Plant Care

Here's some basics to know for your plants

Watering

Each plant species has its own requirements, and we recommend researching the plant by species for specific information about your plant. Generally, the plants available here want to be watered thoroughly and repeated once the soil has dried. Please make sure not to leave them dry for too long, as it is evident that you will have an un-alive plant. This watering "schedule" can be every few days to a few weeks.

The schedule is emphasized because it does change according to some significant factors. The factors at play are the seasons, humidity, environment temperature, soil, and the pot it lives in. Regularly checking your plant's soil by gently feeling around the soil will let you know if it needs watering.

There are two basic methods for watering your plant. First, you can water from above; it seems simple enough. Second, you can bottom water. Basically, you will place the plants (with proper drainage in their pots) in another container with water. The dirt and roots will absorb the water from below. This is an excellent option for someone dealing with fungus gnats.

Soil

Soil is important because that's where they get their nutrients. It is also where the sensitive roots live. You can buy quality soil specific to your plants or mix them to get the ideal mix for the plant. Most of the philodendrons and alocasias will want premium, airy soil.

Mixing in perlite, bark, or even leca, will give the dirt a little space to allow the roots to breathe. Your plant's roots need a little space so the wet soil doesn't begin to rot your precious roots. Several great soil brands are out there; you just have to do some digging.

Those that prefer the soil-less situation, make sure the roots of your plant are completely cleaned off of any dirt or sad looking roots before attempting to place your plant in water. Make sure the water is debris free and the container is sterilized (soapy and hot water is just fine to clean it out). It is very important to "feed" your plant with appropriate liquid nutrients to make sure the plant stays happy and healthy. A quick search of "water propagation nutrients" will guide you in the right direction of what you need. Keep an eye out for any "growth" in the container (anything green or brown growing on the container), and clean the reservoir with that hot soapy water mentioned above to keep it fresh. Make sure to clean the roots again if they have any icky stuff on them before placing them back into the water container.

Each plant will come home in a standard plastic nursery pot. These pots are fine if you don't mind how they look. If you want to transplant them into a decorative pot, we recommend going up a size in the pot. That way, the plant can grow, and you don't have to worry about a new pot for a while.

The most important thing about a pot is its drainage. Drainage will ensure that you don't overwater your plants and prevent root rot.

The material of your pot is also vital. Ceramic is typically more expensive, but with the proper drainage holes, you don't need to think about the pot itself anymore in the plant's life (besides transplanting).

Ceramic is fragile, so handle it with care while transplanting. These guys are heavier and can be extremely heavy with some of the larger plants.

Plastic is usually the most economical. It can be just as beautiful as ceramic pots, but it is significantly lighter than the other common pots. This is great for you when it comes to moving the plant, but keep in mind that it can be knocked over a little easier than the other heavier plant pots.

Terracotta pots are another standard plant pot. Glazed terracotta pots are your most accessible route. Unglazed terracotta pots are beautiful, and plants can thrive in them. You just have to be mindful that they absorb a lot of moisture intended for the plant during watering.

With that in mind, you may need to water plants in these pots just a tad bit more. These beautiful pots are heavier than plastic pots and lighter than ceramic pots, but they are almost as fragile as the latter.

I will reiterate the importance of pots with proper drainage. If you find a pot you have to have but don't have drainage, we've all been there, and you have options. One option is to make drainage holes. If you are not experienced in that department, YouTube videos are helpful. The other option is to place the nursery pot in your pot.

With the second option, be mindful that you want to either water until there is only a little bit of water sitting in the pot after watering or just water your plant in its nursery pot elsewhere and later return it to its pot.

Another option is a water container. By water container, I mean; a vase, a jar, or even a beautiful wine bottle you want to display. As long as the opening is large enough for the root system, it'll work. Read the "Soil" portion for a more in depth explanation of how to care for the plant in a water reservoir.

Pots

Pests

Pests happen. Don't panic. There is a world of information to get you the exact product you need. There are tutorials on YouTube on how to make your pest control if you want to take that route.

The main pests you may encounter are mealy bugs, thrips, fungus gnats, spider mites, and scale. To help avoid the spread of pests, you want to quarantine a plant for a couple of weeks to ensure it does not spread any nasty bugs to your other plants.

After that time is up and you have checked your plant, he can join the rest of your jungle. If you notice any of the bad guys mentioned above, identify it and find the proper item to deal with said bad guy.

If you see a bug on one of your plants and are having trouble identifying it, click the Help button below and fill out a Contact Us form, and we will help you identify it and point you in the right direction of a solution!