Vibrantly blooming Christmas cacti (Schlumbergera), whose trailing stems are lavishly dotted with multi-hued flowers, are a sight that leaves even the staunchest skeptics in awe. Have you ever seen that cascade of blooms draping over the edges of a pot like a floral waterfall? So how exactly do you support your plant during bud set…
If someone gifted you a Christmas cactus or you managed to snag one yourself—but it won’t bloom or flowers in a strange way—don’t panic or assume something’s wrong with the plant. It’s entirely possible you’re not dealing with a Christmas cactus at all, but a completely different species. The Christmas cactus, also known by its…
When you’re growing succulents, it’s common for the stems to get too long and look awkward, right? At times like this, you can restyle them or propagate more plants using a method called cuttings. This article walks you through exactly how to do succulent cuttings and how long it takes for roots to appear—so give…
Ever wonder why your Kalanchoe, that cute little flower that brightens up the sparse winter months, isn’t blooming as expected? You probably picked it up from the store, charmed by its beauty, but then found it stubbornly refusing to bloom the following year. I’ve been there too! Let me share a little secret: Kalanchoe is…
Believe it or not, there’s a whopping 550+ varieties of aloe out there, hailing all the way from Africa and Arabia, with a smorgasbord of types in each! So, if you’re a die-hard plant enthusiast looking to spruce up your room or container garden with a bit of the unusual, you’ve hit the jackpot with…
A common misconception is that aloe and aloe vera are the same plants, but that’s not entirely true. Yes, they share some similarities, such as their therapeutic properties and general care needs, and they look somewhat alike. However, some distinctive differences between these two are worth exploring. How to Differentiate Between Aloe and Aloe Vera?…
You’ve got to check out the Kalanchoe thyrsiflora, better known as the paddle plant! Its odd leaf shape and color are a sight for sore eyes, and they remind me of a plump cabbage head. Did you know this quirky plant has deep roots (pun intended!) in folk medicine? Its juice has been used since…
The plump and dangling beads of the popular succulent plant String of Pearls, are absolutely adorable. I bet many people fell in love at first sight and decided to buy one. However, many find that their beloved String of Pearls seems to be withering, despite their best efforts to care for it. So, in this…
Like many plant enthusiasts, I spent a long time growing a tree-like aloe plant, better known for its medicinal properties, and I had no idea it could even bloom. This isn’t surprising, given that this plant prefers to flower in its natural habitat, where the climate is quite different from ours: Africa’s hot and arid…
As a passionate gardener, I thrive on experimenting with potting mixes for my plants. One day, I chose an orchid potting mix for my aloe vera, curious about the outcome. I eagerly transplanted my aloe vera into the orchid mix and set it in a sunny spot. At first, all seemed well, with the plant…