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Plant of the Week

Jan 03
Philodendron at Himmel's

Plant of the Week: Philodendron

By Plant of the Week

Common name:

Philodendron

Botanical name:

Philodendron spp.

Philodendrons are one of the most popular houseplants, thanks to their reputation for being low maintenance.They are native to the West Indies and the tropical rain forests of Central and South America.

  • Light Requirements: Most philodendrons prefer indirect light but this plant is quite tolerant of low light conditions and will grow well under artificial or existing room light.
  • Water Requirements: They prefer for the soil to be evenly moist, but not soggy, but will tolerate dry conditions if you forget to water them. Philodendrons prefer a humid environment.
  • Characteristics: There are 2 types, vining or climbing and non-climbing. The leaves can be heart shaped, oval, lobed, deeply cut and spear shaped. 
  • Uses: This is a great air purifying houseplant.
  • Interesting Facts: Philodendrons produce an inflorescence known as a spathe, similar to a Peace Lily.
  • Varieties:
    • Philodendron x ‘Birkin’: This variety is non-climbing and offers thin white stripes on its green leaves.  Starting life as an all-green juvenile, ‘Birkin’ develops its sophisticated striping with maturity.
    • Philodendron ‘Prismacolor Lemon Lime’: Not to be confused with another Philodendron cultivar of the Heart Leaf Philodendron that also goes by Lemon Lime which is a trailing plant, this plant is an upright variety with longer golden, yellow-green or lime-foliage.
    • Philodendron panduriforme: This is a vining variety that can reach 6 feet or more and has dark green, arrow shaped leaves.  
Philodendron at Himmel's
There are over 400 different varieties of philodendron! Wow!
Philodendrons are an effective organic air purifier, filtering out harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and xylene!
The beautiful philodendron is considered a symbol of abundance and prosperity!
Philodendron can easily be propagated from stem cuttings!
Dec 27

Plant of the Week: Poinsettia 

By Plant of the Week

Common name:

Poinsettia

Botanical name:

Euphorbia pulcherrima

The Poinsettia is a perennial shrub native to Mexico. They are hardy in USDA zones 9 and above, and can reach a mature size of 3-10 ft. tall, 3-7 ft. wide. In USDA zones 8 and lower, they are typically used as decorative pieces around the Christmas season.

Commonly referred to as ‘flowers’ on the poinsettia, these are actually petal-like leaves known as “bracts”. The bracts form right below the small flowers of the poinsettia.

  • Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light. Poinsettias are best kept in temperatures between 65°F to 75°F
  • Water Requirements: Poinsettias like to keep their soil moist. Water your poinsettia when the surface feels dry to the touch. Be sure to let your poinsettia fully drain before placing it back into a tray or decorative foil to prevent root rot.
  • Characteristics: Poinsettia is easily recognized for its full green leaves and colorful bracts, traditionally red.
  • Uses: Poinsettias are most commonly used as holiday decoration. When cared for properly, they can continue to provide greenery as an indoor plant throughout the year.
  • Interesting Facts: Christmas poinsettias’ botanical name Euphorbia pulcherrima means “the most beautiful Euphorbia”.
  • Varieties: While the most recognizable variety is the Christmas Eve, with its red bracts, poinsettias can also come in the following varieties due to hybridization:
    • Alaska White: Pure white bracts.
    • Jingle Bell Rock: This variety is a mixture of cream and bright red with glossy dark
      green leaves.
    • Gold Rush: These bracts are in shades of pink and gold.
The colorful part of the poinsettia isn’t a flower – it’s a modified leaf
Grown in over 100 solid, marble, and bi-color varieties in shades of white, cream, pink, purple, red, yellow
The ancient Aztecs used poinsettias to make red dye
In their native tropical environment, poinsettias can grow up to 15 tall
Dec 18

Plant of the Week: Christmas Cactus 

By Plant of the Week

Common name:

Christmas Cactus, Holiday Cactus

Order Online

Botanical name:

Schlumbergera x buckleyi

The Christmas Cactus is a succulent native to tropical rainforests, originating in the Brazilian rainforest. Christmas cacti grow in their native environments on moss-covered trees (as epiphytes) or in rock crevices filled with decaying vegetation (as lithophytes).

  • Light Requirements: Bright, indirect light. Keep in a warm location, over 55 degrees. 
  • Water Requirements: Water Christmas cacti thoroughly once the soil has completely dried out since its last watering. Allow excess water to run out through the drainage holes.
  • Characteristics: Christmas Cactus has segmented leaves with hanging flowers in red, pink, orange, and white hues. The range of bloom time is typically November through February.
  • Uses: The Christmas Cactus has become a popular holiday houseplant to add some color to the season.
  • Interesting Facts: When taken care of properly a Christmas cactus can last 20 – 30 years! 
  • Varieties:  Schlumbergera x buckleyi (syn. Schlumbergera bridgesii) is the true Christmas cactus, but Schlumbergera truncata can also be sold as a Christmas cactus. Schlumbergera truncata has more notched stems and blooms earlier, closer to Thanksgiving.
Tubular flowers encase the reproductive parts – pistil, ovary, stamens
Orchid-like flowers in shades of red, pink, purple, orange, white
Remove faded flowers to encourage the cactus to continue blooming
Cascading growth is attractively displayed in a hanging basket!
Download Care Sheet PDF

$6.99 each

Christmas Cactus include 4″ pot.  Purchase online and pickup at Himmel’s – while supplies last.

Order Christmas Cactus