N Joy Pothos

Posted on November 14, 2025 by warner-admin

Say hello to the N Joy Pothos, a plant providing lots of reasons to brighten up your day. It’s easy to care for, has gorgeously variegated leaves, and even its name will make you smile.

The N Joy was discovered in 2002 as a “branch mutation” (i.e., a naturally occurring deviation) of the popular Marble Queen pothos. Its leaves are a little thinner and smaller than the Marble Queen, and the variegated cream and green of its leaves is much more dramatic.

Like most pothos, N Joy looks great in a pot or hanging in a container. Although most pothos are forgiving about low light, you’ll want to give N Joy plenty of bright, indirect light – not only so it can thrive, but also so it can maintain the striking color contrast on the leaves.

One of the very few demands of all pothos is to not be overwatered, so keep the top few inches of soil dry and test the soil prior to watering. While pothos don’t necessarily require fertilization, particularly if they have good nutritious soil, you can feed them on a regular schedule from April or May through August. Just follow the instructions on the label of your favorite plant food.

Pothos love a good misting and it’s also important to dust them when needed so they photosynthesize efficiently.

We hope you enjoy your N Joy!

Time to Winterize

Posted on November 7, 2025 by warner-admin

Winter weather is coming and now is the time to protect your outdoor space.

Irrigation systems

First and foremost, you need to winterize your irrigation system. If you have a drip irrigation system, it will need to be drained for winter and the system turned off to prevent freezing. If you have a sprinkler system (with PVC pipe), the pipes should be blown out to ensure no water remains in the lines. You’ll need a compressor for that or have it done by a professional. Call Warner’s at 928.774.5911 if you would like our winterizing service or if you need some advice; we’d be happy to talk with you.

Cleanup

Winter prep also means clean up time. Rake up debris in your yard, get dead plants and old roots out of your vegetable garden and remove annual plants and debris. For perennials, cut back any unsightly plants to slightly above ground level, but leave desirable seed heads and foliage of select perennials for contrast. You’ll also want to apply two to three inches of mulch to perennial beds (and we don’t mean the fallen leaves or pine needles you’ve just cleaned up. For best results we recommend using actual mulch; it gives better protection.) You should also add a couple of inches of compost on top of vegetable garden soil.

Trees, shrubs and plants

Add fertilizer to trees, shrubs, perennials, flower beds and lawn. A great product to try is Ferti-lome’s Winterizer, which is specially formulated to help your lawn, trees, shrubs, ornamentals, and evergreens withstand the hazards of a cold winter.

For potted plants, bring in those susceptible to winter weather and insulate pots that are going to stay outside. Make sure plants are accessible for watering during the winter months and water as needed. For bulbs, it’s a mixed bag – spring blooming bulbs should be in the ground before it freezes, but tender bulbs like Cannas and tuberous begonias (any bulb that can survive zone 9 and below) should be gently dug up and stored in vermiculite.

Remember to water your trees and shrubs. The snow may make it feel like they are getting watered, but we live in a dry area and most years there isn’t enough moisture to sustain trees and shrubs properly. (And yes, we’ve suggested you turn off your irrigation system for the winter, so this does mean bundling up and hand watering.) Also, it’s a good idea to apply about two to three inches of bark mulch for trees, leaving space around the tree trunks, and also apply mulch to the cane on roses and shrubs.

Water features and tools

Protect or bring in water features like bird baths and fountains (after draining and cleaning them!) and any garden furniture that shouldn’t be left out in the harsh weather.

If you have a pond, give fish needed vitamins for hibernation; bring the pump & filter indoors; drain the excess water out of the lines and clear away any debris.

Finally, this is a great time to clean and oil your wooden and metal tools, and drain the gas from power tools you’ll be storing.

Enjoy the winter weather, and know with these steps you are not only maintaining your garden, but also laying the groundwork for a beautiful outdoor space next year. If you have any questions, please give us a call!

Happy Gardening,
Misti

Stromanthe Sanguinea ‘Triostar’

Posted on October 27, 2025 by warner-admin

This week’s houseplant requires a little more “hands on” nurturing – it’s not a water-once-a-week-and-forget-it kind of plant. In fact, getting the watering regimen right for this plant is one of its biggest challenges.

But it is so striking, beautiful and unique, that we absolutely think it’s worth the effort.

The Stromanthe Sanguinea ‘Triostar’ is a tropical plant with magnificent tricolor leaves in hues of green, pink and cream. It’s part of the “prayer plant” family, where the leaves are flat during the day, but then fold up at night, looking like hands in prayer. For this reason it’s sometimes confused with another colorful prayer plant, the calathea.

Caring for your Stromanthe Sanguinea ‘Triostar’

Here’s what you need to do to keep your Triostar happy:

Water: The most challenging part of owning this plant is its watering routine, because the Triostar is a little like Goldilocks – everything has to be just right. It doesn’t like tap water (Triostar is sensitive to the chemicals), so a not too chilled distilled or spring water is preferred. You need to keep the soil moist but without waterlogging it. When it’s cooler out, you can let it dry out a little more.

