Power Picks – Indoor Plants

It’s The FINAL COUNTDOWN! Duh duh duh da da da……….

Yesterday Seth and I unleashed our top plant picks for the yard and for containers. By no means are those the only options. They might not even be the best options for your plantings. They are just plants that Seth and I believe in and like.

Today is the final round of our co-founder matchup.  Now that we’ve discussed the yard and containers, there’s only one major arena left: Indoor Plants.

Some of you will call them house plants or potted plants, but that doesn’t really sum it up. The plants we’re talking about today don’t discriminate. They don’t care if you live in a house, an apartment, or even that van down by the river! We’re talking about those plants that are staples in your scenery. Think of them more like plant pets.

So who has the better plant picks Seth or myself? You decide in this final (for now) roundup!

-Mason, Co-Founder of GrowIt! (mday55 on the app!)

The picks are in! Which Indoor Plants are your favorites?

Seth’s Top 3:

1. Used Orchids – The plant business guy in me encourages people to throw plants like orchids, poinsettias, and other potted plants away after they are done blooming. The plant nerd in me likes buying orchids that are discounted, just to see if I can bring them back to life, and get them to bloom.  Surprisingly, they are rather easy to care for; give them a bright indirect light (so don’t put them in the window, just a bright room), water them thoroughly once a week (I put them in my shower for a few minutes), and a lot of patience.  Summer is a good time for these types of projects because the light levels are really high.
2. Umbrella Plant – Ok, so this plant may be considered to be rather boring, BUT, this plant is  SO easy to take care of, I doubt anyone can kill it (I don’t mean for that to be a challenge). Another great thing about this plant, is you can easily keep it at any size that you want, just by snapping off its new growth. The plant in the photo has been that same size for the last 4 years. It’s easy! And I really do believe the green color adds an element to the living room that lacks when it isn’t there. The plant can also be found it brighter colors.
3. Echeveria – this is an easy to grow succulent that has been popping up on the app more and more. It has a nice blue hue to the foliage. The blooms’ bright orange color contrast the foliage in and exciting way that you just don’t get from a green plant. The plant nerd in me really likes the architecture of the plant and how it is completely different than most other plants.  It doesn’t require much water, so you will see it in many interesting containers.

Mason’s Undeniable Top 3:

1. Cyclamen – I really like Cyclamen because they are versatile. For most of us that live in the frozen north, cyclamen are considered a houseplant that we can bring outside for some well-deserved sunshine. However, in some parts of the country, cyclamen can be considered perennials that bloom year after year. The growth habit on these is awesome because it’s so controlled and the flower has to be one of the most beautiful on the planet.
2. Succulents and Cacti of ANY kind – Want to start gardening, but don’t know what to grow? Go to your nearest garden center and ask them to show you their succulent display. Even though you won’t find lots of blooms, you are going to see more shapes and textures than you thought possible from plants. You’ll see plants that look like rocks (lithops), plants that look like dishes (paddle plant), even plants that look like Shrek’s ears! These are the ultimate gateway plants.
3. Cylindrical Snake Plant – Snake Plants are common fixtures in office buildings around the world. However, the Cylindrical Snake Plant is a rarer beast. This thing looks like something straight out of Jumanji. Sometimes growers even “train” their plants with string and wire to get them to intertwine. Again, all about texture here and a very easy plant to care for.

 

To see more photos of these plants, search for them in the Search feed under the “plants” tab in the App.

Which founder has the best taste in plants? Let us know in a comment, or post a picture on the app of your own favorites!

Power Picks – Container Edition

Ding Ding Ding! It’s time for Round Two! In our last post you learned what plants Seth and I consider to be top performers in the yard. You also had the chance to see how Seth clearly isn’t as refined in his plant selections as I am.

It’s ok we still love him.

Now we’re bringing you our Top 3 picks for container use. These are plants that rock all summer long on the patio or balcony.

Again you get to decide which one of us has the better taste in plants!

-Mason, Co-founder of GrowIt!

The Picks are In! Who is King of the Container?!

