Cheralyn Darcey

How Do you Find the Best Plants and Flowers for Your Office?

Plants and flowers should always be included in workspace environments as they bring what is our natural human daylight living state, the outdoors, to us. Although many of our homes may do so, the vast majority of office spaces, if they feature windows at all, usually have views of other offices.

When we are in the presence of plants and flowers, we are calmed, settled and more focused while inside during the day. Flowers bring an emotional change for the better in us. They are the reproductive parts of the plant and so their job is to be attractive to pollinators and they do this by usually being beautiful, colourful and fragrant, all elements that coincidentally make us humans feel wonderful too! Plants are known to improve the air quality, and this can be of great benefit to human health. They do this by absorbing many different types of toxins, volatile gases and even germs through their leaves and roots.

a few of my well-loved friends that share my office space

WHICH PLANTS AND FLOWERS? 
To select the best plants and cut flowers for the office, always start with the most suitable plants and flowers for use indoors and particularly in office environments. Have a chat with your local garden centre and florist but to start here are some good allrounders:
Plants
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)
Devils Ivy (Epipremnum aureum)
Violet (Viola spp.)
Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.)
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica)
Orchid (Orchidaceae spp.)
Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis)
my current Arrowhead crop ready for potting up

Cut Flowers
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) 
Protea (Protea spp.)
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Lobester or Crab Claws (Heliconia spp.)
Orchid (Orchidaceae spp.)
Most Australian Natives
Australia Native Greenery
(an Australian Native)
card: The Language of Flowers, Cheralyn Darcey, Rockpool Publishing

PLANT AND FLOWER CARE
Always keep your office plants and cut flowers away from air-conditioning outlets and drafts. Very few plants will survive the drying effects of constant artificial wind. Never place either right next to windows that face full sun for any part of the day as this can lead to burning of the leaves. Ensure that plants and cut flowers are situated away from electrical outlets and you have assessed the possible angles they may fall if bumped. You don’t want water or plant material on or near electrical and computer equipment or your work items. In saying all this, most plants suitable for indoors will enjoy filtered light and you will want them where you can see them of course. The same goes for cut flowers.
Though not always necessary,
I've taken my Cast Iron Plant outside to enjoy a little fresh air this week. 

To offer the best care to your office plants, keep any information that came with them and refer to it and also look up care tips for individual types. Not all plants need the same amount of light, water, grooming and repotting. Generally, soil needs to be slightly damp and saucers should not usually not be full. Make sure you repot as the plant grows out of its home. Cut flowers do better when all foliage is kept out of the water and the water is changed every second day. Trim away flowers and foliage as they die.

Most cut flowers love a good feed and a home made one:
4 cups of water, 1 teaspoon bleach, 1 teaspoon vinegar, and 1 tablespoon sugar.

The Language of Plants and Flowers for the Office
Why not include plants and flowers that hold traditional meansing to impart even more joy, energy and good vibes to your office space. The following are traditional meanings of a few office-friendly plants and cut flowers.

PLANTS FOR THE OFFICE
Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)  youth, beginnings, inspiration
Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) longevity, pride, self-respect
Devils Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) prosperity, protection, boundaries
Pansy (Viola tricolor var. hortensis) remembrance, immunity, loving thoughts
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum spp.) calm, communication, peace
Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) happiness, cleansing, truth
Begonia (Begonia spp.)transition, creativity, removal of negativity
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum) education, development, transformation
Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginate) legacy, tenacity, endurance
Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) wisdom, progression, attainment
Violet (Viola spp.) faithfulness, modesty, subconscious
a new collection of plants I've found this week,
some destined for an office home

CUT FLOWERS FOR THE OFFICE
Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia reginae) self-acceptance, inner beauty, excellence,
King Protea (Protea cynaroides)  creativity, courage, illumination
Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) get well, strength, happiness
Orchid (Orchidaceae) uniqueness, refinement, grace
Heliconia (Heliconia spp.) pride, ideas, attention
Waratah(Telopea speciosissima) survival, courage, passion
Flannel Flower(Actinotus helianthi) calm, healing, trust
Grevillea (Grevillea spp.) creativity, solutions, work
Banksia (Banksia spp.) life, enthusiasm, interest

an office floristry design I helped create recently 

bunches of love, 
🌿 Cheralyn 🌻

PS: you can find lots of flower and plant meanings in 'Flowerpaedia' Cheralyn Darcey, Rockpool Publishing 

