Category: Houseplants

Houseplant Celebrities

Stars of the Indoor Landscape

In addition to looking good, these plants can significantly reduce toxins in our indoor air.  The cast includes those that love the spotLIGHT! Fiddle Leaf Figs for true drama, palms for exotic ambiance, and don’t forget the elegant rubber trees in deep burgundy and colorful variegated varieties. The supporting roles that also tend to hog the light are hoya plants, hardy umbrella plants, perky peperomia, orchids, and African violets. Air plants also share the limelight and are a bonus for quirky displays of unusual décor.

Those headliners that are our A-List as lower light lovelies include showy peace lilies, the zen-like ZZ plant, the graceful lines of a fresh fern, and don’t forget the dashing and durable dragon tree. One of my all-time favorite divas of the low maintenance houseplant realm are the many varieties of sansevierias (snake plant).

Whatever stage you set in your home or home office, it is not complete without the splash of verdant green or the healing refreshment that plants can bring to your environment. We at Alden Lane can be your guide and make ­choosing the right plants simple and rewarding, creating an all-star cast for your home.

Left to Right – Snake Plant (Sansevieria), Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera adansonii)
& Money Plant (Pilea peperomioides)

Sansevieria and Other Houseplants Clean the Air

This incredible houseplant hails from West Africa and India but is very much at home in your household. It has a few familiar names, such as Snake Plant, and Mother In Laws Tongue (no comment), but its botanical name is Sansevieria, and it comes in several color variations.

It differs from most houseplants, in that it continues to produce oxygen and remove carbon dioxide all through the day and night. Most plants pause their oxygen production in the absence of photosynthesis at night.

This plant is easy to grow and presents a very sculptural element to any interiorscape. When I say EASY, I mean it. The biggest threat to this plant is overwatering, for it loves to dry out; thrives in lower light or high light; seldom needs repotting, only every few years; and it is not bothered by pests. It is also a great office plant for all those reasons.

It should be noted that Sansevieria has a low toxicity rating, mostly as indigestion or skin irritant. Although it looks “pointy” at the ends, it does not have an end thorn and is no threat.

Pollutants and airborne toxins lurk undetected from hundreds of sources inside your home or office, but there is a straightforward solution that will not only purify your air, but also add humidity to calm allergens, and add beauty and tranquility to your life. There are dozens of beautiful indoor plants that have become heroes in our household, and Alden Lane will not only immerse you in living, breathing greenery but help improve the air quality as well.

Houseplant Hints For Spring

Spring is an important time for houseplants, it’s the beginning of their active growing season. Most houseplants go into a ­dormant state during the winter, where their growth slows or stops all ­together. In the spring, they start to wake up from their winter rest. This is the perfect time to give your houseplants some extra ­attention.

Spring is the best time for repotting houseplants. Repotting a houseplant will stimulate new growth and give the plant plenty of room to grow. But don’t just automatically repot your houseplants every spring, only repot houseplants that need it. If you’re unsure, turn the pot on its side and gently remove the rootball from the pot. If it’s a dense mass of roots with very little soil left in the pot; or the roots are circling around the inside of the pot, that means the plant is pot-bound. If a plant won’t slide out of the pot and seems to be stuck, that’s also an indication that the plant is pot-bound.

Houseplants don’t need as much water during the winter as they do during their active growing period. Begin watering more frequently in the spring to help wake up your houseplants and stimulate new growth. Now is also a good time to fertilize your houseplants. Maxsea is seaweed based and the plants love it. Actually – all plants love it, so you can use it all over the garden. This is a dry food you mix with water. Start with a weak dose of 1 teaspoon per gallon, and slowly increase it to 1 tablespoon by summer.

Over the winter, some of your houseplants may have developed weak and leggy growth. Trim back houseplants now to remove weak growth and encourage new growth. Spring is also a great time to propagate your houseplants by rooting the cuttings or dividing the rootball. April showers bring May flowers, and those showers also benefit our houseplants. Rain water is the best type of water to use on potted plants. If you don’t own a rain barrel, I highly recommend getting one. There are many benefits of rain barrels, and using the water for your houseplants is one of them.

Give your houseplants some air. On warm spring days, open the windows near your houseplants to give them some fresh air and humidity

Giving your houseplants a little extra TLC in the spring helps them look their best. Kick off their active growing season right this spring. Your houseplants will thank you for it.

Succulents – Beautiful & Water Wise

What is not to like about succulents? Succulents are the rave right now, and that’s not hard to understand when you see all the advantages they offer.

Low Irrigation
Generally, little irrigation is needed. Succulents can withstand drought better than wet soil. These plants thrive where others wilt from lack of water. Include these plants as an important part of water conservation while landscaping and gardening.

Low Maintenance
These plants are about as close to “plant it and forget it” as you can get. Many are native to harsh environments with little or infrequent watering.

High Versatility
These plants are equally happy to be in your garden, landscaping, containers, and inside your home as houseplants. As long as you keep in mind, they do have some special needs. Most require at least 6 hours of sunlight and fast-draining soil, so location is important, and some will need protection during the colder months.

