What is it?

Some plants are so different that you almost have to stop and look at them.   Like this staghorn fern.   Its fronds resemble antlers and can grow three feet long.  The plant is an epiphyte which means it grows on another plant but not as a parasite, only for mechanical support. It gets its nutrients from the rain, air, dust and so on.  In nature, they are usually grow on trees but people often grow them on plaques or in baskets with some peat or other organic material under it.

What’s beautiful and looks like a big insect? And no, it isn't scary!

Say hello to the butterfly orchid, also known as as Oncidium Papilio (Psychopsis).  Not only does this orchid have a striking similarity to a butterfly, if you look closely at the bloom, it appears to have a face!

Butterfly orchids are different from many other types of orchids in that they have one bloom per spike but when one falls off, another flower usually pops up right away.  That’s because a future bud is forming behind the mature one.  

These plants are easy to care for and love bright, filtered light.

Thank you!

Thank you for 42 years of being able to serve you!  It's our 42nd anniversary and to show our appreciation we are giving a special discount for this week - 30% off plants and containers during the week of September 15 through 21.  See the flier below for specifics.

And if you are in the Sacramento area, join us for our Customer Appreciation Party on September 17 from 5:00 to 7:30 pm at Exotic Plants.  There'll be fun, good things to eat and prizes!

Want to get more done?

Although studies over the years have concluded that plants in the workplace will increase productivity, new research has the statistics to prove it.  When plants were added to Spartan-type offices, productivity increased by 15%.

This new study was the first to test the idea in real offices.  It was conducted by researchers from the University of Queensland, Cardiff University, the University of Exeter and the University of Groningen.

According to Professor Alex Haslam – one of the study’s coauthors – the study challenges modern business ideas that a lean office is a more productive one. He was quoted in the UQ News as saying, “Modern offices and desks have been stripped back to create sparse spaces - our findings question this widespread theory that less is more – sometimes less is just less.”

You can read more here:   http://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2014/09/leafy-green-better-lean

Living on air!

Remember when you were a child and everything seemed so new and amazing?  I feel that way about air plants.  A plant that grows in air AND is beautiful!

Tillandsia (the official name) come in many varieties and sizes and are very easy to care for.  Simply submerge them in water for 10 minutes once a week and give them medium light.  They look great displayed on pebbles, in shells, branches or driftwood -- let your imagination take over!

Come celebrate with us!

Join us for our 42nd Anniversary Customer Appreciation Party on Wednesday, September 17th, 5:00 - 7:30 pm in our store!  There'll be fun, good things to eat and prizes!  We'd love the chance to meet you in person!

Orchids - did you know?

Did you know that although many people think orchids are tropical plants, you can find them growing on just about every continent -- except Antarctica.  They come in an amazing variety of sizes.  The smallest are no bigger than a thimble while one type can grow to 20 feet tall!

Here is one of our mini-orchids, about 10 inches including the pot.  We even have one under 7 inches.  That will fit just about anywhere!