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.
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!
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!
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!
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!
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:
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We know that this philodendron member of the araceae family is more slow growing than some of its family members.
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It grows in a vertical direction, with leaves extending out, but not far from the plant.
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It is not pet safe, but is thought to be air cleaning.
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Birkin’s signature stripes grow to be more prevalent as the leaves mature.
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It may produce flowering spathes, but few have been recorded.
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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.
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Like Philodendron Hope, this is a non-vining philodendron.
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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.
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As with other houseplants, Birkin will benefit from having its leaves dusted now and then.
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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!
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!
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!
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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