Category: Community Engagement

From the beginning of time, plants have been an essential part of celebrations and remembrance events around the world, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday is no exception. Plantz.com is proud to be a part of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Not only was Dr. King a co-pastor at the church in the 1960s, but Ebenezer Baptist Church was also the location of Dr. King’s funeral in 1968. This year, President Joe Biden delivered the Sunday sermon to the congregants at the church, a first for a sitting President, paying tribute to Dr. King and celebrating his legacy.

Plantz.com was honored to help the church come alive by providing lush greenery for the occasion, including their charismatic Dracaena Janet Craigs with their wide and vibrant leaves as well as some luxuriant Aglaonema Mary Ann, or Chinese Evergreen plants. Both types of plants thrive indoors and require minimal upkeep, allowing the church leaders to enjoy the peace and serenity of the plants while focusing on staging their holiday events.

Earth day began in 1970 when Americans saw a change needed to happen for our planet. Inefficient automobiles were causing a huge amount of leaded gas and it became to the point where the only choice was for the people to act on this issue. By 1990, Earth Day became a global campaign and making people recognize the number of environmental issues that are taking place. Earth Day is a time for everyone on this planet to contribute committing and recommitting to recycling, reducing carbon emissions, and even growing a plant!

Today, we have grown our efforts to help our planet in so many ways because people are seeing more and more effects of the environmental issues our planet faces. There are many people who don’t see this day as an important one, but that is why this has become a national day every year to show why it is important and give you ways that you can help.

Earth Day is meant to remind people to think about the future of Earth. Whether you think about it or not the planet has threats, and we are the only ones that can help protect it. The typical recycling and doing little fun challenges like limiting driving for the day can help show your contribution, but getting and caring for a plant is an immediate contribution for everyone. Not only does growing a plant bring you closer to nature and fulfill your biophilic attractions, but plants also help clean the air. We trade carbon dioxide with our green friends and in return they give us humans the oxygen we need to survive.

Earth Day 2022 is “Invest in Our Planet”. It is time to invest in what matters most and that is our health, family, and the future for everyone. Our efforts have grown a lot since 1970, but it needs to continue to grow more every year to be able to help our one and only Earth. Do your part by recycling, growing a plant, and making everyday Earth Day!

Candice from Michigan emailed us two pictures for her green beauties that have taken up residence at her home.

“Happy New Year! I am finally getting around to sending you these pictures. We love our new plants, and they seem to have adjusted well to their new space. Knock on wood, they have not lost any leaves so far. That soil sleuth is pretty cool!

Thanks again,

Candice”

Mike from Wi. It looks like Buddy the Elf paid them a visit during the night and wanted to have some fun the 10″ Florida Kentia Palm. Buddy just wanted to match the snowy backyard.

“Looks like the elf had fun with the new plant last night. If you look outside, you’ll see we’re getting SNOW yay!!!”

Betsy sent us a wonderful picture of this beautiful Bamboo Palm. A gift for her daughter that she has been caring for since August of 2020. 

“ It’s like a weed and ready to hit my ceiling. My daughter and her husband are ready to get it over to their house. It’s taking over my kitchen!”  

The PLANTZ team is geared up to support the Tampa Bay Lightning’s repeat quest for Lord Stanley’s Cup.  Nothing like some home team pride to get you fired up for an awesome Independence Day weekend!

Aloft and Element Midtown Hotel had their grand opening just days before the Super Bowl comes to Tampa Bay!

We are honored that they chose PLANTZ to add the finishing touches to their design.

PLANTZ was thrilled to install this beautiful JC Compacta, among more fresh foliage to enhance their pool, rooftop lounge, and bar area!

If you love the JC as much as we do, you can buy one here.

