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!
Sansevieria Samurai is an easy to grow succulent that asks little and takes up little space. What makes this plant special is the way its spiked leaves grow in a spiraling fan-shaped manner. While most Sansevieria (think of plants you might know as “Mother in Law’s Tongue” or “Snake Plant”) grow with their thin, sword shaped leaves pointing up to the sky, this particular Sansevieria has thicker and shorter leaves that grow out toward the edges of the pot, and stack on top of each other. From the top they look like a spiral, and from the top they look like a fan.
Sansevieria Samurai is a member of the Asparagaceae family. It typically will grow to be around six inches tall. This plant is not pet safe, so keep it out of reach of pets and other little ones who might like to chew on things. Sansevierias are known to be plants that clean the air around them, so it’s a great plant to keep around for fresher air indoors. Plant Sansevieria Samurai in Cactus and Succulent soil, and put it in a spot where it will get bright indirect light.
They like to be kept in temperature between 60 and 80 degrees, and while they like humidity, they don’t require it. Keep Sansevieria Samurai in a place free from drafts and vents. Wait until the soil has dried out to water Sansevieria Samurai. Any pot will do, but make sure it’s well draining. Succulents are known for being especially susceptible to root rot if they are left in soggy soil, or if their pots are left in trays or saucers with standing water. Watch for leaves that become brown and soggy as this could indicate that root rot has taken hold. If your pot doesn’t have drainage holes, use a Moisture Meter to test the moisture levels at the bottom of the pot both before and during watering in order to avoid overwatering. If you do happen to add too much water, carefully tip the pot sideways and allow the excess water to drain away. Just take care with the soil and the plant as they can both easily become dislodged. Succulents have small root systems and are unable to hold onto the soil and stay in the pot as well as plants with bigger roots systems.
Overall, Sansevieria Samurai’s requirements are perfect for beginners but still have the look of a plant kept by a seasoned Plant Parent.
Happy Plant Parenting!
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!
String of Dolphins might be the cutest succulent in existence. This plant, whose scientific name is Senecio peregrinus, has leaves that are shaped like little dolphins leaping out of the water. These little dolphins grow on trailing vines like other “String of” plants such as hearts, bananas, turtles, pearls, etc. String of Dolphins is actually bred from the cross-pollination of Senecio Rowleyanus (String of Pearls) and Senecio Articulatus (hot dog cactus)These vines can grow to be around three feet long, and look wonderful spilling out of a hanging basket or trickling down over bookshelves or the edge of a stair rail. Part of the Asteraceae family, the flowers that grow from String of Dolphin plants (when the plants are very happy and in just the right conditions) are daisy-ish and are said to smell like cinnamon.
While most succulents rarely need water and like as much light as possible, String of Dolphins does better in medium indirect light, and needs water a bit more often than its cousins. String of Dolphins can, in fact, develop a sunburn in too much sun. The good news is that they are tolerant of artificial light as well as medium indirect sunlight, which allows them to be placed in a better variety of places within the home or office than some houseplants. Just keep in mind that String of Dolphins is not pet safe, so you’ll want to keep this plant away from pets and small children (and anyone who likes to chew on things).
When watering String of Dolphins, use the “Drench and Drain” method. Give them a nice long drink by allowing the water to run over the soil (use Cactus and Succulent soil for String of Dolphins) for a few minutes, and then allow excess water to run out the bottom of the pot. You’ll want to let the soil dry out completely, but you can use the “squish test” to determine just how thirsty your Dolphins are. Since succulents hold their moisture in their leaves, they will be nice and firm when they’re full of water, and get a little squishy when they need a refill. However, if they become brown and squishy, that could be indicative of root rot setting in.
Follow these instructions and keep String of Dolphins in temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees, and even our beginner Plant Parents should have few if any issues with String of Dolphins.
Happy Plant Parenting!
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!
Unlike other Peperomia plants, Peperomia Hope grows in a trailing habit, earning it the nickname “Trailing Jade.” It’s a fairly easy plant to grow. It is a succulent and as such has some specific watering requirements, but they are simple requirements to follow.
Peperomia Hope is a combination of two different Peperomia plants, earning it the name Peperomia deppeana×quadrifolia. This plant comes from Central and South America, and prefers higher levels of water and humidity. Because the plant is a succulent and as such prone to root rot, it’s important to find a balance when watering. The recommended watering method is actually quite simple: keep the soil relatively moist in Summer and Spring (during the grown period), and allow it to dry out between waterings in the Fall and Summer. As the plant grows, it will use more water more frequently, and during the winter the growing season will end and the plant will rest and use less water than it did during the previous seasons.
