Flower & Plant Care Guide
For all floral arrangements, and for most plants, keep out of direct sunlight & drafts, and make sure the room isn’t too hot or too cold.
When watering most plants, add water slowly and wait for it to absorb into the soil before adding more to avoid overwatering. If the plant has decorative moss on top of the soil, keep this moss moist by misting it whenever it starts to dry out.
Vase Arrangement
For an arrangement in a glass vase, it’s best to recut the stems about ½” from the bottom with a sharp knife or gardening clippers. Don’t use scissors as they squeeze the pores of the stem shut! Keep the water level high, and change the water every couple of days. You don’t need flower food, but if you have a packet only add about a quarter of the packet to the water. You don’t need to add food when you first receive your flowers, as the water already has some in it!
Arrangement in Floral Foam
To water your arrangement in foam, find a corner or edge where you can pour the water and add it very slowly so the foam has time to absorb the water. You will know when to stop because you will see a visible water line at the top of the container.
If the arrangement is in the shape of a birthday cake, or if it’s a centrepiece arrangement, you should keep it moist by misting it from the outside with a spray bottle of water.
Wrapped Bouquet
If you receive a wrapped bouquet of flowers, follow the same advice as a vase arrangement! Recut the stems ½” from the bottom with a sharp knife or gardening clippers, not scissors. Put them in a vase filled almost to the top with water. If you would like to add flower food, only add a quarter of the packet. Change the water every few days and keep the water level topped up.
Arrangement in Floral Foam
To water your arrangement in foam, find a corner or edge where you can pour the water and add it very slowly so the foam has time to absorb the water. You will know when to stop because you will see a visible water line at the top of the container.
If the arrangement is in the shape of a birthday cake, or if it’s a centrepiece arrangement, you should keep it moist by misting it from the outside with a spray bottle of water.
Succulents and Cacti
Succulents and cacti don’t need much water. Allow the soil to dry between watering because they will wilt and die if they are overwatered. It’s best to keep them out of a window, away from direct sunlight and sources of cold or warm air. Succulents only need watering once every two weeks, whereas a cactus may only need to be watered once a month.
Dish Gardens and Planter Baskets
These often contain a mix of tropical green plants and flowering plants such as African violets, kalanchoes, and begonias. The best way to care for these is to check the wetness of the soil by sticking your finger about 2 inches down. If it still feels pretty moist, leave it for another day or two; if it feels dry, water it! Keep away from windows but in a bright room.
Money Trees (Pachira)
Money trees are very hardy plants! Thoroughly water your money tree when it’s dry, and make sure to let the soil dry out between watering. Water about once or twice a week, and rotate the plant when you water so the back side gets its turn in the light.
Peace Lilies (Spathiphyllum)
Make sure to keep your peace lily away from pets and small children as they can be poisonous! Keep the soil relatively moist, but make sure not to overwater. Spritzing the peace lily’s leaves and blooms will keep it happy, as peace lilies love humidity! Keep them away from cold areas and away from direct sunlight but in a bright area of your house.
Phalaenopsis Orchids
Orchid plants like to live in a room that is bright but not in direct sunlight. They don’t need a whole lot of water to thrive, so watering every 7-10 days will suffice. We usually recommend placing a single ice cube on the moss. It’ll gradually melt and slowly give the orchid the right amount of water it needs. When your blooms drop, we recommend keeping it in a dark room and keeping it watered for a few months.
