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Oct 30
300

Calathea White Fusion

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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!

Fun Fact – there are over 300 different types of Calathea plant! This version, also known as Peacock Plant and Zebra Plant, can grow to be between 12 and 24 inches tall, and 6 and 10 inches wide.A member of the Marantaceae family, Calathea White Fusion is another in the short list of colorful houseplants. With its soft white, lilac, and dark purple marbling it’s a stunning addition to the solid green of most houseplants. It likes medium indirect sunlight, and an all-purpose potting soil with good drainage. Native to Brazil, this beginner level plant likes the same general temperatures as humans do – around 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Calathea White Fusion’s scientific name is Maranta Lietzei. You won’t typically see flowers on the Calathea White Fusion in a household setting, but it does occasionally sprout little white flowers. It is safe for pets, can help clean the air, and even tolerates lower light than other houseplants, making it a very versatile plant with lots of placement options. As with most houseplants, you’ll want to rotate Calathea White Fusion regularly to encourage regular growth and avoid having one side of your plant grow taller and wider than the others.

Because Calathea White Fusion will tolerate lower light, and does better with high humidity, consider putting it in a bathroom with a small window to help up the humidity factor. Calathea White Fusion will even tolerate fluorescent light if you don’t have a window! Of course a humidifier works great too, just keep Calathea White Fusion away from vents and drafts.

Calathea White Fusion can be very sensitive to fluoride in water, so it can be a good idea to water it with distilled or boiled and cooled water, or just let your tap water sit out overnight so that the fluoride can dissipate before you water your plant. As with most houseplants, Calathea White Fusion does not like for its roots to sit in soggy soil (the soggy soil blocks the roots from getting the necessary oxygen, and encourages bacterial growth), so water only when the top inch or so of soil is dry. If your pot has good drainage, just give the plant a good soak until the water runs out of the bottom of the pot, but don’t let a lot of water sit in the tray. If your pot does not have good drainage, you’ll want to take the extra step of checking the moisture level at the bottom of the pot with a Moisture Meter before watering, and be careful of just how much water you give it. Don’t let the soil dry out completely, but take care not to water if the soil at the bottom of the pot is still wet, or on the “wetter” side of “moist” according to your Moisture Meter. Without a drainage hole you’ll need to find that sweet spot of just how much water to give your plant when it is time to water it, but your Moisture Meter will help you determine what that level is.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Oct 25
300

Coin Plant

By | Blog Post, House Plants | 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!

Coin Plant, or as it’s known among those of us who are Houseplant-Obssessed – Pilea peperomioides – is a relatively easy, and very impressive-looking, plant in any space. A member of the Urticaceae family – which actually makes it a cousin of Stinging Nettle! Coin Plant grows mostly in a vertical habit, with stems branching away from the “trunk” and ending in round, umbrella-like leaves. The leaves of Coin Plant are a bright green color and have a waxy texture. They also have a dot in the center of the leaf (below where the stem joins the leaf) several shades lighter than the leaf. Coin Plant does not often flower as a houseplant, but when it does, the flowers are small and white with pink stems.

Coin Plant grows mainly at the foot of the Himalayas in the Yunnan Province in Southern China. It’s also known as UFO Plant, Friendship Plant (because of how easy it is to separate the pups grown by the Coin Plant and give them as gifts), and Pancake Plant. It is believed that a Norwegian missionary named Agnar Espegren carried the plant home with him in the 1940s and shared them with friends and family.

Place Coin Plant in a spot where it will get medium to bright indirect light, and give the leaves a good wipe down every now and then to maximize light absorption and help keep the plant free of pests. Coin Plant will also do well with artificial light, and the leaves will grow bigger in a lower light situation. You can also give the Coin Plant a shower now and then to clean the leaves. Water Coin Plant when the top two inches are dry. The plant will also let you know when it’s low on water with drooping leaves.

Coin Plant is pet safe, but is not known to be air cleaning. Both the soil and the pot that Coin Plant is planted in should be well draining. If your pot does not have a drainage hole, use a Moisture Meter to test the moisture levels at the bottom of the pot. Coin Plant likes the temperature to be around 55 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, but like with most houseplants, keep it away from drafty places like heating vents and doors. Overall Coin Plant is fairly easy to care for, and we would rate it as perfect for beginners.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Oct 20
300

African Violet

By | Blog Post, House Plants, House Plants Beginner | 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!

