If you’ve ever bought a plant before – and of course you have – you probably noticed some symbols on the label or ID of your new greenery. Some of them are pretty clear from the start – an icon of a sun means this plant thrives in the light. But give me a sideways arrow and I’m lost. It’s possible you’ve also found yourself lost in front of these labels, so let’s decipher them together:
Why Do Plants Need a Symbol System?
There are so many different species of plants readily available these days, that even the pros can’t keep up with their individual requirements. First of all, a plant ID will include the common name of the plant as well as scientific one, so it’s easy to identify by everyone. This way, you can easily look up information about plants you don’t know so well.
If there are any certifications available, they will also be shown here (e.g. organic, non-GMO, fair trade). The plant ID will also include a photo of the fully grown plant, so you know what to expect.
Additionally, the symbols on the plant ID show you exactly what to you need to do to keep your new plant happy, including what light intensity they need, how often to water them, the most optimal soil and plant food to use.
Plant Care Symbols Meanings
Sunlight in one form or another is crucial for every plant. But different plants require different amounts of light, and that’s where plant care symbols come in.
A full sun symbol signifies that the plant is highly tolerant to sunlight. This means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, or as high as 10 hours are the best light conditions for this plant. A plant with a full sun symbols belongs on your sunniest window with no barrier (e.g. curtains) in between.
A half sun symbol means this plant needs partial light to do well. This is sometimes depicted as a sun partly covered by a cloud. The best place for it is a window facing East or somewhere shaded for part of the day. A plant with a half sun symbol requires 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
A blacked out sun symbol (or a full cloud) means the plant thrives in full shade, with a maximum of 3 hours of direct sunlight a day. The best place for it is either in the middle of a room or on a window that only receives diffused light. Bathrooms are also a good spot for plants that don’t require much light.
Depending on their origins, plants have different humidity needs. The plants that will thrive in the bathroom (hello, pothos!) will probably look sad in a hot, dry place. This is where the raindrop symbols come in.
A 3-raindrops symbol means this plant really likes to drink. Its soil should constantly be damp, meaning it will need quite of attention from your side.
The 2-drops symbol is what would be considered regular watering. Water this plant when the top of the soil is dry but the underlayers are still moist. To determine when that’s the case, you simply poke the soil with your finger.
A 1-drop symbol means a pretty low-maintenance plant. Allow the soil to dry entirely between two waterings.
Arrows on a plant ID refer to the space needs of a plant. This is especially important for baby plants and it tells you how far apart you need to plant them to allow optimal growth.
An upward arrow indicates the likely height of the mature plant, in inches or feet. A sideways arrow accompanied by a number tells you how much space your plant needs to grow, i.e. how many inches you should leave between two plants.
A thermometer symbol on your plant ID signifies the plant’s hardiness in cold temperatures. The symbol might be accompanied by two numbers, which are the temperature range your plant can withstand, measured in degrees Celsius or Fahrenheit. If that’s a single temperature indicated, that’s the minimum your plant needs to survive. Another version categorizes plants using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, which has over 26 separate zones to determine the ideal temperature for plants.
A flower symbol accompanied by a month or season indicates when the plant blooms. Symbols of butterflies, bees or birds mean the particular plant attracts those species.
If you see a pot symbol (especially on plants that can grow outdoors as well as indoors), this means the plant can be potted without impeding its growth.
A fork and knife symbol indicates that a plant is edible, whereas the opposite means a plant is not suitable for consumption.
Did you encounter a plant care symbol we didn’t cover here? Let us know in the comments!
zorse nyt games says
Great guide! The plant symbols make identifying care needs super easy, especially for beginners like me. The explanations for sunlight and watering are super helpful. Love how it covers everything from spacing to blooming times!