Seed/Plant Guide
SEEDS FOR SMART GARDENS
Looking to purchase one of our sophisticated smart gardens? Considering buying seeds at the same time? See our selection of seeds available below.
Each of our seed variety packs comes with 7-10 different types of seeds, and within each of these there are about 3-5 seeds ready to plant.
Herb seeds
The herbs included in our herb packets are: Dill, Common Cress, Peppermint, Parsley, Basil, Coriander, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage & French Thyme.
Vegetable seeds
The Vegetables included in our packets are: Rocket, Mixed Lettuce, Vine Tomato, Curly Kale, Sprouting Broccoli, Sweetcorn, Dwarf French Bean and Garden Peas.
Tomato seeds
The Tomatoes included in our seed packs are: Red Cherry, Costoluto Florentino, Noire De Crimee, Principe Borghese, Red Pear, San Marzano, Yellow Pear Shaped.
Chilli seeds
Included in our seed packs: Adorno, Grisu Ibrido F1, Habanero Chocolate, Ciliegia Piccante, Hungarian Yellow Wax Hot, Jalapeno, Pyramid, Red Cherry Small, Stromboli.
All our seed packets give you a fair chance of germinating many different seeds over a period of months and deciding what to do with the surplus. All are suitable for the machine and in a few weeks (months for chillies) you will be harvesting your first crop.
At the very beginning, we strongly recommend filling your machine to 80% (3.5L mark on the 7 pod) whilst awaiting the first germination to avoid over-soaking the seeds. Once germination has happened, fill the machine to full with nutrient-rich water.
PLANTS FOR LIVING PLANT WALLS
Planning on buying one of our Modular Living Walls? Not sure which plants to buy? Look no further for our comprehensive guide.
Asparagus Fern (Asparagus Setaceus)
EASY care. Delicate and fluffy, this fern like climber is native to South Africa. With its shooting wiry stems it is ideal for training over our frames. Vigorous grower it can reach up to 3 meters when properly supported.
Light - Light shade best described by East or West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy from March - August. During winter month water when the soil is dry.
Humidity and temperature - The best display occurs in humid environments. Mist with lukewarm water, especially during winter month. Will be happy in cooler rooms, min temp 13°C (55°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed from March - August with a diluted liquid fertiliser once a week if possible.
Calathea (Calathea Lancifolia)
EASY care. This funky guy comes from the steamy jungle of Brazil and rather appropriately it is also known as the peacock plant. By lifting its 'plumes' it goes to sleep every night and greets you every morning by opening up.
Light - Light shade best described by East or West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy from April - August. Reduce water during winter month but don’t allow soil to dry out.
Humidity and temperature - Mist once every two weeks with a fine mister using lukewarm water. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 10°C (50°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed from April – August with a diluted liquid fertiliser every two weeks. Repot every other year; shake off the old soil and add fresh medium to reinvigorate the plant.
Crocodile Fern (Microsorium musifolium)
EASY care. With leaves resembling the skin of a crocodile, these ferns can grow up to 1.5m tall in the tropics in the dappled shade of the trees or sometimes on their trunks.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy from March - September. Reduce water during winter month, allow the soil to almost dry out.
Humidity and temperature - Mist once every two weeks with a fine mister using lukewarm water. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 18°C (65°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed with a diluted liquid fertiliser once a month during spring. Crocodile ferns are slow growing and have a fairly shallow root system, so repotting will not be required frequently. Repot and propagate the plant by division in April.
Croton-Joseph's Coat (Codiaeum Variegatum)
MEDIUM difficulty care. The colourful leaves of this plant species has earned it its name Joseph's Coat. The leaves come in many shapes and sizes and a kaleidoscopic array of colours.
Light - Light shade best described by South, South East or South West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy during spring and summer. In winter water when the soil is almost dry.
Humidity and temperature - Mist once every two weeks with a fine mister using lukewarm water. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 10°C (50°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed from April – August with a diluted liquid fertiliser every two weeks. Repot in the late spring, be careful not to damage the roots.
