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The 6 Most Romantic Plants

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The 6 Most Romantic Plants

by Pedro on Jan 29, 2025
We think plants tell the best love stories.  They grow. They last. Some have heart-shaped leaves. Many are traditional symbols of affection - tied to romance through history and culture. Whether you're looking for a Valentine’s Day plant, an anniversary plant, or just want to bring a bit of love into your space, these six plants are perfect for the job. #1. Red Rose Bush - the classic romantic plant No surprises here - roses are the classic symbol of love. But it's the bush, not the cut bouquet, that’s truly romantic. Unlike flowers that are enjoyed for a few days and then tossed away, a rose plant keeps growing and blooming year after year. What’s more symbolic of lasting romance than that? Perfect moment: Marking anniversaries, grand gestures, or saying "I love you" in the most classic way possible. Care needs: Loves full to partial sun. Keep soil moist but well-drained. Check the product page for specific care instructions.  Valentine’s Red Rose Bush Gift Wrapped - £29.99 Red Climbing Rose Bush in 3 Litre Pot - £26.99 #2. Hoya Heart Plant - the sweetest romantic plant This sweet little plant doesn’t try to be romantic - it just is. With thick, heart-shaped leaves, the Hoya Kerrii is a simple but meaningful way to say “I love you”. It doesn’t demand much attention and will sit happily in its pot for years, quietly proving that love doesn’t have to be high-maintenance. Perfect moment: A fun, low-key Valentine’s gift (or Galentines gift), a sweet anniversary token, or a gesture for someone who insists they "don’t need anything." Care needs: Requires at least half a day of bright, but indirect sunshine. Only needs moderate watering. Great for forgetful plant parents. Hoya Kerrii Heart Plant - £9.99 Hoya Kerrii Variegata Heart Plant - £9.99   #3. Anthurium - a glamorous type of romantic plant With its vibrant, heart-shaped flowers, Anthurium is a bold and passionate plant that captures attention. Its striking appearance makes it a memorable gift. Perfect moment: Valentine’s Day, romantic dinners, or decorating a shared space. Care needs: Thrives in bright, indirect light and needs low to moderate amount of watering. Red Anthurium Flamingo Plant - £14.99 Pink Flamingo Lily Anthurium Plant - £14.99   #4. String of Hearts - the effortlessly romantic plant Some plants grow up, but this one grows out - long, trailing vines covered in delicate, heart-shaped leaves. Whether draped over a shelf or hanging in a window, it quietly adds a touch of romance to any space. Perfect moment: A thoughtful gift for a long-distance partner, a reminder of someone special, or simply an elegant way to bring romance into a space. Care needs: Likes a good amount of light, but not direct sunlight. Water regularly in summer, letting the soil nearly dry between watering - avoid waterlogging. String of Hearts Hanging Plant – 14cm Pot - £29.99 String of Hearts Plant – 9cm Pot - £11.99 #5. Stephanotis on Hoop - a true, old-school romantic plant Madagascar jasmine, often called the "wedding plant," has long been a symbol of devotion, commitment, and lasting love. With its glossy green leaves, fragrant star-shaped white flowers, and twining vines that wrap elegantly around a hoop, it’s romance in plant form. Perfect moment: A meaningful wedding or anniversary gift, a classic romantic gesture, or for someone who appreciates an old-school kind of love. Care needs: Loves bright, indirect light and moderate watering - but let the soil dry slightly between drinks. In summer, it benefits from occasional misting to keep the foliage fresh, and a fortnightly feed from April to October encourages blooms. Stephanotis on Hoop (Madagascar Jasmine) in 12cm Pot - £19.99   #6. Swiss Cheese Plant - the big, bold romantic plant Not all romance is delicate and dainty - some of it is big, bold, and full of drama. The Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera) brings the kind of romance that fills a room. With its striking, sculptural leaves and a habit of growing wildly when given the chance, this plant is for those who like their love stories a little untamed. Perfect moment: A gift for someone who appreciates bold gestures, a statement piece in a shared home, or an “accidentally” self-gifted plant (because you deserve it). Care needs: Tolerates various light conditions but avoid constant direct sunlight. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, ensuring excess drains away. Wipe leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and feed monthly in spring and summer. Give it room to grow - it will take the hint. Swiss Cheese Plant Gift Wrapped - £20.99   For more romantic plant inspiration, explore our full collection of Valentine’s Day Plants.
