Plants make beautiful, long-lasting gifts and can bring color and life to a home, office, patio or garden for months or even years. Because Nancy's Floral offers everything from individual houseplants to mixed planted baskets and outdoor garden planters, care requirements can vary considerably.
The most important first step is identifying the type of planted gift you received. Use the guide below for general care, then refer to our individual plant guide for more specific information when needed.
Plant care varies with temperature, sunlight, humidity, season, container size and plant variety. Always check the soil and condition of the plants before watering rather than watering strictly by the calendar.
Plant Care Basics
Light
Most indoor plants prefer bright, indirect light rather than intense direct sunlight. Outdoor planters may contain plants that prefer anything from shade to full sun, depending on the varieties used.
Water
Check the soil before watering. Overwatering is one of the most common causes of plant problems. Water needs can change dramatically with the season, temperature and amount of sunlight.
Drainage
Never allow plants to remain sitting in standing water. Decorative baskets and containers should be checked after watering so excess water does not accumulate around the roots.
Temperature
Indoor plants generally prefer normal household temperatures and should be protected from heating vents, air conditioners and cold drafts. Outdoor plants should be protected from frost when appropriate.
Grooming
Remove faded flowers, yellowing leaves and spent blooms as needed. Regular grooming keeps planted arrangements attractive and allows remaining plants to continue growing.
Fertilizer
Most newly received plants do not need immediate fertilizing. During active growth, an appropriate plant fertilizer may be used according to the manufacturer's directions.
Care by Type of Plant Gift
Nancy's Floral creates several different styles of planted gifts. Some contain a single plant variety, while others combine several green, blooming or outdoor plants in one container. Knowing which type you received will help you provide the best care.
Individual Green & Blooming Plants
Individual plants such as peace lilies, orchids, African violets, palms and seasonal blooming plants are generally the easiest to care for because all of the plants in the container have similar needs.
Place the plant in appropriate light, check the soil regularly and water according to the needs of that particular variety. Our individual plant guide further down this page provides more detailed information for many popular plants.
Dish Gardens
Dish gardens contain several compatible green plants arranged together in a decorative container. They make attractive, long-lasting gifts and are generally designed with plants that tolerate similar indoor growing conditions.
Place the garden in bright, indirect light unless the individual plant varieties indicate otherwise. Check the soil throughout the container before watering, since different areas of a mixed planting may dry at slightly different rates.
Water conservatively, especially when the decorative container has limited drainage. Individual plants can be trimmed, divided or transplanted into separate pots as they mature.
European Planted Baskets
Our European planted baskets combine a variety of green and/or blooming plants in one decorative basket. The plants are surrounded with moss and may be accented with ribbon, birds, butterflies or other decorative elements appropriate for the season.
Because several different plants are grouped together, each plant may eventually require slightly different amounts of water. Check the soil around individual plants rather than assuming the entire basket needs to be watered at the same time.
Most European planted baskets perform best indoors in bright, indirect light. As the plants grow, they can remain together for an extended period or be removed and transplanted individually.
Watering tip: Avoid excessively saturating the decorative moss, and do not allow water to collect inside the basket or liner.
Memory Garden Planters
Memory Garden planters are designed as beautiful, long-lasting planted gifts using a mixture of outdoor plants. Depending on the season, they may contain annuals, perennials and other plants selected for growing conditions in the Pacific Northwest.
These gardens are planted in ceramic, fiberglass or similar decorative planters and can remain attractive for many months with proper care.
Because the plant varieties change seasonally, sunlight and watering requirements can vary. Place the planter outdoors in an appropriate location and monitor the soil frequently, particularly during warm, sunny or windy weather.
Spent annuals may be replaced as the seasons change, while many perennial plants can continue growing or eventually be transplanted into the garden.
Cold weather: Plants growing in containers are more exposed to freezing temperatures than plants growing in the ground. Protect containers during severe freezes when appropriate for the varieties planted.
Craftsman Box Planters
Our Craftsman Box planters are planted gardens created in handcrafted wooden boxes made right here at Nancy's Floral. Available in a variety of sizes, they may contain seasonal annuals, perennials and other outdoor plants selected for our Northwest climate.
These planters are designed to provide color and interest for an extended period. Place the box where the plants receive an appropriate amount of sunlight and check the soil frequently.
Wooden planters can dry more quickly during warm summer weather, so regular monitoring is especially important. Remove spent flowers and trim plants as necessary to encourage continued growth and flowering.
As the seasons change, individual plants can be replaced or transplanted, allowing the handcrafted wooden planter itself to be refreshed and reused year after year.
Caring for Mixed Plantings
Mixed planters should not always be watered as if they were one single plant. Different varieties can have different moisture requirements. Before adding water, feel the soil around several plants in the container.
If one plant begins to outgrow the others or requires substantially different conditions, it can often be removed and transplanted into its own container.
Indoor Plant Care Guide
The following guide covers many of the individual green and blooming plants commonly offered by Nancy's Floral or included in our dish gardens and European planted baskets.
African Violet
Bright indirect light • Even moisture • Compact blooming plant
African violets prefer bright, indirect light and can also grow well under suitable artificial lighting. Water when the surface of the soil begins to feel slightly dry, keeping water off the leaves whenever possible. Remove spent blooms to encourage continued flowering.
Areca Palm
Bright indirect light • Moderate watering • Tropical foliage
Areca palms grow best in bright, filtered light. Allow the upper portion of the soil to dry slightly between waterings and never leave the plant sitting in water. They appreciate moderate humidity and protection from hot or cold drafts.