Not many houseplants promise flowers indoors, but African Violet does just that! Along with its fuzzy, rounded leaves, African Violet flowers and small size make it ideal for adding color and texture to your space. While African Violet (Saintpaulia) is not actually a violet but instead a member of the Gesneriaceae family, its flowers can be found in shades of blue, purple, and pink, and occasionally red and white, hence its comparison to the violet. Most often the foliage is a rich green, but sometimes you can find a rare variegated African Violet with white leaves. To keep African Violet look its best can require some extra effort, but in general they are not difficult plants – we rate them at an intermediate level.

African Violet has some very specific wants. When watering African Violet, you’ll want to use distilled water for water that has been left out for 48 hours. This helps to avoid watering African Violet with cold and chlorinated water, neither of which African Violet likes. Water African Violet under the leaves and avoid splashing water onto the leaves. While most plants prefer to be watered after the top inch or two of soil has dried, African Violet wants to stay watered. But, never soggy. (See what we mean, it’s got a very specific list of demands!) Keep the soil at the top of the plant moist, but never let the bottom of the plant sit in water. Pots that drain well but will retain moisture are great for African Violets. African Violet likes a cozy pot and will bloom best when root bound, so take your time when it comes to repotting. Pinching off spent blooms will help the plant to bloom more, as well. It’s also important to use the right soil – go with a mix specific to African Violets to get the most out of your plant.

African Violet wants medium to bright indirect light. As with most houseplants, too much light can cause leaf burn spots, so keep an eye out. Don’t have a lot of natural light? African Violet will tolerate fluorescent light as a substitute for natural sunlight. Because African Violet doesn’t grow to be very large, it’s a great plant for window sills and desks. Generally they will only grow to be between 8 and 16 inches across. They’re also pet-safe so placement doesn’t have to depend on keeping them out of reach. These air purifiers like a somewhat humid environment, so consider placing a humidifier nearby. You can also place the pot on or near a tray of pebbles filled with water to add some humidity to your African Violet’s home. The evaporation will create a slight humidity that can be beneficial in a dry climate. Keep African Violet at a temperature between 65 and 75 degrees, but take care to avoid vents and drafts. Winter heat will dry African Violet out faster, and summer air conditioning can cause the plant to become too cold.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Oct 13
300

Birkin

By | Blog Post, House Plants, House Plants Beginner | 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!

Birkin is a newcomer to the houseplant scene! With its light in color and fine stripes running along its bright green leaves, Birkin is the Pinstripe Suit of the plant world. As Birkin is a new discovery, not many definite characteristics are known about it.

Here’s what we do know:

  • We know that this philodendron member of the araceae family is more slow growing than some of its family members.

  • It grows in a vertical direction, with leaves extending out, but not far from the plant.

  • It is not pet safe, but is thought to be air cleaning.

  • Birkin’s signature stripes grow to be more prevalent as the leaves mature.

  • It may produce flowering spathes, but few have been recorded.

  • Birkin prefers medium to bright indirect sunlight. It likes humidity but will tolerate a dry climate, and prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

  • Like Philodendron Hope, this is a non-vining philodendron.

  • Use a soil and a pot that are well draining. Because Birkin is slow-growing, it will be a while before you have to re-pot.

  • As with other houseplants, Birkin will benefit from having its leaves dusted now and then.

  • Birkin is a great plant for beginners who want something unique to add to their growing collection!

Birkin is related to the Red Congo Philodendron. As a result of this relation, you may see your BIrkin begin to develop red spots or leaves, and it could eventually morph back into its Red Congo coloring. This isn’t due to poor care, but instead just a natural possibility for this very interesting plant. Typically this change occurs near the topmost part of the plant, and it may be possible to stop the change by clipping away the part that is beginning to change.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Oct 06
300

String of Hearts

By | Blog Post, House Plants, House Plants Beginner | 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!

“String of” plants are some of the most fun and easy plants to grow – as long as you give them plenty of neglect! These plants are considered to be “semi succulents,” as they store some of their water in their “leaves,” but they also have a rhizomatous root system that also stores water. For this reason, these “String of” plants need very little water. As with most succulents, you want to let the soil dry out between watering, and you can also use the “leaves” as a guide. If they are firm, that means they are full of water and not in need of any extra. If they have become a little squishy, and the soil is dry, they are ready for a drink. Just water the plant until water begins to seep out the bottom of the pot. If your pot does not have a drainage hole, take extra care when watering, and err on the side of too little water. Succulents and Semi Succulents are very susceptible to root rot, which is caused by over watering.