Carbeth's Guide to: The Lemon Tree

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Carbeth's Guide to: The Lemon Tree

by Pedro on Mar 19, 2022
As a start to this long adventure of learning and helping you to learn more about our products, and gardening in general in the UK, we are going to start by talking about our favourite fruit trees. In this article we will be looking at one of the most colourful trees, namely the lemon tree, these are a great choice for decorating all types of well-lit interiors or frost-protected areas. These trees can provide you with the joy that their fruits give you. Citrus Lemon Of Asian origin, the lemon tree (Citrus Limon) is a perennial fruit tree of the Rutaceae family. Its large, oval, bright green leaves are, like its flowers, very aromatic, with a characteristic thorn at the base. There are many varieties of the lemon tree and the different species differ in the shape and colour of their fruit, the lemons, and in the shape, acidity and ripening periods of the fruit. This fruit tree prefers a well-drained, fertile and humus-rich soil, in a sun-facing area and protected from the wind. The lemon tree is a medium-sized tree of the citrus genus, belonging to the Rutaceae family, which can live up to 70 years. It has a woody, yellowish, highly branched trunk and its large, oval, bright green leaves are very aromatic and have a characteristic thorn at the base. Its flowers, the orange blossom, also give off a great aroma. Its fruit, the lemon, is yellow or green in colour and has a thick rind that hides a white, spongy and tasteless layer, under which the pulp is found. The lemons sprout on one-year-old branches and on those with terminal buds. As for the harvesting, it must be done in a staggered way, when they are ripe, something that happens during almost the whole year. There are many varieties of lemon tree. Their different species are differentiated by the shape and colour of their fruits, the lemons, and by their shape, acidity and ripening periods. Basic care of the lemon tree Lemon trees require well-drained, fertile, humus-rich soil, which should be oriented towards the sun and protected from the wind. Watering and flowering They should be watered abundantly, especially when the fruits start to come out and during the flowering period. In the hot season it is important to water it daily, while in winter it can be watered for about 3 days. Whenever possible, water and fertiliser should be used. It would also be a good idea not to have other vegetation under the canopy, as it could consume nutrients from the roots. Fertiliser Fertiliser should be rich in macro-nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, and in micro-nutrients such as iodine, iron and vitamin A. It should be applied in spring and summer. It should be applied in spring and summer and, in order to do so, the height of the tree and the production of lemons should be taken into account, as the higher the production and the larger the size, the greater the nutrient supply should be. Pruning Pruning should be done annually during the period of vegetative inactivity, but especially in the first years of the lemon tree we should not overdo it. Above all, excess and dry branches should be removed to clear the way for the light to reach the tree. During this period, dead branches and other weaker branches should be removed, so that the rest of the tree has more strength. The tree is multiplied by grafting. Uses of the lemon tree As well as being present in many recipes of the Mediterranean gastronomy, the lemon also has other uses, for example: Food: it is commonly found in drinks, sauces or we can even see it enhancing the flavour of all kinds of recipes. Ornamental tree: there is no doubt, the lemon bush is ideal as decoration as long as the climate is not too cold. Medicinal plant: there are some studies that attribute certain medicinal properties to the lemon, including stress relief. Perfumery: its essential oils are commonly used in the elaboration of perfumes. Wood: this type of wood is hard and has a smooth bark, which is why it is highly appreciated in all types of woodwork. Frequently asked questions about the lemon tree We end this article with a series of frequently asked questions about this citrus tree: How long does it take to grow a lemon plant?The lemon tree will take between 3 and 6 years to bear fruit, so it is certainly a challenge of patience. If you want to accelerate the growth, you can buy a small tree to shorten the time. When do lemons flower?It depends largely on the climate and the variety of lemon tree, but it is usual for them to flower twice a year: 1) The first time between March and July. 2) The second time between August and September. How long does a lemon tree live?The maximum is usually around 70 years, but much depends on the conditions in which it grows. What is the lemon blossom called?The flower of the lemon tree is the orange blossom, they are white and their name comes from Arabic. It is the common name for the flowers of the orange and lemon tree. It is a common ingredient in herbal teas.
