Houseplants need light, and usually plenty of it. We’re not talking direct sunlight here, though. Most houseplants thrive in a bright spot but sheltered from direct exposure, making the windowsill a perfect spot – east facing is usually best. East facing windows allow the plant to receive morning sun (which is usually cooler than the afternoon) and indirect sun in the latter part of the day.

Here’s a general rule: plants that have flowers or variegated leaves generally require the most light, while plants that are mainly foliage require the least. Cactii, for example, require plenty of light and do well sitting on the sill of an eastern facing window. Ferns, on the other hand, should be kept in a shadier spot far away from the heat of sunlight.

So how do you know if your plant is getting enough light? Easy. Simply look at how your plant is growing.

Are the stems of your houseplant growing toward the light source?
Are the stems spindly?
Do the leaves seem to grow sparsely and are smaller than usual?
Does the plant seem to grow extraordinarily slowly?

If you answer yes to these questions, then your houseplant needs more light!

Are the leaves pale and/or yellowish?
Do the leaves look unhealthy and seem to sag or curl down sadly?
Are there any brown spots on the leaves?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then your houseplant needs less light!

Adjust the lightining for your houseplant, and you’ll find that it will slowly repair itself (you may also want to consider other things like humidity levels and fertilizer if it doesn’t).

The temperature of the environment is one of the most important things to consider when deciding where to place the potted plant you’ve received from your Toronto florist. No matter how much water and sunlight you lavish upon it, if you’ve placed it in a cold spot, it will just not flourish.

It’s true – potted plants love the warmth. Whether a leafy fern or showy hydrangea, if it’s in a pot with soil, you can safely bet that your houseplant will thrive in warmer conditions (however, temperature requirements vary depending on the type of plant.)

Warmth is vital for several reasons:

• it facilitates nutrient intake
• it stimulates growth
• helps plants out of their dormant period and flower
• helps maintain fertile soil

If your home is a little too cool, you may want to keep your potted plant warm by wrapping the pot (only the pot) with a “blanket”, since the warmth of the soil is more important. The soil should always be the same temperature as the soil, at least. You can also place a clear plastic roof, with ventilation holes, over the plant to create a mini greenhouse.

And remember: warmer temperatures tend to dry out the soil, so you’ve got to be vigilant about watering. When required, it’s important to give your potted plant warm water to maintain the cozier temperature. The last thing you want to do is to shock your plant by exposing the roots to cold water! Doing so will give your plant “cold feet”, inhibiting water absorption.

Orchids, a popular flower for just about any occasion (including as a chic alternative to the rose for Valentine’s Day) has a bad reputation for being fragile and far too delicate for the harsh Canadian environment. However, don’t believe the bad press. Orchids that wither and die have most likely been the victim of over/underwatering, or too little/too much much attention.

Follow these 5 tips to help keep your orchids as beautiful and healthy as possible, despite the weather outdoors:

1. The right amount of light. Different types of orchidsneed different amounts of light. For example, oncidiums love lots of sunshine, but should be shielded from the heat of midday sun. Popular moth orchids prefer a little more shade, making a north or east facing window ideal. Check the leaves to see if your orchid is getting enough light. Dark green means that there’s not enough. A lighter, grassy green means that the amount of light is perfect.

2. The right fertilizer, generally used about once a month. Fertilizer can help keep your orchid healthy and facilitate the blooming process. Use specially formulated flower food for orchids when watering and remember to follow the instructions closely.

3. Like most houseplants, orchids can also be attacked by pests like aphids and mealybugs. However, a healthy orchid will tend to fend off the pests well. To eliminate invaders, use a insecticidal soap that’s gentle and preferably organic.

4. The right amount of water. Overwatering and underwatering an orchid is the easiest way to destroy it. Overwatering will rot the roots and underwatering will make the flower dehydrated. Depending on the type of orchid, the soil should be kept moist, moist only when actively growing, or dry to the touch before watering again. In general, you can water your orchid about once per week or once every two weeks. Moth orchids, for example, require less water than oncidiums. A good way to determine the frequency of watering is to check the leaves. If they’re thick and fleshy, they won’t need as much water because they can retain it well. On the other hand, if the leaves are thinner, you’ll need to keep the soil moist.

5. In general, orchids do not need to be repotted until the roots grow long and start climbing over the pot’s edge. Repot when the orchid is not in bloom, and make sure to remove any dead or rotting roots before placing the roots into the new pot.

Pictured on the left is a beautiful Cymbidium Orchid and Rose arrangement in a black vase, garnished with greenery. Blooms are in yellow to represent joy, warmth and happiness.

