There are over 300,000 species of plants. From green and flowering houseplants to cacti and succulents, the possibilities are nearly endless as to how you can revamp your home or office decor with these verdant beauties. This month, as we celebrate Administrative Professionals Week, we thought we would share some easy-care tips for some of our popular gifts in this category. Although it is impossible to give blanket instructions, you can always ask for advice from the experts at Curran’s Flowers – we have four greenhouses on our property and grow plants year-round right here in Danvers. Here are some tips on how to keep some of our favorites happy and healthy – from succulent care to green plant maintenance!
The jade plant has thick, succulent leaves, and although making it flower indoors may take a bit of coaxing – it can be done! Overall, the jade plant is very easy to care for, requiring medium light for only a few hours daily, meaning that an office or bedroom with work just fine. To mimic its natural conditions and entice it to flower, provide minimal water, cool nights and bright days. These variables should produce buds which will bloom into tiny white-to-pink flowers.
Did You Know? All cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti.
The Birdsnest Cactus (shown below) is of the pincushion variety. Ball or barrel shaped and native to the warmer regions of the United States, pincushion cactus plants are most commonly grown indoors. The soil for this birdsnest cactus should be well drained, gritty and allowed to dry out between watering. The cactus is dormant in winter and needs no irrigation until spring, and ideal temperatures are between 50 and 75 F.
The generous and showy dieffenbachia plant is a wonderful houseplant but does have a few little quirks to keep in mind when nurturing it to its full potential. The most common problem people have with the plant is overwatering – the soil should be consistently moist but never soggy. Situate the plant in well-draining soil and make sure the soil is dry an inch down before watering. The dieffenbachia plant does best in filtered light (such as through a sheer window curtain). If the light is too low growth may stop, but the plant should still appear happy and healthy. Rotate the plant regularly to make sure that all sides of the plant get light exposure. 
We love how green plants can transform the ambiance of a home. And the experts at Curran’s Flowers are busy growing the perfect green plants for your home, office, or gift right now! Give us a call to find out what’s fresh and in season – whether we grow it here or work with the best growers around the country.
We are your local Danvers experts for homegrown green and flowering plants.
