Plant Care
See below for full care instructions for our plant related products.
If you have any questions please email us at Plants@ElkandVine.com.
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Air Plants
Air plants live on just air, right? Nope!
While air plants don't grow in soil, they definitely NEED to be watered. While the plants can survive for long periods of drought, they will not grow or thrive and will eventually die off if water is too scarce.
Watering: Soak air plants in a bowl of room temperature water once a week or once every two weeks. Let them soak for at least 10-15 minutes, up to an hour. When done, let the plant dry upside down on a towel or a rack or lightly shake off any excess water before placing it back in its home. Mist the plant in between waterings as needed, depending on how dry its living environment is.
Light: Air plants should be kept where they'll receive bright, indirect sunlight or under fluorescent home/office lighting. Periods of direct sunlight are just fine, but more than a few hours of hot sun will deplete the plants of their moisture. If your plant will be in a spot with some pretty direct light, try misting them every couple of days to keep them hydrated.
Temperature: Air plants will do best in generally warm conditions (a good range is 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit). In frost-free or nearly frost-free climates they can live outside for the entire year. Like most house plants, they can be taken outside on a porch or balcony for the warm season, just don't expose them to temperature or sun extremes.
Growth & Blooming: Air plants are slower growers, but do grow. They can live for several years and will bloom and produce flowers typically only once time during their lifetime. The flowers are striking and brilliantly colored, and the bloom period will last several days to many months, depending on the species. Different species bloom at different times, also depending on their care and environment. A plant will most likely go into bloom sometime between mid-winter and mid-summer.
Air Plant care tips taken from Air Plant Supply Co. Visit them for more information.
Hanging Vases
Our hanging vases work great for cut flowers, propagation, or as home for vines. They are intended for indoor use as the leather will wear poorly outdoors. Please note that leather color may fade in direct sun light.
Here are a few tips for vines:
- Vines look great both trained up the leather hanging strap or cascading down.
- Fill the water to the top once a week or as needed. Periodically replace the water in the vase.
- For optimal prolonged plant growth in water, the use of occasional liquid fertilizer is recommended. For best results, dilute the fertilizer slightly more than recommended by the manufacturer.
- Sometimes algae can form around the roots and turn the water green or cause a smell. If this occurs: remove the plant, gently clean the roots, thoroughly clean the inside of the vase, and replace with fresh water.
- Calcium deposits can build up on the inside of your vase. They are completely fine for the plant but can be visually unappealing. Remove the plant and gently scrub the inside of the vase using a glass-friendly method.
- Recommended long-term plants: Generally any vine or plant that easily roots in water from a clipping will work well. For prolonged growth we recommend plants such as pathos, philodendron, spiderwort, purple heart, ivy, arrowhead, and spider plants.
Kokedama
Kokedama is a Japanese word that simply translated means ‘moss ball’. Also known as ‘poor man’s bonsai’, this bonsai style art form dates back to the Edo era in Japan (around 1600 AD).
Watering: Water kokedama once a week by placing them in a bowl of water and letting them soak for 10-25 minutes, or until fully saturated with water. Remove the kokedama and allow to drip dry in a colander or rack before placing it back on its dish or in its hanger. Mist in between waterings as needed. You can quickly feel if your kokedama needs more water by how light or heavy it feels. When full of water it will feel dense and heavy, when in need of water it will feel light and almost hollow.
Please note that smaller kokedama require more frequent watering as they dry out quicker!
Light: The kokedama we make are intended to be kept in indoor spaces. They prefer morning sun light or bright indirect sunlight. Small periods of direct sunlight are fine, but more than a few hours of hot sun (particularly afternoon light) will quickly dry out the ball and may be too much for the plant to handle.
Fertilizing: The soil blend in the ball has enough nutrients to last for a year. After the first year you will want to start adding liquid fertilizer once a month when you water. For best results, dilute the fertilizer slightly more than recommended by the manufacturer.
Lifespan: Kokedama typically last 2-3 years before needing to replace the soil inside the binding. If the plant in the kokedama starts to grow roots through the bottom of the ball, you can trim them back or replant the plant in a regular pot. If you want to keep the kokedama shape, just place the ball on top of the soil to let the roots grow down. If you want to let the shape go and just keep the plant, undo the binding around the ball and replant as you would any other houseplant.
Wall-Mounted
Wall mounting orchids, stag horn ferns, and other tropical ferns helps mimic their natural growing environment and truly shows off their dynamic beauty.
Watering: Water wall-mounts once a week by removing them from the wall (leaving the plant fully attached to the board) and placing them in the sink with the faucet gently running onto their moss base. The goal is to completely saturate the base, which usually takes 2-3 minutes. Allow to drip dry in the sink until all excess water has drained, then place back on the wall. Mist in between waterings as needed. Adjust watering schedule as needed based on temperature and humidity.
Light: Our wall-mounted plants are intended to be kept in indoor spaces. They prefer morning sun light or bright indirect sunlight. Small periods of direct sunlight are fine, but more than a few hours of hot sun (particularly afternoon light) will quickly dry out the ball and may be too much for the plant to handle.
Fertilizing: The soil blend in the ball has enough nutrients to last for a year. After the first year you will want to start adding liquid fertilizer once a month when you water. For best results, dilute the fertilizer slightly more than recommended by the manufacturer.
Lifespan: With proper care, wall-mounted orchids and ferns can last several years before the soil needs to be replaced and the plant remounted. Stag Horn Ferns in particular are known for becoming legacy plants that can be passed on through generations.