You can also check out our feature in the Tampa Bay Times! https://www.tampabay.com/news/business/2021/02/03/midtown-tampas-aloft-and-element-hotel-opens-in-time-for-super-bowl/

 

We all know and love the cast of New Girl; whether you are a quirky Jess fan or prefer the dry humor of Nick Miller, we can all agree the characters in New Girl are all dynamic and unique in their own way. So, if the cast of New Girl bought a Fiddle Leaf Fig together, how would they split up the Fiddle Leaf Fig tree in a chore chart? Well, let’s break it down, and maybe this can help you better break down what your Fiddle Leaf Fig careat home should be as well.

First, what is a Fiddle Leaf Fig? Also known as a Ficus Lyrata, this plant is very popular in the interior design world right now. How to care for a Fiddle Leaf Fig can be a complicated question though for this mainstream plant. This plant’s natural environment is hot and humid, so our local Florida people this could be the perfect plant for you. If not, though, don’t fret… There are plenty of ways you can still successfully care for this plant in other environments and watch it truly flourish in any environment.

Ficus Lyrata Care with Jess

If Jess had one task in taking care of the apartment’s new Fiddle Leaf Fig tree, we know she would thrive at the watering task. The easiest way to kill your new Ficus Lyrata friend is to overwater it. So, timeliness and paying attention to detail is a must. Jess is punctual, never forgets essential details (like a watering schedule) and takes observation and care with all the things that she does. Being a teacher, Jess has a tender touch and is patient in all scenarios; it is just a part of her nature. That is so important when it comes to the Ficus Lyrata’s watering routine. Watering for a Fiddle Leaf is not as simple as just pouring your water in. It is meticulous, which makes Jess the girl for the job. Once you notice the soil is dry on top, it is time to water. The trick is you want the soil directly below to still be moist even though the top is dry, so observation is not enough; you have to get in and check the soil moisture. Luckily, there are tools to help you in this, like a Soil Probe. We prefer the Soil Sleuth; then, you will be able to tell the moisture of the soil more accurately than if you just stuck your finger into the dirt. Another reason Jess is perfect for the job because when watering, you have to take into account temperature and humidity around the plant. It can affect how quickly the soil dries out. Once you get a routine down, though, it is smooth sailing. You only have to make adjustments with the season changes. No one is better to spearhead one of the most critical plant care tasks than the queen of the apartment Jess herself.

Let’s recap the watering stipulations:

• A regular routine to follow
• Check soil moisture
• Invest in a Soil Probe
• Take environmental factors into account

Lighting Done by Winston

For lighting, we think Winston is the best man for the job. Not only do we believe it is a responsibility he can handle, but he also lights up our lives with his presence on New Girl, so the perfect match! Fiddle Leaf Figs like very bright light, so it would be Winston’s job to make sure this plant, in particular, is happily parked in a pleasant and sunny spot for its entire lifetime. Along with initially finding that sunny spot for their new apartment edition, Winston will have to step up and rotate the Fiddle Leaf Fig once a month. Why, you ask? Ficus Lyratas tend to grow and reach where the light is, so if you are not careful, it will grow in one direction and start to bend funny. The only tricky part about this balance is if it has the direct sun shining on it, it can actually sunburn the plant leaving it damaged or, even worse, dead. It is truly a balancing act, but we think Winston can step up to the plate and handle it, just like he spent so much time juggling multiple job changes at once, post-Latvia.

Here is your Lighting Recap:

• Assess the space for best spot placement
• Rotate once a month
• Watch for sunburn

Nick – Our Pest Control for the Fiddle Leaf Fig

No one can deal with pest better than Nick Miller. That is what bartenders do for a living, right?… JUST KIDDING! Really though, think about what bartenders deal with on a daily basis; it is a lot like pest control in a way. As the self-proclaimed handyman of the home as well, we are not surprised that his job would be doing the dirty work when it comes to this plant care. Pest control is not a job for just anyone, but it is undoubtedly one for Nick. What does this job look like when it comes to the Fiddle Leaf Fig? We are glad you asked. We tend to deter from insecticides, purely because they can be toxic and harm your plant further, pets, children, or even yourself. We do suggest creating your own solution to keep the pesky bugs away. Dish soap and water in a bottle will do the trick; just saturate the leaves in the solution once a week when you have bugs and monthly to prevent the issue. Regular cleanings of the plants eliminate this crisis that might come about, but it is always good to be prepared even if you are regularly cleaning. It is a dirty job, but someone’s got to do it! Nick is going to keep this plant in tip-top shape, so keeping an eye out for disease and unhealthy plant habits will be a breeze for him.

