Frequently Asked Questions

We love to hear from our customers. If you are dissatisfied for any reason please contact us right away.

ARRIVAL - WHAT TO EXPECT
Q. Is there anything special I should do when my plants arrive?
A. Carefully unpackage immediately. Plants may need a good watering. They have been in a dark box for several days. Don’t overdo it by placing them in direct sunlight. Give them light shade for several days. Soil should stay moist but not water-logged. Hold off fertilizing until the plant has acclimatized.

Changing Location. When moving a plant from indoors to out (or from out of the shipping box) remember it is a shock to the plant. Minimize the stress by placing the plant in shade for a day or two and gradually increase the sun until it reaches its final location.

CARING FOR YOUR PLANTS
Many of the plants we sell are tropical or semi-tropical. They make excellent houseplants because they like the same environmental conditions as humans.

Watering. Plants that are wilted can be submersed in water a few minutes. The soil in a pot can become “hydrophobic” and will not hold water. Submersion forces the soil to accept the water. After a few minutes remove the pot from the water and allow to drain. Generally, most plants need well-drained soil. Water-logged plants are subject to fungus attacks and root rot.

GUARANTEE
The leaves on my plant were bent / broken and turned brown or yellow. Can they possibly make it?
A. YES! Almost all plants will suffer these symptoms. Shipping can be very stressful on them. They must not only endure being cooped up in a dark box for days they are also subjected to extremes in temperature and humidity. Most of these are out of our control such as the ride in the mail truck.

ELEPHANT EARS
They come in many varieties and create a tropical look anywhere. The defining difference between Alocasias and Colocasias is a microscopic difference in flower structure but there is a practical application to knowing which are which. Alocasias for the most part prefer less water and more shade than do Colocasias.

Alocasia. Medium to low light. Will tolerate high light but not full sun. Keep moderately moist but not wet. Fertilize every other month at half strength stated on package. Prefers 70º -75º F in summer, 60º - 65º F in winter. Will go dormant if temperatures drop below 45º F.

Colocasia. Bright light. Will tolerate full sun. Keep soil wet. Fertilize frequently, heavy feeder. Prefers temperatures between 70º -85º F in summer, 60º - 65º F in winter. Will go dormant if temperatures drop below 45º F but will come back in zones 7b and higher. Dormant bulbs can be mulched or dug from the ground and overwintered in a dry, cool (but not freezing) location.

BANANAS
Bananas fruit in a variety of colors including yellow, red, and purple. They are the largest herbaceous flowering plants and are often mistaken for trees. Their “trunk” is actually a pseudostem that in some instances can reach up to 30 feet in height.

Musa. Bananas. Bright Indirect or full sun. Tolerates low light. Keep soil moderately moist but not wet. Fertilize every other month at half strength. Heavy feeder if grown outdoors. Fertilize with this ratio: 3-1-6 for best results. We sell a 15-5-30 (but bananas are not picky.) Provide plenty of water. Prefers temperatures between 70-85º F.

BULBS
Generally, prefer a rich well-drained mix. Water well in the spring and summer but keep drier during winter months. Plant in full to partial sun.

Agapanthus. Prefers a rich, sandy mix. Water well in the spring and summer but keep drier during dormant months. Plant in full or mostly sun.  Zones 8-10

Amaryllis. Grow in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun to light shade. Zones 7-9

FLOWERING & LANDSCAPE
Carolina Jasmine. Vine. Grow in part to full sun. Very drought tolerant but will not be attractive unless receives moderate moisture. Tolerates frost. Zones 7-9

Confederate Jasmine. Vine. Hardy to mid teens. Evergreen in warmer climates. Does best in moderately moist soil but can be drier. Part to full sun.
Night Blooming Jasmine. Grows in sun to part shade. Adapts to most soils. Drought tolerant. Zones 8-11.

Orchids. Many orchids prefer loose, well draining soil such as coarse tree bark. They should dry out before watering. The native Florida orchid Encyclia tampensis is such an example. The three listed below are all terrestrial or ground type orchids. They can grow in and do best when planted in regular garden soil that is both rich and well-draining. 

• Bletilla. Hardy from zone 5 - 11. Winter mulch in very cold areas. Likes moist rich well-drained soil.

• Spathoglottis. 60-95° F. Foliage may show some ‘burn’ below 50°. Can be grown in full sun but will produce cleaner and prettier foliage under partial shade. Well drained soil high in organic matter. Let almost dry between watering. Will respond to frequent fertilization with multiple shoot formation and active flowering. A balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20.

• Vanilla planifolia. Source of vanilla extract. Vining Orchid that can be planted in light potting soil. Prefers high light but not full sun. High humidity.

Wisteria. Wisteria frutescens. A beautiful selection of native American Wisteria. Plant in full sun. Water 2-3 times per week. Will climb to 15 feet. Zones 8-10. Goes completely dormant in winter.
XERIC / DROUGHT TOLERANT
Xeric plants are drought-tolerant. You don’t have to live in a desert to grow and enjoy them but since they can survive on as little as 10 inches of water per year, in many cases, once these spectacular plants are established no irrigation is needed at all.

