It’s best to use filtered water if it is available. If you do not have filtered water available. Let the water sit in the mister for about 24 hours prior to misting. This will help the chlorine evaporate from the water over time. Utilizing distilled water if it is available to you could be beneficial as well. Using filtered or distilled water, you avoid water build up and spots on leaves.
when should I mist?
Add misting to your morning ritual! Can be your Grab a cup of coffee and mist away! This can be an ideal time to relax and start your morning. With warmer days on the horizon, there may be times when you find yourself needing to mist more often because the level of humidity is low. Morning and night misting during the warmer months is perfectly fine.
How do you know your plants need misting instead of watering?
If some of your plants have yellowing or brown leaves, curling, or brown edges and you have not been over watering. This might be a sign to add in misting. The yellowing & browning could be a sign that they need a little more humidity in their life!
benefits of misting
Plant CoolingPlants that do well with misting
PathosPlants that don't do well with misting
Cactus
African Violet
Succulents
Stromanthe
Fiddle Leaf Fig
can you over mist?
Too much of anything is not always a good thing. We think that it is appropriate to mist in doses of 1-2 times per week depending on the plant's temperament and environment. Over-misting plants can attract pests. Make sure to spray the undersides of leaves, lightly. Spraying the undersides of the leaves you are able to mimic a tropical environment.
Misting both sides of the leaf ensures that the plant will be able to absorb the moisture applied more efficiently.
plant placement
If you have one of the plants mentioned above, think about placement and if you can relocate them to a spot where they might be able to retain more of the water from misting and watering. If they are next to a drafty door or window. It might be a good idea to move them to a spot where they might be able to retain more water. Placing plants of similar temperament together for misting is always a good idea!
Drop by one of our three locations for questions on misting! We have a wide selection of misters to choose from. Happy misting!
]]>Terrariums are another unique way for you to showcase your sincere love and admiration for plants in your home or office space. If you have a limited area to showcase your greenery. Terrariums are your best bet! You are essentially creating your own living, breathing plant ecosystem.
Can pets live in Terrariums?
If you have a pet that is able to live in humid conditions, then a terrarium might be the perfect habitat for them. Some Frogs, Snails, Toads, Tarantula, Mantis and Geckos are perfect candidates for Terrarium life. Before placing a pet in a Terrarium environment, you would want to talk to a professional about the ideal pet for these conditions.
What plants thrive in Terrariums?
When you are looking for plants for your Closed Terrarium environment you want to see what plants do well in highly humid conditions. Some of the best plants for closed terrarium include:
Note: There are two types of Terrariums, Open and Closed. There are different plants that do better in an open concept Terrarium. These plants need more air to live and grow. Some plants that do well in an open terrarium include:
What the difference in Open and Closed Terrariums?
Closed:
Conditions- Humid Conditions/Moisture Rich
Lid- Closed Lid
Lighting- Indirect Lighting, enough to provide warmth to the plants
Care- Need more care and attention
Watering- Once a month, but can vary depending on ever changing factors.
Open:
Conditions- Arid Conditions/ Airy
Lid- Open Lid
Lighting- Direct light
Care- Minimal care required
Watering- Every couple of weeks
How do I make a Terrarium?
You're in Luck! We offer workshops weekly so you are able to come in a create your own living breathing enclosed or open plant oasis. We will walk you set by set on how to create a Terrarium. If you have friends, family or co-workers that are interested please schedule a time.
]]>
Step 4: Showcase them in a mini pot, container, mount, suspended in the air or just by themselves.
If you have air plants displayed in a mount the watering care is the same, for steps 1-4. The cork can be submerged and will dry out overnight.
Tip: It’s important to remove all of the excess water. If you do not then it could lead to rot in the root of the plant.
FUN FACT: Air Plants actually bloom. They can be in bloom for several weeks to months. They can also, grow babies that will slowly grow. As they baby grows the mother plant will slowly wither.
Don't have Air Plants yet? We have plenty to choose from at any of our three locations. If you have any questions about care, for a specific Air Plant. Please as one of our friendly staff. We will be happy to help.