🌸🌱Camellia, Jonquil and Arrowhead Magickal Botanical Grid

🌸🌱Camellia, Jonquil and Arrowhead Magickal Botanical Grid for those who are finding goals, dreams and projects hard to get started. They may have the passion but are losing hope, may even need need a re-start or new beginning. All of these plants and flowers hold energies that work together for this outcome. I hope that those who need some of this Magickal Botanical energy find it in my grid.

Magickal Moon Gardening This Week (June 29th ~ July 6th)

My Elder tree and me!  I'm enjoying a winter harvest of tiny tomatoes, bok choy and cos lettuce. The garden is completely sodden with the heavy rains so I'm watching out for fungus on my zucchinis as it always ends up being a bit of problem for me at this time of the year. My favourite homemade fungicide:  Add 1 heaped tablespoon of potassium bicarbonate to 4 litres of water.  Spray lightly on foliage that is affected with any fungal issues. 

Australian Magickal Moon Gardening this Week

Saturday 29th June
With the Waning Moon in Taurus, it the best time to care for root vegetables. Were appropriate, sowing, harvesting and preserving of these will bring very favourable results.

Sunday 30th June
Today the Moon moves into Gemini and so you will find this is good time for flowering plants and also for root vegetables. You should see good growth under these conditions. Avoid watering  today if possible as diseases and pests that thrive in water will be most active.

Monday 1st July
You should still refrain from watering if possible. Flowering plants are still enjoying the positive energies. 

Tuesday 2nd July
The Waning Moon moves into Cancer and so watering is recommended now. It is also a good time to mow lawns, prune plants and for the removal of any waste (compost please!). Leafy plants should do well today. 

Wednesday 3rd July
Today there is a New Moon and it is in Cancer so watering is not to be done unless absolutely necessary. This is the best day this week for mowing and removal of garden waste or the pruning of dying leaves and flowers. 

Thursday 4th and Friday 5th July
The Waxing Moon moves into Leo so under no circumstance feed your garden and plants in any way! They will burn which means that this is the perfect time for weed removal. Fruit fares well at the moment as does the harvesting and freezing of fruits. 


USA Magickal Moon Gardening this Week

Saturday June 29th
Today the Moon moves into Gemini and so you will find this is good time for flowering plants and also for root vegetables. You should see good growth under these conditions. Avoid watering today if possible as diseases and pests that thrive in water will be most active.

Sunday June 30th and Monday July 1st
This time is an excellent for sowing and planting. You should still refrain from watering other established plants if possible. Flowering plants are still enjoying the positive energies. 

Tuesday July 2nd
Today there is a New Moon and it is in Cancer so watering so watering now is recommended. This is also the best day this week for mowing and removal of garden waste or the pruning of dying leaves and flowers. Do not harvest fruits at this time as they will not be at their best and preservation length will be poor.

Wednesday July 3rd
The Waxing Moon is in Cancer so you will find great results from leafy vegetables and plants sown and planted today. Its still a good time for watering but refrain from fruit harvesting. 

Thursday July 4th and Friday July 5th
The Waning Moon is in Leo so under no circumstance feed your garden and plants in any way! They will burn which means that this is the perfect time for weed removal. Fruit fares well at the moment (especially on Friday) as does the harvesting and freezing of fruits on both days. 


UK Magickal Moon Gardening this Week

Saturday 29th June
It is a Waning Moon in Taurus and so you will find this is good time for flowering plants and also for root vegetables. You should see good growth under these conditions. This is a favourable day for the harvesting and preserving of root and fruit crops and a great day to plant root vegetables. 

Sunday 30th June and Monday 1st July
The Moon is Waning in Gemini. This time is an excellent for sowing and planting any suitable for your area and time plants. You should still refrain from watering other established plants if possible. Flowering plants are still enjoying the positive energies. 

