1. Peace Lily: Spathiphyllum is one of our best selling house plants at Flowers Now Balbriggan. It is commonly known as a peace lily. The peace lily does well positioned close to but not directly under a window. It likes a warm room, with indirect sunlight. Do not leave in a drafty area or in full sun as this can cause the plant to develop brown dried leaves. Water your lily only when the soil becomes dry. Never leave your plant sitting in water for a long period of time as this can cause the roots to rot and if left for a long period your plant may not recover. A peace lily will show you if you are forgetting to water it by lowering its leaves. Try to water mist your plant as regularly as this copies its environment. Fertilizers and plant food are not necessary for a healthy plant but if you wish to increase the number of blooms and their size it can be used. Use a quarter of the plant food recommended dose, which you will find in any florist in Ireland or Northern Ireland. If any of your flowers on your plant appear green reduce the dosage by half on the next recommended use. Always remove any brown leaves that may have been caused by too much sun as this will keep your plant looking well.
2. Aloe Vera: Is a succulent. It has no naturally occurring populations although closely related aloes are in northern Africa. It is well known from being used in herbal medicine and extracts of the plant are used in the cosmetic industry due to the presence of saponin. There are a lot of arguments on both sides with regard to the effectiveness or safety of this plant. This plant does well at temperatures between 21-26 degrees, but not below 10 degrees. It also likes the pot mixture of soil suitable for cactus as it is a succulent. It will grow little off sets at the base of the plant, when they reach approx 2 inches long they can be replanted to from a new plant. Aloe tends to do well on a shelf or window ledge but never in direct sunlight. Most flower shops and Interflora retailers would carry a stock of Aloe vera plants. When our staff are outside watering the plants too long? , with Balbriggan being a coastal town, in the summer we find the aloe vera plant very helpful in reducing the pain of their sunburn.The main problems that are associated with Aloe is over watering. This can lead to dry brown leaf spots, which can also be caused by under watering and leaves wilting or leaves that are mushy in appearance. If any of these symptoms appear stop watering and allow the soil to dry a little and remove any damaged leaves.
3. Pothos: Scindapsus Aureus, it is commonly known as Devils Ivy. There are different varieties of this plant some with green and yellow leaf, white and green and all green. They enjoy a bright warm room, avoid direct sunlight. If left in direct sunlight you will burn and dry the leaves of the plant. They will produce vines and this makes them a great climbing plant. Water more regularly on warmer days, check your soil for dryness. Never leave your plant sitting in water. The most common problem with your Pothos plant is usually meal bugs, It is oval in shape, six legs, antennae and tail, they are white or grey in colour and you can usually find them under the leaves. The eggs have a cotton appearance and leaves the plant quite sticky. You can wash down your plant with a mild dish detergent or alcohol and water, 10 parts water to one part alcohol. My gran always threw her used dishwater on to the plants in the garden to keep the bugs at bay.
4. Ivy: There are many varieties of ivy, most of which can be grown indoors. All ivys need bright light, variegated ivy can take medium light but their variegation will be less if their light is limited.They will also be more susceptible to pests. Ivys prefer to be kept dryer, so always check their soil before watering, if soil is damp do not re water. All house plants do well from regular water misting and keeping leaves clean. This can easily be done with a damp cloth or well diluted dish detergent. Feed your plant every month or as recommended on your fertilizer. Do not feed during the winter as your plant is dormant then. We find here in Gormanston, Stamullen, Balbriggan & Ardgillan castle, there is no shortage of ivy as it grows extremely well outdoors also.
5. Jade Plant: Crassula Ovata, commonly known as money plant, is a hardy succulent. It has a thick shiny , round dark green leaves,some have a red edge, orange and yellow and cream and pink.They like a cactus mix. Or you can make your own mix 1 part clean sand with 2 parts good houseplant soil.The plant can become top heavy and it may need to be staked so that it does not fall over.Jade plants like full sun, they do really well in bright not direct sunlight. Always let your soil dry before watering but don’t let the leaves dry out. Water less often in winter. Wipe its leaves occasionally to remove dust. Feed with a fertilizer as recommended. With many of us trying to win at the Loto, it might not be a bad plant to have around.
6. Snake Plant: Sansevieria Trifasciata, commonly known as snake plant, mother in law’s tongue or Saint George’s sword. (Brasil) It is an evergreen plant forming long, thin, thick, pointed leaves. Its thick leaves grow vertically from the base of the plant. Its leaves are dark green with light grey. It does not require much water, on average once every two or three weeks will do and it doesn’t require a lot of light, it can survive in minimal light or full sun, which makes it a popular houseplant. Feed sparingly, use plant food that dissolves in water, in the spring and summer as this is its growing time. A popular plant but maybe not the best plant to give as a present. We find this plant quite popular with a number of our corporate businesses in the north County Dublin area.
7. Dieffenbachia: They must be grown indoors. They need light, filtered light through a window is usually fine just not in direct sunlight.They require regular feeding it the growing season with a houseplant fertilizer. Keep soil moist but not wet. Leaves will roll up and fall off to make way for new growth. The most common problem with this plant is yellowing of the leaves and this is normally from a lack of nutrients in the soil.This plant also responds well to hot climates.
Flowers now in Balbriggan in Dublin stocks all of these houseplants and we are more than happy to share our house plant knowledge with you. Just drop in to 44 Dublin street, Balbriggan.
BIO
Ruth Gallagher is the Lead Florist at FlowersNow.ie and write and blogs about all things Flowers and Florists in Balbriggan, Dublin and Ireland
FlowersNow is an Retail and Online Florist located at 44 Dublin street, Ballbriggan, Co Dublin. We have an excellent team of highly qualified florists, with years of experience in floral needs, bouquets, giftware, weddings, corporate events & funeral flowers. Trust us for all your special events including Valentines Day, Mothers day, Easter & Christmas.
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