Reminders for Pest Control:

• Stay away from insecticides
• Dish soap and water formula
• Wash leaves

Squeaky Clean Schmitt – Cleaning Your Fiddle Leaf Fig

We all know Schmitt is the clean freak in this sitcoms California apartment. So there is NO ONE better to take on the cleaning care than the neat freak himself. His job is to keep the leaves clean, not only for aesthetics but also for the overall plant health of their new family member.  Something people also often overlook is the reality that dusty leaves can also impact the plant from absorbing light as efficiently through photosynthesis. How Schmitt is going to go about the cleaning process is by using just a damp cloth to dust off the tops and the bottoms of the plant leaves.  You want to be careful not to miss a spot because bacteria and other viruses can fester on the uncleaned plant surfaces! We are mainly trying to prevent spider mites, a common pest for Fiddle Leaf Figs, from setting up camp and staying awhile. If anyone is going to do the best job possible to keep your new Fiddle Leaf Fig spotless for us here at PLANTZ, we would enlist Schmitt for the job!

Cleaning Tips:

• Dust the leaves
• Use soap and water solution when needed

Part-Time Living – Part-Time Pruning with CeCe

Here is the thing. Pruning should not be done often, and when it is, it is a tricky task. CeCe technically is not a resident of the loft but seeing as Jess is her best friend and Schmitt her on and off again love interest, she spends A LOTTT of time there. So, we thought it was only fair to give her a chore as well too – time to pull your weight in this household CeCe, so a part-time chore for the part-time resident!! Pruning is the perfect job for her because CeCe likes to cut the crap and get right down to business, which is what we are doing with pruning. Most people prune annually just to maintain the size of your plant and keep it from running rampant. When pruning, you are also getting rid of damaged or potentially infected leaves, so pruning does aid in your plant’s overall health. We highly suggest doing your pruning in spring or summer since plants go dormant during the winter, and less light could affect your plant post pruning in the long run. Ensure the shears you use are sharp and clean, so you are not ripping and tearing at your Ficus Lyrata. Unclean shears can also lead to infection in your plant, just like a cut on your body could open the door to infection. Another tip, make sure to always cut at an angle. After that, the cut has been made, so you should dab the spot with a damp towel to help aid in the healing process. Such a simple but meticulous task that we think CeCe will rock! If you are pruning right, the spot you just cut will eventually split and form TWO NEW LEAVES! How exciting is that? If you do not want to waste what you just pruned too, you can always propagate it as well and start growing another Fiddle Leaf! You know what they say, when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade… Just like CeCe did with Schmitt!

Pruning Recap:

• Cut at an angle
• Only prune annually or when needed
• Make sure shears are clean

We are thrilled by the teamwork that would go down in the loft if this group got a Fiddle Leaf Fig. We hope that even if you do not live in a wacky loft with a ton of roommates (probably for the best), this article still helped you realize you can take on the tricky with ease. So are you ready to give it a go?! Shop Fiddle Leaf Figs here with us at PLANTZ, and use code Social15% for a little treat from us here at PLANTZ to you!

Tracey sent us this lovely photo from over the weekend and we are just swooning over Boomer and his new best friend.

“Plant got here and looks awesome!!!!  Sitting with Boomer!  Ok thank you so very much again, have a great weekend.” – Tracey, Atascadero CA

 

Want a plant that mirrors your behavior and fits into your life seamlessly? Then let’s talk horoscopes! We want to match you with your best plant, based on what your astrological sign is. Find your sign from the list below, and we will recommend your best PLANTZ fit based on what it is!