Geraniums-Pelargonium (Pelargonium Domesticum)
SUPER EASY care. Named after a stork, due to its seeds looking like a stork's head, this plant bears beautiful blooms borne on the long shoots. Flowers come in pink, red, mauve and white. The leaves don't disappoint either with varieties marked with bold streaks in inky black or bright lemon yellow around the edges.
Light - Full sun, bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window is tolerated.
Watering - In spring allow soil to dry out between each watering. Reduce the amount of water during winter by half.
Humidity and temperature - Do not spray the foliage as the plant prefers dry environment. Do not allow temperature to drop below 10°C (50°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed from March - September with a liquid fertiliser every two weeks.
Hoya (Hoya Linearis)
SUPER EASY care. Native to Himalayas, this succulent epiphyte creates a stunning, trailing green curtain of delicate leaves.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Allow the soil to dry out between each watering.
Humidity and temperature - Enjoys occasional misting with a fine mister using lukewarm water. Do not allow temperature to drop below 10°C (50°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed from March - September with a general fertiliser. The plant doesn't mind being pot bound. Repot every couple of years using the same pot with fresh medium.
Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum Tenerum)
MEDIUM difficulty care. Achingly delicate this fern is reminiscent of the beautiful Roman ruins and abandoned grottoes.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window, avoid direct sunlight. If placed in direct sun ensure that humidity and soil moisture is maintained. Will cope with light shade.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy from May - August. Reduce water during winter month, but don’t allow soil to dry out.
Humidity and temperature - During hot summer days spray with a fine mist at the base where young fronds emerge. Avoid spraying the leaves directly. Residual mist is beneficial as it creates a perfect moist atmosphere. Group with other plants for added humidity. Avoid temperature dropping below 13°C (55°F).
Feeding and repotting - Give liquid feed every four weeks during active growing season. This type of fern tends to grow in the cracks of rocks and thus doesn't mind being pot bound. Repot in spring when you notice slowing down of fresh growth. Propagate by division before active growth begins.
Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis Baccifera)
SUPER EASY care. This pleasing mop of green is from Brazil. It is fuss free and will make for an exotic substitution at Christmas.
Light - Light or dappled shade, best described by East or West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Allow the soil to dry out slightly between each watering. Reduce watering during winter month.
Humidity and temperature - Mist once every two weeks with a fine mister using lukewarm water. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 12°C (55°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed with a liquid fertiliser formulated for cacti. If the soil is dry, to avoid root burn, wet it slight before pouring the feed. This soft cactus does not mind being root bound due to its epiphatic nature.
Orchids
MEDIUM/EXPERT level of care. Graceful, delicately scented and exotic there are 25,000 species across the world. In China it has been considered a plant of refinement and great virtue due to growing in remote places where its beauty goes largely unseen.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window for majority of the species. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - For epiphytic orchids during the growing season water the plant when it is on the verge of drying out. From November - March reduce the watering to allow for the plants' dormant period. For terrestrial orchids during the growing season do not allow the soil to dry out. From November - March reduce the watering to the same level as epiphytic orchids.
Humidity and temperature - At the base of the plant and as part of the potting mix add sphagnum moss. When it is fairly dry to the touch mist with a fine spray using lukewarm water. Ensure there is good air circulation as sitting water on the leaves can cause fungal and bacterial decease. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 13°C (55°F).
Feeding and repotting - Use dilute specially formulated orchid feed during spring and summer. The plants will also benefit from occasional foliar feed, use a fine mister for this. Young plants will need to be potted annually, while an established plant, every other year.
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
EASY care. A relative of anthurium, this Colombian beauty is a staple in every home. This plant rewards you with wonderful white, sail like blooms from late spring to late summer.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight. Tolerates shade best described by North, North East, North West window, but it may not flower.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy from April to September. Reduce water during winter month but don’t allow soil to dry out.
Humidity and temperature - Mist once a week with a fine mister using lukewarm water. During winter, give the leaves a wipe with a damp cloth. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 12°C (55°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed from April – September with a liquid fertiliser every two weeks. From April - May propagate by division.
