For almost any occasion, or to make a dull day brighter, green and blooming plants are the gift of choice for a lasting smile. Plants bring life and sunshine into any home or office and are useful in decorating... Below are a few helpful tips to care for some of the more popular indoor plants.

African Violets - Small lovely plant which may bloom at anytime. They prefer bright sunlight and grow well under fluorescent light. Cut off the flowers after they die and put in good ventilation. Keep the soil evenly moist at all times and feed monthly, spring through fall, with a nitrogen free fertilizer.

Areca Palms - This plant grows will indoors in bright, indirect sunlight and may be placed outdoor in summer in an area of filtered light. Provide good drainage and keep away from drafts. Never let the plant sit in water. Mist the leaves (called fronds) occasionally with warm water and feed monthly.

Boston Fern - The ideal hanging basket plant. It requires little extra care in that it likes good rich potting soil and should be misted frequently, and will do well in bright, indirect sunlight. Keep the soil barely moist and feed weekly.

Bromeliads - The exotic and beautiful plant requires extra care and attention. These plants grow best indoors in bright indirect sunlight. Use good rich potting soil, keeping the soil moist and feed every 6-8 months. Bromeliads bloom April through June.

Croton - These plants require full sunlight for extraordinary coloration and should be pinched back occasionally growth. Croton plants are poisonous and should not be kept around children. Partially moist and feed every two weeks when young and fertilize weekly after maturity.

Cyclamen - This plant has beautiful dark green foliage with unique "upside down" blooms that flower December through May. Cyclamens are dormant for the summer and should be repotted in summer and kept cool. Stop watering in late spring and resume watering in late summer every two weeks while in growth. Bright indirect sunlight and evenly moist soil is best. These plants are poisonous and should not be kept around children.

Dieffenbachia - This easy care plant has large leaves, making it an effective remover of air pollutants. Dieffenbachias are also poisonous if ingested, so should not be kept around children. Keep plant in bright indirect sunlight and let the soil become moderately dry between watering.

Dracaena - This plant is easy to grow indoors in bright indirect sunlight Evenly moist potting soil is best and leaf tips may turn brown if the plant is under-watered. Best if fertilized every two weeks.

Gardenia - This plant produces a wonderfully fragrant flower, but generally requires a little extra attention. Gardenias grow best inside the house with bright indirect sunlight. The plant needs good rich potting soil and kept evenly moist at all times. Mist the plant frequently with water and feed every two weeks and prune in the spring. This plant flowers June through August.

Gerbera - These plants produces beautiful blooms July through September and are very easy care. They prefer full sunlight, allow the soil to become moderately dry between waterings and feed every 2 weeks during growth periods.

Kalanchoe - A succulent that blooms January - July. This plant grows best in sunlight and needs a good general purpose potting soil with a little added sand. Avoid over watering and feed only twice a year, once in April and again in July.

Orchids - An exquisite blooming plant requiring just a little extra care. Orchids grow in bright indirect sunlight and may produce flowers at any time, avoiding cold drafts. This plant requires sphagnum moss potting mix and should be kept evenly moist. Be careful not to over water. Feed every two weeks during the spring and summer with orchid fertilizer.

Peace Lilies - A beautiful large leaf plant, this green plant produces its own white flower in April-October. They require full sunlight, and should be placed away from drafts. When watering, soak the soil and allow it to moderately dry out between waterings.

Philodendron - This easy care plant grows best indoors in bright indirect sunlight and is a climber if given proper support. This plant is poisonous if ingested and should be kept away from small children. Plant should be kept barely moist.

Schefflera - This is an easy care leafy green plant that grows well indoors in full sunlight. When watering, drench the soil and allow it to become moderately dry in between

If you do not see a plant which you have a question about please feel free to e-mail us along with your name and e-mail address at comments@jacobsensflowers.com and we will be happy to assist you.