ZZ Plant: The Graceful, Foolproof Semi-Succulent

July 2, 2020 by micah catherine 2 Comments

Are you a forgetful gardener? Chronic vacationer? Then the Zanzibar Gem, or ZZ Plant, may be right for you! This semi-succulent hails from the arid climates of Eastern Africa, so it’s naturally used to enduring drought spells and is a great choice if you have a brown thumb. In addition to how easy it is to care for, these foolproof plants work day and night to purify the air in your home! Here are a few steps you can take to make sure you ZZ Plant is thriving in your home.

Keep the Light Moderate
ZZ Plants thrive in medium, indirect light. It makes for a good office or bathroom plant with its ability to tolerate low light conditions (even florescent lighting). They’re known for their deep-green, waxy leaves, so if you notice that the leaves are turning yellow or curling, its a sign of too much direct or bright light. If the leaves become lighter and more transparent, you’ll want to move your plant to an area that gets more light. To ensure your plant is receiving optimal light at all times, frequently wipe down the leaves and rotate it.

Infrequent Watering Is Best
ZZ Plants are semi-succulents and like the true nature of these types of plants, they don’t require much water. Their fleshy leaves are also great absorbers of moister in the air, so frequent misting will help your plant thrive. In general, these plants only need to be watered every 3-4 weeks. Only when the soil is fully dried out do you need to give this hardy plant another drink. Their root system is especially designed to retain as much water as possible, so overwatering can easily drown this plant. Just remember, when it comes to the ZZ Plant, when in doubt, let it drought!

Remember Routine Care
Like all plants, ZZ Plants with be the healthiest and happiest when they receive routine maintenance. In addition to providing proper levels of light and water, fertilizing this plant through the summer months ensures it’s receiving the proper level of nutrients. If encouraging your plant to grow, repot it in either spring or summer in a planter that is 1-2 inches larger than its current size. ZZ Plants are slow-growning, so you can extend the time between repotting up to 18 months instead of every year. If you prefer a small desk plant, replace the soil and trim the roots, but keep it housed in the same pot.

New to plant care?
The ZZ Plant is a great starter option! Have you heard of this plant before? Do you currently own one or will you put it on your must-haves list? Comment with your thoughts below!

XO,
Micah

Low Light: 4 Signs Your Plant Isn’t Getting Enough Sun

June 18, 2020 by micah catherine 1 Comment

Scenario. You spot a beautiful plant at the store and can’t help but bring it back home, only to notice a few weeks later that it’s slouching and frail, a pale reflection of its once thriving self. While houseplants can unfortunately fall victim to many ailments, today we’re talking about one of the most harmful: low light.

A lack of adequate sunlight can starve a plant of its natural food source, the sugars it produces through photosynthesis. As you can imagine, this is bad news, in more ways than one. Here’s how your plant will tell you it’s lacking light:

Leaf Color
Most plants have rich green leaves, or colors that appear vibrant when healthy. These glorious hues that make plants so aesthetically pleasing are from the amount of chlorophyll within their leaf cells. Without sun, plants can’t function at full capacity and won’t be able to photosynthesize. Over time, the leaves will lose their vibrancy and pale, eventually growing yellow and weak. They’ll easily fall from your plant if nudged.

Stem Height
As the primary source of energy, sunlight drives a plant’s ability to grow tall and strong. Plants living in a low light situation, especially those that need bright and direct light, may experience stunted growth. A plant without an adequate light source can grow lanky, with spindly stems and leaves that are widely spaced. If you’ve noticed that your plant doesn’t seem to be growing anymore, it may be due to a lack of light.

Leaf Size
All plants have leaf sizes unique to their particular breed and current level of growth. However, if your plant isn’t receiving the proper amount of sunlight and nutrients, the leaves may stop growing at a smaller size than normal. They may also feel much thinner and softer, even after they’ve reached maturity. If they also have brown edges, this is a sign of stress, often due to low light.

Plant Tilt
If it appears as though your plant is straining toward a source of sunlight, it probably is. The proper definition of this phenomenon is phototropism. The cells in plants (auxins) on the sun side will grow shorter and sturdier, while they’ll grow long and spindly in the shade. This creates a plant that “leans” toward light. If your plant is tilting dramatically toward a window, it’s a clear sign that your plant needs more sunshine.

How to Revive a Light-Lacking Plant
First, research your plant and read up on the level of light it needs. All plants are unique in their need for sunlight. While some plants prefer indirect sun, others require multiple hours of bright light each day to thrive. Once you know what your plant needs, place it in an area of your home that will provide the proper level of light. Remember to water it properly, and in a few weeks, it should be looking perky and healthy.

Have you ever had a plant struggle from lack of light? Or need help knowing what to do? Comment below!

XO,
Micah

Monstera Deliciosa: The Lush Floor Plant with Iconic Leaves

June 11, 2020 by micah catherine 1 Comment

Last weekend marked a significant life event for me as a plant owner: I finally bought myself a Monstera. There’s something special about this floor plant… it has caught my attention time and again. It might be those unique “swiss cheese” leaves. Or its deep, forestry green color. Whatever the reason, the allure of this unique plant led me to purchase one. I love it.

Contrary to some people’s first thought, this plant’s full name—monstera deliciosa—isn’t the name of a spell from Harry Potter. (You life-long HP fans would already know this, but hey, it’s me.) While there’s some debate as to why half the name means “monster”, it is clear that the epithet, deliciosa, is in reference to the delicious edible fruit it produces. Unfortunately, as an indoor floor plant, Monstera plants won’t create any fruit, though they will grow gloriously tall and lush. Here’s what you need to know to take care of these split-leaf beauties:

Light Level
Monstera plants are tropical, hailing from the dense, soggy rainforests of Central America. They’re actually vining plants that will make their way up trees to be closer to the light. In fact, it’s theorized that the holes that develop as leaves mature is to help light reach lower leaves living near the shaded forest floor. As the ornamental floor plant in your home, however, a Monstera will thrive in bright indirect sunlight. And you’ll still get to watch the “fenestration” process of these growing leaves. Be sure to occasionally wipe the dust off these large leaves to ensure proper photosynthesis.

Pro Tip: If your Monstera plant casts a shadow, it’s getting too much sun! Try moving it further from a window so it receives more indirect light.

Water Schedule
Monstera plants are tropical, but that doesn’t mean they prefer moist soil at all times. Wait until the first 1-2 inches of soil are dry to water your plant again. Then slowly pour clean water around the entire base of the plant until it begins draining out the bottom of the pot. Remove this excess water immediately to avoid root rot. Mostera plants also like humidity, so a daily misting is a great way to keep them happy, especially if you live in a dry climate.

Vining Support
In addition to their underground roots, Monstera plants also grow aerial roots designed to provide leverage when climbing trees. Without any support from a trellis or wooden climbing stick, your plant may grow sideways instead if up. If you’re noticing that your plant seems to be spreading out, install a support system and encourage the plant to grow upward by securing it gently with rubber twist ties. If this seems like too much trouble, you can always prune and propagate them!

I don’t know about you, but I’m certainly excited about my new “monster” plant. Has this plant been on your list? Do you already own one? I’d love to know your thoughts!

XO,
Micah