Carbeth's Guide to: Watering Plants

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Carbeth's Guide to: Watering Plants

by Pedro on Mar 18, 2022
In this next post we will give our humble opinion, providing information about our irrigation techniques in Carbeth Plants. When should plants be watered One of the main mistakes we make when watering plants is to treat them all the same. Never forget that each plant has its own needs and some need moderate watering while others need abundant watering. Having said that, as soon as you buy a plant, check on the Internet or at the nursery where you bought it, what care it needs. Once you know what its needs are (abundant, moderate or scarce watering), you will be able to understand it and give it what it needs. How to know when to water plants We could say -in a very summarised way- that there are three types of plants in relation to watering: those that need to be watered when the substrate is completely dry, those that need the substrate to be always wet and cacti and succulents that need long periods with dry soil. Identify which of these three types of plant is yours and water accordingly. To do this, always look at the substrate and stick a toothpick, pencil or your own finger into the soil to see if the soil is moist or dry. If there is soil sticking to the stick or pencil when you pull it out, it is still wet. In case you are not sure whether the soil is wet or not, my advice is to wait a few days, it is better to under-water than over-water! What is the right watering frequency The plant itself will tell you how often you should water it. Imagine you have a plant that needs to have a moist substrate and you water it every Sunday. In this case there could be three situations: Sunday arrives and the soil is dry. This means that you will have to water your plant twice a week instead of once a week. Sunday arrives and the soil is very wet. This means that you either have to water it less or you have to water it every 10 days. Come Sunday and the soil is slightly damp. This means that you have found the perfect days to water your plant. Adapt your watering to the temperature We always insist that the best thing for our plants is to observe them to understand their needs. Don't get used to watering them one day a week - the example above was just that, an example - because depending on the time of year their water needs will change. In the summer the temperatures are higher and you will need to water your plants more frequently to keep them hydrated and cool. In winter the temperatures drop, the substrate stays wetter for longer and the plants go into vegetative rest, so we will reduce watering (always progressively) and even stop watering them almost completely in some species. How much water should I add? This depends on many factors such as the size of the pot, the substrate, the type of plant (Ficus, Calatea, Succulent, Cactus...) or the temperature/time of the year. However, in order to have an orientation that can serve as a guide, it is very useful to look at the drainage hole. In other words, water your plant until water comes out of the hole in the pot. When you see that water starts to come out, it means that it has reached the roots and that the amount of water is adequate and sufficient. When you pour the water in, do it a little at a time To avoid saturating the soil and overdoing it with water, it is advisable to pour the water into the pot a little at a time and see how it is absorbed by the soil and stop when you see that the water begins to run out of the drainage holes. It is possible that when watering several plants you will notice that some absorb the water very quickly, while others take a few seconds to "swallow" it. Don't worry about this, it is due to the amount and type of soil in each pot. However, caked substrates, which usually have very compact soil, take a long time to absorb the water and you have to make sure that the water drains through the hole in the pot because sometimes, because the soil is so caked, the water cannot penetrate to the roots and the plant does not hydrate. Why do plants need to be allowed to drain Not allowing the plant to drain is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when it comes to watering. What do I mean by draining? Always, always - I say it again just in case - always, always let the remaining water from watering drain out of the drainage hole before putting the plant back in its potting cover. Likewise, don't leave your plants with the saucer full of water as many species are prone to root rot and having stagnant water so close to them will lead to rotting or fungal problems. If you are reading this and have just realised that your pot does not have a drainage hole... Please make one now! Or change the pot, because if you overwater it, it is very easy for your plant to rot. What is the best time of day to water As the popular saying goes: Every little master has his own way of doing things. In our case, We water our plants in the following way: in summer at dusk because it is very hot.  