The scientific name of String of Hearts is Ceropegia woodii, and it belongs to the Apocynaceae family. Its claim to fame is its thick heart shaped leaves. They are medium green in color, with light sage green veins running artfully through the surface. A rare flowering houseplant, String of Hearts’ flowers are tiny, pink, and shaped like trumpets, and have curios looking dark purple (and fuzzy!) fingers reaching out from the center. String of Hearts will flower around Spring and Summer under the right conditions. String of Hearts grows in a trailing habit and can grow to be up to 12 feet long in its natural habitat in South Africa, but as a houseplant it can be expected to grow to at least 2 feet in length. Pet safe and somewhat air cleaning, String of Hearts is a friend to all. Give it a place in indirect but bright sun that is warm (between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit), and keep it away from drafts and vents. If you notice that the “hearts” are spacing themselves out further and further, and are growing lighter in color, it’s a good indication that they may need more light.

Use a hanging pot, or place a non-hanging pot on a high shelf or stair. It’s not necessary to repot String of Hearts upon purchase, but when the time does come, use a cactus and succulent soil mix. As mentioned about, plant String of Hearts in a pot that has good drainage. If you’ve read many of our other Plant Parent blogs, you know all about Moisture Meters. But if you haven’t, a Moisture Meter is key for pots that do not have good drainage. Remember that you can gauge the water needs of succulents by testing the leaves to see if they are strong or if they give when gently pinched between the fingers, but a moisture meter can help you make sure there’s not excess water in the bottom of the pot.

String of Hearts, also known as Chain of Hearts, Rosary Vine, or Sweetheart Vine is closely related to the Hoya plant, and is very easy to care for. We’re rating it as a great option for beginners. It’s also great for travelers who can’t always water their plants often.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Sep 29
300

ZZ Plant

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!

With a name like Zamioculcas Zemifolia, it’s no wonder this plant’s name was shortened to ZZ! If you’re looking for your very first ever houseplant, ZZ Plant is for you. This plant is extremely easy to take care of and can survive in many different conditions. Plus it has a stunning look! Its dark green, pointed, shiny leaves are quite impressive to behold. A member of the family Araceae (Monstera plants also belong to this family), the ZZ Plant is also known as Zanzibar Gem, ZuZu Plant, Aroid Palm, and Emerald Palm.

ZZ Plant is drought-tolerant, and will actually prefer infrequent watering. It’s semi-succulent, and has a Rhizomatous root system. This means that the roots have little bulbs that store water for use long after the soil has dried up. Typically you should only have to water ZZ once a month. Make sure the soil has completely dried out (we love a Moisture Meter for testing soil moisture levels) before watering, then give the plant a good soak until water runs out the drainage hole. If your pot does not have a drainage hole, you’ll want to take extra care to make sure you don’t over-water the plant.

ZZ Plant is not picky about where it lives. It can tolerate most any light conditions, from low to bright (but always indirect), and this makes it a great plant for those spots in your home or office that are darker than other house plants will tolerate. Make sure to keep it away from your furry friends and children, though, because ZZ Plants leaves are poisonous if ingested. The leaves could potentially cause skin irritation to some as well, so give those hands a good wash after handling them. The good news is that ZZ Plant is considered to be an air cleaning plant, so it’s going to be helpful, but from a high shelf, if you have little or four-legged ones living in your space. Another benefit of ZZ Plants leaves is that they are so shiny that, when kept dusted, they can help to reflect a little extra light into those darker corners of your space! Rotate and ZZ Plant now and again to ensure uniform growth. Typically, ZZ Plant will grow to be about two to three feet tall, and remains somewhat vertical in its growth without spreading too much. However, If ZZ Plant’s growth starts to get too big for its space, just give it a little trim. This tough little plant will take no issue with a quick pruning.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Sep 29
300

Triostar Stromanthe

By | Blog Post, House Plants, House Plants Beginner, Medium Sunlight | 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!

Triostar Stromanthe, also known as Tricolor Stromanthe, is one of the few colorful houseplants, as the name suggests! Its green leaves are streaked with pinks both dark and light, and white. The underside of the leaves are usually a magenta color, which helps the plant to absorb sunlight more efficiently. For that reason, you’ll often notice your leaves turning their undersides to face the sunlight! Fun fact – it will fold its leaves up at night! This member of the Marantaceae family (the “Prayer Plant” family) comes from the Brazilian jungle, and for that reason, it prefers high humidity. Triostar will tell you if it’s not getting enough humidity with brown, crispy leaf tips and edges. A warm, bright, steamy bathroom window is a great place for Triostar, but having a humidifier nearby is another option to keep it from drying out.

