Gardening

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House Plants

Growing an indoor garden

photo by Quinn Dombrowski

Houseplants add a needed touch of the outdoors to your interior decor. They also help purify the air by removing harmful volatile organic compounds (VOC's). With the right care, a houseplant can last for years, but proper plant care can be a tricky topic to navigate. Each species of houseplant requires a specific combination of water, soil, fertilizer, and light. It's important to choose a houseplant that will thrive in your home and to care for it according to its needs.

How to take care of your house plants

by Frances Stanford

House plants add a delightful decoration to any room of the home. However, they need to be cared for properly in order to keep them thriving in an indoor environment. The first consideration for taking care of house plants is the temperature of the ... More>

Keeping house plants happy and healthy

by Jennifer Palus

Your house plants are telling you what they need. You need only heed their signs. For example, if the tips of the leaves are turning yellow on you, then your plant is getting either too much or too little water. You should be able to tell the differ... More>

Fertilizing house plants

by Jennifer Mcdonald

Fertilizing house plants House plants are a beautiful addition to any decor, and they are even helpful in keeping the air clean. The most important thing to remember when caring for house plants is that they are totally dependent on you. As their ca... More>

Guide to the best foliage house plants

by Janette Peel

Select one or more of these reliable and robust house plants to add interest and a welcoming touch to your home. These tough, evergreen foliage plants can grace any coffee table, shelf or in the case of larger plants be a feature on their own. Place... More>

Home decorating with house plants

by Joseph Liau

House plants can make a room feel more alive, more beautiful, and more friendly. But there are some practical points to remember when decorating with house plants. 1. Plants are alive - In the day time they will add oxygen to the room, but at night ... More>

How to train a cat not to chew house plants

by Esther Wilson

Our feline friends are funny little things, and the things we find them doing when they're bored are often rather surprising. From venturing onto the forbidden bed of their owner, to gazing at Mr. Goldfish, cats have done it all. However, one t... More>

Houseplant lovers' shopping list

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Quick tips

Letting the soil dry out in between waterings is actually good for most plants; over-watering is a leading cause of plant illness and death.
Putting a plant in a windowsill is usually not ideal because the plant will be exposed to drastic temperature swings and drafts. Placing the plant a few feet away from the window is better.
When repotting, make sure that the new pot is no more than 1-2 inches larger in diameter than the old pot. The root ball should take up at least 2/3 of the pot.
With the exception of fuzzy-leafed plants like African violets, houseplants will benefit from being misted with water. Add a small squirt of plain Dawn dish detergent for insect control.