Plant Knowledge: Rex Begonia

Written by: Christin Ritz

It's all about the foliage, baby! From a silvery green to burgundy, and every variation in between, Rex Begonia is a stunner! And you gotta love those fuzzy stems!

Keep it in a bright room, out of direct sun and make sure the soil stays moist. Some will go dormant in winter, so reduce watering during those months. It may occasionally flower, but the blooms are much less impressive than the foliage, so pinch them off to encourage more growth. You can also coax it to spread by putting it in a wide, shallow pot. Rex B. enjoys humidity, but misting its leaves can cause disease, so place the pot atop a tray of pebbles with water.

This one is toxic to both cats and dogs, so be sure to keep it out of pet's reach.

It adds beauty and color to any front porch or summer garden. Just wait till the overnight temperatures are consistently over 55° before putting it outdoors (which is right around the corner!)

Plant Knowledge: Dieffenbachia (Dumb Cane)

Written by: Christin Ritz

With its showy, streaked leaves, this is a houseplant classic, largely because its so easy to grow! It is perfect to brighten a corner of your home or office that doesn't get much sun. This plant will do just fine in a room where it can "see" the sun, but isn't directly in it.

Keep the soil evenly moist and avoid letting it dry out. A bit of a drama queen, this one will dramatically droop when thirsty, and spring back to life once hydrated! Being from the tropics, it enjoys humidity, so an occasional mist or setting the pot on a pebble filled tray with water will keep her feeling at home.

While not deadly to animals, it will cause them quite a bit of discomfort if eaten, so better not for homes with curious cats and dogs!

Plant Knowledge: Gollum Jade

Written by: Christin Ritz

Yes, Lord of the Rings fans, this plant is named after that Gollum! Unique with its long, tubular leaves this is a super easy, low-maintenance houseplant.

It tolerates a variety of light conditions, from low to bright. If you are giving it too much direct sun, it will let you know by getting a red sunburn, which can be remedied by getting it out of the sun! Overwatering should be avoided. Gollum will happily tolerate drought and much prefers a pot with drainage holes.

This one can be toxic for pets, so if your kitty likes to nibble this may not be the right choice for you.

Plant Knowledge: Samurai Snake Plant

Written by: Christin Ritz

Samurai snake plants are one of the less common varieties, so it’s an interesting addition to your plant fam! Like other snake plants, this one is easy to care for and doesn’t mind a little neglect! Bright light and infrequent watering will keep this one happy. Its leaves stack one upon the next in a very cool way. It's rare, but it can flower! They will be tiny blooms, less than an inch in size.

Plant Knowledge: Echeveria Succulent

Written by: Christin Ritz

The sunny yellow flowers on these echeveria succulents are screaming SPRINGTIME! These plants will enjoy bright sun and a drink of water only when their soil is dry. For most, watering every two-three weeks is sufficient.

Pro Tips:
If your pot has drainage holes, water from the bottom instead of pouring into the top. Place the pot in a saucer
with about an inch of water and let sit about 30 minutes. No drainage holes? Use a spray bottle to spritz just the soil. This will help control yourself from overwatering. Be careful not to spray the leaves or let them sit wet.

Plant Knowledge: Fairy Castle Cactus

Written by: Christin Ritz

Shown here looking adorable in a kitty cat pot is a fairy castle cactus! It’s beloved because it looks just like its name and who wouldn't love to visit a fairy's castle? Super easy to care for, this one likes a sunny spot and infrequent, deep watering. Make sure your pot has drainage holes so that the water comes out the bottom. Watering about once a month should be enough. She doesn't like to be cold, so keep her away from drafts, especially in winter!

Plant Knowledge: Monstera Deliciosa AKA Swiss Cheese Plant

Written by: Christin Ritz

Adored for its hole-y leaves and unusual look, this plant is quite the conversation piece! It enjoys full sun, but will put up with lower light conditions. Watering weekly is sufficient, and it will thank you kindly for an occasional mist. This plant will vine out, and if you give it something to climb, it will become a gorgeous focal point in your home.