Describe the plant-sitting services you offer
I will come to your home as needed to tend to your plants. This includes watering, fertilizing, dusting, and checking each plant's overall health. The frequency of attention will depend on what type of plants you have, as some need frequent watering and others need to dry out between waterings. I use a moisture meter to reliably check a plant's need for water so that I don't under or over water. If there are window coverings that need to be opened, or grow lights that need to be turned on/off, that is part of my services. If a plant seems stressed or is not looking its best, I will determine what needs to be done so that the plant can remain healthy. From my own experience, I understand how attached we can become to our plants. I will do my best to keep your plants thriving while you are away.
What experience do you have caring for plants?
I am an experienced plant mama specializing in indoor tropical plants. I have a number of plants myself, but also take care of friends' plants when they are out of town, plus own a small plant business. I am frequently asked to diagnose problems with other people's plants. I have curated plants to place in businesses and homes. I contract with several businesses to provide weekly indoor plant maintenance services in waiting rooms, lobbies, offices, and showrooms. I also have a lot of experience with gardening. I have been growing, propagating, and enjoying both indoor and outdoor plants for over four decades. I believe the presence of plants in a space is not only beautiful, but has a calming effect. Many studies have shown that plants can add to the overall health of the people who are around them, and that well-tended plants reward us with better air quality and a more environmentally friendly atmosphere. For plants to do their best, however, it is important that they are watered, dusted and fertilized on a routine schedule, which may vary from plant to plant.
What types of plants are you comfortable caring for?
I am comfortable caring for most indoor plants. These include all types of pothos, monstera, philodendron, scindapsus, peperomia, hoya, begonia, african violet, beaucarnea recurvata (ponytail palm), ficus, schefflera, zz plant, sansevierias (snake), pachira (money tree), dracaenas, spathiphyllum (peace lily), calathea, aglaonema (chinese evergreen), ctenanthe, and more. I am comfortable researching any plants I have not previously cared for in order to know their specific requirements. Additionally, I have tended an outdoor garden for years and am comfortable caring for any outside plants you may have, including succulents, vegetable and fruits, ornamentals, trees, palms, exotics, etc. I can deadhead, do minor trimming and fertilize. I can maintain plants in greenhouses, pots, or in the ground. If requested, I can repot plants for you. I can also curate plants for your home or garden, install them in decorative pots, and maintain them if you desire, or give you the information to maintain them yourself.
What will you do during a typical visit?
During a typical plant-sitting visit I will give each plant individual attention, assessing its need for water, inspecting it for any problems such as pests, browning or yellowing, or leaf drop. Regarding watering, I prefer to use filtered, RO, or distilled water. Actually, rainwater is the best water for potted plants, so if the plant owner has any of that saved I will use it. Some more sensitive plants can react to tap water by developing brown spots or brown tips on their leaves. I will dust each plant, remove any dead leaves, and fertilize if needed. (There are certain times of year when it is best to either not fertilize or fertilize at half strength or less.) Some plants benefit from being rotated a quarter turn occasionally, so I will do that if needed as well. I will make sure each plant is getting adequate light according to their species.
What makes you a reliable plant sitter?
Depending on the owner's preference, I will email or text them each time I visit their home. I will send them pictures of any plants that are doing particularly well, as well as any plants that are struggling. I will let them know if I have any recommendations for correcting any plant issues. In general, I will not do anything other than water, dust and fertilize without getting the owner's permission ahead of time. If there would be any additional charges incurred for my time or for materials that must be purchased (pots, potting soil, etc) for repotting, I will get approval from the owner beforehand. If the owner has any non-plant related tasks they want done while I am there, I am happy to discuss that with them and, upon mutual agreement, perform those tasks. Because I have my own plants to take care of, plus plants in the businesses I serve, I know the importance of reliable, consistent care and adequate communication.