The presence of potted plants inside your home bring a certain warmth and character that cannot be matched by other decorative items. With the added benefits of acting as natural air purifiers and positively impacting your emotional state, it’s no wonder that potted plants make a popular gift for your recipient.

However, not every plant is suitable for any home and vice versa. Lighting conditions, humidity levels and space should be important factors to consider prior to bringing a plant home.  While most Toronto florists sell houseplants that are bred to thrive in the cooler Canadian climate (withstanding this type of environment), such factors can still affect longevity.

Lighting Conditions

Most plants love the sun, much like us humans. Unfortunately, the amount of light a specific houseplant requires to thrive varies. For example, most ferns (pictured above, first on the right) like the sun as long as it’s not directly on them. The same goes for areca palms. Eucalyptus, on the other hand, love a full blast of direct sun. You may find that the spot you’ve chosen for your plant has different levels of sunlight throughout the year, which means that you may have to move your plant around to accommodate.

Humidity Levels

As a Canadian, we are far too familiar with the dry, arid climate of our winters. Many of us get dry skin because the air leeches the moisture from it. Unfortunately, this is the same for potted plants. Most leafy plants available at florists enjoy an environment that is more humid than dry, and that can be difficult to recreate in the winter or if you live on a higher floor of a condo/apartment. Fine misting the leaves and a humidifier can both help.  If you’re concerned about the level of humidity in your home, try  cactii instead.

Space

This one’s pretty obvious. A big plant won’t do very well in a small space. It’ll just be cramped and be less of a decorative item than it is a nuisance. But here’s a warning:  don’t think that what you’ve just brought home will stay that size. With the right living conditions, your potted plant will most likely grow. Be prepared!

Sometimes, it can be difficult to select which type of flowers would be most suitable for a funeral service. And because there are so many funeral flower arrangements available, it can be hard to figure out which would convey your sentiments accurately.

Funeral flowers should generally represent not only your condolences, but also be a comforting token for the bereaved. Because there are so many ways to express these sentiments, floral arrangements range from simple and subdued to quite extravagant and colourful.

At 416-Florist.com, we offer a number of suggested funeral flower arrangements, but they are by no means the selction that you have to choose from. We are flexible in creating the type of arrangement that would be more suitable for you and the bereaved. Simply let us know the style, whether it be a tribute, spray or wreath, and the types of flowers you would like to include. If you weren’t close to the deceased and are not familiar with the bereaved, it may be better to select a bouquet that is more simple than extravagant.

Funeral flower arrangements tend to use fresn blooms that are in season.

Here is a list of flowers that are commonly used. Accompanied are also their meanings, which are often unknown to the recipient(s). You may write the meaning of the flowers that are in the arrangement in the symapthy card that is attached to express your feelings clearer to the bereaved:

• Alstroemeria, also known as Peruvian Lily, represents friendship and devotion.

• Carnation, also known as Dianthus Caryophyllus, represents love. The colour of Carnations sometimes changes its meaning. For example, a pink carnation implies a mother’s undying love, while red represents love and admiration.

• Chrysanthemum represents fidelity. This is another flower that has different meanings related to its different colours. Red represents your love while white is a loyal love.

• Delphinium, also known as Larkspur, represents heavenliness and an open heart.

• Hydrangeas represent heartfelt gratitude. Some also believe it represents boastfulness and vanity, however a positive connotation is usually more acceptable.

• Irises represent faith and hope. They are often related to the Christian resurrection.

• Queen Anne’s Lace represents sanctuary.

• Roses have long been related to love and romance, however they are suitable a funeral flower to represent deep love for the deceased.

• Snapdragons represent desire and strength.

• Statice, also known as Sea Lavender and Limonium, represents sympathy and remembrance. This flower is usually used as an accent to bouquets, since the blooms are quite small.

There are several other blooms used in funeral flower arrangements, however including all would make this list way too long! If there’s a flower that you would like to include in your arrangement, simply let us know.

As for colour selection, more traditional bouquets feature a simple red, white and blue palette. You may also choose to include a colour that was the favourite of the deceased.

If you’re unfamiliar with what the colours of flowers represent, just let us know and we can describe what each colour represents. For example, purple flowers often convey admiration, while blue is calming.

And remember…
If you are unsure of the location of the funeral service, 416-Florist.com may be able to help. Since we’ve been providing funeral flower arrangements for over 10 years, we have forged relationships with a number of funeral homes in the GTA and can contact them to locate where and when the service is being held.