Indoor Plants

To care for "water bamboo" (also known as lucky bamboo), ensure the roots are always covered with water, change the water weekly, and use filtered or distilled water, or allow tap water to sit for 24 hours to evaporate chlorine.

To care for a Portulacaria afra (Jade plant or Elephant Bush), ensure bright, indirect sunlight, allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and use well-draining soil, while also providing minimal fertilizer.

To care for a Maranta (prayer plant), provide bright, indirect light, maintain consistently moist (but not soggy) soil, increase humidity through misting or a humidifier, and avoid direct sunlight and cold drafts

Ideal: Bright, indirect light is best. Marantas thrive in areas with filtered sunlight or a few feet away from a bright window

Marantas prefer consistently moist soil, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

What is a Philodendron Birkin?

The philodendron plant has been around for hundreds of years, but the Birkin variety is actually a hybrid and does not grow in the wild. If cared for properly, these plants can get up to 3 feet tall indoors. 

Birkin plants are quickly becoming the new “it” plant. They are a great plant for an office or as a gift for a first-time plant owner. Or, if you’re like me, you just want to hoard these plants for yourself!

How To Care For A Philodendron Birkin Plant

Sunlight & Placement

These plants do not like direct sunlight or no sunlight, but pretty much anything in between is fair game. Just remember that the pinstripes perform best when your Philodendron Birkin is getting medium to bright indirect sunlight. 

Soil

Philodendron Birkin plants do not require any type of special soil. Any well-draining potting soil will do.

Water & Humidity

The Philodendron Birkin is just as hardy as the rest of the philodendron species. Meaning, you really only need to water this plant every 1-2 weeks. Make sure to let the soil dry out between watering, but be sure to avoid the ring of death! (When the soil starts to separate from the edge of the pot due to lack of watering.)

Take it from me though, I’ve neglected my Birkins a time or two and they are still thriving. 

This variety is a tropical plant so it does love humidity. But don’t worry if your home isn’t very humid. Mine are doing just fine! But there are always ways to add humidity to your plant.

Temperature

The average temperature of your home is just fine for your Philodendron Birkin. Just make sure to not place your plant outside during cold months when freezing temps are likely, and avoid placing your plant close to air vents. 

Fertilizer

Can we be honest about fertilizer for a second? I’ve never fertilized my houseplants. (With the exception of my lemon tree!) So personally, and I’m no expert on plants, I don’t think it is necessary. But if you do, keep reading. 

Philodendron Birkins can be fertilized once per month during their growing season which is spring & summer. Any houseplant fertilizer is fine. 

Kalanchoe Care

Caring for kalanchoe is easy with a few basic tips and the right conditions. The main growing requirements for kalanchoe are:

• Plant kalanchoe in loose, loamy, sandy, well-drained potting medium like cactus mix or soil used for succulents.
• Place kalanchoe in a warm indoor location with bright, indirect light. or place it in a full sun outdoor location that has protection from late afternoon sun.
• Allow kalanchoe plants to dry out completely between waterings.
• Fertilize indoor kalanchoe plants once per month during spring and summer.

Light

Kalanchoe plants grown indoors do best with bright, indirect light. Plant outdoor kalanchoes in partial shade to full sun. When planted in full sun, it's ideal for it to receive some afternoon shade to protect it from scorching. Leggy stems are a sign that the plant isn't receiving enough light.

Soil

Outdoors, a kalanchoe plant grows best in well-draining, loamy or sandy soil. Indoor plants should be potted in a well-draining porous blend, like a 50% potting soil and 50% cactus mix, or 60% potting soil and 40% perlite.

To ensure proper drainage and avoid an overly moist environment, plant your kalanchoe in a clay pot, which can help wick excess water from soil.

Water

This hardy plant does well with minimal water, requiring saturation only every few weeks or so (and even less often during the winter months). Let the soil dry out completely in between waterings to help prevent root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Generally, your kalanchoe will thrive at temperatures between 55°F and 80°F. With the exception of protecting it from frost, you don't have to do much to create a proper indoor environment. Kalanchoe plants are not fussy about humidity.

As outdoor garden plants, kalanchoes will not thrive outside of USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12 because they don't thrive at temperatures below 55°F.

Fertilizer

Like most flowering plants, kalanchoe benefits from fertilizer, though they's not heavy feeders. Garden-grown plants require only a single light feeding in the spring. Indoor plants should be fed with a well-balanced fertilizer blend once a month during the spring and summer months, but not in winter. If flowering is sparse, switch to a fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus.

Growth Rate

Kalanchoes are generally slow-growing, on average taking between two and five years to reach mature size. One of the most common kalanchoes, 'Flaming Katy', reaches around 12 inches tall at maturity. Paddle plant can grow to more than two feet tall at maturity, while cathedral bells and velvet-leaf kalanchoe can grow up to 5 or 6 feet tall inside.2

Kalanchoes grown outdoors tend to grow more quickly because they're in brighter conditions.

Exotic Plant