The 5 Places You Can Buy Indoor Plants

August 27, 2020 by micah catherine

Buying plants for the first time can be an overwhelming process. Not only do you have to consider which plants to purchase for your home, but where to even find them! There are certainly many places you can buy indoor plants, but not all of them are created equal. Follow this handy guide the next time you go plant shopping:

Grocery Stores
You’ve most likely noticed that grocery stores often have a selection of plants available in their floral department. Generally, they offer a basic selection, such as shelf plants like succulents and peace lilies. These plants are also often cheap, which may also reflect on their overall quality, though they’re usually already eloquently potted. Plants in grocery stores may also not be properly cared for or have knowledgeable staff to help you make a purchase.

Online Retailers
Another increasingly popular way to buy indoor plants is online through websites like The Sill, Etsy, Amazon, and even Facebook Marketplace. You’ll be able to find more unusual plants sold through these retailers than you’d find at the grocery store or garden center. This tends to be a more expensive option, especially if you pay for shipping, and you won’t see the plant you purchase until it shows up at your door.

Pro Tip: Always read the reviews of online plant retailers to learn about the quality of their plants, their condition after shipping, and customer service rating, in case something goes wrong.

Garden Centers
Big garden centers, such as Home Depot or Lowe’s, are reliable places to shop for indoor plants. The selection at these stores is generally much larger, ranging from small houseplants to large landscaping palms and grasses. You’ll find many of the popular types of plants, including fiddle leaf figs, succulents, golden pothos, and all kinds of flowering plants. They should be better cared for than other places, but it seems to vary between garden centers. You’ll most likely pay a bit extra for these plants, too.

Boutique Shops
Boutique plant shops are often found in bigger cities where high-end plant shopping is more common. These shops, though often styled beautifully, usually come with a higher price tag for their plant selections. You may find the occasional rare plant in these stores however, which may make the elevated price worth it. Keep a lookout for classes and workshops from these shops where you can learn more about plant care or DIY projects.

Plant Nurseries
Local plant nurseries are by far the best places to find a wide variety of quality and healthy plants. At nurseries, plants are generally well cared for, with proper feeding schedules and growing in good soil. Employees of these nurseries are generally knowledgeable, know now to properly care for the plants, and can assist you if you have questions about which plants are best for your home, light level, etc. The selection at nurseries also ranges from small houseplants to large landscaping foliage, along with rare and native species. You’ll never be without a great selection!

Ready for More Plants?
There are many different places to buy indoor plants, all with their own benefits. Remember, in addition to buying online and locally, you can always ask your plant friends for some cuttings, too! Where is your favorite place to buy plants?

XO,
Micah

How to Pot Houseplants in 3 Easy Steps

July 30, 2020 by micah catherine

One of the simplest ways you can ensure your new plants are healthy and growing strong is to pot them when they’ve outgrown their plastic nursery containers. If you’ve been nervous to pot houseplants you’ve recently purchased, or think it might be too late, don’t worry! Your plant can stay in its original container for weeks (and even months) before it’ll need a new home.

Just remember, plants thrive on the nutrients found in rich potting soil, in addition to soaking in light and water. It’s only natural that after some time, your plant will have benefited from much of the nutrients in the small amount of soil and will need to be re-potted. For plants still in their nursery pots, check for roots growing out of the drainage holes and up through the top of the soil. If so, it’s root bound and time to move your plant to a new pot! Here’s how:

1. Gently remove the plant from the current pot
Placing one had firmly at the base of the plant, turn it sideways and gently tap the bottom of the plastic pot. Then, squeeze carefully around the edges to loosen the soil and roots. Slowly pull the pot from the container being careful not to strain the stems.

2. Remove excess soil from the base and roots
This part can get tricky, so take your time and be gentle with the fragile roots. While still holding onto the base of your plant, use your other hand to massage the soil from around the roots. If your plant is root bound, these roots will most likely be large and winding, so you can uncurl them if needed. When most of the soil has been removed, your plant is ready to pot!

3. Secure the plant in the pot with fresh soil
This is the easy part! Before adding your plant to its new pot, put a small layer of soil at the bottom and pack it to remove any air pockets. Then center your plant in the pot and add soil until the roots are covered and the dirt is filled to just below the rim. Firmly, but gently, press the soil down around the base of the plant. Then give your newly potted houseplant a drink, watering until the soil is moist and water drips from the drainage hole.

You’re done! Now you know how to pot houseplants and can help them thrive in a bigger, healthier home. Have you been putting off potting? Or are you a pro? Tell me in the comments!

XO,
Micah

How to Drill a Drainage Hole in a Ceramic Planter

July 16, 2020 by micah catherine 1 Comment

how to drill drainage holes in ceramic planters

As a plant lover, there’s nothing worse than discovering a beautiful ceramic planter, only to find after you’ve peered inside that it has no drainage hole. While this may not seem like a big deal to the average onlooker, it can be a matter of life and death for your plant. Yikes.

Why planters are still made without holes is true cause for confusion. Especially since anyone with a green thumb knows that plants living without proper drainage often suffer from root rot (which can be fatal). Thankfully, with the proper tools and a little handiness, you can easily drill a drainage hole into any planter! You’ll need the following supplies:

Power drill
3/16″ – 1/2″ masonry bits
Painter’s tape
Ceramic planter
Your favorite plant

Pro Tip: If you don’t have access to a power drill, check your local library. Many libraries have tools available to rent for patrons. You can find a set of masonry drill bits at Home Depot for around $20.

Step 1: Mark the Holes
Using a piece of painter’s tape, mark where you want your drainage hole drilled. In most cases, this will be the center. (I drilled two holes because my pot was extra large.) The painter’s tape keeps the drill bit from moving around before you get traction from the bit going deeper than the surface.

Step 2: Drill a Small Hole
To keep your ceramic pot from shattering, drill your first drainage hole using a 3/16″ bit, with the painter’s tape as a guide. Drill slowly and with even pressure. This process will take a few minutes, and it’s best not to rush it. Any resistance from the planter immediately dissipates once the drill makes it through the base.

Step 3: Drill a Large Hole
Using increasingly larger drill bits, slowly widen the drainage hole. A 1/2″ hole is a fairly standard size for most plants. Once you’ve reach this side and cleanly drilled through the base of the planter, remove any dust and debris from the area. Your planter is ready for your new plant! If you need tips on finding the right potting mix, read my blog post here.

Ready for a Little DIY?
If you’re like me and are tired of buying terra cotta pots simply because they all have drainage holes, you’ll benefit from knowing how to drill your own drainage holes. And you’ll never have to choose function over beauty when shopping for new ceramic planters again! Have you already mastered drilling drainage holes? Show me your beautiful planters!

XO,
Micah