Thanks for ordering from House Plant Shop

• Remove all the protective wrapping.
• If plant has damaged leaves, you can trim them off without damaging the plant.
• It is recommended you re-pot your plant (except air plants) into a more permanent planter. Follow the re-potting instructions below
• Follow the care instructions for your plant species located in this booklet.
• Enjoy your new plant!

🌿 Plant Care Tip from Our Growers

Most houseplants need a short adjustment period after shipping. It’s completely normal if your plant looks a little tired at first. Give it bright, indirect light, avoid overwatering, and allow 7–10 days to settle before making major changes.

General Plant Care

Soils and Repotting
Houseplants can be grown in a great variety of soil mixes but are easier to care for if planted in soils containing high levels of peat moss. These soils retain water and fertilizer and provide good aeration if peat moss is mixed with perlite. You can find prepackaged soils with these ingredients or try doing your own blend. We recommend starting with 2 parts peat and 1 part perlite. Repotting is necessary when the plant outgrows the pot and there is not enough room for new root growth.

Water
The most accurate assessment of a plant’s need for water is accomplished by testing its weight. Pick up the container of the plant and see how much it weighs; the lighter it is, the more it needs a drink. You can also use your finger to feel how dry the first few inches of soil are. Most houseplants would prefer being slightly dry rather than soaking wet. When it is time to water your plant, slowly pour water onto the soil until water starts escaping from the drainage holes. Containers without drainage should have a layer of lava rocks placed in the bottom to allow a space for excess water.

Light
Most house plants do not like full sun, and many of them will not survive long when they receive too much direct sunlight. Most houseplants prefer bright indirect sunlight. Do not forget to occasionally rotate your plants for even growth.

Fertilizer
The food can be delivered via a granule that breaks down over time, or it can be added more directly via a water-soluble fertilizer. Granules generally need to be applied once every few months, while water-soluble fertilizers should be applied every two weeks or so. Read the directions on a specific fertilizer to see what is recommended.

Temperature and Air Flow
Aim to keep the plant in a warm environment with some air circulation. Almost all houseplants need a minimum temperature of 55ºF to survive. Keep plants away from areas of cold drafts in the winter.

Common Problems
LEGGY GROWTH – Too little light
BROWN LEAF TIPS – Inconsistent watering, low humidity
YELLOWING LEAVES - Over-watering, poor lighting conditions
PALE LEAVES – Too much light
WILTING – Too much or too little water, Root Rot
SPOTTY LEAVES - Indicative of a bacterial, fungal, or viral disease

Repotting Guide

THE BASICS:

WATER 
Lightly water the plant to help the root ball and soil slide out more easily.

REMOVE
Flip the pot on its side and gently pull it away from the plant. Tap the pot on a counter to help release the plant from the pot.

CLEAN
Clean the pot with hot, soapy water to get rid of any diseases.

ADD
Add soil to the bottom of the pot and ensure the root ball is at least 1/2” from the bottom.

POSITION
Place the plant in the pot and make sure it is centered and sitting up straight.

FILL
Add potting soil around the plant in layers, pressing it down with your fingers until firm. Do notplant deeper than before.

WATER
Water your newly potted plant well until the waterruns out the bottom.

Natural Ways to Deal with Pests in Houseplants

If you’ve been a houseplant lover and have owned a few plants, you might’ve already dealt with pest issues. If you haven’t yet, then many claps for you! I know it’s hard to believe that pests could form in your indoor plants, but it is still possible, and it’s not because you have a dirty house! The most common pest, Fungus Gnats, tends to appear when a plant has been over-watered, and the soil is wet for long periods of time. This wet environment is the perfect breeding ground for Fungus Gnats to grow and thrive. Other common houseplant pests include Spider Mites and Mealybugs. With rising evidence that some pesticides are harmful to humans, and some experts advising against spraying an enclosed room, we can run out of options for treating pests inside our homes really fast. Luckily for us, nature is the best tool to use against nature, so here are three natural pesticides that can be used inside homes.

Neem Oil

Native to India, neem oil has been used for centuries to treat many plant and beauty-related issues. It is biodegradable and non-toxic, so you won’t have to worry about your furry friends getting toxic gunk on their snoot if they choose to boop the houseplants. Neem oil pesticides do not form a death zone, instead they target the pests only, meaning they won’t hurt the healthy bacteria that are a part of your houseplant’s ecosystem. Neem pesticides can be used all year round. Simply follow the instructions on the bottle label.

Sand for Gnats

Our second and third recommendations focus on gnats. Gnats form when we leave the soil wet for long periods of time. Luckily, they tend to breed only in the top inch of soil. By sprinkling/covering the soil bed with sand, the environment becomes dry, and the gnats are robbed of the nutrients they need to breed and continue the infestation. Be sure to pack the sand down tightly enough to keep the gnats from crawling out, but not so tightly that it crushes the roots.

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