Houseplant tags or labels typically contain various pieces of information to help you understand the plant’s specific care requirements, characteristics, and other important details.
The meanings on these tags can vary depending on the plant species and the manufacturer, but here are some common elements you might find:
- Plant Name (Botanical and Common): This section displays the scientific name (botanical name) of the plant, which helps in identifying the plant accurately. The common name is also provided for easier recognition. Not all plant names printed on plant tags are correct. I have seen plant tags with the scientific name spelled correctly on the front and misspelled on the back. Where is their proof reader? Plant producers will often just give a Genus name, like Philodendron, and say nothing about the species or variety name. There are also cases where plant producers will grow a plant with its real scientific and common names, then market the same plant again under a different common name.
- Light Requirements: This indicates the amount of light the plant needs to thrive. Light descriptions are really vague and each person will have a different idea of what it means. You won’t know what light levels you have until you measure them. So I have measured them using a light metre, that gives the light measurement in foot candles.
Direct Sunlight: 2,000-5,000 foot-candles. The plant needs direct sunlight for a certain number of hours per day.
Bright Indirect Light: 1,000 to 2,000 foot-candles. The plant should receive bright, filtered light but not direct sunlight.
Low to medium Light: 250 to 1,000 foot-candles. The plant requires moderate light levels, usually more than low light but less than bright indirect light.
Low Light: 50 to 250 foot-candles. The plant can tolerate low light conditions and can survive in areas with minimal natural light.
Indirect Light: The plant prefers light but not direct sun exposure. (I think this is a particularly useless light requirement statement.) - Watering Instructions: This section provides guidelines on how often and how much to water the plant. There are water metres out there that can help with moisture, but I find them too inconsistent. My preferred method is to use a bamboo chopstick. I position it at the edge of the pot (in order to avoid puncturing roots) then push it down to the bottom of the pot and draw it out. Based on how much potting mix sticks to it, or if the stick feels damp, I will then decide whether I water or not. Common descriptions on a plant tag will include:
- Allow potting mix to dry between watering: The potting mix should dry partially or completely between watering sessions.
- Keep potting mix moist: The mix should be consistently kept moist, but not waterlogged.
- Water Sparingly: The plant requires infrequent watering.
- Water Regularly: The plant needs regular and consistent watering.
- Do not allow to dry: this is less common in houseplant instructions. I have seen this on plants like mosses, ferns and carnivorous plants – all of which prefer to live in bog-like conditions.
- Humidity Tolerance: Some tags mention the plant’s preferred humidity level, indicating whether the plant thrives in high or low humidity environments.
- Temperature Range: This provides information about the temperature range that the plant can tolerate. It may indicate the ideal temperature as well as the minimum temperature the plant can handle.
- Mature Size: The expected size of the plant when it reaches maturity is mentioned, helping you understand how large it may grow.
- Fertilisation: Instructions for fertilising the plant, including the type of fertiliser and frequency of application, may be provided.
- Pruning: Some tags offer guidance on how and when to prune the plant to maintain its shape and health.
- Toxicity: If the plant is toxic to pets or humans, a warning might be included.
- Reflowering/Propagation: For flowering plants, tags may provide information on how to encourage reflowering. Some tags may also include basic instructions on how to propagate the plant.
While it is essential to read and understand the information on the plant tag to understand the best care for your houseplant, it is equally important to understand that these tags are meant as a guide and may not include accurate information. The information on the tags is often general, and each plant’s needs can vary slightly based on its individual environment and growing conditions. Always observe your plant and make adjustments to care as needed.