Tuesday 2nd July
Today there is a New Moon and it is in Cancer so watering so watering now is recommended. This is also the best day this week for mowing and removal of garden waste or the pruning of dying leaves and flowers. Do not harvest fruits at this time as they will not be at their best and preservation length will be poor.

Wednesday July 3rd
The Waxing Moon is in Cancer so you will find great results from leafy vegetables and plants sown and planted today. Its still a good time for watering but refrain from fruit harvesting. 

Thursday July 4th and Friday July 5th
The Waning Moon is in Leo so under no circumstance feed your garden and plants in any way! They will burn which means that this is the perfect time for weed removal. Fruit fares well at the moment (especially on Friday) as does the harvesting and freezing of fruits on both days. 

The interpretations of the Luna Calendar and Gardening are written by Cheralyn Darcey. 
Sharing is permitted in original form. 

Cast Iron Plant & Peruvian Lily Magickal Botanical Plant Grid 🌿

I'm currently learning to use 'Facebook live' and last night creating one of my little Magickal Botanical Plant Grid I had the spontaneous thought to share it this way and see how it went. I used Peruvian Lily (Alstroemeria spp) and Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) to create the spell and I explain the how what and why of this Botanical Alchemy with you. Catch up is here. Once playing, hover your mouse over and click bottom right icon to turn sound on.

Cast Iron Plant & Peruvian Lily Magickal Botanical Plant Grid 🌿

🌿 Arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum)

Tumbling over my wall, true and inspiring Arrowhead (Syngonium podophyllum). They will share with you the energies of
new ideas, beginnings, youth, inspiration, argument and stress reduction.

Arrowhead is a wonderful bedroom plant as it is known to help with sleep disorders. It can also be used in areas in which meetings are held or in general workplaces to facilitate more open negotiations and help inspire new ideas and inspirations. A really good plant to invite into your life when anxiety, stress and turmoil have been present. Give to another to say, “It is time to start again”, “I’m sorry”, “I wish you calm”

The Arrowhead plant has leaves that change their shape as they mature beginning as an arrowhead shape and then developing into a five-fingered structure. Interestingly the plant will have both shapes, or both immature and mature leaves on it at the same time. Flowers are a cream-white lily shaped much like a Calla Lily. A native of South America and Mexico, it can be grown as both a vine or a compact plant. They are a poisonous plant and care should be taken when handling as the sap can irritate skin.

Arrowhead plants prefer indirect light, but it still must be bright. If they are placed in full direct sun their leaves will become bleached and it will kill the plant. They will do best in cool to moderately warm areas between 16 and 24 C (60 and 75 F). Be wary over-watering this plant but ensure that the soil is kept moist. In the cooler months they will require less watering and letting them dry out a little is actually good for them.

Flower of the Day - Statice (Limonium spp.)

For the ability to adapt through a challenge you can not change, a bunch of Statice nearby or a piece in a locket or charm bag will provide you will the powers of adaptability, confidence and longevity!

Card: The Language of Flowers

Red Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

A found Red Hibiscus on my wandering today. They will increase passion in your life, release blockages (physical, emotional, creative) and help those in pain or suffering find and connect with solutions. Hibiscus will say “I wish you peace”, “Be happy” and “I want you!”

Glory Flower aka Princess Flower (Tibouchina ureana)

My Glory Flower aka Princess Flower (Tibouchina ureana) is in full flower and The Language of this splendid plant brings deeper insight, awareness, clarity and understanding. 

Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.)

To cleanse to remove, to banish what you no longer want in your life and to work towards balance, Bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.) will help you through fresh or dried flowers and botanicals, essences and through images. I found this one yesterday in Sydney, Croydon on my walk, along a train line and visualised the train taking away with it what is no longer wanted in my life. 🌸

Frangipani (Plumeria alba)

The last of summer. Not an end but a change. A reminder that the energy of the plant is expressed through its flowers and that the seasons will layer their various gifts and lessons upon what you find.
Frangipani (Plumeria alba) mean freedom and inner beauty, they will assist in uncovering deeper wisdoms and clarity. Picture from a walk yesterday between the rain in Burwood, Sydney