Its thick foliage grows on a long trailing vine, and is coin shaped and bright green with faint light green stripes. Peperomia Hope will not flower, but its attractive foliage makes up for the lack of flowers. Like other trailing vines, it can be trained up walls, across ceilings, or around stair rails. The young vines will first grow up, and then with time, flop over and begin to trail.
Water Peperomia Hope using the “Drench and Drain” method – allow water to run over the soil for a few minutes and then allow any remaining water to drain from the bottom of the pot. If your pot does not have drainage holes in the bottom, take care when watering and use a Moisture Meter before and during watering to assess the level of moisture at the bottom of the pot. If you add too much water, gently tip the pot on its side and allow as much excess water as possibly to run out without disturbing the plant or the soil. Peperomia Hope will let you know early on if it is getting too much water by developing scab like growths on its leaves.
Peperomia Hope will do best in low to medium indirect light, and is even tolerant of artificial light. It is both pet safe, and said to be air cleaning. All of these factors make Peperomia Hope the perfect plant for those darker places in your home or office that are in reach of tiny humans or pets that have a tendency to want to sample the flavor of houseplants. Peperomia Hope thrives when rootbound, so you won’t need to worry about repotting this one for a while.
Because it is believed to be good luck, and due to the ease of care, we rate this plant as being perfect for beginner Plant Parents, and also as a great plant for gifting.
Happy Plant Parenting!
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!
Staghorn Fern is named after its regal foliage. Light green and somewhat fuzzy near the base of the plant, this fern can grow to enormous sizes in its natural habitat. The leaves on a fern are called “Fronds.” The upper fronds of the Staghorn Fern are large and resemble antlers (hence the name!). The lower fronds wrapping near the base of the plant carry fuzzy spores. Take care not remove these lower fronds or their fuzz. The lower part of the plant is covered by fronds referred to as “Shield Fronds” which wrap around the base of the plant and serve as protection and gather up nutrients to feed the plant. Don’t worry if your Shield Frond turns brown and don’t remove the Shield Frond, green or brown.
Rather than growing in soil, these plants are Epiphytic and grow on other plants or trees in their natural environment. Like mushrooms, epiphytic plants have spores that they release into the air. These spores then find homes on other plants and trees and develop into new plants. Staghorn Fern, or Platycerium bifurcatum, can be placed in soil if it’s very well draining, but ultimately mounting a Staghorn Fern keeps it closest to its natural state, and also helps avoid overwatering. To water this member of the Polypodiaceae family, either mist the plant with water on top and underneath, or soak in a basin of water, or allow a shower head to run over the plant. The key is to make sure the roots are getting saturated. Water Staghorn Fernonce a week during the Summer, and every 3-4 weeks during Winter. Staghorn Fern does prefer humidity, so keep it in a bathroom that is well lit (it needs bright, indirect light), or use a humidifier to add moisture.
Staghorn Fern is pet friendly, and is said to help clean the air. It prefers temperatures between 50 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. A stunning addition to any plant collection, Staghorn Fern is a beautiful plant that can be finicky. For that reason, we rate Staghorn Fern as an intermediate plant for Plant Parents.
Happy Plant Parenting!
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!
Spider Plant gets its common name from its wispy, long, and cascading foliage. It’s official name is Chlorophytum comosum, and it belongs to the Asparagaceae family. It’s also commonly known as Ribbon Plant, Airplane Plant, or Spider Ivy. A native to tropical environments, Spider Plants like humidity and will perform best with a little added moisture here in Colorado. If your Spider Plant has brown edges or tips on its leaves, it could be a sign that the plant needs more water. Spider Plant is sensitive to fluoride in our water (it can cause a salt buildup in the soil), and brown tips could also be an indication that it’s getting too much of that fluoride. Leave water out for 48 hours to allow the fluoride to dissipate, or use distilled or rain water. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings, then give Spider Plant a nice long drink, allowing the water to run through the drainage holes at the bottom of your pot. If your pot does not have drainage holes, take care when watering, and use a Moisture Meter to determine the moisture level at the bottom of the pot before watering.
Spider Plant is known for a couple of characteristics – one of which is its trailing stems that end with “pups,” or baby Spider Plants. These pups can be removed and planted to grow a virtually never-ending supply of Spider Plants! It’s also known for its air purifying qualities and can help remove harmful elements in the air in your home. Spider Plant is pet safe, so no need to worry if your four-legged friend has a nibble. Spider Plant prefers bright, indirect sunlight, and likes temperatures to be between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. As with most houseplants, keep Spider Plant safe from drafts, vents, doorways, etc. in order to keep its environment as consistent as possible.
