W E L C O M E
Updated: Aug 17, 2022
Thanks for visiting Opalescent Soul Garden Co. at The Artful Flea <3
We want to create a boutique shopping experience for you that is magical and stress-free. Because the space is so limited, we've decided to skip the shopkeeper to allow our customers privacy, and to make room for more plants!
We also understand that you may have some questions prior to making a purchase. This guide aims to ensure you have access to all of the information you need to get to find your perfect plant.
To contact us directly, please email us at hey@opalescentsoul.com or send us a direct message on Instagram to @opalescentsoulgardenco. We'll respond to you as soon as we can. If you have a more urgent question, you may ask the front desk to call our resident plant lady.
All of the plants in 6" pots and smaller are potted in our signature SOUL SOIL blend. We've done the task of repotting these plants into the appropriate sized planter with a high quality performance soil blend, so you do NOT need to repot these plants once they are in your care.
To learn more about our SOUL SOIL, click here.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What plants are recommended for beginners?
The answer to this question depends on a few variables: how bright is your space, and what are your plant keeping goals? Check out the chart by the door to learn more about plant lighting.
When choosing a plant, our mantra is "First pick a spot in your home, then pick a plant for that spot."
Beginner friendly plants are not limited to this list, but these are some diverse plant families that we always like to keep in stock.
Hoya
Hoyas make excellent plants for beginners who have bright indirect - direct sunlight in their homes. East, South and West facing windows with minimal shade are optimal for Hoyas. Hoyas only need to be watered when their soil is 75% - 100% dry. Most Hoyas have a trailing growth habit, but they can also be trellised to grow upright. Hoyas grow at a medium speed given optimal conditions. They're are a shop favorite because their new growth is cute and satisfying! Hoyas are pet safe, and come in a variety of colors and leaf shapes.
Hoya Carnosa 'Krimson Princess'
Cactus
Cacti are notorious for needing very little water. They only need to be watered when their soil is 100% dry-- and can withstand prolonged periods of drought. Although cacti do not need much water, they require substantial amounts of direct sunlight. Cacti are recommended in homes with unobstructed South or West facing windows. Cacti can give a home a funky minimalist look, but cacti are very slow growing plants.
Myrtillocactus geometrizans 'Blue Myrtle Cactus'
Epipremnum (Pothos)
Pothos are excellent plants for beginners because they are versatile and tolerant of neglect. Most varieties of Pothos thrive in medium to bright indirect light. The greener varieties of pothos can also survive in lower light settings. Pothos like to be watered when their soil is 50% - 75% dry, but can tolerate drying out 100%. Their leaves will visibly wilt when their soil is completely dry. Pothos are quite forgiving and will perk right back up after a deep watering. These vining plants are perfect for beginners who want to care for and witness satisfyingly fast growth. Their lush trailing vines instantly bring life to a space! They can also be staked against a moss pole to create vertical height if you do not have a space suitable for a vining plant.
Epipremnum aureum 'Golden Pothos'
Scindapsus (Satin Pothos)
Scindapsus, also nicknamed 'Satin Pothos', is another genus of trailing plant that is very similar to the Epipremnum 'Pothos'. They can be distinguished by their deep green foliage and the shimmery silver patterns on their leaves. Scindapsus is even more tolerant of low light, as they grow best in medium - low light conditions. This means you can put them in a North facing window, or several feet away from a window of any orientation. Their thick leaves are also more suited to retaining water, so these hardy vines can be watered when they are 75%-100% dry.
Scindapsus pictus 'Exotica'
Peperomia
Peperomias are as adorable to view as their name is fun to say. This pet-safe genus hosts a variety of cultivars that come in every possible leaf shape and color. Some boast bright patterns and colorations, while others dazzle with metallic foliage or unique leaf textures. Peperomias come in trailing and upright varieties. They are fast-growing and generally stay quite small. This makes them perfect for smaller spaces and tabletops. They require bright indirect light, so East, West, or South facing windows are optimal for this genus. Their succulent leaves retain water, so Peperomias can be watered when they are 50% - 100% dry. You can tell when a peperomia needs water because their normally thick leaves will feel thinner and flexible as their soil dries out.