Seth’s Top 3:

1. Mandevilla – This plant has vibrant colored flowers that love the full sun and can make a great center piece to any container.  Put this plant along with some sort of trellis and combine it with some plants that will trail to create an awesome combination container.  New breeding on this plant has helped create less vigorous plants that allow you to have the same great flower on a much smaller plant.
2. Tropical Hibiscus – If you think flowering plants are too boring for your taste, then I dare you to try out a hibiscus plant as the centerpiece for your containers.  These tropical plants are not hardy unless you live in the south, but are exquisite for summer.  They bloom all summer long and have big & bright flowers.  You can get these plants small or big; as a bush or as standard (this means it has the stem and then the ball of growth at the top, this is better if you are mixing it with other plants). They do well by themselves in a smaller container, or you can put them in a bigger container and add some flowers around it to create a nice combination.
3. Banana Plant – No, you will not get any bananas from this plant, but you will be adding a nice tropical feel to your containers.  A good banana plant can add some visual structure and appeal to a container.  They have some great varieties that have some darker colors in the leaves that can contrast your flowers.  It also adds come good height to a container.  Plus for me, adding that tropical feel to the Midwest just makes me happier! These plants love sun, so keep it in the sunniest spot and watch them flourish.

Mason’s Top Notch Picks:

1. Cannas – Want something tropical looking that won’t cost you an arm and a leg? Go with a Canna! These things are great centerpieces for any mixed container, and they come in a variety of colors. Red is the classic, but you can find pink, orange, and yellow as well! Putting some mixed containers by the pool? You definitely need to try a Canna or two.
2. Heuchera – You didn’t see that one coming did you?!?! One of the more recent trends has actually been to start bending the rules when it comes to mixed containers. You don’t have to plant strictly annuals in containers anymore. Swap out that coleus for a Heuchera. At first people might look at you like you’re crazy, but then they’re going to realize that you’re a friggin’ genius!
3. Ornamental Pepper – Color is cool, but texture is better! There’s no better way to “spice” up a container than to throw in some Ornamental Peppers. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. I also love these because they’re extremely heat tolerant. If you want something that can handle the summer burn, go with an Ornamental Pepper. If you’re really bold, maybe just use an edible variety in your containers. That’s what we call dual purpose!

To see more pictures of these plants, search for them in the Search feed under the “plants” tab.

We’d love to know your favorite plants for containers. Leave a comment or upload them to the app!  

Power Picks – Yard/Landscape Edition

At GrowIt! we see a lot of plants. I mean A LOT of plants. Seth and I literally travel the country to see plants. If we’re not checking out plant photos on the app, we’re out in the garden taking photos of our own.

Over the last year, one thing has become clear. Everyone has their own opinions on plants. Some of that depends on where you live. Plants that perform in Florida, just might not cut it in the tundra that is the upper Midwest. However, some of the opinions out there are just based on who you are.

To highlight examples of differing opinions, Seth and I thought we would give you our top 3 plant picks for landscape, container, and indoor use. I’ll let you be the judge at who has the better taste in plants….. but clearly it’s me.

-Mason, Cofounder of GrowIt!

The Picks for Yard/Landscape Use are in!

Seth’s Top 3:

1. Whopper (large) or Dragon Wing (medium) Begonia – These plants are dynamite! They thrive in shade and in sun. They have bright red or pink flowers that cover most of the plant. This plant pretty much looks awesome every time I see it.
2. Angelonia/Summer Snapdragon – If you are in the northwest, I apologize for picking this plant as it may not do too well for you. This plant loves heat and loves sun, and if it has enough of both can look really good in the landscape.  They have a bunch of great colors and it can get you outside the normal petunias if you are looking for something different.
3. Butterfly Bush – If you are a sucker for butterflies, then you have to try this plant out! It comes in an array of colors and many different sizes from a small 3′ bush to a large 8′ bush. It’s flowers are very fragrant, and butterflies love landing on the cone like flowers. It is a perennial for much of the country. It really has been one of my favorites for quite a few years.

Mason’s Even Better Top 3:

1. Lantana – The Michael Jordan of plants. Lantana is a garden champ. Here in the northern states it adds great color all summer and provides good coverage. Down South, Lantana is even better. It can actually grow into a small hedge! Some blooms even give you three colors at once. What more could you ask for?
2. Dusty Miller – No garden is complete without “The Dusty”. Dusty Miller is the single greatest accent plant on the market. Possibly the most underappreciated plant out there, Dusty Miller can grow almost anywhere, and can take a beating. From far it just looks like a white plant, but up close you see that there is a texture there like none other.
3. Salvia ‘Black and Blue’ – I will challenge you to find a truer blue in the plant kingdom. There are tons of purples and even some navy blues out there, but none is as blue as ‘Black and Blue’. This plant is a killer. It does well in the occasional dry spell and provides color all summer long. It’s also great in the fact that it gets pretty big and can provide some height in combination with all of those groundcovers.

For more pictures of these plants, search for them in the app in the Search feed under the “Plants” Tab.

We’d love to hear about your favorite plants! Leave us a comment or upload them to GrowIt!