Houseplant Hints

Winter is a great time to enjoy plants indoors! Reduce symptoms of gardening withdrawel and cheer up cold, dreary days with lush foliage or bright blooms.  We have a great selection of houseplants and indoor blooms during January- let us help you find the right choice for your indoor environment and use these tips to keep your plants healthy: 

• Select a plant appropriate for your light conditions.  Southern exposures receive the most light and are the warmest, eastern and western exposures generally receive medium light and northern exposures receive the lowest light and coldest temperatures (even indoors!).

Many houseplants can be damaged by temperatures below 50 degrees.  Keep plants away from chilly drafts as well as excessive heat from vents.

Houseplant roots tend to congregate in the bottom 2/3rds of their containers- this means that even when the top of the soil dries out the bottom half may still be moist and adding additional water could cause problems.  We have found that using a moisture meter when watering houseplants is quite effective, as many houseplant ailments are caused by over or under-watering.

A few simple steps will help prevent insect infestations:  Every once in a while, set houseplants in the tub or shower and hose off leaves and any hidden pests.  Preventative use of an insecticidal soap or a ready-to-use systemic insecticide is helpful.  Proper care and growing conditions are the best ways to prevent infestations.

Winter is also a great time to re-plant houseplants.  Many houseplants prefer to be slightly root-bound, so only re-pot if needed.  Remove smaller plants from pots and study the rootball- if there are excessive roots or roots growing out the bottom of the pot it's probably time to move to a larger one.  Re-plant to a pot about 2 inches larger.

Try something different and consider planting a variety of houseplants together in a container- just make sure they enjoy the same growing conditions (light and water).  Bring your favorite container in (with or without drainage holes) and we will be happy to help you design a beautiful houseplant arrangement!

A little shine goes a long way and a quick spray with Plant-Shine is an easy way to make your houseplants look fresh and healthy! 

Flowering shrubs that bloom after Memorial Day can also be pruned now. This includes crepe myrtles, camellias (after they finish blooming), roses, butterfly bush and summer-blooming spirea.

Evergreen ferns such as autumn, holly and tassle ferns benefit from a late-winter haircut every other year (can be cut to ground). Liriope and

cast-iron plant can also be cut back now. Winter is a good time to shape, limb-up and thin-out deciduous trees, removing suckers, damaged or crossing branches and thick growth that reduces air and light circulation.