Triostar will usually grow to be around two to three feet high and one to two feet across. This colorful little plant is both pet safe and air cleaning, so the only restrictions for placement of Triostar would be light and moisture – plenty of humidity and medium to bright indirect light. Temperature shouldn’t be an issue either as Triostar likes the same temperatures as most of us humans, between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn Triostar a quarter turn every now and then to make sure it grows evenly. You can plan to turn once a week, or just take notice when you see it beginning to grow more on one side. Do take care to keep it away from drafts and vents. Water Triostar when the top inch of soil has dried out, but make sure it never dries out completely. You’ll want to make sure it has both well draining soil and pot. As always, we recommend a moisture meter for any pots that do not have drainage. Soil can seem dry at the top, but still be wet at the bottom when no drainage hole is present, and soggy roots can kill many plants, including Triostar.

Don’t be alarmed if you see a few leaves dying every now and then on Triostar. It’s normal to lose a leave or two every now and then. However if the leaves have brown spots on them (actual round spots), or are brown around the edges, you’ll want to make some changes. Round spots mean the sunlight the plant is getting is too strong, so move it into a place with more indirect exposure. As previously mentioned, those crispy edges mean the plant is in need of more humidity. With the right spot and some humidity and/or misting, this colorful little plant is very low-maintenance and perfectly suitable for a beginner Houseplant Parent.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Sep 29
300

Rex Begonia

By | Blog Post, House Plants, House Plants Intermediate, Medium Sunlight | 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!

Begonias are catching up quickly to plants like Monsteras and Fiddle Leaf Figs as favorite house plants. This is due in large part to the Rex Begonia and the Polka Dot Begonia. This blog will cover the Rex Begonia, and you can find information about the Polka Dot Begonia in the house plant section of our website.

Rex Begonia, known to the scientific community as “Begonia rex-cultorum,” generally has large, arrowhead shaped foliage, and is a member of the Begoniaceae family. You may also hear Rex Begonia referred to as Painted-leaf Begonia or Fancy-leaf Begonia. What makes Rex extra special is that it is available as many different hybrids. Some popular varieties of Rex Begonia are the Escargot with its snail-shell-swirled coloring, Shadow King with its almost-white outer edges and darker inner leaf, and Salsa which starts in the center with a watermelon red color, has a middle the color of watermelon rind, and a rim of dark green (maybe we should rename it Watermelon Rex Begonia?).

Most commercially sold Rex Begonias are native to Eastern Asia with “roots” in Northeastern India, Southern China, and Vietnam. Most varieties of Rex Begonia will have flowers similar to garden-variety begonias – shaped like a rounded fan that opens up to display a little yellow center – but they are not avid bloomers. For this reason, they will do well with artificial light, such as a grow lamp. They can be somewhat picky when it comes to watering, and for this reason we have rated Rex Begonia as a houseplant best for those with intermediate houseplant experience. The good news is that Rex will, as with many plants both indoor and outdoor, let you know when it’s running too low on water. It gets a bit dramatic and droops its leaves to let you know it’s thirsty. To keep the drama at a low (because we all need less drama in our lives wherever possible), water Rex when the top inch or so of soil in the pot is dry to the touch. Rex does not like to have its leaves misted directly as this can lead to powdery mildew, but it would benefit from a nearby humidifier in dry climates.

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If you have your eye on a pot that’s a little more shallow than others, Rex might be a good option as a resident. Use a somewhat porous soil that will drain easily, and be sure not to overwater. Pots that have good drainage can be watered just until the water starts to run out of the bottom, but don’t let a lot of water stand in the tray (some is okay, as it will evaporate). If your pot does not have good drainage, be extra careful to not over-water as the dramatic nature of Rex will become dire if over-watered. If you don’t have a drainage hole in your pot, put down a layer of rocks in the bottom of the pot before you plant. To keep Rex in good spirits, use a moisture meter to determine the saturation level of the soil at the bottom and middle of the pot.

Rex is neither pet safe nor air cleaning, but is definitely worth it (if you can keep it away from your four-legged friends) for the rare pops of color that the many varieties of this houseplant can bring to the mostly-green indoor plant family. Place Rex where it can get plenty of bright, indirect sun, and keep it in a place that’s safe from drafts and vents, and will be at a steady temperature between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the right conditions, Rex will grow in a mounding habit to be between 12 and 18 inches high and wide, making it a great plant for smaller spaces.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Sep 22
300

Polka Dot Begonia

By | Blog Post, House Plants, House Plants Beginner, Medium Sunlight | 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!

