HOUSEPLANTS

WELCOME TO COLEMAN FLORIST’S NEW SECTION

FOR INDOOR GARDENING!

Houseplants always enhance one’s décor with their soothing presence adding beauty and interest as well as health benefits by lifting one’s spirit, purifying our air and, yes, providing companionship.  (Have you talked to your plant today?)

DID YOU  KNOW  THAT…

…  people have been enjoying houseplants for about two centuries?

…  the first plants kept indoors were medicinal herbs grown by 

      monasteries and apothecaries?

…  terrariums were one of the first methods used for indoor gardening?

…  growing citrus fruits “under glass” was popular with the public when

     glass windows were  available (about the late 1600’s) and used for 

     making “conservatories”?

…  it wasn’t until the 1800’s that plant exploration together with increased

     window glass availability made it possible for the general public to enjoy

     a new hobby - indoor gardening?

…  during the Victorian Era it was a must to include plants if one were to

     have a “proper parlor”?

Today there is such a diversity of available houseplants for the gardening enthusiast.  They are ideal for someone who cannot get outside and garden as well as for teaching children the value of caring, responsibility and patience.  Let Coleman Florist be your source for choosing a houseplant (or dish garden!) as a special gift for you or someone else.   Send us an email, call us or come in and visit our conservatory (green house) and let us help you make your selections. Pictured below is an example of what we refer to as a Garden Basket, a mix of blooming and green plants in a basket. 

BLOOMING HOUSEPLANTS

SPATHIPHYLLUM (spa-thi-FY-lum)

Common name:  Peace Lily

Family:  Arum - Araceae

Origin:  Indonesia and Central America

SPECIFICATIONS

LIGHT:  in Fall/Winter, low to medium; Spring/Summer medium to bright

TEMPERATURE:  average room temperature

FERTILIZER:  Spring through Fall feed monthly with balanced fertilizer that

                         includes micronutrients - dilute to half normal strength.  In     

                        Winter feed every 6 weeks. 

WATER:  Keep soil lightly moist.  Use room temperature water.

SOIL:  Any good potting soil.

HEIGHT:  Depends upon species.  “Sensation” can reach 6’, others often to 3’.

LONGEVITY:  Many years if divided every 5 years or so.

DISPLAY TIPS:  The dark leaves are best shown off when the plant is grown in a

                            plain pot with a glossy finish.  Place on a low pedestal where

                            flowers can easily be seen.

RE-POT:  Annually in Spring to refresh soil.

FOLIAGE "GREEN" HOUSEPLANTS

AGLAONEMA (ag-la-oh-NEE- ma)

Common name:  Chinese Evergreen

Family:  Arum - Araceae

Origin:  Southeast Asia

One of the easiest foliage plants to grow.

SPECIFICATIONS

LIGHT:  medium to low

TEMPERATURE:  average room temperature

FERTILIZER:  Spring through Summer feed monthly with balanced fertilizer.  In      

                        Winter feed every 6 weeks.  In very low light, be stingy with the             

                        fertilizer.

WATER:  Keep soil lightly moist.  Only allow plant to dry slightly between               

                waterings.  This plant tolerates dry air better than most but still benefits

                from being misted often when the indoor air is very dry.

SOIL:  Any good potting soil.

HEIGHT:  Can reach 3’ in height but normally stays much smaller, to 2’.

LONGEVITY:  10 years or more.

DISPLAY TIPS:  This is an ideal tabletop plant when small, placed in dim living 

                            rooms and cozy reading nooks.  Larger plants are best 

                            displayed with dark-leafed plants and plants requiring similar

                            lighting conditions.

REPOT:  About every 2 years.

HOUSEPLANT CARE TIPS

LIGHTING

LOW LIGHT:  bright enough to read by

MEDIUM LIGHT:  offices, kitchens - all day fluorescent lighting; to the side of a     

                             window or back a few feet from a sunless window

BRIGHT LIGHT:  brightest light without direct sun - under a skylight; a north

                             window sill or 5 - 6’ back from a sunny window

BRIGHT LIGHT WITH SOME SUN:  winter sun or sunlight filtered through a                              

                                                           curtain  

TEMPERATURE

Most houseplants can be quite happy in the average home.  Average refers to temperatures about 65 - 75* F during the day and 5 to 10 * F cooler at night.  Most houseplants are quite adaptable.

WATERING

SOME GENERAL RULES:

1)    The warmer the environment, the more often you need to water your plants.

2)    Low light plants need less frequent watering than those in medium or bright/sun light.

3)    Small pots dry out faster than large pots.

4)    Clay pots dry out faster than plastic pots.

5)    If the plant is “potbound”, water may run right through without getting the soil wet enough.

6)    If the pot is too large for the root-ball, the soil will hold too much water and drown the roots.

7)    Using lukewarm or room temperature water, apply until water seeps through the drainage holes into the saucer.  Let the water in the saucer be absorbed - but if not absorbed in about 15 minutes, discard the extra water.  DO NOT LET YOUR HOUSEPLANTS REMAIN ISTANDING IN WATER.  While a dry plant can let you know it needs water by drooping its’ leaves, an over watered plant cheerily sits while the hidden roots are rotting away - until it falls over.

HUMIDITY

This refers to the moisture plants get from the air.  Most plants need more humidity than is available in an air-conditioned or heated home., excepting cacti, succulents and some other desert plants.  Heated rooms can have humidity as low as 5 to 10 percent, which is unhealthy for both people and plants.  Humidity at 50 to 60 percent can keep most of your houseplants happy and healthy.  Keep a look-out for browning of leaf tips  or edges which let you know your plant is in distress.

Creating extra humidity is easily achieved simply by using a spray bottle to mist your plants - taking care not to mist your walls and furniture of course.  But do not mist African violets or other plants with “fuzzy-leaves” as this will cause water spots.  These types of plants are best place on a tray of pebbles.  The tray should be as wide as the plant’s spread and its’ water level below the bottom of the pot(s).  Also, grouping plants together can help provide a humid environment, if you do not use a tray, as leaves expire moisture which is trapped by neighboring leaves creating a microclimate.

Occasionally plants can have too much humidity which usually occurs in warm, damp weather or due to poor air circulation which can cause gray mold or mildew.

FERTILIZING

Use any complete all-purpose houseplant fertilizer.  Usually once a month in Spring and Summer and then every 6 weeks during he winter.

REPOTTING

When rootbound or “crowded” in pot.  Coleman Florist offers the service of repotting your houseplants for you.  Choose a pot from our many selections or bring in one of your own.