Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is often recommended as the ideal first houseplant, and for good reason: its trailing, heart-shaped leaves tolerate a wide range of light conditions, forgive inconsistent watering, and grow readily whether trained to climb a support or left to cascade from a hanging basket. Light Requirements Pothos tolerates low light better than almost…
The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a nearly indestructible classic, instantly recognizable by its arching rosettes of narrow, variegated leaves and the dangling baby plantlets, or ‘pups,’ it produces on long stems once mature. It has been a houseplant staple for generations for good reason: it is forgiving, fast-growing, and easy to multiply. Light Requirements…
String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a delicate-looking but surprisingly tough trailing succulent, prized for its long, thin vines strung with small heart-shaped leaves marbled in silver and green, often with purple undersides. Native to South Africa, it stores water in both its leaves and a tuberous base, making it far more drought-tolerant than its…
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is one of the most distinctive trailing succulents, its long thin stems studded with tiny, nearly spherical leaves that store water like miniature green beads. Native to arid regions of southwest Africa, it has very specific light and water needs that, once understood, make it a rewarding hanging or trailing…
Photo: Missvain (CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Syrio (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Syrio (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) The Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina) is a vividly colored trailing plant whose striped leaves in silver, green, and violet brighten up any plant shelf. Native to Mexico and Central America, it grows there as…
Photo: Jsch623 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Tony Atkin (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Nigel Jones (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) What Does NPK Mean? Every fertilizer bottle carries three mysterious numbers: NPK. Behind them lies the foundation of plant nutrition. In this article, we’ll explain what nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium do for…
This article may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, Plantgecko may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences our editorial independence or which products we recommend. Beyond classic potting soil, a growing range of mineral and semi-hydroponic growing media are changing the way…
Photo: Wildfeuer (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Felloni claire (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Mk2010 (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) African violets (Saintpaulia, now often classified under Streptocarpus) are among the most rewarding flowering houseplants, producing clusters of velvety purple, pink, or white blooms above fuzzy, rounded leaves. With the right light and…
Bagged all-purpose potting soil works fine for many houseplants, but different species have different root structures and moisture needs, and a single generic mix rarely suits them all equally well. Blending your own substrate lets you tailor drainage, aeration, and water retention to the specific plants you’re growing, often at a lower cost than buying…
Photo: Jim Evans (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, B.C., Canada (CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) The Peace Lily: Elegance and Air-Purifying Power in One Plant The peace lily, botanically Spathiphyllum, is one of the most versatile flowering houseplants around. Its elegant…