This way I make sure that they are well hydrated and cool during the hottest nights. In winter We usually water them at midday. Why? Because this is the time when there is the most light and any excess water or humidity evaporates more easily. The important thing is to avoid watering them at the coldest times of the day so as not to generate excessive humidity. What irrigation methods are there and when should i use them We use three watering methods for watering my plants: traditional watering, immersion watering and spraying. TRADITIONAL WATERING We use it for plants that need moderate or little watering. I simply pour water over the substrate with a watering can until it comes out of the drainage hole. WATERING BY IMMERSION We reserve it for plants that require abundant watering and that are sensitive to root rot. Why? Because this way We make sure that the plant absorbs the humidity it needs and that We don't overdo it with the amount of water. To water plants by immersion, what We do is put the plant in a container of water. After about five minutes We remove it, let it drain and put it back in the pot cover. WATERING WITH A SPRAYER Spray watering - a small spray bottle - is used for plants that require a lot of moisture or very little water, such as succulents. For plants that require a lot of humidity (Marantas and Calateas) what We do is to water by immersion and then spray the leaves and the top layer of the substrate to make sure that it is always moist. For cacti and succulents that require a small amount of water, what We also do is to water them with a spray bottle without wetting the aerial part of the plant, We just spray water on the substrate. What can I do if I have watered too much? If you touch the soil and notice that it is too wet, take the plant out of the pot and wrap it in kitchen paper until you remove as much water as possible. If you do this and the substrate is still wet, place the plant - without putting it in the pot - on the terrace or in an airy place so that the earth ball dries out as soon as possible. Do I need to use bottled water for watering? In principle no, although there are plants with acidic soils such as Azaleas that do not like lime water. If the water in your city is very hard and has limescale, you can fill a bottle with water and leave it to stand for 24 hours. This will remove most of the limescale. Should I water with cold water? Watch out for this! Whenever you water your plants, always try to do so with water that is at room temperature. If you use water that is too cold or too hot, you can shock the plants and cause root damage. How do I know if a plant is over-watered? The most common symptom is that the leaves of the plant start to yellow and eventually fall off. How do I know if a plant needs watered? Because the stems and leaves will look shriveled or wilted. As soon as you water the plant and it is hydrated again, these symptoms will disappear. However, when the plant is over-watered, the consequences of dehydration do not disappear. And that's all for today's post!
Carbeth's Guide to: Plant care in Winter

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Carbeth's Guide to: Plant care in Winter

by Pedro on Mar 17, 2022
Indoor plants do not need the same care in summer as in winter. It must be taken into account that with the arrival of cold weather, temperatures drop, the hours of daylight decrease and an element comes into play that complicates everything a little and that is called heating. What care do plants need in winter? With the cold weather we must change some of our care habits: Watering: reduce the frequency, quantity and timing of watering. Humidity: provide more humidity. Location: light and away from heating. Fertilisation: do not fertilise the plants until spring. Pruning: this is the time to clean damaged leaves. Leaves: it is important to keep them clean. What happens to plants when the cold weather arrives. Before explaining in more detail the care of indoor plants in winter, We think it is also important to explain what happens to plants when the cold weather arrives. Plants feed on light and use all the energy provided by the sun to flower, put out new leaves and continue to develop. We must not forget another fundamental factor in the development of a plant: temperature. Each plant has its own needs, but it is essential for them to have warm temperatures that allow them to continue growing. With the arrival of winter and due to the drop in temperatures, plants enter a period of rest or vegetative rest. As the temperature conditions are not optimal for their development, plants "reserve" all the energy provided by the sun during the winter in order to grow more vigorously in spring, when warmer temperatures arrive. If this is so, why do some plants flower in autumn? It is true that there are plants such as flower in autumn. This is due to because these particular plants tolerate lower