]]>Vining Plant Wall Clips
These nifty little plant wall clips are safe for painted walls and can stick to other surfaces safely too, such as shelves. They come with an adhesive backing that adheres to the surface. You are able to manipulate the prongs to wrap around the vine of the plant. We suggest that you place clips about ever 6-12" to ensure that the plant will be supported correctly and to avoid breakage.
Sticky Traps
No one likes flying gnats and flies, with spring and summer coming these guys will be out, and looking for new plant prospects. These sticky traps are eco friendly and pesticide free. Easy to use, just peel both sides of the traps and insert securely into the soil of the plant you are trying to save from gnats.
Moisture Meter
If you’re new to the plant game and want to ensure that you are not over or under watering your plant babies, this Moisture Meter is a great tool to have around the house. Oftentimes, it's hard to tell if the bottom soil is completely dry or moist. This meter comes with an easy to read meter and instructions on how to use, and a guide on what zones are ideal for your plants health!
Twist Ties
These 3 ft twist ties are a plant's life line when it comes to drooping or sagging. Use the ties wherever plants are needing a shoulder to lean on from other thriving plant limbs. To ensure that you are providing accurate stabilization for the wounded limb.
1. First, cut the twist tie to size first, roughly measure how much you will need and cut the tie. Take both limbs and place them together in close supportive proximity.
2. Wrap the tie around both limbs and loosely intertwine the tie.
3.Monitor closely for the next several weeks to ensure that the injured limb is gaining new strength!
Pruning Shears
We all have those plants with a little bit of a darker shade. If you’re looking to remove these spots because they are unsightly or causing harm to your plants. Using pruning shears will help get rid of the darker areas on the tips of plants or trimming dead leaves. The steps are easy, simply cut, and stand in awe of your new beautifully revived plant.
Just as there are many species of plants there is equal number of pests that can infiltrate them. Pests will invade your plant sanctuary through any openings from outside especially during summer, they can hitch a ride on your pet, or from a plant you brought in fresh from the nursery. From spider mites, mealybugs to aphids; the list goes on. Being able to identify them early can negate them from likely spreading to your other plants.
Spider mites are very tiny bugs that form spider webs on the underside of your leaves. You can easily identify them by all the silky threads of the web they build as nests.
Aphids are small, pear shaped insects that like to gather on new growths of your plants and the undersides of your leaves. They like to suck the nutrients from plants which will cause yellowing on your leaves.
Mealybugs are nightmare fuel off the bat. Easily identifiable by their pure white exoskeleton and visible antennae. They also gather in clusters and appear very cotton-like.
While these are just some common examples of pests that can infest your plant collection, the solution is quite more accessible than you think.
On the chance that these bothersome insects creep into your plants, don’t fret! Your local Fern Plant Shop carries two possible solutions! Insecticidal soap and neem oil. While the difference between them is very miniscule, they both eliminate and suppress pests. Neem Oil is used more as a preventative measure overall in that it can even prevent fungi from forming, but too much Neem Oil can run the risk of harming your plants as well. Insecticide Soap will effectively destroy pests and is on the safer side, but doesn’t have the preventative properties that Neem Oil has. Good news for you is that you can actually combine these for that one two punch effect. Mixing them into a separate spray mist bottle will yield better results than using one then the other. Applying them once a week is a good measure if you currently have an infestation. Applying them every 3 weeks after any signs of pests is a good preventative practice so pests won’t return. Usually, you’ll have to do some minor chemistry when you get these in concentrated form, but they both come in a ready to use spray mix so there is no need for measuring or mixing them with anything else.
Now you have all the basic tools you need to sustain a large collection of happy growing plants! Keep in mind is that it is good practice to closely inspect your plants every once in a while. You never know if you’ve harbored any stray hitchhikers (pests). If that is the case, feel free to ask any of our friendly Fern Team Members at any of our three locations. We can help you troubleshoot and identify what might be going on with your plants.
]]>
So what is fertilizer? What is it used for? By definition, fertilizer is a natural or artificial chemical substance that is used to improve growth and the productiveness of plants. Basically, fertilizer is like a protein shake for plants. It helps them grow big, strong, and healthy. Plants can naturally just grow on their own with the proper care of adequate sunlight, water, and love. If you really want to boost their potential, adding fertilizer is definitely beneficial in that regard. The soil in their pot can only provide so much, and even you have to change that eventually, but that’s another topic on its own. There are many options and brands of fertilizer, but we are going to focus on Fern Plant Shop’s plant food potion called, “Flourish”.
