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Plants Care Tips

General plant care
Many plants only require a water top-up every three or four days, some will appreciate a regular spray as well, although some plants such as the cyclamen may rot if their leaves are watered.

Flowering Indoor Plants
Flowering plants are easy to care for provided you follow a few simple rules. They need good light, particularly in winter so place them near an east or south-facing window. Most flowering plants grow best in moderate temperatures, away from radiators and draughts and they also enjoy humidity as high as possible. Increase humidity around the plant by placing it in a plant box or jardiniere filled with moist peat moss. Keep an eye on the soil. If it is dry to the touch, add more water, making sure to wet the soil all the way down. If you keep flowering plants longer than six to eight weeks, some plant food should be added.

Foliage indoor Plants
Foliage plants enjoy being placed near a window where they can receive good sunlight for most of the day; however they do not like harsh, mid-summer sunshine. Soil should be kept moist. If the soil dries out add enough water to wet the soil all the way to the bottom of the pot. Drain off any excess water. Since the amount of soil and nutrients available in a small pot is limited, add small quantities of plant food.


Below is a list of some of our most popular plants, and a brief look at how best to care for them.

African Violet
African violets prefer bright indirect sunlight and grow well under fluorescent light - perfect for brightening up an office. Cut off the flowers after they die and keep the soil moist. Feed monthly and keep well ventilated.

Azalea
Azalea plants produce beautiful blooms but they require specific care. Full sunlight, regular feeding and rich soil are just some of their needs. Remove all dead flowers and keep the soil moist.

Bonsai
Here are the three guides to Easy Bonsai Care whether you keep your tree indoors or out.
1. SOAK THOROUGHLY (1 - 3 times a week)
2. MIST DAILY
3. BRIGHT INDIRECT SUNLIGHT
If you follow these suggestions, your tree will remain healthy. But the time will come when you'll want to prune the new growth, when you'll want to feed the tree. Perhaps a year or so down the road you'll want to know about root pruning or transplanting. If you would like to learn more about Bonsai, ask your local nursery if they carry books and magazines on Bonsai.

Fern
Fern grows well in direct sunlight and in rich potting soil. Keep the soil slightly moist to keep this plant looking perfect in a hanging basket.

Croton
Crotons are poisonous and should be kept well away from children and pets. They need full sunlight and barely moist soil. Feed weekly and pinch back to keep the plant in good shape.

Cyclamen
Cyclamen are dormant in summer, but at other times of the year they provide plenty of colours. They should be re-potted in late summer and kept cool. Stop watering in late spring and resume watering in late summer. Cyclamen are also poisonous.

Diefenbachia
Diefenbachias are poisonous if ingested - don't snack on this one! They should be placed in bright indirect sunlight. Let the soil dry out between watering.

Gardenia
These fragrant flowers are grown best indoors with bright but indirect sunlight. Mist with warm water regularly, feed every fortnight and prune in early spring to get the best out of this plant.

Gerbera
Colourful gerberas produce beautiful blooms and they prefer full sunlight. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. Ensure the crown of the plant is above the soil and provide good drainage.

Hydrangea
Hydrangeas like acidic soil and are gorgeous blooming shrubs with plenty of colour from June to December. They like full sunlight and good, rich potting soil kept evenly moist. Prune the plant in early spring.

Ivy
Ivy is easy to care for and likes to grow in bright but indirect sunlight. Mist occasionally and keep the soil moist.

Kalanchoe
Kalanchoe are succulents which grow best indoors in full sunlight. Avoid getting water on the leaves, feed only twice a year. Use general purpose potting soil with a little bit of added sand.

Orchid
Orchids grow well in bright indirect sunlight and can produce flowers at anytime. Most orchids have sphagnum moss potting mix and should be kept evenly moist. Be careful not to over-water.

Peace Lily
Peace lilies need full sunlight away from draughts. When watering, drench the soil and allow it to dry between watering. Feed every two weeks during summer.

Philodendron
Philodendrons are poisonous if they are ingested, so do not keep them around children. They are easy-to-care-for plants and they like the indoors and grow best in indirect sunlight. Keep this plant's soil barely moist.

Pothos
Pothos is a good climber if given support, and they do well indoors with bright but indirect sunlight. Keep the soil moist and fertilise every two weeks. Maintain shape by pinching back.

Sansevieria
Make sure you don't over-water this plant, and keep the soil just moist. Sansevieria is a succulent plant and requires bright indirect sunlight and rich potting soil.

Schefflera
Schefflera are beautiful, easy care leafy green plants. They grow well indoors in full sunlight. When watering, drench the soil & allow it to become moderately dry between waterings. Feed monthly from spring right through the summer.

Senecio
Senecio is a succulent plant & flowers January through July. It grows well in bright indirect sunlight. The plant is poisonous & should be kept away from children. Avoid draughts, drench the soil when watering & let it become barely moist between waterings. Feed twice a year, once in April & once in July.

Syngonium
Syngonium is an easy care plant & is a good climber if given support. Pinch the plant back occasionally & keep the soil barely moist. Bright indirect sunlight is best. Feed every two months when in growth.