Your plants live in your home, and they share the same seasonal rhythm you do. The seasons are the biggest factor influencing how much water your green housemates need. Water the same amount in winter as you do in summer, and you risk root rot. Here’s how to adjust your watering habits throughout the year….
Overwatering is the single most common way houseplants die, which is why so many gadgets promise to take the guesswork out of watering. But do moisture meters actually work, and are they better than simply using your finger? Here’s an honest look at each method. The Finger Test Pushing a finger 1–2 inches into the…
Photo: Ddra5202 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: peganum from Small Dole, England (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Jeremyida002 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) When you take a cutting from a houseplant, you have two main options for encouraging it to grow roots: placing it in a glass of water or sticking it directly…
Growing houseplants from seed yourself sounds like a test of patience, but it’s incredibly satisfying! From the tiniest seed to a mature plant, you get to witness the entire life cycle. In this article, you’ll learn everything about sowing and raising houseplants from seed. Which Houseplants Can Be Grown from Seed? Almost any plant that…
The Simplest Propagation Method Division is the simplest, fastest, and safest method of plant propagation. It works on any plant that grows in clumps or forms rhizomes. One large plant becomes two or more in minutes — no waiting around for roots to form. Which Plants Can Be Divided? Ferns: Nephrolepis (Boston fern), Adiantum (maidenhair…
Photo: Ddra5202 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: peganum from Small Dole, England (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Jeremyida002 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Is your plant producing babies all on its own? That’s not unusual at all! Many houseplants naturally form offshoots and plantlets — small daughter plants just waiting to be potted…
Photo: Ddra5202 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: peganum from Small Dole, England (CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Jeremyida002 (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Propagating plants from cuttings is one of the most satisfying and economical ways to expand a plant collection, share favorites with friends, or replace an aging plant with a fresh,…
Photo: D-Kuru (CC BY-SA 3.0 at, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Tero Keski-Valkama (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Tero Keski-Valkama (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) White, cottony tufts in the leaf axils, or small, motionless brown shields on the stems — these are the telltale signs of mealybugs and scale insects. These stubborn pests are among…
Photo: Quartl (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Cacti have a reputation as nearly indestructible houseplants, and while they are certainly low-maintenance, they still have specific needs rooted in their native desert and semi-desert habitats. Understanding how…
Photo: JLPC (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: Didier Descouens (CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons) Photo: JLPC (CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons) Money Tree (Crassula ovata) – The Easy-Care Good-Luck Plant The money tree, botanically Crassula ovata, is one of the most popular and long-lived succulents in indoor cultivation. Its thick, oval, glossy green leaves…
