Tuesday Tips 🍃

Thanks for signing up for our newsletter!

We’re passionate about helping you choose beautiful growing gifts. We also love to provide plant care tips in these monthly emails, so you can nurture and enjoy your own indoor garden.

Click on “show images” for the full experience… and enjoy this email written purely by a human ;) Also, we love to hear back from you, so if you have queries or feedback, hit reply!

Here are a few Plant Parent tips for your Tuesday… in case you’re new to indoor gardening, you’re thinking about adding some more green beauties to your space, or you’re just procrastinating at work…

It REALLY helps to:

select an appropriate number of plants for your available space- less is sometimes more, and a well-thought out layout of several plants can sometimes be more effective than a ‘jungle’.
hold back from “plant hoarding” if you don’t have time to manage it 😉
opt for plants well-suited to your indoor environment (research before purchasing)
establish a simple and enjoyable plant care routine - see below for the essentials.

LIGHT

Plants, just like us, need light for photosynthesis.

Most of our plants thrive in bright, indirect light,. Natural indirect sunlight is ideal, but not essential. It's important to note that flowering, fruiting, and succulent plants always require daily sunlight for their long-term health.

Potted plants can quickly dry out and burn beside hot windows- they can also suffer with insufficient light over time. We recommend checking each plant's specific light requirements and position them well. Seasonal rotation can also help; for instance, moving them away from the intense summer sun (in Perth) or placing them closer to bright windows in winter.

While we do offer "low light plant” suggestions these plants will of course thrive and grow faster with more light.

WATER

Always check at least the top two inches of soil and, if possible, gauge the pot's weight before watering again. Overwatering is NOT good, so it's better to err on the side of caution and water less rather than more. Plants suffer when left in waterlogged soil, and become susceptible to root rot and fungal diseases.

Each plant is unique and may require different watering frequencies based on factors like its location, pot size, season, light, species, and size. It's best to individually assess each plant's needs as you wander about your home/office with your watering vessel. Many plants show their thirst by wilting slightly. If you notice brown spots or drying leaves, you may be under or overwatering.

As a general rule, plants need less water during winter, with many being content with a fortnightly or monthly watering, or even less (depending on the factors mentioned earlier and whether the plant goes dormant in the colder months).

FOOD

In general, it's recommended to fertilise your plants more during the warmer months (up to every second or third watering) and less, or not at all, during the cooler months when many plants either become dormant or experience slower growth. Be cautious not to saturate your soil with fertiliser; all of our pots at Plants For Friends have drainage to prevent salt buildup.

Liquid feed or slow-release options are both suitable, but always follow the product's directions. Excessive fertiliser can harm a plant, while too little can stunt growth. Make sure the fertiliser is suitable for your specific plant, and learn how to use it effectively. Research the type and quantity that best suits your plant as seasons change—some fertilisers can even be sprayed onto leaves for absorption!

Regularly mist tropical plants to replicate a humid environment, especially for those that require moisture on their leaves. You may consider moving tropical houseplants outdoors or into the shower for a good rinse occasionally. Ensure water drains from the base and that drainage holes remain unclogged. Avoid leaving houseplants in direct sunlight to "dry off" or “get more sunlight just for a bit” (IYKYK) as they can quickly scorch, depending on the sun's intensity.

Keep plants away from air conditioning and heaters, as leaves can dry out and burn. This is an important note for those office plants…..

Humidity is important for many indoor plants from tropical regions. That’s most of the indoor plants we love to keep in Perth really! We always love those tropical beauties, don’t we?! They’re just so lush and lovely! Clustering tropical plants together can help create a humid micro-environment; preventing drying-out or browning leaves. *For more ‘microclimate tips’, check our website blogs!

Wipe (or wash off) dust from leaves whenever possible; this assists with transpiration and overall plant health.

Take any/all opportunities to inspect for pests. :) Remove any pests that appear ASAP and consider using eco-friendly pest control methods. Even wiping (or washing) pests and their eggs away can be effective; early intervention is key - before too much damage occurs. It’s a good idea to isolate any plants that have visible pests- as they can quickly travel and affect all of your beautiful green friends! A lil’ quarantine while you fix the pest problem is a really good idea.

Repotting should be done with care to avoid disturbing the roots too much. Typically, our plants can stay in their pots for a year or more. Check the specific preferences for each plant species, as some, like Hoyas, prefer snug pots. When repotting, choose a pot slightly larger—no need for a massive jump in size. Ensure the plant is watered in, use the correct potting mix, and, most importantly, always repot into a pot with at least one drainage hole.

Remember, many of our plants can be propagated (yes, creating new plant babies!). Check out our propagation blog for guidance; it's a REALLY rewarding hobby that allows you to propagate and share cute plant babies. 🌿

Plus, PRUNING and PROPAGATING can stimulate new growth—bonus!

Jump online for troubleshooting with specific plant issues and assistance.

We Deliver Beautiful Potted Plants And Gifts All Over Perth.

We deliver Mon/Wed/Fri. Order before 10am for Same Day Service!

All Costs Including Delivery (FREE!) Are Upfront On Our Website.

Need A Plant Delivered?

Buy Now

Email us:

plantsforfriendsperth@yahoo.com

plantsforfriendsperth@gmail.com