Plant Care
Keeping it in a container
First water your plant when you receive it by soaking it for 20-30 minutes. Take note of its appearance.
Allow your plant to dry almost completely before placing it in the container. Do not place your container in front of direct sunlight. Remember glass intensifies sunlight and heat. Indirect light is best and some will even grow in low to moderate light. Water your plant every 4-5 days with one spray for tiny containers, 2-3 sprays for containers 3-5 inches, more if the plant is in a large open container. The smaller the container, the less circulation there is and the longer the plant will hold the moisture. Over watering may cause the plant to die. If the plant has lost its healthy appearance, take it out and soak it for 30 minutes to an hour. Then shake, allow it to almost completely dry and replace.
They do best with filtered light, warmth and humidity. When possible, if adequate light is available, place near bathroom to benefit from steam. Water when top inch of soil is dry but do not let dry out completely or remain soggy. Water away from the center to avoid mold. Avoid touching new growth as young fronds are very delicate.
Grow in well draining soil which retains moisture well. Prefers indirect sunlight and must be kept from frost. As a supplement to watering, you can keep the center cup of the plant watered if it is particularly warm and bright in the space.
Ficus Elastica Burgundy
Rubber tree plants prefer bright indirect light but can tolerate partial shade. Although they will grow much faster with favorable light conditions. Water every 1-2 weeks checking that the top 2 inches of soil are dry to prevent overwatering.
Pitcher plants will grow healthily when their habitat is kept close to it’s natural one. As they enjoy a moist, boggy environment never let their soil dry out completely. Make sure the pot doesn’t sit in water as root rot is a possibility. Humidity is appreciated but a light supplementary misting can be used in place if a dry environment is present. Keep your pitcher plant in direct full sunlight. Preferably in a space of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Pitchers naturally grow in wet conditions so keep soil moist at all times. For the best plant health water with distilled or rain water. Tap water can cause a buildup of minerals in the soil. Feed your indoor plant bugs about two or three times a year. This is how the plant gets nutrients and nitrogen. But if your plant is having trouble developing more pitchers, add a few drops of diluted high nitrogen liquid fertilizer. In the cold weather, the leaves and pitchers may wither and brown. You can prune them down to the rosette.
When handling the plant be careful the stems are quite fragile, and break off easily if brushed too hard. For the best color development, grow Purple Hearts in full sun,when growing in shade the plant tends to be more green than purple. They are drought tolerant and can thrive on neglect as well as tolerate frequent watering. Reduce watering during the winter months. Pink or pale purple flowers with bright yellow stamens are produced at the ends of the stem from midsummer to fall. They can also flower sporadically at other times.While they may be planted outdoors it is discouraged as they have invasive tendencies.
Indoor care
Place succulents in locations with sufficient lighting such as by windows and on window sills. If you notice that leaves on the plant are stretching, it may require more sunlight.
General Watering
Succulents should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. Water them by soaking the soil. Top watering can wash away powdered coatings found on certain succulents. This coating acts as a sunscreen and protects them from full sun exposure. It is better to underwater a succulent than to overwater it. Succulents store water in their leaves. Plants with chubbier leaves require less water than plants with flat leaves. You can tell when your plant needs water when the leaves get wrinkly. To better determine when you should water, you may want to purchase a moisture meter.
Indoor watering
Succulents that are kept indoors dry out faster than those outdoors. This is mostly due to heaters and air conditioners. So instead of giving it a little bit of water from time to time, thoroughly soak the plant until water comes out the bottom. Be sure to discard any water that pools,because they do not like to sit in water. Wait until the soil is complete dry again to water.
Planting, potting tips
Add soil/potting mix to the hole or pot. But do not fill all the way to the top, about ¾ of the way. Dig a cone shaped hole in the center. Gently hold your succulent from the top with your fingers under its leaves. Be careful to not damage the powdery coating. Completely bury the root ball with soil and gently pat around the plant.
Outdoor care
Place succulents in locations with bright indirect sunlight, good air circulation and keep protected from the rain and frost. They enjoy morning sunlight the most. Before moving your plant to a sunnier place take time to acclimate it to more sun over several weeks. Too much sun too quickly can cause your plant to burn and crisp. Most succulents can only handle up to 6 hours of sunlight.