Adding plants to your home will beautify any interior and increase the amount of oxygen in a room. Some plants are known to actually purify the air according to studies done by NASA. The Peace Lily, Sanseveria, Chinese Evergreen, Heartleaf Philodendron, Spider Plant, Golden Pothos, English Ivy, Gerbera Daisy, and Dracaena Marginata are examples of plants that fight indoor air pollution.

Light

• Before purchasing a house plant, evaluate the lighting conditions of your home as each plant has its own specifications.
• The south and west exposures are the brightest but the further you go back from the windows, the more the light diminishes.
• East windows are bright all morning.
• North windows have low light most of the day.

Visit a Sheridan Nurseries Garden Centre nearest you to see the wide variety of tropical plants. They are tagged for high, medium, and low light.

Water

• Watering is the major cause of death in plants.
• When plants are over-watered, the leaves turn yellow and the roots rot.
• Get to know your plants well and their individual requirements. Do not just automatically water all your plants once a week. For example, a small pot in a warm, sunny window dries out faster than a tropical in a 30 cm (12”) container.
• To determine if a plant needs water feel the top of the soil first. If it’s the slightest bit cool and damp, don’t water. Wait until the soil is room temperature, dry to the touch, and paler in colour or the leaves just start to droop.
• Purchase a Moisture Meter at your nearest Sheridan Nurseries Garden Centre that will accurately gauge moisture.
• Water to the point where it comes out the drainage holes at the bottom and empty the excess that collects in the saucer after a half hour. Do not let your plants sit in water.
• Invest in a mister bottle to mist the foliage of your plants regularly. Many house plants originate in the Tropics and have come from a moist greenhouse where humidity was high.

Fertilizer

• Fertilize only from March to October when plants are actively growing with Parkwood®Water Soluble, 20-20-20.

Transplanting

• Tropicals need transplanting into a larger container 2.5 cm - 5 cm (1” - 2”) when you see roots growing out drainage hole, the plant is lifting out of the pot, orwhen new growth is abnormally small.
• Transferring to a new pot is best done in spring or early summer. Be sure to use Parkwood® Enriched Potting Soil
• Mix, a lightweight potting soil for tropical plants.

Tropical Foliage Plants

• Lush, tropical house plants come in many sizes, leaf shapes and colours.
• It’s easy to create a tropical paradise ranging from a tall Weeping Ficus tree to a Rex Begonia. Cactus & Succulents
• Cactus and succulents require completely different growing conditions. They store moisture in the fleshy part of their body or leaves so they do not require misting.
• Watering is only necessary about once every 3-4 weeks.
• Cactus and Succulents like to grow in sunny southwest windows and rarely need transplanting due to a tiny root system. If they do require transplanting go to a container 2.5 cm (1”) bigger and use cactus soil which has a high proportion of sand for quick drainage.
• To coax a cactus to bloom in the spring and summer and to keep it in top health use Schultz Cactus Plus 2-7-7 diluted with water as directed.
• Cactus and succulents like the Jade plant require the least amount of. Water them very little and they will live for years.

Flowering House Plants African Violets

• African Violets are one of the most popular flowering house plants because their small size enables them to fit anywhere and the various bloom colours are very appealing.
• African Violets require bright light but not direct sun that can cause foliage to turn yellow and look unhealthy.
• A south or west window is probably too intense for summer, but ideal as a winter location.
• Water your African Violet when the soil is dry to the touch. Place your plant in a saucer full of water for about a 1⁄2 an hour. In that time it will draw up what it needs. By watering it from the bottom water will not be splashed on the sensitive foliage or rot the crown. Be sure to turn the pot a little at each watering for even growth.
• Fertilize with Parkwood® Flower Food 15-30-15 or Shultz-Instant Liquid Plant Food for African Violets 8-14-9.

Tropical Hibiscus

• Tropical Hibiscus are available in bush or tree form, in single or double flowers, and in colours of red, yellow, peach, pink, and white.
• The large exotic flower of the Tropical Hibiscus lasts just one day but they are prolific bloomers if placed in an area where there is plenty of sun.
• Many people like to put their Hibiscus outside on the patio for the summer months and bring it back in for the winter.
• In spring acclimatize your plant slowly to direct sunlight or the foliage will burn.
• Be sure to treat the foliage and soil with insecticide before bringing back inside in September.
• Fertilize every 2 weeks with Parkwood®Flower Food 15-30-15 from spring through fall and, if it’s in a very sunny window for winter and wants to keep flowering, fertilize once a month.
• Hibiscus grows rapidly and will probably need to be transplanted every 2 years. Transplant into a container 5 cm (2”) bigger, loosen the root structure gently with your fingers, and add Parkwood®Enriched Potting Mix.
• Cineraria, Florist Chrysanthemums, Persian Violet, Gloxinias, and Rieger Begonias are really intended as a temporary splash of colour and are maintained so long as they’re blooming.
• Easter Lilies and Hydrangeas can be moved outside in May with a possibility of blooming the following year.
• Gerbera Daisies are annuals that when moved outside into full sun will flower all summer with weekly applications of Parkwood®Flower Food, 15-30-15.

Also refer to Garden Tips

• Bonsai
• Caring for your Christmas Plants