Plants of the Month: February
Houseplants
Liven up your home with houseplants and bring nature indoors!
If you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day this month, the orchid is a special gift that lasts much longer than cut flowers. Orchids are even said to bring good luck to your home.
Orchids can bloom for months, making them a great value houseplant. They are easy to care for once you know the basics. Most orchids like bright natural light. Avoid positioning them in direct sun, which can scorch the leaves, and keep them away from cold draughts. Water your orchid every seven to ten days by leaving it for half an hour in a bowl of water before draining it away.
When orchids are not on bud or blooming, they’re building up the energy for another cycle of blooms. If you want yours to last more than one season, feed it with a balanced orchid fertiliser. Apply it every third watering in spring and then switch to a high potassium orchid fertiliser in summer. In winter, feed occasionally, using half-strength general liquid fertiliser, such as Baby Bio.
Foliage houseplants have gained in popularity in recent years. The range includes delicate foliage for a softening effect on hard edges, plants with big bold statement leaves, spiky varieties and succulents. They often look good all year round and not all of them are green. Some have red, yellow or purple leaves and markings. Some look lovely trailing down from a hanging pot or a shelf.
Many houseplants take little care, especially over the winter when they don’t need much watering. Read the care instructions and ensure the plant is in the right location in terms of sunlight and heat sources. Check weekly on whether the soil is too dry or too wet.
Garsons card holders can benefit from 20% off the Plant of the Month range. That means 20% off house plants, excluding ceramics, in January for card holders.
