groups of plants, and for good reason! They’re easy to take care of and can be placed in many different places throughout an office or home, they’re widely pet safe, and they can even help clean your air!

Peperomia Rosso comes from the Piperaceae family which is, you guessed it, the Pepper family! It is a compact little houseplant that can grow to be about 8 inches wide and high in general. It has similar coloring to many other peperomia (but you definitely still need *all* the peperomia) with its red stems and green leaves with nearly-black dark green grooves. The leaves are textured, giving them a look that’s worth a double-take. The flowers of Peperomia Rosso, like other Peperomia, are more like long spikes than typical petal-bearing flowers. They are generally mostly white and can have some green on the tips of the 2-3 inch spikes.

Water Peperomia Rosso when the soil is mostly dry. You don’t want to let it dry out completely, but too much water can cause root rot to take hold of this plant. If you’re unsure of how moist the soil still is deep down in your pot, try a Moisture Meter. This handy and inexpensive little tool will read the moisture level in your soil to help you find out how wet or dry the bottom is without bothering or unsettling the plant’s roots. It’s also very handy if your plant is in a pot with no drainage. Use caution when watering using this type of pot, and if you add too much water, gently tip the pot to the side (but not so far that the soil or plant start to fall out) to drain as much as you can. With pots that have good drainage though, use the “drench and drain” method to water. Allow the plant to sit under running water for a bit, and then let it sit until all the water has run out of the bottom. You can then replace the plant in its container or on its saucer. Just be sure to never let the plant sit in water to avoid root rot.

As we mentioned previously, placement of Peperomia Rosso is pretty wide open. While they do need light to grow and flourish, fluorescent light will do to satisfy this need. Because it’s pet safe, there’s no need to worry about placing it out of a pet’s reach (unless you’re worried about said pet tipping over your pot!). You’ll want to keep it away from heating vents and doors to avoid drafts, but only where extreme heat or cold is a worry. Peperomia Rosso is happiest in temperatures between 55 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. To add to its easy going nature, Peperomia Rosso doesn’t even have a strict humidity requirement – it can handle typical household humidity.

Because of its ease of care and simple requirements, we think this is a great plant for beginners. It’s also a great plant to gift to someone who may not be familiar with plant care, or have a lot of time to give to caring for the plant. Travelers and busy humans will love this plant!

Jun 10
300

Owl Eye Peperomia

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

Another from the Plant Fan Favorite group, Peperomia, is the Owl Eye Peperomia, also known as Raindrop Peperomia. While many from the peperomia family (Piperaceae, the pepper family) grow to be around 8 inches tall and wide, Owl Eye Peperomia (Peperomia polybotrya) will make a slightly bigger statement with growth up to 12 to 15 inches tall and wide. Another difference can be found in the size and shape of the foliage of Owl Eye Peperomia. The heart shaped leaves are of a waxy texture and bright green color, and have a white “eye” (similar to Pilea Peperomioides) right where the stem meets the leaf. Like many Peperomia, the flowers of Owl Eye are long white spears rather than typical petal type flowers.

Most of the attributes shared by the Peperomia family are the same for Owl Eye Peperomia, which comes originally from Columbia and Peru. This plant is pet safe, cleans the air, likes bright, indirect light and will thrive in fluorescent light, should be allowed to mostly dry in between waterings, and as a result can be placed just about anywhere! It does like a bit of humidity, so a tray filled with pebbles and water for the plant pot to sit on top of, or a humidifier nearby, could be helpful to encourage the plant to thrive. Owl Eye Peperomia will do best with a well-draining soil, such as a peat-based compost or similar.

As with most of our houseplants, water by using the “Drench and Drain” method. When using a pot with good drainage (recommended), allow the pot to sit under streaming water and run through the holes at the bottom. Once you turn off the water, allow all of the excess water to drain out of the bottom of the pot. If your pot does not have good drainage, take proper precautions to not add so much water that the bottom of the plant is sitting in water. If you’re unsure, grab an inexpensive Moisture Meter and use it to determine the level of saturation at the bottom of the pot.

Keep Owl Eye Peperomia away from vents and doors where it will experience extreme heat or cold conditions, and dust the leaves every now and then to help the plant soak up as much light as it can, and to help keep it free of pests. Overall, this plant is very easy to care for and does not require much attention, so we feel it’s a great plant for beginners. It would also make a great gift for aspiring Plant Parents in your life, and for any plant lovers who travel often or don’t have a lot of time to devote to plant care.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Jun 02
300

Purple Shamrock

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

Calling all “black” plant lovers! While plants that appear to be black are actually an incredibly dark purple, they still have an appealing look for those drawn to these non-typical shades of flowers and foliage. Oxalis Triangularis is available in the standard green of typical houseplants, but is made extra special by also being available in the sought after “black” shade. Both colors of plant would require the same type of care we’ll list in this blog.

Oxalis Triangularis, native to Brazil, is a compact little plant, growing to be up to 12 inches tall and 12-24 inches wide. Its foliage is composed of three triangle shaped leaves, and has a whispy quality. The flowers of Oxalis Triangularis are a light lilac purple and shaped like bells. Oxalis Triangularis has another feature of interest – it folds up its leaves and flowers at night! This plant is not pet or people safe, and does not clean the air around it, but we think its special features make up for the lack of these attributes.

