CARE TIPS BY CARISSA:
First, let’s start by saying that everyones home is different and we all have completely different environments. Wether that be light, humidity, or even the water that comes out of our tap. Do you have a water softener? Do you have a house next door that blocks the light at certain times during the day? These are all things I think we should ask ourselves when receiving a care tip from a friend or an expert.
THE BASICS THAT WE CAN APPLY TO MOST PLANTS:
Watering: for most plants you want to allow the soil to dry out before watering again, of course this is going to vary depending on the plant but the most common mistake is overwatering. Does your pot feel light? Have you checked the soil with a moisture meter? I’ve had quite a few people purchase and say ‘once a day right’ but this is a common misconception.
Sunlight: All plants need sunlight, even if it’s low light. Plants get their food from the sun… here’s an excerpt from google: (“Plants make their food using a process called photosynthesis, which means “putting together through light.” During photosynthesis, a plant traps energy from sunlight with its leaves.”) so with that being said, different plants need a different amount of light even if it’s artificial (grow lights) so take a look around your home, there are many guides online that also show a graph of what “bright vs low” light looks like. You usually want to buy a plant with a space in mind, that way you are buying a plant and you already know it’s setup for success.
Humidity: THIS IS KEY. Vegas is dry, usually 10-20% humidity and our plants know this. If you notice a decline or crispy leaves it’s usually the humidity level. If you notice new growth not developing right it’s probably humidity. Now, not all plants need it or even appreciate it so don’t put things like cacti or succulents near the humidifier when another plant like a calathea or a string of turtles could use it. For certain plants, being next to the humidifier is prime real estate so let’s be mindful!
I keep the shop and my home around 50-60% humidity and I have a specific cabinet that stays at 70-80% for tropicals that need it. I’m from Maui, HI and if I think about that climate where most of our ‘indoor’ plants grow ‘outdoors’ and the fact that humidity in Hawaii is usually at 70-80 or even 90%! Crazy right? I also don’t miss the days where I spent an hour getting ready and would walk outside to have my makeup melt off instantly. There are pros and cons of living in an environment where everything thrives lol! So, investing in a good humidifier is key. My personal favorite is Levoit 5 gal because it's not often that I have to change it. Key tip: use distilled or filtered water in it.
CARE TIPS BY CARISSA:
First, let’s start by saying that everyones home is different and we all have completely different environments. Wether that be light, humidity, or even the water that comes out of our tap. Do you have a water softener? Do you have a house next door that blocks the light at certain times during the day? These are all things I think we should ask ourselves when receiving a care tip from a friend or an expert.
THE BASICS THAT WE CAN APPLY TO MOST PLANTS:
Watering: for most plants you want to allow the soil to dry out before watering again, of course this is going to vary depending on the plant but the most common mistake is overwatering. Does your pot feel light? Have you checked the soil with a moisture meter? I’ve had quite a few people purchase and say ‘once a day right’ but this is a common misconception.
Sunlight: All plants need sunlight, even if it’s low light. Plants get their food from the sun… here’s an excerpt from google: (“Plants make their food using a process called photosynthesis, which means “putting together through light.” During photosynthesis, a plant traps energy from sunlight with its leaves.”) so with that being said, different plants need a different amount of light even if it’s artificial (grow lights) so take a look around your home, there are many guides online that also show a graph of what “bright vs low” light looks like. You usually want to buy a plant with a space in mind, that way you are buying a plant and you already know it’s setup for success.
Humidity: THIS IS KEY. Vegas is dry, usually 10-20% humidity and our plants know this. If you notice a decline or crispy leaves it’s usually the humidity level. If you notice new growth not developing right it’s probably humidity.
I keep the shop and my home around 50-60% humidity and I have a specific cabinet that stays at 70-80% for tropicals that need it. I’m from Maui, HI and if I think about that climate where most of our ‘indoor’ plants grow ‘outdoors’ the fact that humidity is usually at 70-80 or even 90%! Crazy right? I also don’t miss the days where I spent an hour getting ready and would walk outside to have my makeup melt off instantly. There are pros and cons of living in an environment where everything thrives lol!
