Choosing and caring for House Plants!

House Plants

How to buy house plants

First take a look around your home. Make note of the air currents produced by heating and/or air-conditioning. Is your home dry or humid? Check for light from windows in each direction, north, east, south and west and where artificial lighting may be utilized.

When you buy a new house plant, look for a label containing growing and feeding requirements. If one is not available, find the most knowledgeable salesperson in the store and ask for the information. You need to know if a particular plant will be happy in your home. Light and temperature are most important for flowering plants; humidity for cacti and succulents. Does the plant need sun light through a window or a grow light or a constant temperature?

Inspect the plant carefully for signs of insects or diseases. Check the underside of the leaves for damage or spots. Look for dried plant parts such as dried stems and yellow, reddish or brown leaves. If you are doubtful about a certain plant, don't buy it. Buy only healthy plants from a reputable and established seller. Ask if the plants have been treated with pesticides. If the answer is, "Yes." Be sure to wear gloves when repotting and wash your hands after handling.

Some house plants are very particular about soil and fertilizer. Your plant may need to be repotted. You will need information regarding soil mixture. While you are in the plant store you might as well purchase a new pot and drainage saucer, the proper soil mix and fertilizer.

If you purchase your plants on-line, where you can find some of the best deals, e-mail your questions to the seller or supplier. Whether you buy on-line or from a store, check for return information and guarantees.

Remember to keep your plant name and care instructions for future use.




House Plants How to buy house plants First take a look around your home. Make note of the air currents produced by heating and/or air-conditioning. Is your home dry or humid? Check for light from windows in each direction, north, east, south and west and where artificial lighting may be utilized. When you buy a new house plant, look for a label containing growing and feeding requirements. If one is not available, find the most knowledgeable salesperson in the store and ask for the information. You need to know if a particular plant will be happy in your home. Light and temperature are most important for flowering plants; humidity for cacti and succulents. Does the plant need sun light through a window or a grow light or a constant temperature? Inspect the plant carefully for signs of insects or diseases. Check the underside of the leaves for damage or spots. Look for dried plant parts such as dried stems and yellow, reddish or brown leaves. If you are doubtful about a certain plant, don't buy it. Buy only healthy plants from a reputable and established seller. Ask if the plants have been treated with pesticides. If the answer is, "Yes." Be sure to wear gloves when repotting and wash your hands after handling. Some house plants are very particular about soil and fertilizer. Your plant may need to be repotted. You will need information regarding soil mixture. While you are in the plant store you might as well purchase a new pot and drainage saucer, the proper soil mix and fertilizer. If you purchase your plants on-line, where you can find some of the best deals, e-mail your questions to the seller or supplier. Whether you buy on-line or from a store, check for return information and guarantees. Remember to keep your plant name and care instructions for future use.
	Flowering: Abutilon 'Boule de Neige', flowering Maple, 65º F, keep moist Calanthe vestita, orchid, good light, 65º F minimum, deciduous, water sparingly in winter Capsicum annum, good light, 50-60º F, keep moist and fed Eucharis grandiflora, Amazon lily, good indirect light, 55-65º F, kepp dry when out of bloom Hoya bella, miniature wax plant, light shade, 60-70º F, mostly dry Lapageria rosea, Chilean bellflower, good light, 50-65º F, moist except in winter Narcissus tazetta 'Paper White', sunny, 50-60º F, moist except when out of bloom Oncidium papilio, Butterfly orchid, good light, 65º F, semi-dry when out of bloom, evergreen, Orchid Supplies Saintpaulia ionantha, good light, 60-70º F, keep moist and fed Zygopetalum intermedium, good light, 55º F, dry when out of bloom, evergreen	Foliage House Plants: Ananas bracteatus striatus, Ivory pineapple, good light, 55-65º F, keep on dry side Cissus rhombifolia, Vine, use support, light shade, 65-75º F, keep moist and fed Cryptanthus bromelioides 'It' tricolor, Earth star, light shade, 60-70º F, mostly dry Dracaena terminalis 'Firebrand', Flaming dragon tree, good light, 65-75º F, keep moist and fed Ficus europa, Variegated rubber plant, good light, 60-70º F, keep moist and fed Fittonia argyroneura nana, Little snakeskin plant, shade, 65-75º F, moist and humid Pellionia pulchra, light shade, 55-70º F, keep moist and fed Tradescantia pallida, Purple heart, good shade, 50-60º F, avoid wet conditions Tetrastigma voinierianum, Chestnut vine, provide support, light shade, 60-70º F, keep moist and fed	Cacti and Succulents Aeonium arboreum, full sun, 40-86º F, water in winter occassionally Aeonium decorum. Velvet Rose, full sun, 40-86º, low humidity Ariocarpus retusus, Seven Stars, full sun, 41-86º F, water carefully Echeveria elegans, Hens & Chicks, full sun, 41-86º F, low humidity Crassula argentea, Jade Plant, let soil dryout between waterings, full sun. Euphorbia bupleurifolia, full sun, 50-86º F, dry in winter Kalanchoe blossfeldiana, good light, 50-81º F, slightly moist in winter Notocactus herteri, full sun, 41-86º F, water with care Opuntia macrocentra, full sun, 50-86º F, slightly moist in winter Pereskia aculeata, full sun, 50-86º F, slightly moist in winter Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri, Easter cactus, partial shade, 50-86º F, slightly moist all year