Good Looks
Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice appearance for all these benefits. Cacti and succulents are some of Nature’s most beautiful and exotic plants. Outdoors, your succulents will liven up your garden and give your home an original look. Few plants attract as much attention as these. You can use them as exciting accents or go all out and create a complete desert garden motif. Inside, dish gardens with succulents can provide an attractive tabletop decoration that is sure to be a conversation starter.

Off-Season Blooming
When most other plants are in their dormant cycle, and the rest of your landscaping has the winter color blahs, many of these plants are at their colorful best. The aloes are in their glory from December to January; the puyas, yuccas, and agave flower from April to June. A well-chosen selection and placement of succulents will give your landscaping a year-round color look your neighbors will envy.

Here at Alden Lane, we have a large selection available for you to combine, or we can suggest combinations for you. With their wide variety of architectural forms, succulents are a great garden addition. We just received some beautiful planters.

These plants are among the most versatile of this year’s garden offerings. They can express your artful side or your whimsy, whatever you choose. Also, you might combine succulents with other low water use plants to make a lush garden display. Come in and explore the collection.

Orchids 101 – August 25th.

Elegant Orchids Made Easy!

Saturday, August 25th from 10-11:30 a.m.!

Are your orchids looking bedraggled, leaving you befuddled, and a little bummed out? Behold! We have solutions that will leave you beaming and your orchids on the way to blooming! Our orchid expert Sue will teach you to understand the language of orchids and nudge you on the way to being an orchid whisperer. It is amazing what a little practical information (hands on – not from books or video) can do for your confidence in dealing with orchid issues.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. It just requires a basic understanding of where they come from and their needs – just like any other plant. But they are NOT just any other plant. They are extraordinary in their variety and beauty! So join us, and ask questions to your heart’s content. You are also invited to bring in a plant or two that you have questions about. The cost is $15.00, and bring a friend for FREE. Sign up with our Alden Lane Cashiers today! Call (925) 447-0280.

Helpful Tips

The following are a few tips Sue shares to get you on the right path with your orchids

When in doubt, go drought! It is much better to dry an orchid out than to risk over-watering — most are designed to go through drought periods. It is worse to create an environment of slow death by killing it with kindness and drowning the roots and/or creating root rot.

Whatever you do, do it before noon! Orchids will react far better to care early in the day rather than later.

Light, Light, LIGHT! Most orchids will not bloom without it. We all say we have enough, but if you have had it for over a year without blooms, you don’t. Give as much filtered bright light for as long as possible, without putting it in direct, midday sun.

Beware of Sunburn! If you place an orchid in a very bright, hot window, leave it for 5 minutes then feel the leaf– if it is warm you need to move it further back from the light or it will sunburn.

Most house orchids like to be watered about once a week. Pick up the container and see how light it is. Note: moisture meters don’t work in bark mixtures or moss. When you do water don’t be stingy — flood them well, let them drain, and dry them out thoroughly in between waterings.

When repotting an orchid, pick the pot you will use in repotting AFTER you have unpotted the orchid. You pot according to how many roots you have; not according to how big your plant is. Once you uncover the roots and do some trimming, you may decide it doesn’t need a bigger pot after all. They all love to be tight in the pot with just a smidge of wiggle room.

Orchids are beautiful and can be fun to grow and show off. Plan to attend this fun and informative Orchid Therapy class and learn how to grow orchids your friends and neighbors will envy.

Orchid Tough Love

orchid2400Tough Love for Your Orchids to Thrive

For those of you who have experienced disappointment with the orchids you have loved and nurtured, only to have them turn on you, becoming sullen and unresponsive to your good intentions and constant worrying and care . . . I say STOP!

In order for most indoor orchids to flourish and thrive – stop hovering. Find them a very bright spot to call their own, in or near a window, (or under grow lights), and figure out their watering needs – which, if you have lost orchids in the past, usually means you have over-nurtured and drowned them in your loving good intentions.

They are plants that grow in trees, hang around without the benefit of soil (or YOU), get watered only when it rains, and are designed to go through drought. So water only when very dry. In most cases they are potted in moss, or moss and bark, and in a typical 4″ pot you would water every 2 to 3 weeks, and never let them sit in water for more than a few minutes.

One of their other needs is very strong, filtered light in order to thrive and bloom. They can’t bloom without it! So I say, in the language of tough love, kick them out of the house! When our temps are above 50 degrees at night (usually around May to October), find them a cozy spot under cover of porch or patio where they get bright shade and occasional water and fertilizer, and before you know it they will THRIVE!

Having said all this in the spirit of tough love – if you need an orchid counselor, I am on call most days at Alden Lane. So let me know if you need some hand-holding and words of ­­encouragement. I am here for you – just ask for Sue.

 

Move Houseplants Outdoors for Summer

house-plantsSummertime R & R is beneficial not just for the humans, houseplants and orchids revel in a little outdoor vacation of their own.

In summer and even into fall conditions are perfect for moving some of your houseplants onto the porch or into an area where they get shade and shelter from the sun and strong drying winds.

Even in the shade, outdoor light gives your houseplants and especially your indoor orchids, an extra shot of light to refresh them and give them extra energy for the winter ahead.