TEMPERATE FRUIT
Includes some low-chill varieties which require only minimal winter cold for the plants to set fruit. Ideal for areas with mild winters.

Fig. Ficus carica. Plant in any well drained soil. Figs require plenty of water but cannot tolerate excessive moisture. Mulching in sandy soils is recommended. Full sun to part shade. Zones 7-10. May freeze to ground in cold winters but frequently returns.

Kiwifruit. Actinidia chinensis. ‘Vincent’ (female) and ‘Tomuri’ (pollinator). One male vine can pollinate from 3-8 female vines if planted in close proximity. Prolific vines need plenty of room. Well-drained. The kiwi demands plenty of water during growth and may drop its leaves if allowed to completely dry out. Hardy to 10-15°. Fruits best where temperatures dip at least to about freezing. Must go dormant for best vigor and fruiting.

Muscadine Grapes. Vitis rotundifolia. Tolerant of insect and disease pests, and homeowners can successfully grow muscadine grapes without spraying any pesticides, thus it is preferred in the Southeastern US. Resistant to Pierce’s disease.

TROPICAL / SUBTROPICAL FRUIT
Tropicals don’t like to freeze, and usually do well indoors. Subtropicals can usually endure mild freezes. Generally, most varieties require full or mostly sun and well-drained fertile soil. When in doubt always use well drained soil. For more tender plants, placement near a building for protection from wind and cold is advisable. Outside temperatures in winter can vary as much as 10 degrees from one side of the house to the other. Knowledge of these warm spots and careful placement helps ensure success.

Barbados Cherry. Malpighia glabra. Acerola Cherry. Densely branched shrub or small tree. Fruit average up to 1 inch in diameter. Can have numerous crops between May and November with the heaviest occurring in summer. Well-drained. Mature trees can withstand temps to 28° for short periods. Young trees to 30°.

Cashew. Anacardium occidentale. Native to dryer areas of South America with poor sandy soils. Prefers distinct wet and dry seasons and plenty of light. Self-fertile but cross pollination helps for a heavier fruit-set. Height under ideal conditions is 25 feet. Serious damage at 25°.

Coffee. Ideal houseplant. Part sun to part shade. Well-drained soil. Somewhat drought tolerant. Grows to 15 feet. Can be pruned to any desirable size.

Dragon Fruit. Hylocereus undatus. Attractive vining cactus that can reach 20 feet. May fruit 5-6 times per year. Most soils but prefers fertile soils. Drought resistant. Good choice for dry climates. Can stand only light frosts.

Dwarf Barbados Cherry. Malpighia punicifolia. A small upright shrub with a bit of a weeping effect. 2 - 3 feet. Works well in a hanging basket. Most soils. May need some irrigation under dryer conditions. Full to part sun. Hardy to 22°F.

Feijoa. Feijoa or Acca sellowiana. Pineapple Guava. Can attain a height of 10-15 feet but is frequently used as a low hedge of 3-4 feet. Well-drained. Drought tolerant. Full sun to part shade. Can stand several degrees below freezing.

Guava.
• Psidium guajava. Small tree to 20 feet. Round to pear shaped fruit with white, yellow, pink, and red skinned varieties. Small trees can be killed by temps of 27°. Mature trees can withstand 25°-26°.

● Psidium cattleianum. Cattley or Strawberry Guava. Capable of reaching height of 25 feet. Popular as a sheared hedge. Oval to round fruit up to 2 inches in diameter. Established plants to 24°.

Loquat. Tree is cold tolerant down to 8 or 10º F. Flowers are damaged at 27º F. Tolerant of most soils except flooding soils. For best fruit production plant in full sun.

Olive. Olea europea. Small tree to 30 feet. Many varieties are self-fruitful. Cross pollination increases yields. Deep, rich, well drained soil leads to luxuriant growth. Plants are less susceptible to disease when grown on poorer calcerous soils. Full sun. Hardy to 10-15°F.

Papaya. Prefers warm temperatures 70-90º F. Does not tolerate drought. Water frequently if soil is well-drained.

Passion Fruit. Passiflora edulis. Vigorous perennial vine. Yellow fruited varieties are tropical and need protection from freezing. Purple varieties are subtropical.

Pineapples. Do not tolerate temperatures below 28º F. Ideal between 68-86º F. Above or below 60-90º F may slow their growth. Cold weather can “scorch” leaves but new ones may emerge if the crown has not frozen. Protect with mulch or a blanket. Well-drained soil and part to full sun. Drought tolerant.

Pomegranate. Punica granatum. Usual height is 6-12 feet. Dwarf varieties grow to about 3 feet. Can be grown in warm temperate to tropical areas. The best regions are those with cold winters and hot dry summers. Deep, heavy, moist  loam soils with a pH of 5.5-7.0 is preferred but can be grown in pure sand or clay. Water weekly when rain is absent. Cold hardy to 10 - 15F.

TREES
Bottlebrush. Callistemon sp. Multi trunked low-branched tree. Prefers full to mostly sun. Most well-drained soils. Highly drought tolerant when established. Zones 9a-11 except varieties indicated as cold hardy.