Plant Oxalis Triangularis in a well draining pot with well draining soil, and place it where it will get bright, indirect light (and be safe from little paws, both human and animal). As with many houseplants, allow the top inch to dry out before watering (this not only helps to keep the plant from being overwatered, it also helps to cut down on gnats flying around your space). Because it is a plant that grows from a bulb, it will not bode well for the plant if the soil it sits in is over-watered. It is possible for Oxalis Triangularis to go dormant, most often in the summer. If this happens you will see growth slow down and it’s possible that the plant will appear to be in decline. As long as you have been giving the plant proper care, never fear. Just cut back your watering (use a Moisture Meter to measure the level of moisture in the soil) as the plant will be using less water during this stage, and wait for it to spring back to life. Water using the “Drench and Drain” method – allow a stream of water to flow into the soil, then allow all of the water to drain out before you replace the plant in its decorative pot or set the decorative pot back in a drip tray.

Rotate Oxalis Triangularis often to help it grow evenly, as the side that is facing a light source will grow more actively than the side that is not. If the plant appears “leggy” (which means that the leaves are stretched out much further apart on the stems) move the plant into a place with more light. Try to keep this plant away from vents and doors and any other source of extreme heat or cold. In general, Oxalis Triangularis likes temperatures around 55-75 degrees at a somewhat steady rate without any major fluctuations in temperature.

Because this little plant requires somewhat higher levels of care and attention, we rate this plant as being best for intermediate level Plant Parents. It would not be the best plant for first time Plant Parents, or those who travel often or do not have some time they can set aside to care for their plants.

Happy Plant Parenting!

May 25
300

Variegated Rubber Tree

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

A relatively new plant to the scene, the variegated rubber tree, or Ficus Tineke, is making a “splash” with its colorful, watercolor-esque foliage! From the family Moraceae, this plant can grow to be around 2-10 feet tall when grown indoors depending on care and conditions. Its leaves are a pointed oval shape, but the real show is found in the colors of the foliage. The waxy, large, green leaves appear to have been splashed by pink, yellow, and white, and the colors extend even into the center vein of the leaves. These leaves can grow to be up to 12 inches long and 5 inches wide.

While Ficus Tineke does share a family link to Ficus Lyrata (Fiddle Leaf Fig), this particular Ficus is not quite as finicky as the Fiddle Leaf. Ficus Tineke is not pet safe, but it is considered beneficial for cleaning the air indoors. Try to wear gloves if you need to prune your plant, as the milky fluid inside the leaves can irritate skin. Ficus Tineke prefers bright, indirect sunlight, and temperatures above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It can tolerate lower light, but brighter light will bring more of the plant’s signature variegation of colors. Plant Ficus Tineke in a well-draining soil, using a well-draining pot, to help avoid soggy soil at the bottom of the pot.

Water Ficus Tineke after the soil has been allowed to mostly dry out. Use the “Drench and Drain” method to water this plant, as well. Allow a stream of water to flow through the soil, and once the water is turned off, allow any excess water to drain away. If your pot does not have good drainage, use a Moisture Meter and take care when watering to avoid over watering the plant. Ficus Tineke will not tolerate over-watering, so take care to avoid soggy soil. This plant prefers some humidity, so consider a humidifier if you live in a drier area. If you start to see brown crispy edges on the leaves of your plant, this is generally an indication that the plant needs more humidity on its leaves, not that it needs more water in its soil.

Keep Ficus Tineke away from drafts, heating or cooling vents, and doors or windows that are often open. It prefers a steady environment and even temperatures and humidity levels. In general, unlike its cousin, the Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ficus Tineke is fairly easy to care for. For that reason, we feel it’s well suited for the beginner Plant Parent. It may not do as well for those who travel and cannot keep an eye on the plant regularly, but in general care for this plant is relatively easy.

Happy Plant Parenting!

May 18
300

Peperomia Napoli Nights

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

Peperomia Napoli Nights is new to the houseplant scene, and is a combination of Peperomia Peruviana and Peperomia Marmorata. It was patented only two years ago as of this writing – in 2018. Peperomia Napoli Nights’ foliage is greyish green on top and mauve underneath. It does not flower (or rather, we have yet to see it flower), but it is pet safe (again, as far as we know!) and air cleaning like other peperomia. Always take precaution with any plant when it comes to pets and tiny humans!

Also similar to other Peperomia, Napoli Nights likes bright, indirect sunlight to thrive, but it’s tolerant of other levels of light. As a semi-succulent, this plant is prone to root rot and as such should not be overwatered. Water Peperomia Napoli Nights when the top three inches are dry at the earliest. To water Peperomia Napoli Nights, use the Drench and Drain method. Run water over the soil for a few minutes and let it run out the bottom of the pot. Stop the water after a few minutes and let the water drain out of the pot completely before replacing the pot in a secondary pot or on a tray or saucer. Make sure that the plant does not sit in water as this can cause root rot in peperomia as with most houseplants.