Remember, outdoors the plants will need a bit more regular watering as they will dry out quickly. When it comes time to bring them indoors, check them over carefully so you don’t transfer unwanted pests inside.

June Calls for Gift Giving

JUNE . . . Celebrate Teachers, Graduates, Brides, Grooms & Dads, Graduations & Weddings.

This June, give your favorite bride and groom or graduate a gift that will keep giving through the years. Alden Lane has a great selection of gift giving ideas. Drop by and let us show you some of the following:

  • A houseplant for a new apartment or dorm.
  • Give a tree to commemorate the occasion.
  • Accessories for the home and garden.
  • Slate heart stepping stones you can personalize with our sidewalk chalk.
  • Gift baskets for the new garden filled with seeds, gloves and gardening tools of all kinds!
  • A piece of garden statuary that will improve with the passage of time.
  • A flowering plant that will be a reminder of the occasion when it blooms on the anniversary each year.

Remember Dad – It’s Father’s Day – June 17th

Come by the nursery for great gift suggestions for dad!

  • A gift box of Dutch House Sea Salt Caramels.
  • A tabletop Aquaflame Candle Fountain for his desk.
  • Statuary benches, arbors, garden art and more to create the feel of an outdoor room for relaxing.
  • Decorative containers to fill with plants of his choice for deck and patio.
  • His own orchard of fruit-filled trees.
  • Shiny new tools for his gardening collection.
  • Plant a citrus tree for dad. It’s a gift that gives more each year.
  • Lush houseplants for his office that will beautify and clean the air.
  • Cheerful color bowls.

We provide complimentary gift wrap.
Remember your favorite teachers . . .
. . . with a blooming plant or special treasure from our Gift Shop. We’re happy to help select and wrap.

Pet-Friendly Houseplants

Houseplants are not just a “pretty face”, but work hard on our behalf making indoor environments as toxic free of airborne chemicals as possible . . . and the more plants the merrier, especially pet-friendly houseplants.

The humidity that houseplants graciously shower us with helps keep our dust and allergens at bay (a benefit I adore in my own household!).  As responsible owners of both houseplants and pets, we want to ensure a harmonious environment for all.

Houseplant Happiness & your Four Legged Companions

Our four legged friends deserve our best and most conscientious of choices for their safety. We offer up a list of absolute beauties to grace your home or office for everyone to enjoy.

  • Ferns – I love the ease of Mother Ferns for their good looks and non-messy qualities, but others in the fern family such as button ferns, maidenhair, and the sculptural birds-nest ferns are great.
  • Spider Plant – This 70’s plant is making a comeback and is very easy to grow.
  • Peperomia – Compact and low water need, this makes a beautiful accent plant for mid to high light areas. Many types are colorful as well.
  • Fittonia – Darling, low growing, and bright hues make this low care and unusual plant a winner in all categories.
  • Palms – Not all palms are non-toxic, but here are my favorites for beautiful and SAFE. Neanthe Bella (Parlour Palms) are short and multi-trunked and only grow to 3-4 ft. Bamboo Palms are also multi-trunked, but grow a bit larger (up to 7 ft.) and upright, and the graceful Kentia Palm can reach heights of 12′ plus are quite dramatic given lots of light.
  • Prayer Plant – Lovely, cascading and colorful, this plant is one of my favorites for ease of care and beautiful ­striations in the leaf patterns
  • Goldfish Plants – Charming, glossy and produce sweet little “goldfish” blooms. Bright light, keep on the dry side.
  • Hoya – Very satisfying plant to have around! Usually hanging, with long tendrils of succulent type leaves that enjoys bright light and dry conditions. Given lots of light, it will produce long lasting “flower balls” of waxy, fragrant pink blooms. Lots of varieties available, all safe.

This is a short list, but always be aware and do some homework before introducing new plants into your home. Anything can have some toxicity to it if ingested in large amounts, so monitor your furry friends and have a harmonious household with beautiful and rewarding pet-friendly houseplants!

Plant Nannies – Vacation Waterers

plant-nanny-wineThe Plant Nanny company fills an important need for the plant kingdom providing water reservoirs that will not only provide additional water to extend the time between watering but… they do this job beautifully.

Plant nannies include a terra cotta probe which fits into the soil topped by either a beautiful , handmade glass globe or a recycled wine bottle (provided by the gardener).

Perfect for stretching the time between watering house plants. May also be used outdoors.

Planning a vacation? Begin to use Plant Nannies now so plants are accustomed to this new source of water by the time you leave town.

See when to water.  Use recycled wine bottles as a water reservoir.  Insert the pre-soaked terracotta stake near the center of the plant, fill a wine bottle with water and set it into the stake. Lasts 7-10 days for medium to larger plants.  The set includes 4 stakes and instructions.

The fluted or spiral watering globes and ceramic stake sets are not just beautiful, they make plant care easier.

Water less often and know at a distance when you need to add more.  Use indoors and outside.  Great for vacation plant care.  Comes in 2 sizes and several styles.

plant-nanny-2plant-nanny-hp