Flourish, is a fertilizer made locally here in Spokane at Fern Plant Shop. A blend of natural minerals and organic extracts such as fishmeal, kelp, guano, plus the essential macro and micro nutrients your plants need namely NPK 3-2-4. What does this all mean you’re wondering? In short, your plants will be able to receive an ample amount of nutrients. Flourish was made in a way that you can apply it to your watering in any interval. Meaning you can apply it based on your regular weekly watering schedule or once a month or biweekly. The choice is yours. Optimal use of any fertilizer though is Spring/Summer season, but can still be applied to your plants regardless of the season. The recommended amount to use is 8ml per gallon of water, but can be varied. Just got to do some light measuring and conversion to fit your watering tool capacity. Flourish also comes with an air plant mister variation! So for all you air plant lovers, you also have an option to fertilize yours as well.
Now let’s go back to the scenario I mentioned in the beginning. You now have the missing piece to your perfect home plant care setup. Flourish will not only help achieve optimal growth, but also keep your plants healthy. Treat your plant friends to some wonderful nutrients with Flourish.
]]>Snake Plants (Sansevieria)
Snake plants are notorious for being practically indestructible. They come in many different varieties and sizes, so everyone is sure to find at least one they love. When it comes to care, snake plants prefer medium to bright indirect light, but they are tolerant of low light areas as well. They want the soil to completely dry in between waterings as well - they are drought tolerant plants.
Because of the minimal light and watering needs, snake plants are perfect for anyone trying to build up their plant collection.
ZZ Plants
ZZ plants are another special gift option that can still thrive in the hands of someone that tends to forget about their plants. When kept long enough, ZZ plants can get quite large and dense, and there is another variety of ZZ plant called a Raven ZZ that has black leaves (pictured on the left) instead of green (pictured on the right).
ZZ plants will want the same love as a Snake plant - medium to bright indirect light, but tolerant of low light; allow the soil to dry up in between waterings.
Dracaena
For a much different look than the first two options, Dracaena are a popular plant option when it comes to easy care houseplants. Dracaena come in an even larger variety and you can find them from 2” in diameter to 12”+ and over 6’ tall. There are Dracaena with thin, pointed, leaves, as you can see in this photo, and some that have wider and softer leaves. For someone that likes a plant with a bit of character, a Dracaena would be a great gift.
The best way to care for a Dracaena is to provide it with medium indirect to bright dappled or direct light. Water your Dracaena when the top 2” of soil is dry.
String of Hearts
String of Hearts is a great gift for anyone who prefers hanging or trailing plants. They have a unique design,and come in a variety of different shades. The heart shaped leaves are just the icing on the cake. They can grow to be anywhere from 3-9 ft long. Allow for sufficient growing room.
To care for a String of Hearts, give them bright indirect light - avoiding direct sun. You will want to water your String of Hearts when the top 2” of soil feels nearly dry, or when you start to see the first signs of wilt.
Peperomia
Peperomias have one of the most distinctive looks of all the plants on this list. Once again, they come in an extremely wide variety. There are some Peperomias that tend to grow long and tall, while others trail and are best as hanging plants. They are all going to require the same care, however.
Taking care of a Peperomia is going to be similar to taking care of a String of Hearts - bright indirect light - avoiding direct sun, and watering when the top 2” of soil feels nearly dry or at first sign of wilt. A Peperomia would be the perfect easy care gift for someone that might have a small plant collection already growing. The photo above shows, a Peperomia as Kokedama. Peperomias make exceptional Kokedamas because of the hearty root system.
There are many easy care plants out there, and truly anyone can be a “plant person” if they just find the plant that is right for them. If you are trying to think of what to get a plant lover for any occasion, any of the plants on this list would be a amazing place to start.
Stop by any of our three locations to pick out one of these plants, or find some options on our online shop as well.
At Fern Plant Shop we offer workshops where you can make your own hanging living work of art! Our class schedule varies depending on the week. Weekend classes book up fast, so make sure to sign up in advance. In our mounted plant workshop, we will walk you step by step through creating our own mounted plant. We will also educate you on what plants are good for mounting and give you a care guide to take home.