Peperomia angulata 'Beetle'
Philodendron
Philodendron is an expansive genus that is known for their lush variety that defines the tropical look. Philodendrons come in trailing, upright, and creeping varieties. The common varieties tend to be trailing or upright. Philodendrons are native to the under canopies and floors of tropical rainforests, so they are best suited for bright indirect to medium light. Philodendrons are native to a humid climate, so they do not prefer to dry out completely. To retain their lush, green leaves, water your philodendron when the soil is 50% - 75% dry.
Philodendron hederaceum 'Micans'
Aglaonema
Aglaeonemas are a great choice for beginners because they are low maintenence and can survive in lower light conditions. Most Aglaonemas prefer medium to low light. The cultivars that have green stems thrive in these lower light conditions, but Aglaonemas with pink or white stems require medium to bright indirect light. Aglaonemas have thick root systems that retain their water well, so they are drought tolerant tropical plants. Aglaonemas like to be watered when their soil is 50%-75% dry, and can tolerate drying out completely every now an then. These leafy plants are a great way to add volume and texture to a space, as aglaonemas have broad leaves. They are fairly slow growing and can maintain their size, which makes them perfect if you don't want to deal with a plant that requires periodic pruning.
Aglaonema 'Silverado' (bottom) & Aglaonema hybrid sp. (top)
Dracaena
Dracaena includes 'Dragon Cane' plants and 'Snake Plants'. This family includes a wide range of succulent trees and shrubs. If you want a plant that is nearly indestructable, any of the many Snake Plant varieties might be for you. Snake plants can tolerate a polar range of conditions. They will thrive in direct sun and extremely low light conditions. Because of their succulent qualities, they can also survive extreme periods of drought. You can water your snake plant when it is 100% dry, and it can tolerate long periods of complete drought. The Dragon Tree varieties are just as versatile-- but their leafy tops may show signs of underwatering if left completely dry for too long.
Dracaena warneckii 'White Jewel'
I just purchased a plant. When should I repot it?
When you purchase a plant from OSGC, we've already done that for you! All of our plants in 6" planters or smaller have been repotted in our custom SOUL SOIL blend. Click here to learn more. Larger plants and hanging baskets do not need to be repotted immediately because they are well-established. Contact us for info on your specific plant if you have questions.
When you purchase a plant from a big box store or other plant shop, we recommend you repot as soon as possible. These plants tend to be rootbound or grown in low-quality substrates.
How do I know when my plant needs water?
This depends on a few factors: the type of plant, the amount of light it gets, and your watering method.
Every plant will experience a unique level of light in your home. Since we do not know exactly how much light your plant is getting, it's difficult for us to prescribe a specific watering schedule for your plant.
We recommend you do research to see how often your plant needs to be watered. We prefer to recommend watering your plant when it is X% dry, rather than prescribing a recurring frequency.
We will be posting plant profiles in our blog over time to help cover this information.
The best way to tell when your plant is dried out is to feel the weight of your plant. This only works if you have your plant in a lightweight plastic planter. After watering day, pick up your plant and observe how heavy it feels. This is how you know your plant's soil is fully saturated. Every few days, pick up your plant and observe the change in weight of the plant's soil.
If you do not have your plant in a lightweight planter, you can check the moisture by sticking your finger in the soil or using a probe, such as a bamboo chopstick. You can assess the moisture of the soil based on how much soil/water your probe picks up.
Additionally, the way you water your plant affects the rate in which the soil dries out. Top watering versus bottom watering makes a grand difference. When you top water your plants, a good portion of the water you give your plant will drain out through the drainage holes before all of the soil can absorb it. When you bottom water your plants, you allow time for the soil to fully saturate. As a result, plants that are bottom watered need less frequent watering versus plants that are top watered.
This page is still under construction. Have a question we should feature in our FAQ's?
