Ferns can also be planted outdoors as part of yard landscaping. While a fern can add a lot to its surroundings, it is a good idea to learn how to properly care for them. You will want to maintain the beauty that drew you to them in the first place. You will want to know the right type of soil and water needed, as well as where exactly the fern should be placed for the best use of light.

In nature, ferns thrive on forest floors with plenty of shade. The light they receive comes through higher trees, not directly hitting the fern. In a home, the fern should be placed during the summer months with northerly exposure to indirect or filtered light.…

The most important part of keeping an orchid healthy is to start out with a healthy plant. When shopping for an orchid make sure that the pseudo bulb is nice and firm. Check the plant to make sure that there are lot’s of new shoots and that the leaves don’t have brown spots. The more blooms a plant has the healthier it is.

Purchase orchids depending on where you plan to keep the flower, orchids are classified into several temperature ranges, there are warm, temperate and cool orchids. Older plants are more established and will also have a better chance at survival, although they are generally a…

Lucky bamboo isn’t actually a bamboo! It actually belongs to the plant family of Dracaenas. Another reason for it’s popularity is that it can be grown in decorative planters or bowls filled with rocks and water, or it can be potted into soil.

The best way to grow them is a debatable subject, some people say keep them in water and others say plant them in soil for the best results. The choice is pretty much a personal preference as the plant seems to thrive in either medium. Bamboo is generally sold in clear or decorative containers with…

Even though the Christmas cactus is a true cacti, unlike other cacti that normally grow in the heat of the desert, they grow in trees in tropical rain forests. And, therefore don’t like as much sun as most cacti, they should be kept in an area that gets bright indirect sunlight.

Christmas cactus will adapt to low lighting conditions, but they bloom much better when exposed to bright indirect light. They can even be set outdoors and will do quite well as long as they’re not setting in bright sun. And, are brought inside before the weather gets too cold.

Christmas Cactus Blooms

This tropical cactus isn’t as drought tolerant as other cacti, although being a…

Poinsettias are tropical plants and though they are very beautiful, in their natural habitat they’re often thought of as weeds! But, especially in America, they’ve became a much loved part of the Christmas tradition for many families.

Contrary to what most people think, the brightly colored petals aren’t actual flowers, they’re bracts. The real flower is in the center of the leaf bracts. With the proper care, you can keep your Poinsettia blooming through Christmas and even keep it alive for years to come!

Poinsettia ~ The Christmas Flower

Keeping any plant alive depends a lot on the health of the plant when you purchase it. It’s easier to keep…

Aphid A Major Plant Pest

Many types of insects just love plants, in fact as we all know, plants are a source of food for many insects. So, it’s inevitable that sooner or later if you have plants you’re going to get infestations of some type of plant pest.

There are some simple steps that you can take to greatly decrease the chances of your plants becoming infested.

When re-using pots always be sure to clean them thoroughly with hot water and soap. And, always keep you planting tools clean as well.

Using sterile or pasteurized potting soil can also help prevent insects and diseases. Both have been treated to kill any organisms present in the soil. Remove any dead plants, leaves or flowers as soon as possible, rotting plant matter can quickly attract pests.

Provide proper drainage so that the bottom of the soil and the plants roots aren’t sitting in water. Some…

Pets Can Be Curious About Houseplants

Houseplants aren’t only beautiful, they’re very beneficial. They adorn and decorate our homes with nature and greenery and they help clean the air we breathe. But, plants can sometimes be very poisonous and toxic. They not only pose a threat to us, some can be very dangerous to our pets.

There are countless numbers of plants both indoors and out that are poisonous. But, the majority of houseplants come from areas that have a tropical climate. And, the most of the houseplants that are toxic come from tropical areas!

We try to protect our pets from poisons like pesticides, cleaning solutions and automotive products. We keep them healthy by keeping their shots up to date and taking them for regular checkups. But, often we don’t even think about the plants in our home being poisonous.

Most houseplants will only produce mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, drooling…

Zebra Plant

We all want to spruce up our home and make it look good. We add all sorts of imported furniture like coffee tables, dining tables, sofas etc. But the best that you can do to bring the zing to your home is to add houseplants. Using houseplants as a part of your interior design is very beneficial as it cleans the air, brings positive energy and gives your home a beautiful look.

Tips For Using Houseplants To Decorate Your Home

1. If your room is small in height, then you can use tall and slender plants like Dracaena marginata. They give a feeling of a high ceiling in the room.
2. Flowering plants may be grown in children’s room and the living room as their brightness brings mental peace and serenity.
3. Flowering plants like Orchids, Anthuriums, and African violets can also be used on dining tables, coffee tables, fireplace mantles or on the stairs to be eye-catching.…

Peace Lily

Common Name: Peace Lily, White Flag, White Sails, Spath Flower
Latin Name: Spathiphyllum
Family: Aroid
Plant Type:  Perennial
Origin: Central and South America
Blooming Time: Year round
Humidity: High humidity
Temperature: 60-85°F
Height: 5′ H  4′ W
Color: Dark green foliage, white flowers
Insects and Diseases: Thrips, mealy bugs

Description:
The Peace Lillies are very pretty houseplants even just for their dark green foliage that gracefully arches over. The leaves can grow to over one foot in length. The white blossoms develop on top of slender, straight stems and create a dramatic effect against the dark green foliage.

The blossoms are generally taller than the foliage and resemble a Calla Lily. Flowers begin a pale green and turn to a creamy white as it matures. They’re long lasting blooms, but have a very light fragrance.

Lighting:
Peace Lily’s will thrive in areas of low light, 5 to 8 feet from a window is a great location for this plant. The plant shouldn’t be set in direct sunlight for long periods of time, the…

Herb Garden in stacked containers

If you love cooking and love plants and indoor herb garden is a great way to combine the two.

Many types of herbs can be easily grown indoors and require minimal space. Small pots can even be used to grow herbs on the windowsill in your kitchen.

Plants can be either purchased at a local nursery or you can start them from seeds in starter trays or peat pellets. Herbs can be grown in any type of container, glass, clay or plastic. If you use clay you will need to water them more often as clay pots allow the moisture to evaporate more quickly.

Herbs that can easily be grown indoors include:

Chives, Sage, Dill, Oregano, Mint, Chamomile, Fenne, Parsley, Basil, Mint, Thyme, Rosemary, Chervil        Savory, Bayleaf, and Garlic.

Herbs can be started from seed any time during the year. But, to get a head start on having flavorful, fresh herbs…