Our workshops include: cork bark, mounting hardware, moss and care instructions for two mounted plants!
If workshops are not your thing, great news! We have them pre-made in all locations for purchase. Mounted plants make great gifts for any plant lover.
Mounted Plants truly are a work of art. Placing them in your home could sometimes be difficult because you want to make sure they are getting sufficient light and are not tucked in the corner of your room above that pile of dirty clothes. Ensuring they are placed in an aesthetically pleasing place is one thing you want to be mindful of. Here are a couple of ideas.
1. The bathroom is a perfect place for mounting a plant, oftentimes bathrooms have small windows that can give off just enough light to keep the plant thriving. Also, the extra moisture from the shower from time to time couldn't hurt.
2. Near an entrance or exit to your home. Bringing the outside indoors, is often what draws us plant lovers to them in the first place. Placing a mounted plant near an entrance or an exit will make a warm and friendly transition from the outdoors. Creating a cluster of mounted plants together is conceptually pleasing.
3. Adjacent to a window. Mounting a plant next to any other existing hanging window foliage would make your window plant jungle continue to grow!
4. Hanging next to other photos of family & friends or other decor. If you have a place on your wall that you are looking to bring some life and texture, a mounted plant would be a great addition.
5. Depending on the time of year, if you have a space outside where you can provide the appropriate lighting and environmental conditions. Mounted plants can be outside! Hanging them on fences as decor or on outdoor walls would be an amazing addition to your outdoor space.
6. If you don't have any interest in mounting it anywhere and have a shelf that would be sufficient. Propping it up against a wall or another object may be a cool way to display a mounted plant.
Please join us during one of our workshops to create your own Mounted Plant. Or drop by one of our three locations and take a peek at what we have in stock. Feel free to ask questions, when you are in the shop and we can help you with some additional ideas for Mounting Plants in your home.
]]>
We have a wide selection of pet-friendly house plants that will have you coming back. I know that bringing plants into my home means they need to be safe for my pet. We hope that by sharing these with you, you will be able to educate others around which plants are safe for pets. If you are ever in one of our three locations, please be sure and ask about our pet-friendly plant section. We have a resource card that lists a wide variety of pet-friendly plants.
Calathea
These unique vibrant beauties will stop anyone in their tracks. They come in a variety of different colors and patterns. Calathea enjoys damp soil and medium to direct bright indirect light. If they are exposed to too much direct light, the leaves will often wither and can cause fading in color. We have a variety of different Calathea in the shop at all times. This plant is a Fern favorite.
Echeveria
These succulents are super popular and are easy to have indoors. Echeveria needs about 6 hours of sunlight a day. They can get up to 12 inches tall. Overwatering tends to be an issue with these plants. Ensuring they are placed in an unglazed pot is key to a happy healthy life. We appreciate that Echeveria are aesthetically pleasing and symmetrical. It's fun to pair Echeveria with other succulents of the same temperament.
Hoya
If you are looking for an exotic plant that is super easy to grow, Hoya would be an excellent choice. Hoyas are not super fast-growing, so avoid giving them too much love. They prefer to be pretty dry before watering again. Hoyas love to climb and would be perfect in a macrame hanger. Bright and indirect light is the perfect growing condition for Hoyas. These beautiful plants come in a wide variety of colors and leaf shape. There are many different varieties to collect.
Peperomia
Peperomias are another Fern favorite. They are a interesting varietal. You can collect more than one, since coloring and structures tend to be different. I have quite a few. Like Hoya's, Peperomias do best in indirect bright light but will tolerate lower lights if placed in that environment. 1-2 weeks between watering will ensure proper growth and a decrease in yellowing leaves. They like to have the soil dry quite a bit between waterings.
Fern
Ferns like humid moderate conditions. The ideal place for them are in the living room or kitchen where they are more likely to thrive. Ferns grow in damp, sometimes shadowed environments, but that doesn't mean they need the same inside the home. Ideal lighting settings would be near a window with indirect morning and afternoon sun. Overly harsh sun might cause yellowing leaves. Water at least once a week, and keep the soil surface somewhat damp and it will grow to be a happy, healthy fern!
