Plants go a long way toward making a house a home.Β And they can make the workday at your office more pleasant, too. They provide the added benefit of providing oxygen to the environment, making it healthier as well.
Office plant care is not that involved, but below are several important points, depending on the type of plant you have. Some of these tips apply to plants in your house as well.
WATERING
–Too much or not enough is usually the culprit when things go wrong. Plants should be watered slowly, until water comes out the drainage hole (your pot does have one, yes? If it doesn’t, this could be your first problem). Use lukewarm water when possible.
–Do not water if the soil seems damp from the last watering.
–Allow the plant to drain, not stand in water.
–If you use tap water, hold it over a sink until it stops draining. Because Long Island water has a lot of chlorine in it, it is best to fill a watering can and let it sit overnight before using it, so the chlorine dissipates.
–If excess water collects in the saucer, pour it out.
LIGHTING
The type of lighting you provide depends on the type of plant you have: succulents need bright light, whereas others get by with little. Don’t put your plant near a window if it has direct sun, as the glass will magnify the light, and can scorch some plants.
FERTILIZING
Yes, you should fertilize your office plants, just like other plants, during their growing season of spring and summer. You can use a general purpose fertilizer every 6 to 8 weeks. No need to fertilize in the winter.
TRANSPLANTING
You should transplant your potted plants every couple of years to the next size pot. Too big a pot will have too much soil for the plant’s roots and they will get soggy, which can kill the plant.
GOING ON VACATION?
Going on vacation can be good for your mental and physical health. For your plants, though, not so much. You can always ask someone else in your office to care for the plant. If that is not possible, you can purchase a product in our shop called “Vacation.” This is a natural, non-toxic product that causes the plant to go into a temporary state of drought resistance. The plant closes its stomata, thus preventing water loss for up to two weeks. Other products allow self-watering, with a device that holds a bottle with water, stuck in the soil, that releases water slowly over time.
WHICH PLANTS ARE BEST FOR THE OFFICE?
You can avoid having a plant cemetery on your desk by choosing the ones that are best for the office environment (meaning probably low light). The following is a good list to choose from: dracena, bromeliad, snake plant (mother-in-law’s tongue), philodendron, parlor palm, prayer plant, pathos, spiders plant, and peace lily.
Ask us for more tips for keeping your office plants happy and healthy.