Plant and Flower Care

Air Plants

Genus: Tillandsia
Family: Bromeliaceae
Origins: Central and South America, West Indies

There are more than 500 species of TIllandsias, and they’re all close relatives of the pineapple.

Care

Water: Submerge your plant in a bowl of water overnight, shake it off and repeat every 10-14 days. More often in a hot and dry environment.
Light: Bright and indirect
Tip: Good air circulation is key

Cut Roses

Genus: Rosa
Family: Rosaceae
Origins: Asia, Europe, North Africa

The oldest rose still living is at the Hildesheim Cathedral in Germany. It has been climbing the cathedral’s wall for about 700 years.

Care

Water: Top up with warm water daily and change water every 2nd day. Recut rose stems with each water change.
Light: Keep out of direct sun (and heat)
Tip: Cut stems on an angle under running water to maximize water absorption and rose life.

Orchids

Species: P. amabilis
Genus: Phalaenopsis
Family: Orchidaceae 
Origins: China, Taiwan, the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia

Orchids are some of the oldest flowering plants in the world. A decade ago, scientists discovered orchid pollen on a bee fossil from 80 million years ago.

Care

Water: Water sparingly from the tap, or mist with a spray bottle. Repeat when the top layer of growing mix is dry.
Light: Bright and indirect
Tip: Once done blooming, the orchid should be cut down to just above the second brown ridge on the plant’s stem. Fertilize every two weeks and in a few months, your plant could bloom again.

Succulents

Genus: Echeveria
Family: Crassulacea
Origins: Mexico and Central America

Echeverias are named after Atanasio Echeverría y Godoy, the Mexican botanist who discovered the plant in the 19th century.

Care

Water thoroughly but let plant dry out completely before watering again.
Light: Bright and indirect
Tip: When choosing a place for your succulent plant, pick a perch that is far away from cold drafts and radiators.  Watch out for yellowing leaves, as that’s a sure sign of overwatering.

Assorted Flowers

Division: Magnoliophyta
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
Kingdom: Plantae

Flowers first appeared on Earth around 175 million years ago. Why plants suddenly decided to burst into bloom is a highly debated question. Even Charles Darwin called their origins “an abominable mystery.”

Care

Water: Top up with warm water daily and change water every 2nd day. Recut flower stems with each water change.
Light: Keep out of direct sun (and heat)
Tip: Clean the vase with each water change to cut down on bacteria growth and extend the life of your flowers.

Plants in the Six Pack Sampler

Snake Plant

Species: S. trifasciata
Genus: Sansevieria
Family: Asparagaceae
Origins: West Africa

Through crassulacean acid metabolism this plant removes CO2 out of the air at night, making it a perfect plant for a bedroom.

Care

Water sparingly, allow soil to dry before watering again.
Light: Bright to medium and indirect
Tip: This plant can take a lot of neglect, but the one thing it won’t tolerate is overwatering.

English Ivy

Species: H. helix 
Genus: Hedera 
Family: Araliaceae
Origins: Europe and western Asia

In ancient Greece, Hippocrates used ivy to prevent intoxication, reduce swelling, and as an anesthetic. In modern times, herbalists use ivy extracts to treat respiratory conditions like bronchitis and asthma.

Care

Water: Keep evenly moist, but let dry out slightly before watering again.
Light: Bright to medium and indirect
Tip: Variegated varieties will lose their white variegation without enough light.

Janet Craig

Species: D. deremensis
Genus: Dracaena
Family: Asparagaceae
Origins: tropical Africa

NASA’s Clean Air Study found that Janet Craig is one of the top houseplants for removing the toxic compounds trichloroethylene, benzene and formaldehyde from the air.

Care

Water thoroughly, letting the top inch of soil dry out before watering again.
Light: Moderate to bright and indirect
Tip: The shiny, dark leaves make the plant a dust-catcher.  Every few weeks wipe the leaves down with a damp clean washcloth.

Peperomia

Species: Peperomia obtusifolia
Genus: Peperomia
Family: Piperaceae
Origins: Mexico and South America

There are over 1000 varieties of Peperomia plants, which belong to the pepper family. They are considered semi-succulents.

Care

Water: Allow top half of soil to dry out before watering again.
Light: Bright to medium and indirect
Tip: Peperomia can grow under fluorescent light.
Caution! Plants are toxic for pets, so keep them out of reach of your furry friends.

Dracaena Marginata

Species: Marginata
Genus: Dracaena
Family: Asparagaceae
Origins: Madagascar

Often called Dragon’s Blood Tree due to the red sticky gum-like sap that comes out of the stems when cut. In ancient Roman and Medieval times the gum was used in alchemy. Today, it’s used for photo engraving and as a varnish.

Care

Water thoroughly, but let 50% of top soil dry out before watering again.
Light: Low to bright, this plant is very adaptable.
Tip: This plant can withstand everything but low temperatures, 70-75 degrees is best.

Coffee Plant

Species: Arabica
Genus:  Coffea
Family: Rubiacea
Origins: Ethiopia

The coffee plant dates to about 1,000 BC in the Kingdom of Kefa (present-day Ethiopia), where the Oromos tribe crushed the bean and mixed it with fat to make golf ball size spheres consumed for the same reason we drink coffee today.

Care

Water: Keep soil moist, but not soggy.
Light: Bright and indirect
Tip: The leaves of the plant will let you know when you’re under watering. If you see them droop, water your plant and watch it bounce back to life.

Song of India

Species: D. Reflexa 
Genus: Dracaena 
Family: Asparagaceae
Origins: Madagascar and Mauritius

In Madagascar, where Song of India is from, a concoction made from the roots and bark of the plant is used to treat fatigue and muscle pains, while the leaves are used to relieve headaches and fever.

Care

Waterthoroughly, but let 50% of top soil dry out before watering again.  
Light: Bright and indirect 
Tip: This plant likes high humidity and is also a great air cleaner.

Jade

Species: C. ovata
Genus: Crassula
Family: Crassulaceae
Origins: South Africa and Mozambique

Jade, like other succulents, stores excess water in its leaves, just in case there’s a drought coming.

Care

Water sparingly, allow top soil to dry before watering again.
Light: Bright and direct
Tip: If the plant becomes too leggy, pinch off new leaves to promote branching.

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