Zeidler's Flowers

Zeidler's Flowers

Posted by Zeidler’s Flowers on April 18, 2022 | Last Updated: April 28, 2022 Flowers

Ignore These Common Flower & Plant Care Myths

Having fresh plants and flowers in our home space boosts are mood and relieves stress. Keeping them fresh and healthy for as long as possible is important, which is why we are setting the record straight on all the plant and flower care myths out there. Here at Evansville’s top florist shop, Zeidler’s Flowers, we’ve gathered the most common plant care myth so you’ll know fact from fiction and keep your plant babies happy.

Flower & Plant Myths to Ignore

1. Put a Penny in the Vase to Keep Flowers From Wilting

This piece of “advice” has been around a while and is still touted by many as actually working. The penny myth came about because copper is a natural fungicide, which could help blooms stay fresh for longer. However, copper stopped being used in pennies in 1982. Now, they are composed of mostly zinc, which has no effect on flowers. Even if you do find a pre-1982 penny, it’s still not a good idea to put it in the water as you risk adding germs and bacteria negating any good the copper might do. Keep the pennies for the piggy bank.

2. Sugar Can Be Used as Flower Flood for Cut Stems

Adding sugar, or lemonade, to your flowers’ water will only make it get green and gunky faster than usual. Sugar and lemonade promote bacteria growth, which kills flowers quicker. Don’t add vodka or bleach either. When it comes to keeping your fresh blooms healthy and vibrant for as long as possible,  just change the water daily and use the flower food from the florist.

3. Lilies Will Die if You Remove the Anthers

Myth! The anthers actually should be removed as their pollen is highly toxic to pets. Plus, this super sticky pollen stains carpets, walls, clothes, and nearly anything else it lands on. To remove the anthers, or the whole stamen, carefully pull on them and discard them in a nearby container. Wash your hands afterward to remove any residual pollen.

4. Removing a Rose’s Guard Petals Makes it Die Quicker

A rose’s guard petals, the outer petals, sometimes turn brown and get torn around the edges. Gently pulling them off will is not only perfectly fine, but will also reveal the fresh, fragrant petals underneath. The rose will look prettier when on display if the outer petals are removed.

5. Fresh Cut Flowers Enjoy Sunny Locations

Putting your vase of fresh blooms in a sunny spot will shorten their lifespan. The sunlight makes flowers open quicker, which means they will die sooner. To enjoy your cut flowers for as long as possible, place them in a spot that doesn’t get any direct sunlight.

6. Plants Grow Faster in Bigger Pots

Plants are genetically programmed to grow at a certain rate, so the size of the pot does not matter. A good rule of thumb is to select a pot 1-2 sizes larger. You can use a bigger pot if you like, but the amount of excess soil may retain too much water leadingto root rot.

7. Houseplants Should Be Watered on a Routine Basis

When to water a plant sould be determined by the soil’s moisture, not because it’s Tuesday. There are many factors that affect the water content of soil, such as if it’s a hot, dry day, the amount of sunlight the plant is getting, and the time of year. Sticking to a routine watering schedule will likely lead to overwatering. The best way to see if a needs to be watered is to do the finger test: Stick your finger an inch down into the soil; if your finger comes out clean, the soil is dry and needs water. If there’s soil residue on your finger, then it’s moist and doesn’t need water.

8. Stones and Pebbles Should Be Placed in the Bottom of the Plant Container

This is a farily common practice. However, studies have shown water doesn”t drain well when there are layers of different particle sizes. Only when the soil becomes oversaturated will the pressure force water into the lower level of debris. At this point, though, the soil will be overly wet, potentially leading to root rot. Nothing more than soil is needed as long as the container has adequate drainage holes.

9. Increase Humidity With a Tray of Pebbles and Water

You may have heard this nugget of information from a grandparent or older relative. Unfortunately, placing water and pebbles under your plant or next to it will not affect the humidity levels around your plant. As water molecules evaporate, they spread in all directions – not just towards your plant.

10. Potting Soil Should Not Be Reused

When transplanting a plant into a larger container, don’t toss out the used potting soil. It’s still good to use, so reuse it! Most potting soil is composed of a peat moss mix which decomposes at a very slow rate, so save your money and reuse the old soil.

Avoid the above myths to keep your plants and flower fresh and fabulous! For even more great tips on the essentials of Plant Care and Flower Care, including how to care for popular plants and flower varieties, visit our plant and flower care pages. Then, when you’re ready to add to your collection, check out our gorgeous flower arrangements to bring even more brightness and beauty into your life.