Polka Dot Plant
Vivid is one word to describe the Polka Dot Plant! This is another plant that likes a little bit of humidity. Placing them near a humidifier, if you have one, would be a good idea. If you do not have a humidifier, misting them with room temperature water from time to time would be beneficial. Bright and indirect light are what keep this plant glowing. Be careful not to soak the roots, and water the top 1/2 -1 inch of the soil when dry.
Spider Plant
This plant is the ultimate hanging macrame plant. Spider plants look awesome in any setting and can be in bright indirect light. Spider plants bloom a small white cluster of flowers that some refer to as spider babies or spiderlings. The great news is that you can propagate these and give the new starts away as gifts! The blooms often occur during spring and summer but can happen anytime. Lastly, spider plants are also amazing for air purification.
Why do we love Kokedamas? At Fern we enjoy exploring different plant design concepts. Traditionally, when you think of houseplants you may imagine them in a pot of soil on a shelf. Kokedamas are easy to care for, and we can help you create one, in one of our workshops! Here are a couple of reasons why we love them.
They are FUN to make
They are fun to make and you can create them in no time with little skill. In our workshops we teach you step by step how to create your own Kokedama. You can sign up to attend one of our workshops on your own or come with friends. Workshops are a great way to learn more about Kokedamas and have a awesome time doing it!
You can use a variety of different plants to make one!
When selecting a plant to use, you want to look for plants that have hearty root systems. Since you are essentially creating a new environment for the plant structure with soil and moss. Pothos, ferns, philodendrons, peperomias and bromeliads are the best plants to use when creating a Kokedama.
Aesthetically pleasing
Kokedamas imbues the Japanese Aesthetic of Wasi-Sabi, meaning the appreciation of the imperfections of nature and the transience of natural beauty. A Kokedama creates a sculpture-like creation in your space. Kokedama’s truly are a living piece of art highlighting the imperfections and raw beauty of the plant.
Kokedamas have Japanese Heritage
Kokedama is a form of Japanese Art that is centuries old and tied to the practice of Bonzi. Loosely translated ‘Koke’ means moss and ‘Dama’ means Ball. Thus they are also known as ‘Japanese Moss Balls’.
Alternative to Macrame
If macrame isn’t your thing, Kokedamas are a great alternative to showcase your plants in a new an intrinsic way. Kokedamas can be displayed in saucers, plates, bowls or hanging with fishing wire.
If you’re interested in creating your own living work of art. Sign up HERE to participate of our workshops!
]]>Fern first started as a small shop in Spokane in August of 2019. A little less than a year later, a second shop was opened in Coeur d’Alene in July 2020. Our third shop opened in downtown Spokane in September 2020. We quickly outgrew our first location, and moved to a bigger space in June of 2021. We now have 15 employees across all of our spaces.
Come to any of our locations and find a curated collection of indoor houseplants and botanically inspired gifts and goods. We carry a wide range of houseplants - from 2” starters to 12” plants that are more than 5’ tall, - and from easy care to rare species. Our staff are all well informed and prepared to answer any questions you may have. We can suggest the best plant and plant care tools based on your unique care abilities. We have a large selection of modern pots and pottery for you to choose from; if you pick a plant and buy a pot at any of our locations, we will transplant it for you for free.
Some unique products that we carry at all of our locations are Kokedama - a plant whose root ball is surrounded by a ball of dirt and held together by moss and fishing line, wall mounted plants - plants that are mounted to a piece of wood or log and held together with moss and fishing line, and handmade terrariums with different plants, rocks, and gemstones. These statement pieces are available to purchase at any of our shops, but if you are interested in learning how to make your own, we offer workshops for them at our Spokane location on Riverside Ave.
Plant based workshops are available for scheduling via our website. Underneath the “workshops” page, you will find our current classes and availabilities where you can book a class for yourself, a friend, or a group.
Our goal is to provide you with a shopping experience that you do not forget. We strive to be unlike any other plant shop you have been to before, and we do our best to make sure you feel welcome and properly informed on all of our products.
If you are unable to come into any of our physical locations, we sell a large selection of our products on our website and on etsy. We ship nationwide and make sure to ship all of our plants with the utmost care, to avoid any potential damage in the shipping process.
Stop by any of our stores and find yourself enchanted.
]]>