temperatures for growth and development. However, when temperatures are lower than these plants need to thrive, they will also go into dormancy. Do all plants go into dormancy? It depends on the climate, but whenever there is frost or the temperatures are really cold, yes, the plants will go into dormancy. Moreover, this vegetative rest is essential for them because during these months they accumulate energy and "train" themselves to grow with greater vitality and strength with the arrival of spring. It is advisable for plants to enjoy at least two months of vegetative rest. In cities with constant warm temperatures, plants do not have this rest and although they survive without it, they become weaker and more prone to attack by pests and fungi. Watering in winter There are three things to bear in mind when it comes to watering your plants in winter: Frequency of watering: now that the temperatures are lower, the humidity in the soil lasts longer, so it is important to space out the watering. If in summer we watered twice a week, now watering once a week will be enough. How do we know if we are watering too much or too little? Always pay close attention to the substrate. When it is time to water your plant, first look at the soil and check whether it is moist or not. But don't just look at the surface, dip your finger into the substrate and assess how wet it is. If it is still wet, don't water and wait a few days. This is important because overwatering can cause fungus problems! Amount of water when watering: as plants enter a period of rest in winter and their aerial activity (leaves and stems) comes to a standstill, they need less water to survive. For this reason, we will also have to adjust the amount of water we give them and gradually reduce it. Time of day to water: In summer, I like to water in the evening because it is so hot that the plants appreciate being cool and hydrated. However, this rule does not apply in winter. Why not? Well, because at night the temperatures drop, the heaters are turned off and having the plant freshly watered at the coldest time of the day is not suitable for it. In winter it is better to water during the day, for example at midday: there is light, there is sunshine and any excessive humidity caused by watering will leave the plant sooner. Ambient Humidity Forgetting about humidity during the winter is a very common mistake. We think that because it is cold, plants are well hydrated and do not need humidity. How can you know if your plants need humidity? Look at the tips of the leaves, are they dry or brown? If your answer is yes, it means that your plants need humidity. But this is not the case. It is rather the opposite. In winter we have the heaters or radiators on and these provoke an environmental dryness that our plants are going to notice and suffer. Providing them with humidity is relatively simple and you can do it in two ways: spraying their leaves from time to time or using a humidifier. Location of the Plants Another aspect to take into account during the winter is the location. Mainly for two reasons: Lighting: in winter, the hours of light and its intensity decrease, so it is important to find a place in the house near light points so that they receive all the sun they need. Heating: as far as possible, it would be a good idea to place your plants away from radiators, as direct heat can be harmful to them. In addition, sudden changes in temperature (from room temperature to heating) are not beneficial. Pruning/ Cleaning We have called it pruning because We didn't know how to define this point, but more than pruning, We mean cleaning the plant. That is to say, take advantage of the arrival of winter to cut those dry or yellow leaves that you think are going to dry out soon. We always recommend doing this so that the plant does not "waste" energy on leaves that will inevitably be lost and have no continuity. Leaves During autumn and winter there are fewer hours of light and therefore the plant receives less energy or food. Our job here is to make it as easy as possible for them to take in as much light or energy as possible. We have already mentioned that in winter plants should be placed in a place where they receive more light. But as you are well aware, plants capture light through their leaves, so it is essential to keep them clean so that they can feed properly. Did you know that dust or dirt accumulated on the leaves can complicate photosynthesis? The truth is that the leaves would have to be very dirty to prevent them from absorbing the sun's energy, but to avoid unnecessary risks, it is advisable to keep the leaves clean during the winter. You can wipe them with a cloth dipped in water and pass it over each one. This way, they will be in perfect condition to make the most of the hours of light available during the winter. We hope these tips will help you take care of your houseplants during the winter! Feel free to share with me any tips or questions! We'll read you in the comments!