Plant Care
Simple care guidance from our growing areas to yours. Use these notes as a practical starting point, then adjust for your home, season and weather.
Healthy plants start with the right place, water and patience.
Edibles & Herbs
Warm-season vegetables and herbs generally do best with strong light, consistent moisture and regular observation.
Solanum lycopersicum
Light Full sun, ideally 6–8+ hours.
Water Water deeply and consistently; avoid repeated dry/wet swings.
Soil Rich, well-draining mix with good organic matter.
Feed Regular light feeding once established and actively growing.
Tip: Support plants early and keep foliage off wet soil when possible.
Capsicum annuum
Light Full sun; some afternoon protection can help during extreme heat.
Water Keep evenly moist but not waterlogged.
Soil Fertile, loose and well drained.
Feed Balanced feeding while young, then avoid pushing excessive leafy growth.
Tip: Let young transplants establish before expecting heavy fruit production.
Ocimum basilicum
Light Bright sun; morning sun with some heat relief works well in summer.
Water Water when the upper mix starts to dry; do not leave roots soggy.
Soil Moisture-retentive but well-draining potting mix.
Harvest Pinch above leaf nodes to encourage branching.
Tip: Remove flower spikes if your goal is continued leafy growth.
Mentha × piperita
Light Morning sun to bright partial shade.
Water Likes consistent moisture, especially in containers.
Soil Rich, moisture-retentive mix with drainage.
Growth Fast and spreading; containers help keep it controlled.
Tip: Regular cutting keeps plants fuller and supplies fresh growth for use or propagation.
Agaves & Succulents
Succulents tolerate drought far better than constantly wet roots. Fast drainage and airflow are the foundation.
Agave americana
Light Bright light to full sun; acclimate young plants gradually.
Water Water thoroughly, then allow the mix to dry well before watering again.
Soil Very well-draining, coarse mix.
Placement Give mature plants room and keep sharp leaf tips away from walkways.
Tip: Young pups need more regular attention than established landscape-size plants.
Aloe vera
Light Bright light; introduce strong sun gradually.
Water Soak, then allow the potting mix to dry significantly.
Soil Porous succulent mix with excellent drainage.
Containers Drainage holes are essential.
Tip: Soft, translucent leaves often point to too much moisture rather than too little.
Foliage Plants
Most foliage plants prefer bright filtered light, dependable drainage and watering based on the soil rather than the calendar.
Chlorophytum comosum
Light Bright indirect light or gentle morning sun.
Water Water when the top layer begins to dry.
Soil Standard well-draining houseplant mix.
Growth Mature plants produce hanging plantlets.
Tip: Protect from harsh afternoon sun when plants are outdoors in summer.
Dracaena trifasciata
Light Adaptable from lower light to bright indirect light.
Water Let much of the potting mix dry before watering again.
Soil Loose, fast-draining mix.
Growth New pups emerge from underground rhizomes.
Tip: Overwatering is a much bigger risk than brief dryness.
Tradescantia pallida
Light Bright light or sun for strongest purple color.
Water Water when the upper soil begins to dry.
Soil Well-draining potting or garden soil.
Pruning Pinch or trim to keep growth dense and encourage branching.
Tip: Cuttings root readily, making this an easy plant to refresh.
Tradescantia zebrina
Light Bright indirect light with gentle sun for strong color.
Water Keep lightly moist while actively growing, never saturated.
Soil Airy, well-draining potting mix.
Pruning Pinch long stems to encourage fuller growth.
Tip: Replant rooted cuttings into the same pot to make baskets look fuller.
Native & Flowering Plants
Sun exposure, drainage and seasonal rainfall matter more than rigid watering schedules—especially for outdoor Florida plants.
Serenoa repens
Light Sun to partial shade.
Water Keep newly planted specimens watered while roots establish; established plants are drought tolerant.
Soil Adaptable, but avoid keeping container roots constantly saturated.
Growth Naturally slow growing—patience is part of the process.
Tip: Give it permanent space; this is a long-lived Florida native, not a quick seasonal plant.
Tropaeolum majus
Light Sun to partial sun; afternoon relief helps in warm weather.
Water Keep evenly moist while young, then water as the mix begins to dry.
Soil Loose, well-draining soil; overly rich soil can favor leaves over flowers.
Season Best treated as a cool-season flower in Central Florida.
Tip: Give trailing varieties room to spill over a container edge or support.
Zinnia species
Light Full sun for strong flowering.
Water Water at the soil level when possible and allow foliage to dry quickly.
Soil Well-draining garden or container mix.
Care Remove spent blooms to keep plants tidy and encourage more flowers.
Tip: Good spacing and airflow are especially helpful during humid weather.
A living care library
We’ll continue adding plants as our nursery selection expands. If you purchased a plant from Rooted Wild ENM and have a question, reach out—we’re happy to help you get it settled in.