Tropical plants must drastically change their habits as they are moved from natural growing conditions at the nursery to their life indoors. Nursery conditions provide much higher light and humidity needed for their metabolism and growth. But indoors, the roles of light and water are reversed. In most instances the leaves struggle to get enough light while the roots remain too wet. Lower light means less food can be metabolized and the plant must establish a new metabolic rate, this is called acclimatization to its new environment. Trees and Ferns, because they operate at a high metabolic rate, have the most difficulty making the adjustment. Palms and Canes grow slower, and make the change more easily. The key is to pick the right plant for the amount of available light and not to over water them.

Jonah, owner of Shades of Green, is delighted to share her knowledge of plant life with you. Please come back to visit us soon. The Newsletter area will continue to provide a great wealth of knowledge on how to care for your plants!