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Things to consider when shopping for houseplants
You’ll find a wide variety of indoor plants in the Hy-Vee Floral Department. With so many to choose from, you may wonder how to pare down the list so your living room doesn’t look like a rainforest. Keep these things in mind:
FUNCTION
What is the purpose of the plant aesthetically? A plant with size and interesting architecture can fill a vacant corner, while a small plant with, say, variegated foliage can lend charm to a table or buffet.
LOCATION
Where will the plant be placed? And how much space is available? A spacious entryway with high ceilings calls for a large showpiece, while a coffee table in the living room needs something smaller.
Intended purpose
Environmental conditions
Maintenance
Good news: Your favorite houseplants likely don’t require coddling. But they do need watering and occasional fertilizing, so keep that in mind. Look to succulents and cacti, though, if you travel a lot or don’t want to water more than once every couple weeks.
LIGHTING
Once you’ve decided on the plant’s purpose, look at the lighting. Most houseplants prefer a bright, indirect light, but there are others that don’t object too much to low lighting (hello, philodendron!).
CHOOSE, USE AND CARE FOR BEAUTIFUL HOUSEPLANTS THAT ADD TO YOUR DECOR, WITH HELP FROM HY-VEE.
Taking root
Give your houseplants a fresh start (and a fresh look) by repotting them.
Follow these steps:
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CHOOSE YOUR VESSEL
When repotting, move up one size to accommodate root growth. It’s your chance to change pot color and style as well. A variety of decorative pots are available at Hy-Vee Floral.
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ENSURE DRAINAGE
It’s best to use a pot with a drainage hole (and saucer to catch excess water). If using a watertight container, line the bottom with stones to keep excess moisture from plant roots. Be careful not to overwater.
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COMPOSE SOIL
Most houseplants like a fast-draining soil mix. Choose one packaged for indoor use (some outdoor mixes contain woody fibers that can attract gnats). Succulents and cacti have their own special bagged mix.
TRANSPLANT
Add a base of indoor potting mix to the new pot, then place the plant in the new container at the same level it grew in the old container. Fill any gaps, gently tap the pot to settle the mix, and water.
Big style
easy care
Look to Hy-Vee Floral for unique plants with the size and presence to make an impression.
Decorating with indoor plants
Add a natural touch to your living space with these tips.
Work in odd numbers
Arrange plants in threes and fives for a more pleasing look.
Vary plant heights
Combine short, medium and tall plants for a natural effect that echoes forest conditions.
Consider plant choices
Repeat plant species for
a contemporary touch.
Or mix up sizes and shapes, tying them together with a soil topper, such as moss.
Get coordinated
Too many types of pots can feel disjointed. For a more cohesive look, use pots with a shared color palette, as shown. These large pots from Hy-Vee are watertight. Simply line pots with stones to collect excess water, insert plant and plastic nursery pot, then backfill with soilless potting mix.
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DRACAENA
This popular foliage plant features an upright habit and narrow variegated leaves clustered near the top. Leaves are most colorful in medium to bright light, but the plant will accept low lighting conditions. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings to prevent overwatering.
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chinese evergreen
Aglaonema has beautifully patterned leaves throughout the year. It prefers even moisture—overwatering causes stems to rot. This slow-growing plant seldom needs repotting.
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RUBBER PLANT
Ficus elastica is a durable plant with thick, shiny, leatherlike leaves up to a foot long. Plants like bright, indirect light but accept dimmer conditions. They can grow up to 10 feet tall.
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Fiddle-leaf fig
Ficus lyrata has large, deeply-veined leaves and a statuesque, treelike presence with a height of 20 feet if the container is large enough to support its growth.
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CORN PLANT
Dracaena fragrans is a popular houseplant bearing brightly variegated, strappy leaves on woody stems. Coloring and growth (up to 6 feet tall) are best in bright, indirect light; however, corn plant is great for beginners because it also takes medium and low light.
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SNAKE PLANT
Sansevieria is a durable plant with thick, strappy leaves decorated with dark markings and light edging.
It is tolerant of different lighting conditions and actually likes soil on the drier side.
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ZZ PLANT
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a tough survivor that needs no coddling.
It features ladder-like stems of shiny, dark green leaves. ZZ plant is tolerant of low light and forgetful watering.
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SOURCES:
rhs.org
sdstate.edu
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