1 OAK Succulents - Iowa Potting Bar

Plant Care

We’ve got all sorts of tips to help you care for your plants to keep them healthy and thriving.

Herb Plant Care
Succulent Plant Care

Tropical Plant Care

Christmas Plant Care

Basil

Basil Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Basil likes a warm and humid environment. It is more resistant to heat than cold, and to drought, than waterlogging. It is adaptable to live in hardiness zones 10-12. Teh optimum growth temperature is 72-82 degrees in the daytime and 55-64 degrees at night.

Sun & Lighting

Basil is a full sun plant and needs sufficient sunlight during the whole growth period. It is best placed where it is exposed to sunlight for more than 6 hours per day.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained but moist.

Repotting

When 8-10 leaves grow out on one plant, the plant can be transplanted. Keep plants about 10″ apart.

Water

Average water needs, watering should be done each week or when the top 1-2″ of soil has dried out. Water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and excess water is fully drained from the drain hole.

Chives

Chives Plant Care - 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Will grow in temperatures ranging from 40 – 85 degrees.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun.

Soil

Moderately rich, well-drained.

Repotting

Divide on a dry, cool day, not during prime growing season.

Water

Drought tolerant, but like a good watering.

Note

Flowers scatter seeds, and this plant can get out of control if planted in your garden.

Lifespan

Perennial

Cilantro

Cilantro Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Ideal temperature is between 50-85 degrees but can tolerate temperatures as low as 10 degrees.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun to partial shade

Soil

Sand, chalky, loam; well drained; slightly acidic, neutral, slightly alkaline

Repotting

No need to repot, plant seeds directly into soil for additional growth.

Water

Average water needs; water regularly but do not let the water accumulate.

Dill

Dill Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

The ideal temperature is in the 70s but can tolerate temperatures down to 25 degrees.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil

Likes rich, well-drained soil.

Repotting

Repot if soil becomes compacted.

Water

Water weekly during dry spells.

Tip

Protect from gusts of wind.

Lifespan

Hardy annual

Lavender

Lavender Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Hardy to -30 degrees.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun to partial sun. loves warmth and prefers to grow in a sunny spot.

Soil

Thrives in lean, well-drained soils that are more on the dry side. prefer neutral to slightly alkaline soil.

Repotting

Needs excellent drainage if planted in pots.

Water

Very drought-tolerant and doesn’t require much water to grow. Does require more frequent watering during establishment and first blossoming season compared to established, mature plants.

Fun Fact

Fragrant flowers and foliage attract an assortment of butterflies.

Lifespan

Perennial

Varieties

English, Spanish

Mint

Mint Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Prefers daytime temperatures in the 60’s and nighttime temperatures in the 50’s, but can tolerate low 40’s.

Sun & Lighting

Full or part sun.

Soil

Moist, well-drained.

Repotting

When crowded, repot into a container wider than it is deep, or divide into sections and pot each section.

Water

Water when soil surface begins to dry.

Note

Likes good air circulation and high humidity.

Fun Fact

Remains productive for 6 months or more in pot culture.

Lifespan

Perennial

Varieties

Peppermint, Spearmint, Pineapple Mint

Olive Tree

Temperature

Will grow best in temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun – olive trees need lots of light.

Soil

Keep the soil moist but make sure the pot has drainage.

Repotting

No real need to be pruned. If pruning is needed, prune from the tips and lower branches in spring or early summer. If repotting, this will stimulate new growth. Use a potting mix labeled palm, citrus, or orchid.

Water

Light waterings – make sure the pot has drainage. But if the tree gets too dry, it will drop leaves. Foliage will regrow quickly, so if this does happen, don’t give up on it!

Note

Can use Neem oil if bugs appear.

Fun Fact

These trees grow up and out, like an umbrella. They are slow growers and produce natural layers.

Oregano

Oregano Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Prefers daytime temperatures in the 70’s and nighttime temperatures in the 60’s but can take temperatures in the high 40’s.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil

Moist, but well-drained.

Repotting

Can stay in pot indefinitely, but repot if soil becomes compacted.

Water

Allow soil to dry between waterings.

Tip

to insure getting culinary oregano, buy 4″ tip cuttings. Plants will remain productive in pots for one to two years. When they become woody, replace them.

Lifespan

Tender perennial

Parsley

Parsley Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Prefers 60-65 degrees but can take temperatures in the low 40’s.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun to partial shade.

Soil

Moderately rich, moist, well-drained.

Repotting

Repot if soil becomes compacted.

Water

Water whenever the top inch of soil is dry.

Tip

Remains productive for six to nine months in pot culture.

Fun Fact

Add a parsley infusion to bath water to soothe and cleanse.

