How do you package you plants?

We mostly use recycled boxes from our neighbour and each plant is wrapped in paper with paper padding to prevent plants from falling over. Boxes are covered on the top in clear cellophane as this allows for light and it helps posties see what is inside. We take pride and care in getting your plants safely to you. In saying this, plants are fragile and the odd leaf or branch may break. Small bumps cannot be avoided and your plant will recover. However serious damage from shipping will be replaced (conditions apply). Please see our terms for more information. 

Shipping review from Megan (South Island)
'We ordered our first two plants which came in absolutely perfect condition they were packaged amazingly and the lady was so lovely to deal with we will be regular shoppers in fact I just placed another order today 😊😊 if you’re worried about getting plants online you don’t need to with this company they’re great 😊'

When do you stock the plants online?
Shane purchases most plants on a Monday and we photograph and list them on Tuesdays. Make sure to check out our PLANTSHOP regularly for any new plants listed. Or follow us on Social Media (Instagram and Facebook) as we will notify our followers when we get any large or new stock in store.

Light
What does indirect light mean exactly?
Used when referring to indoor plants, the term describes natural light filtered through a window but not direct full sun. The majority of indoor plants need bright to medium indirect light with a smaller amount needing full sun or low light.

Full sun to very bright indirect light
Preferred sun is morning sun. In general most of your succulents need full sun or very bright indirect light. This means your succulents can sit indoors in the morning sun window sill or by glass sliding doors getting morning sun. Full morning sun is great and your succulents will thrive in these positions. Afternoon sun windows - Avoid placing any plants in window sills receiving hot, baking afternoon sun as the temperature will rise up to 10 degrees more. We want our plants to thrive not fry. You can have plants in this area, just not next to or touching the window. Succulents will do fine in full sun outside though. Other plants liking very bright indirect light, but not a succulent, are your Peperomias. They require more light than other indoor foliage. Trailing succulents like String of pearls, dolphins, watermelons, fishhooks etc fall into this category but prefers all day bright indirect light more than full sun in our experience.

Bright indirect to medium light
Most indoor plants grown for their foliage prefers good indirect light with some liking medium light. If you are unsure, please get in touch as we are more than happy to help. All our plants are listed with basic care instructions and light conditions. Plants in this category are your Tradescantia family (Bubbles, Zebrina, Bridal veil), Pothos, Philodendron, Ficus, Big leaf ferns, Syngonium etc. 

Medium to Low Light
Our low light plants refer to a small group of plants that either prefer low light, like small leafy ferns or plants that will handle low light like our Rubber Plant, Sanseveria (also good in full and bright indirect light) and some Syngoniums. Peace lily also handles lower light. Some Dracaena handle lower to medium light. Kentia Palms can handle medium light. Please check with us if you are unsure if the plant you purchased will be ok in a darker spot that you chose for it.

Watering 
We most likely kill our plants by over watering and sometimes by forgetting or under watering. We find most plant parents kill their plants with kindness and we hope this section will help you. 

How much water?
What does 'let the plant dry out mean?

For succulents it is really important to let the potting mix dry out completely before you give it a good soak. Succulents are used to dry conditions, they love it. They will rather live and thrive if left dry than constant moisture. They are so easy to look after as long as you leave them alone and treat them a little mean. If you are a fussy plant parent who loves to water, you just have to trust that your succulent will be fine when it's dry. 
Peperomias are another plant variety that loves to be 'almost' dry before a good soak. Not quite as hardy as a succulent, we don't want to forget about it for weeks, but if it still looks damp at the bottom of the black pot it is fine. Less is better when it comes to most Peperomia. If you are unsure please just ask us. We are here to help.

Water regularly?
Watering regularly is the term we use when a plant requires an even moisture but not damp. We usually water these plants when the top soil starts to feel dry and the pot feels a bit light. 

Water frequently/ Keep soil moist?
This term is used mostly for ferns and baby tears and some other thirsty plants. Plants that thrive in more damp conditions.To help your thirsty plants stay hydrated, you can also mist them or place them on a pebble tray that you refill with water so your plant has an even moisture, especially in the warm months. 

Winter watering and when things go wrong.
Plants require less watering in the cooler months. Some far less. Check the weight of your plant and if it feels 'water heavy' don't water it, even if it is scheduled to be watered. We don't have water Wednesdays or water Tuesdays, as plants have different watering needs. We check regularly and we get to know which plants are thirsty. You might kill a few in the process of getting to know them. But that's OK. An indoor plant jungle comes from experience, trial and error. Don't beat yourself up if you kill your favourite plant. Buy another and speak to your specialist about what you might have done wrong. We kill plants too! Talk to us.

Watering Black/Green plastic pots and Coverpots
Most plants come planted in standard plastic pots from nurseries and retailers. As they are slightly unsightly we tend to buy pretty coverpots to hide the plastic. Most important watering tip! Remove your black plastic pot from it's coverpot to water your plant. Take it to the kitchen sink or bath and give it a good water or soak. Let the water drain free and return to it's pretty coverpot. If you water your plant sitting in the coverpot, the water cannot drain away and it will eventually become toxic and kill your plant. If your plant is already potted into a terracotta pot or pot with drainage holes you will most likely take your pot to the kitchen sink to water it and let it drain free before returning it to its little drip tray or plate. 

Plastic hanging pots with clip on drip tray. 
Take your hanging pot to the kitchen sink or bath and give it a good water or soak. Either remove the drip tray and replace once water is drained. Or tip the plant to its side to ensure excess water is tipped out from the dripping tray.

Fertilize
Indoor potted plants require a little extra nutrition every now and again during the growing season. We fertilise our plants using a liquid or water soluble fertilzer. Make sure you read the instructions and do not over fertilize. Once a month is fine during Spring and Summer. Some fertilizers are strong and can harm plants so make sure you read the instructions of your product. House plants have a weaker formula than outdoor plants. And some plants like ferns and succulents require very little fertilizing. Please get in touch if you are unsure.
What will happen if I don't fertilize?
Your soil will eventually become nutrient poor and your plant will eventually lose vigour. Replenish nutrients by fertilizing or repotting.

Re-potting
Baby plants in tiny pots will be the first plant you buy to be repotted. Depending of course if they are slow growing succulents, or fast growing Tradescantias. If your plant is more than double the size of a baby pot or needs daily watering then it is definitely time to repot. Plastic pots can be purchased from a variety of stores. We are looking into providing black plastic pots soon. As a rule, when the roots of the plant starts to grow out of the draining holes it is time to repot. When you constantly have to water a plant it can also be an indication that the plant has outgrown it's pot. Not sure, no worries, just get in touch and we will give you advice. 

Next size pot 
We recommend you re pot your plant into the next size or two up. Don't plant a baby straight into a 20cm pot as it holds too much moisture for a tiny root system and can kill your plant. It is OK to go a few sizes up if your plant is well outgrown it's pot. 
If you have any other questions not covered in this section please get in touch. The more you ask, the more we all learn.