Plants ... you can put them to work as indoor 'air filters'!
March 2010
This is the time of year when we find ourselves spending more time indoors ... time to think about adding house plants to improve the indoor air quality of our homes.
For most of us, the shorter days and cooler temperatures of fall and winter mean more time spent indoors. Flowering plants, plants with colorful foliage, intriquing succulents - you know they add life, color and interest to our homes and work spaces. But, did you know ...
Plants take in carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. That's what we learned in grade school, right? But actually, plants affect air quality in a variety of complex ways. In recent years we have discovered the value of house plants for removing harmful compounds and contaminants such as benzene and formaldehyde from indoor air.
Years ago, NASA researched ways to clean the air in space stations and determined that house plants improve the quality of the indoor air we breathe. While most plants photosynthesize in daylight, some plants, including most succulents, orchids and bromeliads, act in the opposite manner, opening their stomata at night. Therefore, with a well-balanced selection of houseplants, it is possible to use living plants as indoor 'air filters' continuously improving our indoor environment - day and night!
According to NASA findings, Pothos, Spider Plant, Sansevieria and Peace Lily are some of the best plants for purifying the air and are among the easiest housplants easy to grow. English ivy and a number of indoor palms also made the list, but these plants demand more careful attention to light and humidity in order to thrive indoors.
Recently in the news - a new university study about indoor plants aimed at identifying and quantifying the compounds that plants, potting soils and plastic pots release into the air. There is no final judgement on the effect indoor plants have on air quality and human health ... research continues. Most feel the positive benefits of indoor plants will continue to outweigh any negatives that are in question!
What's New?
Beautiful blooms from the greenhouse!
Flowering plants fresh from Wickman's greenhouse combine with distinctive foliage to create our custom Spring Garden Planters. Want to make it extra special? You select the pot and the plants - we'll do the rest. (Delivery available!)
Kalanchoes are Easy Care
The kalanchoe is an exceptionally pretty, inexpensive, and easy-to-care-for plant that will brighten the little corners of your home for many months. They have long-lasting blooms and don't like too much water, making them perfect, easy-care indoor plants. Wickman's greenhouse offers kalanchoe with double yellow, pink or red blooms.
Blooming with the best of the season!
Looking for a way to brighten grey winter days? Wickman's is always blooming with the best of the season! Visit our greenhouses or contact the flower shop to arrange for delivery of plants and gift baskets.
New Plants!
Don't worry - this shipment of plants will all be out of the boxes and on the benches very soon! We receive fresh shipments regularly. Looking for something special? Come by or give us a call!
Long Blooming Orchids
Orchids are truly amazing blooming plants. Many species are now easily available, but the long blooming, easy care Moth Orchid (phalaenopsis) is a favorite. Each large bloom lasts for weeks ... the perfect plant for home or office!
It's always Green at Wickmans!
Want to spend some time in a tropical paradise but don't have the money to get away? Stop by Wickman's and enjoy green all year round!
Cyclamen are unique!
The long blooming cyclamen is a favorite for those who favor the unusual. Grown in Wickman's greenhouses, these very affordable plants offer beautifully textured foliage and unique blooms!
Finally, it's easy being green!
Did you know Wickman's greenhouse is growing succulents? We can create gorgeous potted succulent arrangements for you ... and for you to send as gifts thru the flowershop! In case you don't know about succulents - they're pretty, low maintenance and have tremendous texture and color. Don't you absolutely love the idea of sending something sustainable and lush looking that can stay with a person for many years!
Meyer Lemons
These Meyer Lemon plants produce a very fragrant edible fruit for the whole family to enjoy! Plants are budded and ready to bloom now.
Cactus
For a change of pace, come in and browse our impressive selection of cacti and succulents. These desert plants are perfect for the dry air in your temperature-controlled homes and offices. Give these plants a bright, warm window and a small drink of water every couple of weeks and they will reward you with slow steady growth, bright green stems and the occasional exotic flower. Come choose your succulent or cactus and let us pot it for you into a loose, sandy soil to ensure great drainage for your new pet. We have countless varieties available for in small starter sizes or larger specimens to make more of a statement.
Chinese Evergreen
Need a plant for your dark room or office? The Chinese Evergreen is the perfect fit for you! The colored leaves contrast well with dark green foliage. Wickman's has 3 varieties to choose from including Silver Bay, Emerald Beauty and Maria. These plants will grow to about 3 feet and work well in a decorative pot! They are low maintainence and only need a little trimming. Chinese Evergreens can survive in dark corners but also like warm, filtered sun. Come in and take a look at these plants today!
