Photo courtesy of CostaFarms.com
Ivy plants bring a bit of the outdoors in with bright green, white or yellow colors. There are many varieties of ivy, but the English ivy cultivars are the most common type of ivy grown in homes. English ivy grows well in low light and cool temperatures. The solid green leaf will tolerate low light while the varieties with variegated leaves will require medium light conditions to keep their variegation. The way ivy falls along the sides of furniture gives indoor spaces a delicate and refined look.Image courtesy of Pinterest.com
Chinese evergreens are a very popular houseplant because of their low-maintenance care. Moderate or low-light placement suits these plants just fine as they enjoy being in indirect sunlight. A warmer, humid environment is ideal for these indoor plants. Make sure you don’t overwater these plants or you’ll risk root rot. Keep all conditions moderate, and the Chinese evergreen will be an easy addition to your space.Image courtesy of Pinterest.com
Sometimes called a Dragon Tree, this plant species is large and in charge. These plants do well in medium and low light. They thrive indoors with warmer temperatures and constant moisture. But if you want to keep these plants vibrantly colored, move them into brightly lit areas and watch them flourish.Image courtesy of Pinterest.com
These versatile plants come in many shapes and sizes. Different types such as the ‘Power Petite’ and ‘Sweet Chico’ will stay small on a table top, but certain peace lilies in a large pot can grow up to six feet tall. They prefer indirect light, so as long as your room has a window, this plant will continue to grow. They are constantly producing bloom after bloom of beautiful, white, flag-like petals. This flexible plant would be a perfect addition to any indoor space.Image courtesy of Plantscape.com
The parlor palm also known as neanthe bella palm or Chamaedorea elegans, is slow-growing and low-light-loving. This palm can reach up to four feet tall and makes an elegant statement. If it is put in the lower end of its light spectrum, the parlor palm will begin to thin. Generally, this palm only needs its soil watered when it is dry to the touch. But in winter months like these, an occasional mist will keep this plant thriving.Image courtesy of AustralianPlantsOnline.com
Electrify your Halloween décor with the corkscrew rush! This plant’s long, spiraled tendrils give off a creepy aesthetic, almost as if the plant can come to life before your eyes. The spiraling habit of the grass-like plant has the botanical name Juncus Effusus Spiralis. The corkscrew rush is a very versatile plant. It thrives equally in well-drained soil or slightly marshy areas. In fact, the corkscrew rush is an excellent plant to use in or near water features, since it flourishes in watery soil.Image courtesy of TheSpruce.com
The name alone might give you a clue as to why we chose this creepy plant for your Halloween décor. It is named for its spider-like leaves, or spiderettes, which dangle down from the root plant like spiders on a web Spider plants are adaptable houseplants but perform best in high light situations. You may encounter brown tips on the spiderettes, which are usually caused by fluoride in tap water.
CockscombImage courtesy of ASPCA.com
This blood-red, brain-like flower can give your guests a spooky feeling as they walk in your door this Halloween! You might also hear it called Wool Flower or Brain Celosia. Although originally named for its resemblance to the red comb on a rooster’s head, this plant comes in cat-eye yellow, paranormal pink, ominous orange and ghostly white. They make excellent cut flowers and last a long time in a vase, yet another way they are perfect for seasonal decorating. They also dry well and can be used next year.Image courtesy of www.lifri.com
These gargantuan leaves could leave you a bit startled with their size! There are many words to describe the Alocasia genus — stunning, architectural, jewel-like, skeletal — and all of them are appropriate. Native to Asia, the Alocasia is also called an Elephant Ear or African Mask Plant. Some varieties of this plant can grow as tall as a tree while others are perfect additions to color bowls for your inside décor, either way they bring quite a statement to your space!Just like all living things, plants rely on water for survival. But before filling up that watering can, take a minute to think about the quality of the water coming out of your spout! Here are a few tips for understanding water quality and how to prevent plant illness and issues stemming from it:
Fluoride is a chemical added to water to prevent tooth decay; however, some indoor plants are sensitive to it. Palms, spider plants and dracaenas are just a sampling of plants that can be adversely impacted by fluoride. Although acceptable and safe for human consumption, the levels of fluoride in tap water are far too much for these plants to handle, resulting in toxicity and strong hindrance of photosynthesis and other processes.
Tap water can also contain salts for softening the water; salt is a nutrient most plants do not like. The amount of sodium that a water softener adds depends on the “hardness” of the water, or how much calcium and magnesium exists in the water. The root systems absorb the sodium and a salt accumulation builds up on the soil, creating a white crust. The absorption of the sodium in the root system creates plant injury, in turn yellowing the leaves and stems.
Levels of pH can also have damaging effects on indoor plants. Water pH is the measure of acidity (sourness) or alkalinity (sweetness). The mineral aluminum can be dissolved at pH levels below 5.0, creating a toxic level for plant growth. To be safe, nutrients are most available to plants at a pH of 5.5 to 7.0 range.
Simply put, using the cleanest water possible, such as rainwater or filtered water, will keep your plants on a healthy growth curve. By using PLANTation Services for your indoor plant maintenance, you can avoid water issues that could harm your plants. The Green Team at PLANTation Services makes sure your indoor landscaping stays healthy. It is no surprise our clientele vote us Arkansas Business’ Best of the Best Interior Plant Service year after year!
Not surprisingly, spring is our favorite time of year – the time when flowers bloom, plants grow and everything just starts to come alive. All of which begs the question: have you thanked a weed today?
That’s right – a weed! March 28th is Weed Appreciation Day. No, not what you’re thinking. Even though they can cause headaches in your garden, there’s a lot we owe to these pesky weeds. Here is one weed that you may remember from your childhood, and a few reasons why it may be better just to let those weeds live.
Oh dandelions – you remember, those bright yellow flowers filled with milk? Maybe you used them to make flower stem necklaces? Maybe you crushed their flowers to make a bright yellow dye for art projects? Or, depending on the season, maybe you used to lie on the lawn blowing the white puffballs at the sky to watch the seeds drift away? And here’s a little-known secret – you can even eat them. Take some dandelion greens, onions, basil and tomatoes and you have a pretty tasty little salad. Got some garlic and olive oil? Sautee those suckers. There’s plenty you can do with dandelions.
Some people hunt these plants down, ripping them from their garden and using harsh pesticides. Sure, a perfectly manicured lawn may look tidy, but variety is the spice of life, right?