• Before purchasing any Indoor Foliage, determine what type of light you have (low, medium, or high) and whether that light is direct or indirect.  Most plants have a preference and will thrive under the right conditions.
• Know how much water your plant needs.  If plant is starting to yellow, wilt and drop leaves, it may be getting too much water.
• Provide deep waterings that reach all the way to the roots at the bottom of the pot, but don't allow plant to sit in water.
• When potting up new plants that like to stay consistently moist, add polymers (moisture retention crystals such as Soil Moist) to the root zone of the pot or use slow drip watering tubes for consistent moisture.
• Most plants benefit from fertilizer from spring thru fall, but enjoy a break during the winter months.
• Water that quickly runs through to the bottom of your plant usually indicates that the plant is root bound and needs repotting.
• When repotting a plant, choose a container approximately 2" larger than the current pot. If roots are dense, massage then with your fingers to encourage them to spread out in the new potting soil.
• If your plant is becoming "leggy" (a few long stems with few leaves), move it to a slightly brighter area as it might have too little light.
• Occasional pruning will encourage new growth resulting in a bushier  and more compact plant. 
• Inspect your plants periodically for pests such as aphids, spider mites, scale and fungus gnats.
• If bugs are starting to take over, first try a strong spray of water from the kitchen sink or a paraffin oil such as "Ultra Fine'.
• Scale must be scraped off the plant or smothered with paraffin oil.
• Treat fungus gnats by removing the top inch of soil and replacing it  with clean soil followed by a layer of sterile sand to discourage fungi from growing. Also run the plant a little dryer than usual for a few weeks if your plant will tolerate it.  Sticky cards also offer a solution.
• Keep the leaves of your plants clean by spraying them with water or dusting them off periodically.

For more information, contact  Phelan Gardens at 574-8058