Plant Care Cards

Whether you are new to plant parenting, adding a new plant to your collection, or you just need a refresher, our plant care cards are a useful tool that we’re excited to offer our plant parents, at all levels.

Our care cards are written and designed in-house by knowledgeable Tonkadale staff, and contain the best growing instructions for each plant. Each card contains information on the best light, water, and fertilizing practices. There is also a bonus section called “For the Love of Plants” that contains additional information. Sometimes it’s extra care info for even better success, other times it’s just a fun, interesting piece of plant knowledge you can use to flex on your friends.

Physical Cards

The media team has collaborated on the writing, graphics, and design of grab-and-go care cards that can be found in the cutest ever antique card catalogue cabinet near the check-out area. They’re easy to access and in alphabetical order. Feel free to browse on your own, or ask a staff member to help you find the one you’re looking for.

Digital Cards

We’ve placed all the same information contained in our care cards on our website, too! Just head to the plant care tab on the website and you’ll find everything you need to know about how to care for your plants right at your fingertips.

Care Card Sections

Each care card gives simple, clear, and accurate information on each of the important elements of plant care.

Light

Generally, light requirements for indoor plants fall into three basic categories. Bright, Indirect or Medium, and Low Light.

Bright light often refers to some direct light, and is necessary for plants such as cactus. Bright Indirect or

Medium light is a bright room that usually has South, East, or West facing windows with perhaps some direct light for the plants, but not too much as plants that prefer this light may burn with too much.

Low Light plants are those that can survive more than three feet from a window, perhaps even in dark corners of a room, provided there is some light available. Low light is found in rooms with windows that only face North, or if the plant is set far back from the window a low light environment is created.

Soil

Indoor plants should always be planted in at least a well-drained potting mix. Some plants, such as cactus and succulents, do better in a sharply drained mix, and orchids prefer a barky mix. There are specialty soils for such plants, but they’ll often be OK in regular potting soil provided it’s porous and well drained.

Water

This is a little more difficult to unpack. Terms such as “overwatered” and “consistently moist soil” can cause some confusion. Let’s break it down.

“Let soil dry between watering”: this is very important for those plants that hold moisture in their trunks, stems, or leaves such as desert plants like cactus. Too much water will cause rot, so it’s important to let the soil dry out completely, then water so the soil is completely moist, let it dry again, and repeat.

“Keep soil consistently moist”: in this case, the soil should remain moist all the way through, but not saturated or soggy. It’s still important to water thoroughly, allow to drain, and not let it sit in standing water.

“Water when top inch or two of soil is dry”: the best way to figure out if the plant needs water is to just stick your finger in the soil. If the top inch or two is dry, water thoroughly and let drain.

Fertilizing

Generally, plants should be fertilized at half strength and half as often during periods of dormancy compared to periods of active growth. Some plants like a little more than others, or none at all for the most part. You’ll find what each one needs on the card.

For the Love of Plants

This is the bonus section! You never know what you might find here!

More to Come

Though we’ve produced a good amount of care information, there are many more plants we need to add. The media team at Tonkadale continues to work toward creating care cards for every houseplant we carry (and some perennials, too). Let us know if there is a plant you’d like to see us create a care card for. 

Happy plant parenting!