New growth: It’s always nice to add a little extra humidity to ensure new growth continues to come out nice. I like to spray new growth a few times a day (when I remember, lets be honest) until it’s out of it’s sheath. This also helps prevent leaves from crisping up or forming weird.
Soil: Most plants need something well draining, so having a bag of perlite on hand is usually necessary. I prefer fox farm or black/gold brands and always mix a soil depending on what the plant needs.
Aroids like some orchid bark mixed in
Succulents/cacti: cacti soil with perlite, something well draining
Calathea: something with coco coir or peat moss (which is not sustainable) to keep moisture up
Philodendron: Something woody, orchid bark and cacti soil but something well draining
PLEASE take the time to read this amazing blog about soil if you want to get more in depth: https://alosolplants.com/blogs/the-alo-sol-blog/soil-is-life
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CARE TIPS VIA ARI SOLACHE:
Hoya kerrii
Sun: South or East window. Bright light
Water: Once every two weeks or if the closest heart to the bottom is wrinkly and you can fold it like a pancake.
Cactus mix (helps to not overwater)
This Hoya is perfect if your home is dry.
Peperomia hope
Sun: South for extra fast growth. Bright light
Soil: Well draining (2/3 foxfarm1/3 perlite) The roots are so little, so be careful not to tug when repotting.
Water once a week or when it dries out and gently aerate the soil with your figure or a chopstick to allow water to drain through.
Peperomia Obtusifolia
Sun: S-W-E and is tough enough for direct light but tolerates low/medium.
Water: Once a week or when soil is fully dried, dust off leaves. They are prone to get attacked by mites, but the mites go away fast with proper cleaning (more on pest control later).
Soil: Well draining, 1/2 foxfarm 1/2 perlite
Pothos
Sun: SNEW/Office light friendly plant. Pothos are resilient and tolerate low/medium light.
Soil: Forgiving soil mixture. All bagged soil is good. 1/3 perlite is better.
Water: when leaves are droopy.
Hoya carnosa
Sun: S-W-E. Medium light friendly
Soil: 1/2 foxfarm 1/2 perlite
Water: When soil dries out 75% but If you let this babe dry out, the stems shrivel up and become a bit dry.
Aerate often, because it will take a while for the soil to almost dry out so the top layer can get hard. Clean leaves often and inspect often.
Hoya obovata
Sun: Bright light whatever direction, they tolerate medium.
Soil: Whatever soil mixture you have, this goddess of a plant forgives all but make sure the soil doesn’t hold too much moisture.
Water: When soil dries out and you can pancake the leaves/when they look wrinkly.
Stromanthe Thalia (triostar)
Sun: Medium, nothing direct. Leaves will crisp up.
Soil: Well draining but something that holds some moisture. 1/3 orchid bark 2/3 foxfarm
Water: Once a week or before it fully dries out. with drinking or filtered water.
Leaves will go like a taco when thirsty.
Slow grower
Humidity loving 50% or higher is best for this drama queen
Monstera Siltepecana
Easy!
Sun: Bright indirect light whatever direction
Soil: Well draining, 2/3 foxfarm 1/3 perlite
Water: once a week or when it dries out.
Treat it to a poss pole to let it climb and promote bigger leaf growth
If overwatered, it usually only yellows one leaf (oldest leaf) so it’s forgiving
Can thrive without humidity
Philodendron heart leaf
Sun: Medium and higher, tolerates low. SNEW
Soil: Forgiving soil mixture. 1/3 perlite is better
Water when leaves are droopy.
Philodendron Birkin
Sun: Bright indirect light, thriving near south and tolerates direct light to keep white leaves stable.
Soil: 2/3 foxfarm 1/3 perlite, Orchid bark for drainage
Water: When water meter almost points to dry, let dry out and leaves will also be a bit droopy when thirsty