Capricorn – Sansevieria 12/22 – 1/19

The Sansevieria or also known as the Snake Plant is continuously working overtime, not just to be pretty but also to live without your undivided attention and helping improve your quality of life while it does it.

Capricorns are known to be hard workers and persistent and driven individuals. That is precisely how we would describe the Snake Plant as well! 

The Snake Plant is one of NASA’s top picks for improving air quality in your home, so know the Sansevieria is hard at work all day long, purifying your air without you having to lift a finger. As an earth sign, the Capricorn feels grounded and rooted in their life, so get down and dirty with a Sansevieria as your newest plant friend.

 

 

Aquarius – Tarzan 1/20 – 2/20

Looking for a plant that is easy going but still intricate and complex to look at? That sounds like a totally Aquarius move of you, but we do have the perfect plant fit just for this special sign! 

Check out our newest plant addition to the PLANTZ family, the Tarzan plant. This plant does not require too much work so that it will vibe well with your easy-going demeanor. That being said, it sure has a lot going on to look at, though. As the analytical thinker, you are, your eyes will be busy staring at this unique and beautiful plant trying to figure out and puzzle together how it is the way it is—a plant you can truly analyze all day long.

Many of us are familiar with the name Tarzan because of the popular Disney character who is the king of the apes. Well, you, my Aquarius are also royalty, and the Tarzan plant is the true king of the plant world, just like you, sounds like you are quite the royal pair!

 

 

Pisces – Aglaonema 2/20 – 3/20

You are gentle, you are kind, but you are also packed with creativity wanting flow out from inside of you. Pisces people are indeed one of a kind, and that means that they stand out in a crowd because of their unique exterior and interior, just like an Aglaonema. This plant can range in an assortment of variations; the Ag is a plant that you never see a carbon copy of, just like there is no carbon copy! 

 The Ag shows its creativity and funky side through its unique patterns and colors that adorn its leaves. This plant is leafy and full of positive energy to bring the world just like you.

 

 

Aries – JC Compacta 3/20 – 4/19

As a fire sign, Aries always leave an impact. Being an influence and standout is no stranger to the JC Compacta, either. This plant is similar to the Janet Craig but is spewing with happiness and confidence! Just like an Aries. The true Aries carry themselves well and knows their worth. A true confident beauty, the JC Compacta stands apart from other Dracaena, because it knows how special it is, a perfect pair for the Aries person. 

Stand firm, stand happy with your new best friend in the JC Compacta.

 

 

Taurus – Fiddle Leaf Fig – 4/19 – 5/20

 Sorry Taurus, but let’s face it, you are famous for your stubbornness. With that comes a lot of positives though, such as attention detail, strong belief systems, and idealism in the world fitting your perfect picture… and it can be picture perfect just like you are, but with your new Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree! The Ficus Lyrata or Fiddle Leaf Fig is your perfect plant, and here are some reasons why. 

The Fiddle Leaf is a difficult plant; it requires a stubborn owner to not give up on it. It is tedious and meticulous, but those are things you dear Taurus excel at! No one is more determined than you. 

 That is why we think you two should pair up; we just know you are going to be the perfect plant parent to this hot ticket item and really give it the care and devotion that it genuinely needs, and others are not as equipped to provide. 

 

Gemini – Lisa Cane 5/21 – 6/21

 Okay, Gemini’s, you tend to be impulsive. So what better way to be spontaneous than get the biggest most extravagant indoor plant in the game… LISA CANE. 

The Lisa Cane is extravagant as all get out, a lot like you. It performs well in low light, so you do not have to overthink if you have the right living conditions for this plant, anywhere goes. This plant never ceases to be unique and amazing, just like you. This plant is part of the Hawaiian collection, and after making it over to the mainland, it is ready to wow with its originality and style. 

So, like you do best, don’t think just act, and you will end up with your newest favorite purchase and the most beautiful best new plant friend.

