Plant Care Guides
Below you will find helpful care sheets for many different types of plants and flowers. Feel free to download and print these sheets as you wish.
If you aren’t finding the answers and help you need, please stop into the greenhouse and one of our plant experts can help answer any questions you may have. You can also submit a request for a care guide by filling out our contact form. Please put “plant care guide request” in the subject line.
Houseplant Care
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Light: Low to medium light. Bright full light will fade the leaves. See additional lighting notes below.
Temperature: 60°-68°
Soil: Well-draining potting soil.
Watering: Use luke-warm water. Let bulb partially dry out between watering, a good soaking once a week should be plenty.
Fertilization: Water with 1/3 to ½ of recommended dose of high phosphate fertilizer.
ADDITIONAL INFO & TIPS
Terrestrial orchid that grows on the forest floors of China & SE Asia.
Known for its handsome, pin-striped leaves.
Will flower, small delicate flowers in white or cream colors. Many growers will cut them off to keep the focus on the leaves.
LIGHTING NOTE: Our experience is that the plant will start searching for light, so a more consistent “blanket” lighting — all low (no natural light, like a bathroom), or a southern indirect light — maybe best. Again, bright full light will fade the leaves.
Toxicity: Low for humans, animals, and birds. Still, do not eat houseplants!
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Light: Full sun or bright indirect light. After frost, can be placed outside (pot & all). Boise summers – protect from full hot sun. For flowering, it needs 6 weeks of low light (14-hour nights).
Temperature: At least 60˚ or 65˚ or higher.
Soil: Cactus or Succulent mix. Fast draining – prone to stem rot, cannot handle too much water.
Watering: Dry – Medium. When flowering (late fall – late spring) water 2 times a month or when dry. Dormancy period is directly after flowers are spent. Lessen watering during dormancy.
Humidity: Normal (25–30%)
Fertilization: Equal parts (8-8-8) succulent fertilizer, etc.
ADDITIONAL INFO & TIPS
Also called Flaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe, Florist Kalanchoe, and Madagascar Widow’s Thrill, kalanchoe blossfeldiana is a succulent from Madagascar.
Loves to be pruned, pinch back stems to promote flowering. Can increase phosphorus in fertilizer to help flowering.
Watch leaves for curling or spots.
Watch stems for rot.
Repot when crowded. Does not enjoy being pot bound.
Toxicity: Medium for humans. High for animals, birds, and livestock.
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Light: Easy going grower. Bright indirect light or low light. Direct light might burn the leaves.
Temperature: Anything between 60˚-80˚
Soil: Regular potting soil, rich or poor (nutrient wise).
Watering: Water every 7–10 days or when dry or when leaves start dropping. Very forgiving plant.
Humidity: Anything between 20–100%
Fertilizer: Any balanced fertilizer for houseplants (always follow producer’s instructions).
ADDITIONAL INFO & TIPS
Best plant for beginners!
Naturally grows on the coastlines and in the rainforests of Southern Mexico.
Flowering is unpredictable and sporadic. Increasing any variables (light, fertilizers, etc.) may nudge flowering.
Can be grown in aquariums (aquaponics). Keeps water clean, reduces algae, and the roots give shelter for baby fish.
Toxicity: Humans - Yes, if ingested in high volumes. Skin irritant. High toxicity to animals and birds.
More coming soon!
Holiday Plant Care
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Light: Indirect to Moderate Light
Temperature: 60°-68°
Soil: Well-draining potting soil.
Watering: Use luke-warm water. Let bulb partially dry out between watering, a good soaking once a week should be plenty.
Fertilization: Water with 1/3 to ½ of recommended dose of high phosphate fertilizer.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Plant bulbs in soil so that a third to a half of the bulb is above soil. Add a layer of pebbles on top of soil bulb to aid in anchoring to soil.
The bulb will bloom in 4 to 6 weeks depending on temperature & may need staking or support.
REBLOOMING AMARYLLIS
When your amaryllis finishes blooming, cut the stalk that bloomed off at the base. DO NOT cut the leaves. Keep watering soil around the bulb & place plant in good light until May.
