Tag: houseplants

Easy Ways to Identify a Mystery Plant

laurenkortbeinLeave a comment

Happy National Houseplant Appreciation Day! If you received a plant from a friend or from a plant swap but aren’t sure what it is, check out these handy ways to identify it:

Use your phone’s camera

Did you know both iPhones and Androids have a built-in plant identifier??

On Android:

  • Open the Google Lens app
  • Take a new picture of the plant and tap the plant and Google will pull up the info it can find!
  • OR: use an existing picture by tapping the library button in the lower left and follow the remaining steps above

On iPhone:

  • Take a picture of said plant
  • In the photos app, select the picture
  • Tap the “info” button at the bottom of the screen
  • Tap the icon on the image and Apple will pull up the info it can find!

Search specific plant features

Try Googling specific features of your plant. Does it have special colors, unique leaf shapes, or colorful flowers? You can also look at how new leaves grow or if the plant is a vine or stands upright.

Ask Reddit

If all else fails (or honestly if you’re just too lazy to try other methods) ask Reddit! You’ll usually get an answer in a few minutes. Here’s the thread I’ve previously used to identify plants.

The Best (Free!) Way to Get Into Plants

laurenkortbeinLeave a comment

If you want to start a plant addiction hobby, but don’t want to spend a ton of money doing it, I have good news for you! I’ve spent enough money on plants and have figured out a great free way to do just that!

The secret? Plant swaps.

What started off as a small collection of 3 big box store plants ended up blossoming into a new hobby, a collection of 40+ plants, and a fun new way to connect with people! I started with a few trendy looking plants (and ended up killing my first fiddle-leaf fig) and then moved on to the common plants. I bought pothos

I wasn’t sure what to expect at my first plant swap, but was so pleasantly surprised! Everyone was very kind, willing to talk plants and explain the care needs, and give out cuttings even though I didn’t have anything “worthy” to trade.

Search plant groups on Facebook or follow local plant people on Instagram to find plant swaps in your area, and don’t forget to search greenhouses and nurseries, they often host swaps themselves!

Here are some of my favorite plants I’ve gotten through plant swaps:

@laurenkortbein

the best way to get new plants?? plant swaps 😍🪴 #planttok #houseplantsoftiktok #plantswap #newplants #cebubluepothos #rubbertree #njoypothos #hoyasplash

♬ Swing Lynn – Slowed Version – Harmless

For those of you who have attended plant swaps before, what’s the best plant you’ve gotten?

Fall Plant Care Tips

laurenkortbeinLeave a comment

I know we don’t want to start talking about the “W” season yet, but it’s time to start thinking about it for your plants sake! Here are a few tips for how to ensure your plants make it through the cold season:

Stop fertilizing

Plants need an off season just like sports teams do! During the fall and winter, stop fertilizing your plants to give them a few months to focus on existing growth.

Decrease your watering schedule

With less sun and lower temps, your plants will likely need less water. I always recommend a moisture meter (this is the one I have) so you know exactly when your plants need water and don’t need to play the guessing game.

Continue leaf care

Don’t forget to dust leaves and check for pests! Getting rid of dust will ensure the leaves are able to soak up all the available sun. While you’re cleaning, keep an eye out for pests to avoid them spreading to nearby plants.

Increase humidity

Here in Minnesota, the air has gotten so dry that I’ve gotten static shocks from plant leaves! To add moisture back, add a humidifier or group plants together.

Wait to repot

Wait until spring to repot any new or existing plants. Since plants aren’t actively growing during the colder season, they’ll have a harder time adapting to a new home.

As needed:

Adjust plant locations

When the cold air hits and the heat turns on, make sure that your plants aren’t above a heat vent or near drafty windows!

Use grow lights

If you want to give your plants a little boost, give them a grow light or two! I have two of these lights and my plants love them.

@laurenkortbein

Time to start thinking about moving those outside plants indoors! 🥶#greenscreen #winteriscoming #outsideplants #plantcare #fyp #houseplants #houseplantsoftiktok

♬ original sound – laurenkortbein