Eucalyptus. Most varieties prefer full sun and average soil. Generally eucalyptus does not need fertilizing. If done, do so sparingly. E. deglupta prefers more moisture than the other varieties which are drought tolerant once established. Can be container grown.

HERBS
Most herbs will grow satisfactorily under the same conditions of sun, soil, fertilizing, and watering and with similar cultural techniques as are used for vegetables. Most prefer 6-8 hours of full sun. Average soils with a neutral pH are best. Additions of organic matter to sandy soils are beneficial since many herbs are shallow rooted. A few are sensitive to soil moisture such as sage, rosemary, and thyme which require well-drained, slightly moist soil, whereas parsley, chervil, and mint grow best on soils retaining considerable moisture.

Bay Tree. Laurus nobilis. Tree to 40 feet. Slower growing, therefore ideal for container culture. Rich, moist soil. Moderate amounts of balanced fertilizer. Part to full sun. Zones 8,9,10. Hardy to 24° F.

Citrosa. See Scented Geranium.

Lemon Grass. Cymbopogon citratus. Clumping grass. Grows to 3 feet in height. Space three feet apart. Plant in full or mostly sun. Well-draining soil. Give adequate moisture. Don’t allow to freeze.

Stevia. Semi-humid sub-tropical plant. Quick growing to 18” in just three months. Leaves are sweetest when days are long. Well-drained soil but does not tolerate drought. 

SPICES / AROMATICS
Allspice. Pimenta dioica. Small tree. Prune to size when container grown. Full sun. Zone 10 and with protection in 9b. Drought tolerant when established. Rich sandy soil.

Bay Rum. Pimenta racemosa. See Allspice.

Black Pepper. Piper nigrum. Perennial, flowering, woody vine. Does well in shade or mostly shade. Warm temperatures. Hardy to 32F. Prefers humid environment and well drained but moist soil.

Cinnamon. Cinnamomum zeylanicum. Hardy to 32F.Can stand light frosts once established. Protect from hard frosts. Well-drained soil. Full to part sun.

Patchouli. Grows to 36” in height.  Rich soil kept consistently moist but well-drained. High humidity. Prefers light shade but tolerates sunnier conditions. Do not freeze.

Scented Geranium. Pelargonium sp. Place in full sun in northern climes and bright but indirect light further south. Avoid freezing and frost. Do not let the soil become too wet. Let dry between waterings.

Tea Camellia. Camellia sinensis. Small shrub to 6 feet. Zones 7-9. Full sun to part shade. Prefers a well drained, neutral to slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter. Do not allow to dry out completely. Increase watering when actively growing. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks spring - fall, use fertilizer for acid loving plants diluted to ½ strength.

Vanilla. Vanilla planifolia. See under ‘Flowering Plants.’

Ylang Ylang. Cananga odorata. Said to be principle constituent of Chanel No. 5. Do not let freeze. Blooms in warmer months. Well-drained soil, bright light to light shade.

CARNIVOROUS PLANTS
Light. Can be successfully grown under artificial lighting. Require high light levels except for tropical pitcher plants.

Examples of Light Levels. (When windows receive full sun. Plants should not receive direct sun at midday unless specified.)

Low = 1,200-2,000 ft. candles. East window, 1 ft. from west window, 2 ft. from south window.

Medium = 2,000-3,000 ft. candles. West window, 1 ft. from south window.

High = 3,000 plus ft. candles. South window.

Fertilizer. Under most conditions (when your plants have access to plenty of insects to eat) fertilization is not required. It can be toxic. If you fertilize, dilute the mix and apply as a foliar spray and not to the soil.

Soil/Water. Generally, most types prefer moderately to very moist soil such as 100% Canadian sphagnum. High soil moisture is required during the growing period and less when dormant. A good method for watering is the tray method. Simply grow plants with their pots sitting in a tray or saucer of water that has one half to one inch of water in it. Replenish water in tray as necessary.

Water low in minerals is best. If your tap water is hard or there is a question about it, use distilled from the grocery store. It is inexpensive when using the tray method. Collected rainwater can also be good.

Soil Moisture Scale:
1 = Completely dry between watering.
2 = Almost dry between watering.
3 = Very damp.
3.5 = Very damp to permanently wet.
4 = Permanently wet.
5 = Aquatic.

MISCELLANEOUS
Baobab. Adansonia sp. Similar to houseplants but give mostly sun. A tough and drought tolerant tree. Goes dormant in winter. A well drained sandy soil mixed with compost. Let dry out between waterings and no water when dormant. Fertilize to obtain good growth. Root pruning is similar to that of a cactus or succulent plant.

Cardboard Palm. Zamia furfuracea. Grow in full sun or shade. Tolerant of most well-drained soils. Space 36 to 60 inches apart.

Tillandsia cyanea. Likes bright light inside and filtered light outside. Prefers temperature between 50 and 90F. Water the leaves 2 or 3 times weekly during the warmer months and once a week when cooler. Fertilize leaves once or twice a month with a weak liquid fertilizer.

Go Back