Plant Spider Plant in a hanging pot with well-draining soil, or place a non-hanging pot on a tall bookcase or stair to take advantage of its cascading leaves and trailing stems. These stems can sometimes produce small white flowers for an added decorative effect. Spider Plant does best when slightly rootbound, so don’t put it in a pot much bigger than its roots. Overall, Spider Plant is a very easy plant to care for and a great option for those just beginning to learn about caring for houseplants, or those with a busy schedule.
Happy Plant Parenting!
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!
Rattlesnake plant (Calathea Lancifolia) is one of the many Calathea plants available. Like its cousins, Rattlesnake plant has long and low growing oval-shaped leaves with unique and attractive markings. The leaves of Rattlesnake Plant are bright green with dark green spots and have the purple underside that Calathea are known for. Unique to Rattlesnake Plant though are the wavy edges of the leaves that give the plant its trademark look. While it is known to flower, typically Calathea will not flower as an indoor houseplant. You can expect Rattlesnake Plant to grow to about 2 feet in a mounding shape, with most of that space being taken up horizontally.
Rattlesnake Plant is both pet safe and known to be an air-cleaning plant! It will want light that is medium to bright in intensity and is indirect. Use an African Violet soil (or similar) with Rattlesnake plant, and make sure your pot has good drainage. If you are set on a pot that does not have a drainage hole in the bottom, use a Moisture Meter to test the moisture level at the bottom of the pot before watering. Like most Calathea, Rattlesnake Plant will begin to droop if it’s in dire need of water, but it’s best to avoid reaching that point. In general, water Rattlesnake Plant when the soil on top is dry about once below the surface. Just give it a good soak until the water runs out of the bottom of the plant. Be sure to avoid letting the pot sit in a tray of water to avoid root rot. Rattlesnake Plant can be sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water, so use water that has been left out for a few days (so that the chemicals evaporate), or use distilled or boiled and cooled water to give the plant a drink.
Rattlesnake Plant likes higher humidity habitats, so if you live in a dry climate, try different methods of adding humidity to the air near the plant such as placing a humidifier nearby, placing the pot on top of a tray full of pebbles and water, or keeping your Rattlesnake Plant in a well-lit bathroom. You will notice that Rattlesnake plant will fold up its leaves at night like other Calathea plants, and you may also notice brown tips on the plant occasionally. If you see brown around the edges, just try to get a little more humidity to the plant, and carefully trim away the brown places. Wipe the leaves down occasionally to help the leaves absorb as much light as possible, and to help keep the plant free of pests. Keep Rattlesnake Plant away from vents, doors, and windows where a sudden temperature change may occur, and try to keep it in temperatures that fall between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Follow these tips and even our beginner Houseplant Parents should be able to enjoy healthy and vibrant Rattlesnake Plants in their spaces!
Happy Plant Parenting!
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!
Ponytail Palm, also known as Bottle Palm Tree or Elephant Foot Tree, is another houseplant whose common name is based on what the plant looks like, but is actually a misnomer! Ponytail Palm – a member of the Asparagaceae family, is neither a palm or a tree – it’s actually a succulent! Known as Beaucarnea recurvata (though formerly known as Nolina recurvata) in its official capacity, Ponytail Palm does look like a tiny palm tree, but it’s actually storing its water in that “trunk” like other succulents store water in their thick “leaves.” This little “trunk” can grow to be up to four feet tall, and long, thin leaves will sprout out of the top of the plant in the shape of a ponytail. These little leaves are sensitive to injury, so you may see brown tips from time to time. Just trim these off, but only cut off the discolored spots.
Because Ponytail Palm stores its water in this little “trunk,” you won’t need to water it often. Allow the soil to get very dry, and then wait even longer to water! Try watering once a month(pro tip – have a set “Water Day” for your plants depending on how often they need water so that you never again wonder when you last watered!). Just give the plant a good soak so that the water runs out of the bottom of the pot. If your pot does not have drainage, use extra caution when water to make sure the plant does not sit in soggy soil, as this can cause root rot.
Ponytail Palm will not flower indoors, but it is both pet safe and air cleaning! When it comes to light, Ponytail Palm has some interesting options. In general, it likes bright, indirect light like most houseplants. But if you’re able to put it in direct sunlight outside in the warmer half of the year, you can actually place Ponytail Palm in any lighting conditions indoors for the rest of the year! Think of it as the Alaska of the houseplant world where lighting is concerned.
When potting your Ponytail Palm, use a well-draining substrate that will dry out well after watering – remember, the plant will store its water in its “trunk” rather than take it from the soil between waterings. Succulent soil is a great option. You’ll want a pot that has good drainage to avoid root rot, but if your heart is set on a pot that doesn’t have any drainage, take care when watering and use a Moisture Meter to determine the level of moisture at the bottom of the pot. Keep Ponytail Palm in a place where temperatures range between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, keep it away from drafts and windows and vents, and even a beginner should have an easy time with this little succulent!
