-Ginny Schafer- I think my favorite thing about 2020 is the fact that it’s almost over. My second favorite thing is that this is the year that I finally learned enough about houseplants to keep them happy and thriving! Before this year, I was… alright with plants. I had a few aloes that managed to stay alive, but other than that, the average life expectancy of a plant in my house was about 5 months. Then along came 2020, and diving headfirst into houseplants and plant care was a great … [Read more...] about 2020 in Plant Care Tips & Mistakes
House plants
Helping your African Violets to Bloom
-Pam Scott- When I was a small child, my grandmother's kitchen window was always full of beautifully blooming African Violets. Their ruffled flowers of deep blues, periwinkle, pinks, purples and lavenders made me think of fluffy party dresses. Their velvety leaves always tempted a forbidden touch. These plants were always in glorious full bloom. People marveled at what a “green thumb” my grandmother had, as she seemed to have natural gifts with these fussy little exotic plants. It wasn't … [Read more...] about Helping your African Violets to Bloom
Weird Houseplants
-Ginny Shafer- Anyone who has seen my “human teeth” earrings knows that I love all things strange and macabre, and the popularity of Halloween tells me I’m not the only one! In honor of All Hallows Eve, I want to take some time to highlight a few of the creepiest house plants we regularly carry at Fifth Season. Ficus microcarpa The first thing I thought when I saw this bonsai is that its bulbous, twisted trunk looks just like a mandrake out of the Harry Potter series. As any Harry … [Read more...] about Weird Houseplants
Mounting a Staghorn Fern
-Pam Scott- Of all the beautiful tropical houseplants we offer at Fifth Season Gardening, I find the Staghorn Fern (Platycerium) to be the most strikingly dramatic. When mounted and hung on a wall, the Staghorn Fern becomes more of a living sculpture than a houseplant. With Staghorns, as with all tropical plants, it is helpful to know how and where the plant grows in its natural habitat in order to maintain its optimal health. Staghorn Ferns are epiphytes, as are air plants and most … [Read more...] about Mounting a Staghorn Fern
A Handful of Easy-Care Houseplant Suggestions
-Jordan Capps- Are you looking to create an indoor oasis that will make all the neighbors jealous? Has that table by the window been looking particularly dull and lifeless lately? Are you afraid of dying alone? Have no fear! There are many easy-to-grow plants that can thrive in an indoor environment, and while the debate rages on as to whether plants have a rudimentary “consciousness” or not, you can at least be sure that they’re excellent listeners! Below are a few of my favorites, but this … [Read more...] about A Handful of Easy-Care Houseplant Suggestions
Repotting Guide: Finding the Perfect Pot
-Ginny Shafer- You finally did it! You assessed the lighting conditions in your home, had an honest conversation with yourself about how often you’ll *actually* water your plants, and you’ve found your perfect houseplant! Now to find the perfect pot to show it off. Just like with lighting and soil, every plant has different needs with respect to planting, so it’s important to choose a pot that’s well suited to meet those needs. When Should I Repot? Houseplants can be repotted when … [Read more...] about Repotting Guide: Finding the Perfect Pot
DIY Moss Poles
-Kristin Weeks- The popularity of houseplants has ushered in all kinds of interesting DIY projects that offer an aesthetic boost and promote healthy growth habits of our botanical friends. Plant influencers and individuals all over the web and the ‘gram demonstrate techniques and practices that eventually make their way back into our shop by way of our customers. It is always exciting when a customer asks me if I’ve heard about this or that, which then becomes my new favorite thing! Recently, … [Read more...] about DIY Moss Poles
Common Houseplant Pests and Ailments (and how to address them)
-Naomi Austin- It’s obvious that houseplants are becoming big again. Back in the 70s everybody had their basic spider plant and pothos, and that was pretty much the extent of it. Nowadays there are plant-obsessed groups online devoted to all different types of varieties of houseplants and their care, whether it be rare or standard varieties. People are absolutely filling their houses with green plants, and no wonder! They improve the oxygen quality of your home, reduce allergies, and bring a … [Read more...] about Common Houseplant Pests and Ailments (and how to address them)
Pet Friendly Houseplants
-Pam Scott- Fifth Season Gardening has an impressive array of tropical house plants ready for you to choose from for brightening and humidifying your home. The most frequently asked question we hear from our tropical plant customers is, “Which houseplants are safe for pets?” As the mother of two precocious boxer puppies, as well as the mother of close to 50 house plants, I know that keeping them all safe and healthy is a priority. Most cats and dogs eat plant material at some time. It's … [Read more...] about Pet Friendly Houseplants
Caring for Christmas Cactus
-Pam Scott- Winter can seem pretty bleak on the plant front, but there are a lot of beautiful, colorful holiday plants for inside the home or office. Unusual varieties of poinsettia, lush green Norfolk Island Pines, and blooming exotic Christmas cactus are the perfect plants to brighten these dark leafless winter days. The decorative holiday plant we get the most questions about this time of year is the Christmas cactus, or Schlumbergera. We might assume that all cacti prefer sunny, dry … [Read more...] about Caring for Christmas Cactus
