Surprise Plants Starter Pack + Free 250ml Pipette - Beginner Box - Mystery Houseplants

The Surprise Plants Starter Pack thrives in bright indirect to dim light, ideally placed 1 to 2 meters from an east or west facing window, depending on the species included in the box.

The plants selected for this starter kit come mainly from the tropical undergrowth of Asia and Central America, where light filtered through the canopy is the norm. They therefore appreciate abundant but diffused natural light, without direct sunlight that would quickly burn their leaves.

In summer, move plants slightly away from the window if the location is very sunny. In winter, move them closer to the light source to compensate for the shorter days.

Important tip 🌿Avoid cold drafts near windows in winter and sudden temperature changes, which weaken the foliage of fledgling tropical plants.For dimly lit interiors, ourgrow light for dimly lit indoor environmentseffectively compensates for the lack of natural light to maintain healthy growth all year round.

The Surprise Plants Starter Pack may contain plants that are moderately toxic to cats, dogs, and young children, depending on the species included in the box.

Some common houseplants, particularly those in the Araceae family such as Philodendron and Pothos, contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause oral irritation, nausea, or vomiting if ingested. Other species frequently found in these types of grow boxes, such as Calathea, are considered non-toxic.

In the absence of precise identification of each plant upon receipt of the box, it is recommended to treat all species with the same precaution by default.

What precautions should be taken on a daily basis?

Place your plants out of reach of pets and young children, on a high shelf or in a room that is not easily accessible, until you have definitively identified each species received.

With a few simple placement precautions, the coexistence between your new mystery plants and your home remains perfectly peaceful on a daily basis.

The leaves of the Surprise Plants Starter Pack most often turn yellow due to overwatering, lack of light, or nutrient deficiency.

• If the leaves turn yellow and become limp, the problem usually stems from excess water causing the beginning of root rot.
• If the leaves gradually turn yellow while remaining firm and dry, the plant often lacks light or fertilizer.
• If the yellowing is accompanied by small light spots, a dull appearance or fine webbing, it may be a mite infestation, common indoors, especially in dry atmospheres.

The plants included in this starter box come from different families, each with its own sensitivity: species with fine foliage like Calathea react more quickly to limestone and excess water, while plants with fleshy foliage tolerate a slight oversight in watering better before showing signs of yellowing.

Important tip 🌿One or two old leaves turning yellow from time to time is perfectly normal: it is part of the plant's natural cycle.On the other hand, there is cause for concern if several leaves turn yellow rapidly, if the phenomenon spreads to young leaves, or if growth slows down significantly.

In case of a mite infestation, prioritize ourplant-friendly biological treatments, effective and respectful of your home.

The Starter Pack of Surprise Plants is ideally repotted in the spring, between March and May, when growth actively resumes.

Repotting is necessary when:

• The roots emerge through the drainage holes.
• Growth is slowing down.
• or that the substrate compacts too quickly after watering.

As a general rule, repotting every 2 years is sufficient for an adult plant.

The plants in this starter box have varied root systems: some species, like Calathea, develop fine, dense roots that require a moderately sized pot, while others, like Philodendron, produce larger roots that quickly colonize the substrate.

Choose a pot 2 to 3 cm wider than the old one, and make sure it has drainage holes. Ourtransparent pots to monitor the rootsare ideal: their transparency allows you to easily check the condition of the roots after repotting, without disturbing the plant.

Prepare a well-draining and aerated substrate, specially designed for tropical plants.We recommend ourComplete range of substrates for tropical plantsDesigned to promote drainage, root oxygenation, and healthy long-term growth. For each identified species, you can choose ourversatile substrate made in France, suitable for a wide variety of houseplants.

1. Carefully remove the plant from its pot, tapping the pot if necessary to loosen the root ball without pulling on the stems.
2. Gently loosen the roots if they are very compacted, without breaking them.
3. Place a layer of substrate at the bottom of the pot, position the plant upright, then fill in without burying the crown.

Important tip 🌿After repotting, water the plant to help the substrate settle properly around the roots and eliminate any air pockets.Keep in mind that repotting is always a source of stress for the plant. Repotting every two years is sufficient to ensure healthy and balanced growth.

The Surprise Plants Starter Pack is fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks from March to October, with a liquid fertilizer diluted in the watering water.

During autumn and winter, from November to February, significantly reduce or stop fertilizing. This is a period of dormancy during which the plant produces few or no new leaves.

The tropical species gathered in this beginner box are particularly receptive to regular and well-dosed fertilization in the spring: it is at this time that the majority of them begin their active growth phase, with the appearance of new, well-coloured leaves and a more vigorous growth habit.

A well-balanced intake promotes:

• denser, more colorful foliage
• steady growth,
• and improved plant resistance.

👉 For best results, we recommend ourliquid fertilizer, easy to dose with graduated pipettePractical and effective for all the plants included in your box. Usage instructions are available directly on the product page.

Important tip 🌿Never fertilize a plant in a dry substrate: this could burn the roots.Water normally first, then apply the diluted fertilizer 2 to 3 days later, when the soil is slightly moist. Too much fertilizer can cause leaf burn. Regular but moderate fertilization will keep your Surprise Plants Starter Pack vigorous and healthy 💚

The Surprise Plants Starter Pack should be watered when the substrate has dried out completely, approximately every 7 to 10 days in summer and every 12 to 15 days in winter. Use room temperature water.

How do I know when to water?

The finger test remains the most reliable method: insert your index finger into the substrate to a depth of 2 to 3 cm. If the substrate is dry, it's time to water. If it's still damp, wait a few more days.

The tropical plants gathered in this starter pack come from a variety of environments; some fine-leaved species like Calathea are particularly sensitive to hard water and benefit from filtered water or water left to stand for 24 hours before watering, which reduces white deposits on the leaves and edge spots.

Important advice:When in doubt, it's always better to wait a little longer than to overwater. Plants adapt better to underwatering than to overwatering, which quickly causes root rot.

The Surprise Plants Starter Pack can be propagated using various methods adapted to each species included, ideally in spring or early summer when vegetation is active.

Method adapted according to the species receivedDepending on the plants found in your box, the propagation technique will vary: climbing species like Philodendron or Pothos are easily propagated by stem cuttings with a node in water or moist substrate, while Calathea and related species are multiplied by division during repotting. Regardless of the method, always make a clean cut withOur stainless steel blade pruner for a clean cutwhich limits the risk of infection and promotes rapid rooting.

1. Identify the species concerned and choose the appropriate method: stem cutting for climbing plants, rhizome division for clumps.
2. Place the cutting inour transparent pots for cuttingswhich allow you to monitor root development without disturbing the plant.
3. Maintain a slightly humid atmosphere around the cutting, in a warm and bright place without direct sunlight.

For stem cuttings, you can use ourlive sphagnum moss to maintain moisture around the cuttingwhich encourages the development of the first roots. Once the roots are well developed, transplant into ouruniversal substrate enriched with essential nutrients, adapted to the diversity of species contained in your starter box.

Important tip 🌿Rooting typically occurs in 3 to 6 weeks, depending on the species, at a temperature between 20 and 25°C. The most reliable sign of successful propagation is the appearance of a new leaf, which confirms that the roots are active and that the cutting is self-sustaining.