Happy Plant Parenting!
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!
Orchids may be the most showy and eye-catching plant in the houseplant world. It’s also the plant that inspires the most trepidation in collectors. While orchids can be finicky and don’t follow all of the normal rules, they’re not terribly difficult to cafe for once you know the rules it does follow. A member of the Orchidaceae, Moth Orchid (“Phalaenopsis”), can grow to be up to 3 feet tall. Moth Orchid’s leave grow in a fan shape that stays low and stretches out away from the base of the plant. You’ll also see roots and shoots creeping out near the base of the plant. You’ll find many color variations among various Moth Orchid plants, usually in shades of pink, yellow, purple, and white. The petals are rounded and arranged in a somewhat face-shaped fashion. Moth Orchid blooms, which can number up to 20 blooms on a single stem, can last for months at a time in the right conditions!
Moth Orchid is both pet-safe and air cleaning! Moth Orchid prefers bright, indirect sunlight like most houseplants. If your Moth Orchid is well cared for and not flowering, it probably needs more sunlight. Unlike most houseplants, it does not want any water kept in its substrate – which should be made of bark or sphagnum moss. To water Moth Orchid, place it under running water in a sink or under a running shower. Allow room temperature water – nighter hot nor cold – to run over the plant and through the substrate. Let around a gallon run through the substrate. You can also give the plant a nice long drink in a pot and drain all remaining water out after it sits for 15 minutes or so. Moth Orchid prefers a humid atmosphere, so it will benefit from a humidifier, resting the pot on a tray of pebbles filled with water, or a daily spritz. After watering, always tip the plant to let the water run off of the flowers and out of the base of the leaves. Water Moth Orchid again when the substrate is dry (some growers suggest they’ve had the best success with waiting until the exposed roots take on a silvery appearance).
Moth Orchids will actually do best when there is a temperature change of at least 15 degrees between night and day. Keeping a Moth Orchid close to a window can help achieve this change as the sun from the window (and lack thereof) heats and cools the space immediately occupied by the plant. Once all of the blooms from a single spike (Moth Orchid is a monopodial orchid, meaning the flowers grow from one single spike) have bloomed, trim that spike to just above a node (it’s what you might call a “knuckle” on the flowering spike) to encourage a new flowering stem to grow. While Moth Orchid may be a little more difficult than some houseplants, it’s by no means the most difficult to grow. For this reason, we’re calling it an intermediate level plant, and sending our readers a big “You got this!”.
Happy Plant Parenting!
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 first thing to know about Lucky Bamboo is that it’s not Bamboo! A member of the Asparagaceae, Lucky Bamboo, or dracaena sanderiana, is an incredibly easy plant to care for. You may see Lucky Bamboo marketed as a gift, and that’s partly due to the belief that Lucky Bamboo is factors into proper Feng Shui, and is extra lucky if it’s received as a gift. It’s also a great gift because of the wide range of places Lucky Bamboo can happily live in. Lucky Bamboo likes to live in bright, indirect light, but will get a sunburn if it gets too much light. It’s also tolerant of low light and a wide range of temperatures (65 to 95 Fahrenheit), and so will do quite well on a desk or a shelf. Lucky Bamboo will tell you if it needs more light by “stretching” as it grows, much like a leggy succulent or herb. Lucky Bamboo is not pet safe, so make sure you keep it away from furry friends (it’s also mildly toxic to humans, so keep it out of reach of little human hands too!).
Lucky Bamboo can grow to be around 3 feet in height in optimal conditions. As one might infer due to its family name, Lucky Bamboo resembles asparagus in appearance – it has a thick stalk and grows light but bushy leaves near the top of that stalk. Like most houseplants, it’s not likely to bloom as a houseplant, but when Lucky Bamboo does bloom, its white flowers have a spidery and delicate shape. One thing that sets Lucky Bamboo apart from most houseplants is the fact that it does not need soil. In fact, it prefers living in water in a simple vase with some pebbles at the bottom for support. Keep at least an inch of water in the bottom of the vessel, and change that water one a week. When you water, make sure to let the water sit out for a few days in order to let the chlorine evaporate as Lucky Bamboo is very sensitive to our chlorinated water. You can also use distilled water, or boiled water that has cooled.
You’ll know your lucky bamboo is happy when you see red roots growing near the bottom of the stalk. Lucky Bamboo will grow towards light, so rotate it often if you want a straighter stalk, or get creative and use that reach to help the plant grow in fun shapes. Lucky Bamboo is a great plant for beginners, especially those just starting out since there’s little chance for error when it comes to watering.
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