Best Plants for the Office

 

Southeastern Growers: Best Plants for the Office

Plants are the perfect addition to any work space. They can improve air quality by removing toxins from the air. They also are attractive and enjoyable to look at, and a great way to personalize your work area. Listed below are some plants that do well in a indoor office setting, and are easy to care for.

Spider Plant

A spider plant requires partial sunlight, and will grow in any soil type. This plant has arched green and pale yellow stems. It also produces tiny white flowers during the summer. It does well in a hanging basket or up high on a filing cabinet. Water when the plant feels dry.

Snake Plant

Snake plant’s have broad upright leaves that are marked with a pattern in a lighter color. They sometimes go by the name mother-in-law’s tongue, due to their sharpness. They also look like serpents rising from the soil. Water when soil is dry to the touch, and allow to dry out between watering to prevent the roots from rotting. This plant will tolerate low light, though it prefers brighter light.

Peace Lily

Peace lily’s do best in the shade and should be kept away from direct sunlight. They produce stunning white flowers that bloom in early summer and often stick around. Keep the soil moist at all times, but be careful to not over water.

Jade

Jade plants have thick branches with smooth green oval shaped leaves. They are shrub like in appearance. Allow the soil to dry out between watering, and keep the soil moderately dry. Over watering can cause root rot, and jades prefer drier soil. This plant requires medium light for a few hours each day.

African Violet

This plant type has fuzzy leaves with small colorful clusters of flowers. The flowers can be pink, purple or white and are eye catching. African violet’s do best in slightly acidic to neutral soil PH, with partial sunlight. Keep the soil slightly damp, but avoid getting the leaves wet while watering, as this can cause them to wilt.

Rubber Plants

The rubber plant has shiny leather type leaves. This plant grows well in low light, and should be kept away from drafts. It does well in full to partial sunlight. The soil should be kept moist.

How To Plant A Containerized Tree

So you’ve just purchased your containerized tree and are ready for planting. Here are the necessary steps to planting a containerized tree in your yard:

  1. Dig a whole that measures at least 3-4 times wider than the container your tree came in. The sides of the whole should slop in – allowing  proper root growth.
  2. Carefully remove the tree by tapping around the outside of the container to loosen the edges. Then, gently remove the tree, trying your best to keep the soil around the roots intact.
  3. Sometimes the roots of a containerized tree become root-bound (when the roots have spiraled around the root ball) and need to be released. Simply, using a sharp knife, cut an X across the bottom of the root ball, as well as four slices vertically up the sides.
  4. While you want a wide hole, it shouldn’t be too deep. The base of the tree should land just above the surface. If the hole is too deep, pack some soil just below the root ball.
  5. Give the tree a thorough watering by creating a water-holding basin that goes around the hole. Once the water has soaked in, layer 2-3 inches of protective mulch around the base of the tree stretching out at least 3 feet.
  6. For the first year of a tree’s life, it is imperative to keep the soil around the tree moist. During dry weather, make sure to give the tree a good watering every 7 days or so, just don’t let the mulch get soggy.
  7. Remove any tags or labels from the tree as soon as possible. They may affect the growth of the plant later on. Also, prune any dead or broken branches to maintain the health of the tree.

Why You Should Consider Planting More Trees

southeastern growers

So you’ve decided to plant new trees, shrubs, and other greenery in your yard. Although your intentions may have been purely for aesthetic purposes, did you ever wonder if this brought your yard any other kind of value? Planting trees and shrubs can have loads of benefits that you may not have realized before. Below is a list of some of these great benefits.

Dry Up Wet Spots

Some yards just have higher water tables, or perhaps do not properly drain for one reason or another. If you’re hoping for your yard to become a more family-friendly space, you may need to find a way to drain out some of the water from your soil. Trees or shrubs are great, natural ways to make your lawn drier and more water efficient. Placing trees and shrubs in areas that are usually drenched will help soak up some of the excess water present in your lawn. Some trees can even soak up to 50 to 100 gallons a day, although much of that is “perspired” in some way later according to Gardens Alive.

Shading

Trees that are large enough can provide ample amounts of shading for your home. One great output of shading is energy efficiency. Because your home is well-shaded, there is less of a need to blast the air conditioning during the warm summer months. Because of this, you save energy as well as money in your next home bill.

Environmental Impact

Okay, everyone knows the environmental impact trees have on the world. They are the givers of oxygen, and therefore life. Without trees, the earth could no longer sustain life on its own. Trees are also the worlds natural filters, cleaning and improving the air we breathe by removing dust, particulates, and other pollutants. One source reports that: “one acre of forest absorbs six tons of carbon dioxide and puts out four tons of oxygen. This is enough to meet the annual needs of 18 people.”

Value

Almost as superficial but more practical than just “beautifying” your garden, adding certain trees and shrubs to your yard can add extra value to your home. Trees are the most valuable part of a landscape primarily because of their many practical uses – many listed here!

Beauty

Finally there’s the beautification process. Even when considering aesthetics, trees provide more than just pretty ornate foliage and color to your yard. Trees can provide food and shelter for animals from the surrounding ecosystem. Your garden can become a mini testament of nature at its finest and fullest.

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