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 and others need a little more TLC. Before 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?
All plants need light, some just need more than others, so assess the lighting in your home. Windows facing south will receive the most light. West facing windows will offer more light than east or north facing windows. Direct light is generally considered right by or in the window. Indirect light is away from the window within the room. Most plants prefer indirect light with the exceptions of cacti and flowering plants like Geraniums, Kalanchoes and most herbs.

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

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

•Bright indirect light is at a south or west facing windows, 1-2 feet from the window.

•Direct light is right by/in of south or west facing windows.

Direct Light Houseplants:
Cactus, Croton, Citrus, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Colocasia, and many succulents. Bright Indirect Light Houseplants: English Ivy, Monstera, Norfolk Pine and some succulents.

Moderate Indirect Light Houseplants:
African Violet, Arrowhead, Dieffenbachia, Dracaena, Ferns, Ivy, Palm, Prayer Plant, Schefflera, Spider Plant and Swedish Ivy.

Low Indirect Light Houseplants:
Bird’s Nest Fern, Cast Iron Plant, Chinese Evergreen, Grape Ivy, Peace Lily, Philodendron, Pothos Snake Plant (Sansevieria) and ZZ plant.

3. What’s most important to you?
Does your plant need to be easy to care for? (Watering, misting, pruning as it grows.) Does your plant need to be unique? Do you want your plant for air purification? These questions can help narrow your choices.

Plants with good 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.

Basic Care for Your Newly Adopted Plant
•Light: Keep your plant in the appropriate light conditions and rotate the pot periodically to help your plant grow evenly. 

•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. Some plants will “tell” you when they are thirsty. Be sure to read the tag when you buy them or ask for help from anyone on staff at Johnson’s.

•Feed: Fertilize your plants when you water with a water soluble fertilizer about once per month. Johnson’s recommends ferti•lome All Purpose Water Soluble Plant Food or Nature’s Source All-Purpose Plant Food. 

Johnson’s is here to help with all the questions or concerns you may have for the health of your plant. Give us a call or bring a concern into the store, and we’ll help you with the remedy.

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