The leaves will let you know if you need to adjust your watering routine: if they turn brown, it means the plant needs more water; if they are yellow, the plant is waterlogged. Let it dry out and try again.

Light: This plant grew up in the rainforest and prefers dappled light. No direct sunlight, please, as that will burn those gorgeous leaves. You might also want to dust the leaves so it can absorb more light.

Soil: Use a well-draining, light soil. It needs to retain moisture, but can’t be claggy.

Humidity: This is a plant that loves a bathroom window – all that steam and humidity! But if that’s not in the cards, make sure your plant is far away from heating vents or the air conditioner.

With a little love, care, and patience, you’ll get a healthy plant with with extraordinary foliage to enjoy for many years.

Houseplant of the Week: Zebra Plant

Posted on October 20, 2025 by warner-admin

This week’s houseplant feature is a little harder to grow than many of the other ones we’ve shared with you – but it is so beautiful, we think it’s worth the effort.

These gorgeous guys are known by their deep green glossy leaves shot through with silvery or gold-colored veins, giving them their iconic striped appearance.

And in the late summer or early autumn, these plants flower – tall, elegant flowers that last up to six weeks and are very striking.

But you need to pay attention to what your zebra wants – and he wants bright light, high humidity and plenty of water. Never allow the soil to dry out. You might want to use lukewarm water to keep the soil temperature up; and you don’t want house temps to fall below 60 degrees for smaller plants. Larger plants actually would prefer the temps to be above 70 degrees – greenhouse or conservatory conditions, truly.

But you can raise these lovelies in your home, if you are willing to keep the heat on and keep them well watered. For your effort, you’ll get a healthy plant that annually produces some show-stopping blooms as a bonus.

Plectranthus Lemon Twist

Posted on October 17, 2025 by warner-admin

Plectranthus ‘Lemon Twist’ is a plant that thrives when conditions are bright.

Also known as Swedish Ivy, this beauty sports serrated, heart-shaped leaves. They first appear as a soft pale green, before darkening and developing a distinctive, lemon-colored edge. Its fine texture will make it stand out in your indoor garden.

CARING FOR YOUR LEMON TWIST

Light: This plant loves bright light, so a south facing window will be perfect.

Watering: While this plant will tolerate dry or moist soil, it doesn’t like extremes. Make sure it isn’t water logged, but don’t let it dry out completely before watering again.

Soil: Use a well-draining general potting soil.

Please Help Erzsi in Her Cancer Fight

Posted on October 9, 2025 by warner-admin

Erzsi Olsen, our Assistant Store Manager here at Warner’s, is just 23 years old, but she’s one of those “old souls” you sometimes meet – people whose wisdom and maturity belies their age. She’s hardworking, talented, and hysterically funny.

She’s also facing a battle that no one should have to contend with.

A few weeks ago, Erzsi was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer. Her treatment plan is rigorous and expected to last at least 14 months. It requires 14 cycles of chemotherapy, plus a month-long proton radiation therapy at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix.

This means a lot of travel back and forth for hospital appointments – including long in-patient stays. It also means mounting expenses.

Erzsi has a GoFundMe account, and I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d consider donating to it.

Contributions would help with the cost of lodging and travel between Flagstaff and Phoenix, daily living expenses, and items not covered by medical insurance. And unused funds would be donated to the Mayo Clinic to help other patients.

A Little More about Erzsi

Erzsi (it’s pronounced “air-zhee”) is originally from Hawaii and Oregon. The family moved a lot while she was growing up, which made her resilient and adaptable. She loves dancing and choreography – everything from tap to hip-hop. She was the valedictorian at her high school and came to Flagstaff to attend NAU.

Erzsi has always been a people-person who loves to help folks solve their problems, and I think that’s why I was so excited to have her join Warner’s. (Mind you, Erzsi turned me down when I first offered her the job. I knew she was a perfect fit for us, however, and called her the next day and asked her to reconsider. Thankfully, she did.)

From day one, Erzsi stood out. It usually takes new employees years to really get their footing at Warner’s, but she figured it out almost immediately. I started thinking about how she could grow with the company and what new roles she could take on in the future.

After Erzsi graduated from NAU and planned to move back to Oregon to be closer to her parents, I was ready to support her decision. But after talking with my son, Hayden, about how much I believed in her future here, he asked if I had told her that. I hadn’t – I didn’t want to interfere with her plans – but when I did share how much faith I had in her, she decided to stay.

I’m so happy she did — and, as it turns out, staying meant she could receive treatment at the Mayo Clinic.

Erzsi has a lot of emotional support beyond her work family here at Warner’s – her parents Kyle and Maria, and boyfriend Marcus and “fur baby,” Hapa the dog.

She’s ready to fight this disease with everything she’s got, and we’re asking our community to come together on her behalf so she can focus all her energy on getting well.

