Sun-loving spider plants (Chlorophytum Comosum) are well-known for their elegant foliage, but do they also produce flowers? And how do you identify a single blossom on a plant known more for its leaves? What is the secret to getting Spider Plants to bloom? Spider Plants have small, star-shaped flowers at the tips of long, sturdy…
I can’t get enough bright spring flowers, particularly Peonies and Rhododendrons. It can be challenging to decide which one to plant! Both have a distinct charm that makes them welcome additions to my garden. How will we know where to grow each of these magnificent specimens? Peonies are compact shrubs with large, fragrant flowers that…
I’ve always admired the String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata), with their trailing vines of fat round leaves. The sudden appearance of long, menacing-looking spikes on the bodies of these plump-leafed sweethearts can be pretty startling. Is there something wrong with the Turtle String? What exactly is going on? The string of Turtles plants is a…
You’d be surprised how simple it is to propagate a String of Dolphins (Curio peregrinus) plant. This charming cross between the Candle Plant and the String of Pearls combines the Candle’s distinctive leaves with the Pearls’ playful trailing vines. How similar is this new plant to its parents? Is it as simple to propagate? A…
Aloe plants, regardless of variety, are as resilient as a Camden punk and can withstand almost any abuse you can dish out. If the tops get too big and noisy, or you want more of these lively plants, cutting them off is easy and safe. A drastic haircut won’t hurt them. For some species, a…
Are you concerned about your Elephant Ear plant during the winter? It’s understandable; they don’t like the cold! However, you can protect these dramatic beauties from even the coldest weather by giving them the proper care over the winter. When the temperature outside reaches 60°F (15°C), bring potted Elephant Ear plants inside. Allow Elephant ear…
Yellow spots on the leaves of a vibrant pepper plant are the last thing you want to see in your garden. So whether growing a small ornamental pepper or hoping for a bumper crop of crisp fruits, it’s critical to protect your plant’s foliage. Diseases or pests are the most common causes of yellow spots…
If you’ve noticed that your poinsettia is drooping, you’ll want to find a solution quickly. The first step in reviving a drooping poinsettia is diagnosing the root of the problem so you can treat it appropriately. Poinsettia drooping, curling, and crunchy leaves are typically caused by underwatering. Overwatering causes soft, floppy, and yellowing foliage. You…
More than five years passed while my first container hosta flourished in a tiny plastic pot on my balcony. I saw a beautiful plant about 1.5 feet tall, bought it, and put it on my balcony. I didn’t think to ask myself if I could grow a hosta in a pot at the time. I…
The hosta has a well-deserved reputation for being a low-maintenance plant resistant to many pathogens. However, hostas are in danger from a hosta virus X (HVX). The disease caused by the hosta virus is tricky because it can stay dormant for a long time. You can buy an infected plant that seems healthy, plant it…