Keep Peperomia Napoli Nights away from vents in both summer and winter in order to make sure that it maintains a consistent environment. It will do best in temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees. Peperomia Napoli Nights enjoys a humid environment and as such would do great in a well-lit bathroom (one in which a shower is run often to create steam) or in a window near a kitchen sink. If none of these places are available, a humidifier can be added to the space the plant is occupying to add humidity. The pot can also be placed on a shallow tray filled with pebbles, to which water is added regularly. The water evaporating off of the tray will release humidity into the air around the plant.

Overall, as with most Peperomias, Napoli Nights is relatively easy to take care of and as such is a great plant for beginners looking for a plant that will impress.

Happy Plant Parenting!

May 11
300

String of Bananas

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

Another of the “String Of” succulents group, String of Bananas is a cousin of the previously mentioned String of Dolphins. String of Bananas is native to Africa, and is a fast-growing plant when grown in the right conditions. Both String of Dolphins and String of Bananas are part of the family Asteraceae, and relatives of the Daisy. String of Bananas, or Senecio Radicans, grows in a vining habit and can grow to be around 36 inches in length. The leaves of the String of Banana vine, also referred to as Necklace Plant or String of Fishhooks, look like, well, bananas. They are curved and pointed at both ends, and if you look closely they are just barely striped thanks to sections of the leaf that are partly transparent. As with the String of Dolphins plant, String of Bananas will flower under the right conditions with blooms that resemble other members of the Daisy family, and those flowers are said to have a faint cinnamon scent.

Take caution when placing String of Bananas in the home as they are not pet safe. String of Bananas prefers bright, indirect light. It will survive in lower light, but it will not grow much or flower in such conditions. String of Bananas does great in a hanging pot, or it can be placed in a sitting pot and placed on a high shelf or near a stair railing where the vine can trail over the edge of the stairs. Use a cacti and succulent potting mix, and make sure your pot has good drainage.

Water String of Bananas only when the soil is almost completely dry. Use the Drench and Drain method to water, allowing water to flow over the soil and through the bottom of the pot until it’s gotten a good soaking. Let any excess water drain out of the bottom of the pot before placing it back into a secondary pot or replacing a saucer or tray. Be careful not to over water String of Bananas, as it is susceptible to root rot. If you have to err, err on the side of underwatering. Use a Moisture Meter if you are unsure of the moisture level at the bottom of the pot. If you do add too much water to a pot that has little or no drainage just gently tip the pot sideways to drain some of the water, being careful not to dislodge soil.

String of Bananas is great for beginner Plant Parents or people who travel and are unable to water a plant for weeks at a time. It will make an impressive addition to any Plant Parent’s collection, and will add an exotic touch to decor.

Happy Plant Parenting!

May 04
300

Peperomia Ginny

By | Blog Post | No Comments

You might have seen the Mile Marker boards that parents create for their children – they highlight things like the height, weight, likes, and dislikes of their child at various stages of life. We at Nick’s Garden Center think Plant Parents should have something like this for their Plant Babies as well! Our Plant Parent Chalkboard Photos and blogs will provide you with an overview of what each plant needs in order to “grow up” happy and healthy!

Peperomia Ginny stands out from other peperomia thanks to its beautiful coloring. The foliage of Peperomia Ginny looks almost as if a green leaf has been splattered with pale yellow coloring, and then the edges dipped in neon pink. These stunning colors have inspired other common names like Rainbow Peperomia, Red Edge Peperomia, and Tricolor Peperomia. Like most Peperomia, this plant is very easy to grow and to care for, so it makes a great plant for beginners. Peperomia Ginny, or Peperomia Clusiifolia, grows in an upright habit and will grow to be between 8 and 12 inches in height, making it a somewhat smaller house plant. It has no significant flowers, but offers plenty of color via its brightly colored foliage. Peperomia Ginny is pet safe and is said to be air cleaning, so it’s a great plant for any spot in your space that will get medium to bright indirect light, and maintains a temperature of between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Peperomia Ginny will even be content with artificial sunlight.

Plant Peperomia Ginny in a well-draining pot using a well-draining soil. Water it when the soil has dried out, and avoid over watering to keep root rot at bay. To water this plant, use the Drench and Drain method of soaking the soil with running water, and allowing any excess water to run out of the bottom of the pot before replacing it in a secondary pot or on a tray or saucer. Peperomia Ginny is very susceptible to root rot, so never let it sit in standing water. If you’re not sure whether the soil is completely dry, or to check moisture in a pot that does not have good draining both before and during watering, use a Moisture Meter to test the moisture level at the bottom. If you do happen to add too much water to a pot that doesn’t have drainage, tip the pot gently sideways, being careful to not dislodge the soil or plant and let the excess water run out as much as you can.

Peperomia Ginny is drought tolerant, but it also appreciates an occasional misting. This would make a place in a bathroom with a shower that gets used regularly or near a kitchen sink a great place for this plant as it will benefit from the humidity those sources create. Overall, Peperomia Ginny is a great plant for beginners.

Happy Plant Parenting!