Polka Dot Begonia, also known as Trout Begonia, Clown Begonia, and Spotted begonia is the common name for Begonia Maculata – a showy houseplant belonging to the family Begoniaceae. Polka Dot Begonia can reach heights of up to five feet, and has a vertical growth habit. Its leaves are a deep olive color with bright white and somewhat uniform spots. They are a narrow arrowhead shape, and have burgundy undersides.

In the right conditions, Polka Dot Begonia will produce small flowers similar in shape to other begonia plants. They are a white rounded fan shape with a small yellow center. Polka Dot Begonia are not pet safe (and can be harmful to humans if ingested, as well), but the good news is that they are air purifying. They prefer bright, indirect or dappled sunlight, and like to stay relatively moist compared to most houseplants – let only the top half inch or so of soil dry out.

Polka Dot Begonia may seem picky, but once you get it settled into a good place with light and water (and away from heat and AC vents), it is relatively easy to care for. For this reason, we’re rating this houseplant as suitable for beginners. Like most houseplants, Polka Dot Begonia likes temperatures similar to human-preferred temperatures – between 65 and 75 degrees, but no higher than 85 degrees. Keep temperatures even with minimal fluctuation to keep houseplants happy.

Polka Dot Begonia can tolerate higher levels of light, but be prepared for accelerated growth with more frequent waterings and fertilizer. If you notice a loss of color in the leaves followed by yellowing and ultimately the loss of the leaf, try moving it into more sun. Yellow leaves are also a common sign of overwatering, so make sure your plant is not sitting in water. Moisture Meters are a great way to test the bottom of the pot to make sure it’s not saturated (which can cause root rot in most houseplants). Crispy, brown spots on the leaves can indicate that the plant is getting too much sun.

Overall Polka Dot Begonia is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that brings a rare pop of color and flowers into your home.

Happy Plant Parenting!

Sep 15
300

Philodendron Hope

By | Blog Post, House Plants, House Plants Beginner | 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!

Philodendron Hope Selloum could be called “Frill-odendron Hope” due to its frilly ruffle-shaped leaves! The scientific name of Philo Hope is “Philodendron bipinnatifidum,” and it belongs to the Aracae family. This beginner-level house plant is native to the tropical regions of South America. While it may start out small and fit in a sunny corner, it can grow to be up to five feet tall – and wide! The leaves alone can grow to be up to three feet in size. While this plant has been known to flower, even when planted outdoors in its natural habitat, flowers will not bloom until the plant is between 15 and 20 years old. But, Philo Hope definitely makes up for its lack of flowers with stunning foliage.

To keep the foliage of this philodendron in their dark, shiny state, wait until the top two inches of soil are dry to the touch before watering. The leaves of this philodendron, also known as the Tree Philodendron, can be trained to grow upward instead of outward by using stakes. Fun Fact – these leaves, when cut as one might cut a flower to bring it inside, can survive for months at a time in a vase filled with water!

The roots, on the other hand, do not want to sit in water. To avoid problems with over-watering, select a pot that drains well. If your pot has no drainage, put a layer of rocks into the bottom of the pot to keep the roots from sitting in water. It’s also a good idea to invest (usually less than $20) in a Moisture Meter. This tool can be used in any soil – indoor, outdoor, raised beds, pots, and even directly in the ground. A Moisture Meter really is the most accurate way to determine the moisture level of soil in any location, and at any depth. For your Philo Hope, use a soil that is rich and will retain moisture (but never let your soil stay soggy!).

Philo Hope is said to help clean the air in your home, but keep your furry friends away from the plant if they are chewers. Philo Hope is not dangerous unless pets ingest it, but better to be safe than sorry for our four legged friends. If Philo Hope is right for your home, put it in a spot that gets plenty of sun that is dappled or indirect, and is not near heat or air conditioning vents. Philo Hope likes temperatures similar to those we humans prefer – between 65 and 75 degrees is ideal. If you want to go a little farther, keep your Philo Hope near a humidifier. As with other houseplants, be sure to dust the leaves from time to time using a damp cloth. Keeping the leaves clean will help keep pests like spider mites away and will also help the plant to absorb more sun.

Happy Plant Parenting!