After last frost, put pot outside where it will get about 4 to 6 hours of morning sun. Keep watering until late September to mid October. Bring inside, stop watering, and place pot on its side in a cool dark place. Leaves will turn yellow & dry up. If they don’t fall off, you can remove them easily. After 6 to 8 weeks, you can do either of the following:
Remove top 1-2 inches of soil & add 1/2 new potting soil.
Remove whole plant from pot & remove all soil from bulb. Cut off all rotted &/or dried up roots. Cut roots that are left to about 1 inch long. Repot in new potting soil. A healthy bulb should be hard & firm.
Place the pot in good light & start watering. It should start blooming in 6-8 weeks! DO NOT get upset if the bulb takes a year off & only grows leaves the first year.
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Light: Indirect to moderate light year-round.
Temperature: Spring to Summer 60°- 80°, Fall to Winter 50°- 65°
Soil: Well-draining potting soil.
Watering: Keep slightly moist spring to fall. Shriveled or wilting stems signifies too little water. Yellowing, spotted leaves, or leaves that fall off indicates too much water. Do not leave sitting in stagnate saucer water.
Humidity: May need to add humidity in dry climate by placing near sink, spritzing daily, or a humidity tray.
Fertilization: Use a phosphate fertilizer (20-20-20) or green sand as directed
TIMED REBLOOMING FOR ZYGOCACTUS
After the buds fall off move the plant to a location that is cooler (50-60°), stop fertilizing, and cut water back (let it nearly dry out between waterings). This will give the plant a dormancy period. Once the days lengthen bring the plant back into indirect, bright light, fertilize and water more frequently.
In the fall or 2 months before you want your Zygocactus to bloom, move the plant into a cool room and make sure the plant receives 12 hours of darkness (just as you would a poinsettia). Reduce water as well until buds form, once they have formed increase the light and humidity.
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Light: Bright light
Temperature: Cool temperatures (not above 65°) will keep flowers longer.
Soil: Well-draining soil, pebbles, or water in bulb vase.
Watering: Keep moist but do not overwater.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Plant bulbs in soil so that a third to a half of the bulb is above soil. Add a layer of pebbles on top of soil bulb to aid in anchoring to soil.
The bulb will bloom in 4 to 6 weeks depending on temperature & may need staking or support.
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Light: Bright natural light but not in direct bright sun. Put in area with limited drafts.
Temperature: 62°-72° are ideal, no cold or excessively hot drafts.
Soil: Well-draining potting soil.
Fertilization: none unless you want to rebloom your poinsettia for next season.
Watering: Water as needed: keep evenly moist, but not soaked & do not let soil dry out. Empty tray under plant or pierce plastic decorative foil or wrap to prevent roots standing in stagnant water.
Humidity: Keep air relatively moist but do not spritz bracts (colorful leaves).
Special Considerations: While poinsettias are not poisonous, as commonly thought, ingesting leaves could cause discomfort.
Poinsettias should not be exposed to freezing conditions for long (even in wrapping). Do not leave your poinsettias in your car while you finish shopping in temps below 45°- 50°, chilled leaves will drop. Immediately, unwrap your poinsettia from protective wrap when you arrive at your location.
HOW TO REFLOWER YOUR POINSETTIAS
Just remember: if you seem to lose interest along the way, you are in the company of many others. This process requires a lot of dedication and effort.
February – light. Your poinsettia may begin to fade in color. Keep your plant in indirect light.
April – Trimming. During the middle of April, cut the stems to approximately 6’’ above the soil.
May – Fertilizing. Start fertilizing with a balanced fertilizer, every 3rd watering.
June – Repotting time? Remove the plant and check to see if it needs repotting (if it has an abundance of roots). If you do repot, use potting soil and a little larger pot. The pot may be placed outside in light shade when the temperature does not fall below 55° or you can leave the plant inside.
Middle of August – Inside Care. The plant should be kept inside in direct sunlight. Cut the stems back again, this time leaving three or four leaves per stem. Continue to water and fertilize.
Middle of September to the first of December. The plant should stay in the direct sunlight (next to a window) until 5:00pm. From 5:00pm to 8:00am the plant should be placed in complete darkness. Achieve darkness by putting the plant in a closet or putting the plant in a light-tight box. This should go on for 10 weeks. Remember: if the plant gets any light during the dark periods, it may not color correctly.