Please consider donating to Erzsi’s GoFundMe and sharing her story. Every contribution will help her journey through treatment and recovery – and gives her the same warmth and care that she has always shown to others.

Thank you,
Misti

Baby Toes (Fenestraria Rhopalophylla)

Posted on October 6, 2025 by warner-admin

There’s just no denying it – the Baby Toes plant (Fenestraria rhopalophylla) is just downright cute. The name from their plump, tubular leaves that resemble a tiny cluster of chubby toes peeking up from the soil. Native to the deserts of South Africa and Namibia, Baby Toes have evolved a fascinating adaptation: the translucent “windows” at the tips of their leaves allow sunlight to penetrate deep into the plant, helping it photosynthesize while keeping most of its body safely underground, away from the desert heat.

Their quirky look, combined with low-maintenance needs, makes Baby Toes a favorite among succulent enthusiasts. Whether you’re a new plant parent or a seasoned collector, this unique little plant adds a touch of whimsy and wonder to your windowsill or succulent display.

And here’s another lovely little touch – those baby toes sometimes bloom in the late summer with daisy-like flowers.

CARING FOR YOUR BABY TOES

Light: Provide bright, direct sunlight year-round. If you see these toes starting to stretch towards the window, it means they need more light.

Watering: As a succulent, this plant doesn’t need much watering and you should let it dry out completely before adding more water. A sure sign it needs some H2O? The little toes start to get wrinkly.

Temperature / Humidity: The Baby Toes likes it warm and dry.

Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix.

Rat Tail Cactus

Posted on September 23, 2025 by warner-admin

If you’re looking for a showy yet low-maintenance cactus that adds visual drama, the Rat Tail Cactus might just be your new favorite. Native to Mexico and parts of Central America, this cactus is known for its slender, trailing stems and violet-red blooms that spring and early summer.

This plant is ideally grown in hanging pots or baskets, letting its long stems cascade beautifully.

CARING FOR YOUR RAT TAIL CACTUS

Light: Provide bright, direct sunlight year-round. A south- or west-facing window is ideal. Insufficient sun is the most common reason for failure to bloom.

Watering: During the growing season, water regularly to keep the soil slightly moist (not soggy). In fall, begin tapering off watering. In winter dormancy, water only sparingly if the soil is bone dry.

Humidity: Keep humidity moderate, not excessively high.

Soil: Use a well-draining cactus or succulent mix. The plant prefers a slightly acidic pH.

Fall Fun at Warner’s

Posted on September 10, 2025 by warner-admin

There’s something magical about autumn in northern Arizona – the crisp air, the aspens turning yellow, the anticipation of the holidays just around the corner. At Warner’s Nursery, we love celebrating the season, and we invite you to join us this fall for activities, treats, and, of course, everything you need for your garden.

One of our favorite traditions is the Warner’s Pumpkin Patch, which will open the last week of September. Whether you’re looking for the perfect pumpkin for carving, decorating your porch, or baking a pie, we’ll have plenty of choices. Alongside the pumpkin patch, we’ll also bring back our always-popular hay maze. It’s a simple pleasure that kids (and adults!) adore, and it’s a great way to make family memories during the season.

Mark your calendar for Saturday, October 18th, when we’ll be hosting our annual Fall Festival from 10 am to 2 pm. In addition to the pumpkin patch and hay maze, we’ll have balloon twisters, face painters, and a petting zoo for the little ones. It’s a fun-filled day that’s become a community tradition, and we look forward to welcoming friends old and new.

While you’re here, don’t forget to stop by Dottie’s Garden Coffee Shoppe, tucked inside the nursery. Dottie’s is a cozy little retreat where you can sip a warm drink and enjoy pastries, while enjoying the fall ambiance. This month’s specialty lattes are inspired by the season:

The Aspen – a latte with pumpkin and toasted marshmallow
The Elm – a latte with hazelnut and caramel swirl
The Ponderosa – a matcha latte sweetened with honey

Of course, Warner’s is still your go-to destination for fall gardening. September and October are prime months for planting – whether you’re filling your yard with the vibrantly colored mums and asters, or getting your spring bulbs in the ground before it freezes. Our team is always happy to answer questions and help you choose the right plants for your home.

And while we’re soaking up every minute of fall, it’s also the perfect time to look ahead. The holidays will be here before we know it, and Warner’s is ready to help you get into the spirit. Our gift shop features a wonderful selection of unique and rustic items – perfect for early holiday shopping or simply adding a seasonal touch to your home. Then, right around Thanksgiving, our fresh-cut and potted Christmas trees will arrive, bringing the scent and spirit of the holidays to Flagstaff.

So this fall, make Warner’s part of your seasonal tradition. From pumpkins and hay mazes to hot lattes and holiday décor, there’s something here for everyone. We can’t wait to see you!

Happy Fall (and Happy Gardening!)
Misti

Houseplant of the Week: Madagascar Palm