 

 

Cancer – Ficus Microcarpa 6/21 – 7/22

You are sensitive and intuitive if your sign is Cancer. You know what someone is feeling before they even have a chance to verbalize it. Your intuition is surly a superpower to you. Cancers have a sensitive nature. You can read the genuine emotions and feelings of all of the people around you. Do you know what else is sensitive? The Ficus Microcarpa, that is why we think it is your plant soulmate!

This plant needs lots of love and lots of light to thrive due to its sensitive nature, which we are sure you’ll pick up on. We like to think this plant can sense bad juju in the air just like you. So gift it a positive living environment with lots of light, lots of water, and lots of attention in a true Cancer home.

 

 

Leo – White Bird of Paradise 7/23 – 8/22

 HOT TAMALE Leo’s are the ultimate fire sign, so let’s spice things up with your plant pick. Leo’s are very prideful and carry themselves with authentic elegance. You know your worth and timelessness, just like a White Bird of Paradise. 

 

 This plant is classically beautiful and stands out in any room with it’s over the top energy. You are not stranger to energy, and you love to absorb attention, well the White Bird is certainly attention-seeking. You can be as proud of this plant as you are of yourself! You’re larger than life personality needs a plant that can match it, and the White Bird certainly is it. 

 

 

Virgo – Monstera  8/23 – 9/22

As a true Earth sign, you Virgo, are a patient and compassionate human being! You are a larger than life personality, but you know when to bide your time and wait for growth in yourself. You’re just like a Monstera!

 Monsteras can grow BIG, with the right attention, care, love, and PATIENCE. If you really invest into this plant it’s big beautiful leaves will transport you to a jungle oasis; just make sure it is getting enough light and water, and you will watch this plant take new form—the true king of the jungle when it comes to transformation just like you. 

 

 

Libra – Rhapis Palm  9/23 – 10/22

 Howdy Libras! Buckle up and let’s talk about your newest buddy, the Rhapis Palm. 

 You are a clever being, and that’s how we know you will mesh just dandy with the Rhapis. Did you know this Palm can literally grow in LAVA!? That sneaky plant buddy. 

 It truly knows how to think outside the box (or ground) just like you, making you indeed a dynamic duo. 

 

 

Scorpio – Marginata Kiwi  10/23 – 11/22

Dear Scorpios, you are brave, daring, and do not shy away from fear or the spotlight. As a matter of fact, you prefer to be drowning in the ambiance. ⁣

⁣With this sense of no fear and wanting to stick out, you will have ZERO problems taking care of a challenging plant and one that is truly the center of attention, like a Marginata Kiwi. ⁣

⁣You never shy away from a crowd, so attract hoards of people with this unique plant. You and the Marginata are real individuals, making you an unstoppable pair. ⁣

 

 

Sagittarius – Janet Craig 11/23 – 12/22

We have our lovers of love, the Sagittarius. We think your best fit is something timeless, you are a classic individual that deserves something as effortless as you, and in this case, we believe it is the Janet Craig.

With your pure heart and good intentions, we know you will give the Janet all the love and care it needs, and in return, this plant will give you an exquisite look to your home.

You tend to be a tad old fashion, but doesn’t mean your plant has to be, yes; the Janet Craig is timeless, but with a trendy modern twist. ⁣

 

Did you like our PLANTZscope series? Want to see more series like it? Let us know, and thanks for sticking around for it! ⁣

Looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift? Well, search no further because PLANTZ is the way to go.

Here is a list of our top plant picks for mom this year!

 

A ZZ Plant. Here is why…

• Easy to care for, little maintenance for mom down the line
• Unique, just like your one of a kind mama
• Low light plant, so you do not need to scope out the house to find a sunny spot for it before you purchase

This plant will make your mom smile from ear to ear at your thoughtful present.

Click Here for the ZZ Plant

 

Next up we have the White Bird of Paradise

• This one is for the elegant mom, a plant that matches her demeanor
• What better way to highlight your moms best qualities than through a plant the portrays the same
• This plant makes a statement, so state your love with a BANG

Your mom is one of a kind, just like this plant is. Show your mother what she really means.

