Thanks for your purchase! Please check the section for the type of product you purchased for care instructions for the plants and/or the wood.
Water Propagation Stations
The plant or plants included wtih this propagation station can live indefinitely in water making them incredibly low maintenance! To keep the plants alive and happy, top up the water as it evaporates making sure any roots are always covered in water. If there are no roots yet, they should emerge in the next one to six weeks. Keep the water around ¾ full as a general rule.
Change the water out fully every month or two, or when it looks like it needs it. Rinse the stem and roots under running water when you do this and gently remove any gunky or dead parts, if any are present.
Most of these plants are happiest in medium light, though they can take some amount of direct sun or none at all. Always use filtered water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours so there is no chlorine remaining.
Please note: The wood is finished with a very light oil, not a heavy polyurethane. If it gets wet and isn’t wiped dry, it will leave a water stain. It’s best to remove the glass from the wood when topping up the water to avoid this.
Cuttings from many common houseplants can be grown in water this way so if any of these plants don’t make it, just replace it with a new cutting. Google ‘plants that can grow in water’ to find a list, or ask a plant expert friend – they’ll probably have cuttings to share with you.
Air Plant Stands
There are two ways to water air plants: The first is soaking them which takes more time but can be done less frequently. The second is misting which is quick and easy but is needed more often. Either way, always use filtered water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours so there is no chlorine remaining. Air plants can live with some direct sunlight, or none at all. Medium light is best.
Misting: This is closer to how air plants live in nature and so it’s usually a better method. Spray the air plant on all sides and on the root until it is wet but not soaked (4-8 sprays from a standard spray bottle from 8 inches away). Do this twice a week, or three times if it is particularly dry in your home.
Soaking: Submerge the plants in water for a few minutes once every 7-10 days. Shake all the water off making sure to turn it upside so no water pools in the leaves.
The easiest way to kill an air plant is overwatering. Err on the side of too little water, and if the tips of the leaves get brown and dry, slightly increase the amount or frequency of watering.
Please note: The wooden stand is finished with a very light oil, not a heavy polyurethane. If it gets wet and isn’t wiped dry, it will leave a water stain. Remove the air plant (with or without the wire – the wire can get wet) and pat it dry before putting it back on the stand to avoid this.
Succulents and Cacti Planters
These plants need less water than most people think, and overwatering is the easiest way to kill them. In these small 2-inch pots just a tablespoon or two per week is usually enough. Err on the side of too little water, then if you see it looking dry, up the amount slightly. Always use filtered water, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours so there is no chlorine remaining.
These plants can take some direct sun, and prefer medium to bright light. They can often do fine in lowish light, but some succulents will start branching upward if they are not getting enough light.
The plant is in a plastic pot. You can remove this easily from the wood anytime you like (use a glove for cacti) to make watering easier. It is a 2-inch pot which is a very common size so if the plant dies it can be easily replaced. Most garden centers and plant stores will have these.
The wood is finished in a light oil, not a heavy polyurethane. It may get water stains if water is left on it. Rub on a small amount of any wood oil to remove these. Cutting board oil, mineral oil, or even baby oil will also do the trick.
Terrariums
Terrariums are closed ecosystems that only require light to be added. The water stays inside as long as the container is closed, so watering is unnecessary – in theory.
But, terrariums do much better when they get occasional ventilation. Moving air helps prevent mold and keeps plants and mosses happier. Anytime the container is open some water needs to be added to replace what was lost. As a rule, a few hours or one day per week spent open is great, and the more established the terrarium gets the less often ventilation is needed. After a few months, you can begin opening it just one day per month.
It’s important to watch for any mold occurring. This could be white stuff growing on leaves or moss, black substance on leaves, or strange patterns appearing on the glass. At the first sign of mold, leave the terrarium open for at least a few days in a room with good airflow. Remember to replace any water that is lost. Once the mold clears up you can close it back up.
The amount of water lost per day of being open depends on the size of the opening of the container. As a rule for every two inches of opening diameter, give it one spray per day from a standard spray bottle.
The best way to keep the terrarium healthy is to make sure it has enough, but not too much water. There should never be water pooled around the gravel at the bottom. The soil should also not look like mud. It should be moist, but not soaked.
The more light the better with terrariums, but no direct sunlight. A north-facing window is ideal. Artificial light works as well, so under a desk lamp with a warm or daylight bulb or on a shelf with a grow light above it. Don’t use lights that emit too much heat. LEDs are great.
Eventually, you may want to or need to do some maintenance or improvements in the terrarium. This could mean trimming back overgrown plants, removing dead leaves, cleaning the inside of the glass, or even adding in new plants. Mini ferns or so-called fairy garden plants from plant stores almost always work in terrariums. If you search on Amazon for “aquarium tools” you can find a set of long scissors and two types of long tweezers for around $12 that make this much easier. It can be pretty fun too. Or you can just let it get overgrown and jungly, and see which plants outcompete the others.
The best resource for terrarium care tips is Worcester Terrariums on YouTube.