Pothos
Pothos are a very popular and reliable indoor plant. With an affinity for low light, light watering, and even somewhat dry air, pothos are suitable for many areas where other tropicals would suffer. Pothos are at their most impressive perhaps when its trailing tendrils are trained onto a sturdy pole for lush, vertical growth. Pothos are a beautiful and affordable way to fill even problem plant spots indoors. Come see our wide selection of pothos varieties including golden pothos, marble queen, neon pothos, and especially the pothos poles.
African Violets
This indoor bloomer never goes out of style! Wickman's restocks regularly and offers a lovely selection of violets in 4" pots for just $5 each. Hurry in to choose one before your favorite color is sold out!
Beautiful Orchids
The Dendrobium is a beautiful species of Orchids. Vibrant yellow with a splash of red, clean crisp white, purple tones ... all easy to grow and coax into bloom for indoor color.
The Bonsai
Bonsai are living works of art that never stop growing or changing. The art of Bonsai is training a tree to grow small-scale in a container. You can add your own touch by selecting one of the many styles and colors of pots. Wickman's also offers several types of Bonsai starter plants to choose from. Match your personality and decor! These simple and easy to care for indoor bonsai plants are growing in popularity. Trim them to any shape you wish! The key to growing Bonsai is to not be intimidated.
ZZ Plant
If you don't have the best green thumb try out a ZZ plant! It grows in any light condition and does exceptionally well in lower light where few plants perform well.
Arrowhead Plant
Arrowhead plant is the solution for your room with low to medium light. This fast growing plant has many uses in your home or office. They make good potted plants, hanging baskets, trained trellis or hoop plants and even living pillar plants. Its aerial roots help it attach to surfaces and climb. The arrowhead shaped leaves are gorgeous and come in a few colors including green variegated and pink. Arrowhead plants are easy care plants just don’t let the soil dry out!
Venus Flytraps
Do you know where Venus Flytraps originate? You can find them in peat filled sink holes in the area around Wilmington, North Carolina. They like sandy, peaty soils in damp areas or along the edges of swamps. These were discovered around 1763 and were the first plants suspected of being carnivorous. Venus Flytraps catch food in their traps and reopen after several days for another meal. These interesting plants can live up to two or three decades!
Boston Fern
Boston Ferns are perfect for a pedestal or hanging basket with their green, arching fronds. They enjoy a warm, shady climate and can grow in medium light or a bright location. Ferns are easy to propagate, just divide the plant while repotting. A few helpful hints to remember when growing ferns: don’t let the soil dry out, mist ferns frequently if air is dry and water often during the summer. PLANT TIP: Stand plants on trays filled with moist pebbles to increase humidity!
Starter Bonsai
Interested in bonsai? Start with an indoor Bonsai Tree! Wickman's has several economically priced bonsai starter plants. Along with three easy-care ficus styles and the classic junipers, we have received three blooming varieties: Cotoneaster, Serissa and purple-flowered Jasmine. Come in and browse these miniature trees and don't forget to check out our selection of stylish and classic bonsai pots.
Silvery Wandering Jew
Wandering Jews are both decorative and tough. These plants can survive in dark corners and are sensitive to direct sun. .The Wandering Jew is known for it’s colorful leaves. The leaves are dark green with white or pale yellow stripes and are purple underneath. They occasionally bloom with small clusters of white or rose pink flowers. These plants are great for hanging baskets or trailing over the side of a pot. Tip: Pinch out the tips of young plants to encourage bushy growth!
Dish Gardens
As the winter wears on, many gardeners turn their attentions to indoor landscaping. Dish gardens are a fun way to add interest to common indoor plants. All you need to start is a pot or basket, small, starter-size plants and a little creativity. We sell the needed supplies as well as ready-made gardens!
Rex Begonia
Are you looking for something with some color for your home? These plants love bright filtered light and extra humidity. They have showy leaves shaped like an uneven heart and several different color patterns. Colors vary from green and silver to shades of pink and burgundy. Rex Begonias rarely flower but are known for their gorgeous textured leaves. Make sure not to overwater these easy to care for plants!
Parlor Palm
The Parlor Palm grows in low to medium light and is a low water plant. It only grows to be about 3 feet tall indoors, making it an easy to care for plant. We carry starter sizes to 8 inch container size. Pricing ranges from $1.99 to $30.00.
Snake Plant
This practically indestructible plant removes toxins in rooms where no other plant will grow (like areas with no windows)! Keep one in your bathroom, work cubicle or any other room that has limited sunlight.