House Plant Adoption

Houseplant Adoption

Some considerations that will help you find the best indoor plant for you!

1. What level of plant care can you commit to?
Plants have different temperaments. Some are easy going, low-maintenance, and adaptable. They won’t mind if you forget to water them once in a while and can thrive in less than ideal light conditions. Others need a little more TLC. They like their soil just right, may need frequent misting and don’t like being bumped or chilled! Be- fore choosing a houseplant, think about your level of experience with plants and the amount of time you can actually dedicate to your plant (kind of like a pet!)

2. What light do you have?
Plants need light, and some need more than others. Assess the lighting that you have available. A good rule of thumb is that most houseplants will do better in spots with more light but will tolerate less light especially if supplemented by a plant light or even a lamp.

•Low light is generally dim reading level, near a north facing window or 6 foot back from other windows.

•Medium light is at an east or north facing window, or 2-4 foot back from a south or west facing window.

•High light is at a south or west facing window.

High light houseplants: Aralia, Cactus, Citrus, Croton, Ficus, Flowering Plants and Succulents.

Medium light houseplants: African Violet, Arrowhead, Dieffenbachia, Dracaena, Ferns, Ivy, Norfolk Pine, Palm, Prayer Plant, Schefflera, Spider Plant and Swedish Ivy.

Low light houseplants: Bird’s Nest Fern, Cast Iron Plant, Chinese Evergreen, Dracaena (Corn Plant), Grape Ivy, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Pothos, Snake Plant and ZZ Plant.

3. What’s most important to you?
Does your plant have to be non-toxic for your cat or dog? Does your plant need to be easy to care for? Does your plant need to be unique? Do you want your plant for air purification? These questions can help narrow your choices.

Plants good with air purification according to a NASA Clean Air study:
Bamboo Palm, Boston Fern, Dracaena, Dragon Tree, English Ivy, Golden Pothos, Peace Lily, Lady Palm, Spider Plant and Snake Plant.

Plants known to be safer choices for pets: African Violet, Bromeliad, Calathea, Cast Iron Plant, Chenille Plant, Christmas Cactus, Crossandra, Echeveria, Episcia, Ferns (excluding Asparagus Ferns), Fittonia, Goldfish Plant, Grape Ivy, Haworthia, Hypoestes, Orchid, Palms (excluding Sago), Peperomia, Pilea, Prayer Plant, Spider Plant, and Swedish Ivy.

We are looking forward to helping you choose the best indoor plant for you!

Basic Care for Your Newly Adopted Plant

Light: Keep your plant in the appropriate light conditions and rotate the pot periodically.

Water: Most houseplants fall under the “dry to the touch, then water” category. Succulents and cacti can take much less water. Some houseplants may need misting and more specialized watering to thrive. Be sure to read the tag when you buy them or ask for help from anyone on staff at Family Roots.

Feed: Fertilize your plants when you water with a water soluble fertilizer about once per month, we recommend ferti • lome All Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food, Hi Yield Natural & Organic Plant Food, Espona Houseplant Food.