Lifespan

Biennial

Poinsettia

Temperature

Indoor temperatures of 65-70 degrees F is ideal.
Avoid placing poinsettias where temperature fluctuates or may be drying, such as near cold drafts, heat ducts, fireplaces, fans, space heaters, etc.
Poinsettias will suffer damage if they are exposed to temperatures below 50 degrees F.
Freezing temperatures will kill poinsettias.

Sun & Lighting

Put in a south, east or west window where the plant will receive bright daylight.

Soil / Repotting

In late spring or early summer, transplant your poinsettia into a larger container (about 2 to 4 inches bigger than the original pot) or into a part-sun garden bed.
In pots, use a soil mix with a good amount of organic matter such as peat moss. Make sure your new pot has good drainage.
In the garden, plant into a garden bed with well-drained soil that gets 4 to 5 hours of sun per day. Mix in organic matter such as peat moss or compost into the soil. This will help maintain soil moisture and create a good growing environment for the roots.
Water your poinsettia thoroughly after transplanting.

Fertilizing

You do not need to fertilize your poinsettia during the holidays.
Start fertilizing your plant when you see new growth (new green leaves, stems, bracts).
Fertilize with an all-purpose household plant fertilizer.
Mix with water it at half the recommended strength.
Feed your poinsettia every 3-4 weeks to keep plant healthy and provide the necessary nutrients for new growth.

Water

Keep soil moist.
Water plant when the soil surface feels dry to a light touch, or pot feels lightweight when lifted. Never allow poinsettias to get so dry that they wilt.
Remove from decorative foil or outer pot before watering.
Make sure your plant is in a pot that drains freely.
Set plant in a sink and water thoroughly, allowing the plant to drain completely.
Never allow poinsettia pots to sit in excess water. Constant wetness will rot plant roots.
Continue watering as needed January through March.

Rosemary

Rosemary Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Prefers daytime temperatures in the 70s and 60s at night, but can tolerate low 40s.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun.

Soil

Light, well-drained.

Repotting

Woody growth and yellow leaves may indicate the plant is pot-bound

Water

Well-drained, but don’t let soil dry out completely or plants will die.

Lifespan

Perennial

Sage

Sage Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Prefers daytime temperatures in the 70s and 60s at night, but can tolerate low 40s.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun.

Soil

Needs good drainage.

Repotting

Allow plenty of room for air circulations. remains productive for one to two years in pots.

Water

Can withstand frequent waterings.

Note

Great for containers!

Lifespan

Perennial

Fun Fact

Keep enough on-hand for stuffing during the holidays!

Varieties

Culinary sage, purple sage, tricolor sage, pineapple sage

Succulent Pumpkin

Temperature

Ideal temperature is 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep above 45 degrees.

Sun & Lighting

Lots of sunlight but not direct sunlight. Succulent pumpkins need about 4-6 hours of sunlight.

Repotting

After pumpkin season, plant succulents in cactus or succulent potting media. Succulents will likely go dormant in winter and have little to no growth.

Water

Mist every 1-3 days. Do not let water pool at the stem.

Lifespan

Arrangement should last for months if proper care is maintained. Remember that succulents like it warm and dry.

Swiss Cheese Philodendron

Swiss Cheese Philodendron - 1 OAK care Instructions

Temperature

This plant will thrive in a warm environment with high humidity. This is typically a houseplant and prefers temperatures between 64-86 degrees.

Sun & Lighting

Swiss Cheese plants love sunny spots in your home. It is recommended to place the plant in a location that receives lots of indirect sunlight with a little bit of partial shade.

Soil

Plant your swiss cheese plant in a deep container that is twice the size of the main root ball. The container should have drainage holes to help avoid root rot.

Repotting

It’s recommended to repot every 1-2 years in spring before growing season, and increase the pot size by around 2″ across to encourage growth.

Water

Swiss cheese plants need an average amount of water, and it’s important to avoid overwatering the plant as this can lead to root rot. Water once per week, although it may need additional watering during hot or dry weather. A good way to determine if your swiss cheese plant needs watering is to check that the soil is slightly dry first. They enjoy a humid environment, so along with watering, lightly spray the leaves every other day to keep the plant from drying out.

Note

The sap within the swiss cheese plant contains toxins that are poisonous to dogs and cats.

Thyme

Thyme Plant Care 1 OAK Iowa

Temperature

Can tolerate heat well.

Sun & Lighting

Full sun.

Soil

Light, dry, well-drained.

Repotting

Repot if soil becomes compacted

Water

Allow soil to dry between thorough waterings, drought tolerant

Lifespan

Perennial