Follow This Link to Purchase Your New White Bird

 

Okay, let’s talk about the Snake Plant, also nicknamed the Mother in Law Tongue plant. Do you need the perfect present for a mother in law or a stepmom? Why not this guy.

• It cleans air toxins
• Hardly ever needs maintenance
• A true survivor
• And a heartfelt live gift for the mother figure in your life

Mother’s Day goes beyond biological mothers, show all the mother figure in your life some love.

 

Time to Checkout Your Snake Plant 

Moms love pink right? How about gifting your mom a pink plant! The Marginata Colorama to be exact.

• It is colorful and bright just like your special mother
• Unique and stands out in a crowd… we are sure your mom relates to that one
• It will make her the envy of all the other moms on the block

There is nothing boring about your mom and nothing boring about this plant either!

Standout With the Colorama

 

Is your mom’s name Lisa, or Janet, or Carmen? Get her a plant NAMED for her. We have three options for that, the Lisa Cane, the Janet Craig, and the Janet Craig Carmen.

• A plant named for her what could be more special
• All of these plants are great indoor plants that make a statement
• The care is not outrageous and totally maintainable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Cane                                      Janet Craig                                        Janet Craig Carmen

Mom already has plenty of plants? That doesn’t mean those plants don’t need care essentials and accessories! First up we have our PlantAssure sub-irrigation system which is exclusive to PLANTZ. This is used to extend the plants watering intervals so that your mom has to do less plant watering, which believe us, can be tedious and time-consuming leaving her with more time to spend with you! Spend the day helping your mom install her new PlantAssure irrigation.

PlantAssure irrigation system

 

How about a Soil Sleuth? This is a soil probe that you can test the inside of the soil to see if it is moist enough. This is great for those tedious plants that people tend to over or underwater and just cannot seem to get right. Feeling the top layer of soil just is not enough for your indoor plants, so give your mom the best soil probe around to make watering the plants easier and more efficient.

 

Soil Sleuth

 

How about a shiny new pot to gift your mom for her special day? We have a wide selection of stylish pot that will fit right in throughout your home and have mom jumping for joy at her new aesthetically pleasing plant holder. We have pots ranging from clay, woven baskets, and many more, all pairing well with any of your green friends! These pots work indoors and on patios, so if your mom has some outdoor plants in need of some love too, we are here to help. These pots also come in different shapes and sizes, making her new pot special and custom picked by YOU!

Different Planter Options

 

Want to help your mom elevate her plants to new heights?  Why not get her a plant stand to raise it up? Ranging in colors and can fit most planters for 10″ and 14″ growpots. They are easy to assemble, and you can do it together! More quality time.

Plant Stands for Your New Plant Friend

 

We hope this helped in some of your Mother’s Day shopping, and if you are a mom reading this, send this post to your family 😉.

 

We are proud here at PLANTZ to have been featured on Fox News 13 recently and Channel 10 CBS for what we do here, and how we have been prospering during COVID-19. The reality of this scary pandemic is that we are all stuck at home. Indoor plants provide a healthier living space, and let’s face it, a more inviting one as well and we are over the moon to be a part of this huge gardening movement that the country is seeing. Many plants help with air toxins and air quality, just one of the many reasons we have seen a spike in plant sales during such an illness driven time.

As stated by Fox News 13 there has been a “boom in the garden industry,” and we are not only grateful for it, but proud to be a part of the education on how indoor plants can improve homes, mentally, emotionally, and physically for people. Helping people and educating on plants is what we love to do most.

Bring the nature into your homes during crazy quarantine, and during #earthmonth no less!

Want to learn more about us?! Follow us on social, and keep up with our blog! Of course do not forget to check out both the Fox News 13 article and the News 10 CBS article. Thank you to both for supporting our business and thank you to all of you, our Plant People! Keep on planting!

Fox News Article

News 10 Article