Azalea
Bright light • Consistent moisture • Seasonal blooms
Indoor azaleas prefer bright light and cool conditions. Keep the soil consistently moist while the plant is blooming, but make sure the container drains well. Remove faded flowers to keep the plant looking fresh.
Boston Fern
Bright indirect light • Higher humidity • Consistent moisture
Boston ferns prefer bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil. They appreciate higher humidity and may benefit from occasional misting or another source of added humidity, especially during dry indoor conditions.
Bromeliad
Bright indirect light • Moderate moisture • Tropical color
Bromeliads thrive in bright, indirect light. Their watering needs vary somewhat by variety, but they generally prefer good drainage and should not remain waterlogged. Their colorful central bracts can remain attractive for an extended period.
Croton
Bright light • Moderate moisture • Colorful foliage
Crotons develop their best foliage color in bright light. Allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between waterings and keep the plant away from cold drafts. Crotons prefer warm conditions and moderate humidity.
Pet & child safety: Croton can be irritating or toxic if ingested.
Cyclamen
Bright indirect light • Cool temperatures • Seasonal blooming
Cyclamen prefer bright, indirect light and cooler indoor temperatures. Keep the soil lightly moist while the plant is actively growing and blooming. Many cyclamen naturally enter a dormant period after flowering.
Pet & child safety: Cyclamen can be toxic if ingested, particularly the tubers.
Dieffenbachia
Medium to bright indirect light • Moderate watering • Easy-care foliage
Dieffenbachia grows well in medium to bright indirect light. Allow the upper portion of the soil to dry somewhat between waterings and avoid keeping the soil constantly saturated.
Pet & child safety: Dieffenbachia contains irritating compounds and should not be ingested.
Dracaena
Medium to bright indirect light • Moderate watering • Easy care
Dracaena is a dependable indoor plant that adapts to a range of light conditions. Allow the upper soil to dry slightly between waterings. Brown leaf tips can sometimes result from dry air, inconsistent watering or mineral buildup.
Gardenia
Bright light • Consistent moisture • Fragrant blooms
Gardenias need bright light, consistent moisture and good humidity to perform well indoors. Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. They can be somewhat particular about temperature and environmental changes, but their fragrant flowers make the extra care worthwhile.
Gerbera Daisy
Bright light • Good drainage • Colorful blooms
Gerbera daisies prefer bright light and well-drained soil. Water thoroughly, then allow the upper portion of the soil to dry slightly before watering again. Avoid allowing water to collect around the crown of the plant.
Hydrangea
Bright light • Plenty of moisture • Showy blooms
Potted hydrangeas appreciate bright light and consistently moist soil while blooming. They can dry out quickly, so check them frequently. Avoid letting the plant remain in standing water.
Ivy
Bright indirect light • Moderate moisture • Trailing foliage
Ivy performs well in bright, indirect light with good air circulation. Allow the soil surface to dry slightly between waterings. Trailing growth can be trimmed as needed to maintain the desired shape.
Kalanchoe
Bright light • Low water needs • Flowering succulent
Kalanchoe is a succulent and prefers bright light with well-drained soil. Allow the soil to dry considerably between waterings. Removing faded flower clusters will help keep the plant attractive.
Norfolk Island Pine
Bright indirect light • Moderate watering • Even growth
Norfolk Island pines prefer bright, indirect light and moderate humidity. Allow the upper soil to dry slightly between waterings. Rotate the plant periodically so it receives even light and maintains a balanced shape.
Orchid
Bright indirect light • Careful watering • Long-lasting blooms
Most commonly sold indoor orchids prefer bright, indirect light and excellent drainage. Allow the growing medium to approach dryness before watering again. Avoid letting the roots remain constantly wet and protect the plant from cold drafts.
Peace Lily
Low to bright indirect light • Moderate moisture • White blooms
Peace lilies tolerate lower light but generally flower best in brighter indirect light. Water when the upper soil begins to dry. Slight wilting often indicates that the plant is ready for water, but repeated severe wilting should be avoided.
Pet & child safety: Peace lilies can cause irritation if chewed or ingested.
Philodendron
Medium to bright indirect light • Easy care • Vigorous foliage
Philodendrons are adaptable houseplants that prefer medium to bright indirect light. Allow the upper soil to dry somewhat between waterings. Climbing varieties may be trained on a support or allowed to trail.
Pet & child safety: Philodendrons contain irritating compounds if ingested.
Pothos
Low to bright indirect light • Easy care • Trailing foliage
Pothos is one of the easiest houseplants to grow. It tolerates lower light but grows more vigorously in bright, indirect light. Allow the upper portion of the soil to dry between waterings and trim long vines as desired.
Pet & child safety: Pothos can cause irritation if ingested.
Schefflera
Bright indirect light • Moderate watering • Easy-care foliage
Schefflera prefers bright, indirect light. Water thoroughly, then allow the upper portion of the soil to dry before watering again. Rotate the plant periodically to encourage even growth.
A Simple Rule for Watering
Check the soil first. A plant's water needs can change dramatically with the season, room temperature, amount of sunlight and container size. If the soil is still moist, waiting another day or two is usually better than automatically adding more water.
Plants That Keep Growing
One of the things we love about plants is that the gift can continue long after the day it is delivered. Individual houseplants may grow for years, European planted baskets and dish gardens can be separated and replanted, and our outdoor Memory Gardens and Craftsman Box planters can change and evolve with the seasons.
Our designers select plants based on freshness, seasonality and availability, including locally grown annuals and perennials that perform well in the Pacific Northwest.
If you receive a planted gift from Nancy's Floral and aren't sure how to care for it, please contact us. If you can identify the plants — or send us a photo — we can help you determine the best care for your particular plant or garden.