Pitcher Plant (Nepenthes Alata)
MEDIUM/DIFFICULT level of care. Exotic and great fly controllers in the summer, the pitcher itself is the extension of the leaf's midrib and the lids are used to provide a certain lever of cover from the rain so that the enzymes don't get diluted.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window, aim for at least 4 hours a day. Avoid direct sunlight. Some species prefer shade.
Watering - Water once a week, don't allow the plant to dry out. Prefers rain water. If using tap water, allow to stand over night in order for the chlorine and fluoride to dissipate first. Make sure each cup is filled ⅓ with water. During winter reduce watering if the plant is of a highland variety.
Humidity and temperature - Use sphagnum moss around the plant and allow the cups to sit on it to increase humidity. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 16°C (61°F).
Feeding and repotting - Frequent feeding is not required, if the plant gets enough insects. Help the plant with a recently dead insect, about 1-2 a month, in a pitcher or two. On occasion, an application of orchid food during summer month, diluted 10% will benefit growth. Sprayed on the leaves as Nepenthes prefer foliar fertilisation. The plant will also benefit from repotting every couple of years into a fresh medium.
Polka Dot Begonia (Begonia Maculata 'Wightii')
MEDIUM level of care. There is something hypnotic about the small, iridescent polka dots, making this plant from Brazil looking almost otherworldly.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight. Prolonged bright light will encourage flowering.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy, allow the soil to dry out slightly between each watering.
Humidity and temperature - Ambient humidity from grouped plants is sufficient. Use sphagnum moss around the base of the plant for added humidity. During particularly hot days, mist with a fine mister using lukewarm water. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 18°C (65°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed every three weeks with a diluted liquid fertiliser from March - August. This begonia doesn't mind being pot bound, repot in spring when you notice slowing down of the new growth, using the same pot with fresh medium.
Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum)
SUPER EASY care. This plant is a natural born climber. In the wild the vines seek out their way towards the light up the trees through aerial roots. It is ideal for training over our frames.
Light - Light to medium shade best described by East or West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Allow the soil to dry out slightly between each watering. Reduce watering during winter month by half.
Humidity and temperature - Mist during really hot days with lukewarm water, especially during winter month. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 10°C (50°F).
Feeding and repotting - From April - August feed with diluted liquid fertiliser once a month. This is also a good time for repotting if the plant is experiencing a stunted growth. Take cuttings of the leaves with aerial roots and place them in the water until ready to plant.
Prayer Plant (Maranta Leuconeura)
EASY care. Showy leaves that are hard to ignore, wonderful small purple flowers, this south American beauty is enchanting. Related to Calathea, it goes to sleep every night folding its leaves like hands in a prayer.
Light - Light to medium shade best described by East or West facing window. Avoid direct sunlight.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy in summer. Reduce water during winter month, allow the soil to dry between each watering.
Humidity and temperature - Mist leaves more frequently during hot days with lukewarm water. At room temperature mist once every two weeks. Mist in winter if the room gets particularly warm. Do not allow temperature to drop below 10°C (50°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feed from April – August with diluted liquid fertiliser every two weeks. Spring is also a good time for repotting. It won't be necessary to do so frequently, if the plant gets crowded divide it up and re-use the same pot.
Tradescantia Zebrina (Zebrina Pendula)
SUPER EASY care. Hailing from Mexico this richly coloured plant is a botanical party, that will cascade down to 1m from the pot. You won't have to wait long either as it is a vigorous grower.
Light - Bright light best described by South, South East or South West facing window. Avoid a shade that is too heavy as the leaves may lose their colour.
Watering - Keep moist but not soggy from April - August. Reduce water during winter month but don’t allow soil to dry out.
Humidity and temperature - Misting is not essential. If you are misting other plants, residual humidity will be sufficient. Do not allow the temperature to drop below 10°C (50°F).
Feeding and repotting - Feeding is not necessary. If the plant gets overly crowded thin it out and propagate the cuttings by placing the tips in the moist soil.