General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • December

  January 1. Protect If there is a hard freeze expected, take steps to protect your Phormium.

  February 1. Protect If there is a hard freeze expected, take steps to protect your Phormium. 2. Propagate Division of roots.

  May 1. Treat for Pest/Disease Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth. 2. Transplant After danger of frost.

  June 1. Buy Usually available in the early summer. 2. Plant While normally I wouldn't plant a plant during these hotter parts of the season, Phormium likes it hot, and planting now will allow it to establish itself well enough to survive any Winter event with protection. 3. Fertilize A nice well-balanced organic fertilizer will do Phormiums well by feeding both the roots & the foliage. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for mealy bugs & snails, otherwise, a very pest-free plant. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth.

  July 1. Buy Usually available in the early summer. 2. Plant While normally I wouldn't plant a plant during these hotter parts of the season, Phormium likes it hot, and planting now will allow it to establish itself well enough to survive any Winter event with protection. 3. Water Check for water needs, water when necessary. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for mealy bugs & snails, otherwise, a very pest-free plant. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth. If Mealy bugs are present, spray with Neem oil.

  August 1. Fertilize A nice well-balanced organic fertilizer will do Phormiums well by feeding both the roots & the foliage. 2. Water Check for water needs, water when necessary. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for mealy bugs & snails, otherwise, a very pest-free plant. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth. If Mealy bugs are present, spray with Neem oil.

  September 1. Water Check for water needs, water when necessary. 2. Treat for Pest/Disease Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth.

  October 1. Mulch Mulch well with an insulating mulch just after the first frost.

  December 1. Protect If there is a hard freeze expected, take steps to protect your Phormium. 2. Special requirements Cold protection is just about the only special consideration this plant requires.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! June Usually available in the early summer. July Usually available in the early summer.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? June While normally I wouldn't plant a plant during these hotter parts of the season, Phormium likes it hot, and planting now will allow it to establish itself well enough to survive any Winter event with protection. July While normally I wouldn't plant a plant during these hotter parts of the season, Phormium likes it hot, and planting now will allow it to establish itself well enough to survive any Winter event with protection.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? June A nice well-balanced organic fertilizer will do Phormiums well by feeding both the roots & the foliage. August A nice well-balanced organic fertilizer will do Phormiums well by feeding both the roots & the foliage.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? July Check for water needs, water when necessary. August Check for water needs, water when necessary. September Check for water needs, water when necessary.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? July Prune out

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? October Mulch well with an insulating mulch just after the first frost.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? January If there is a hard freeze expected, take steps to protect your Phormium. February If there is a hard freeze expected, take steps to protect your Phormium. December If there is a hard freeze expected, take steps to protect your Phormium.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? June Check for mealy bugs & snails, otherwise, a very pest-free plant. July Check for mealy bugs & snails, otherwise, a very pest-free plant. August Check for mealy bugs & snails, otherwise, a very pest-free plant.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? May Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth. June Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth. July Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth. If Mealy bugs are present, spray with Neem oil. August Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth. If Mealy bugs are present, spray with Neem oil. September Pick off any slugs & snails, or surround the plant with diatomaceous earth.

  Transplant When's the best time to dig up and transplant this from one spot to another? (This is different than planting). Any special requirements? May After danger of frost.

  Propagate When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements? February Division of roots.

  Special requirements Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories? December Cold protection is just about the only special consideration this plant requires.