Caring For Houseplants

Beautiful Orchid

A basic common sense approach to plant care and trusting yourself to make the right decisions will give you the best results with all of your plants. Working in the interior landscape business for over twenty years, I learned that the most important part of plant care is not so much the type of plant you have but the light your plants receive and the watering of your plants in relation to the lighting.
A litte trial and error is really all you need to find out what your houseplant needs from you to grow and thrive.
Read more about learning to care for your indoor plants...

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English Ivy Houseplants Care

English Ivy - Hedera helix

To Feed or Not to Feed, That is the Question

From Wanda:

I just purchased the Hedera helix #Ivy #plant. It is in a plastic planter that measures about 7" across. It is very healthy looking, and I am wondering how I can keep moisture around the plant, as I plan to hang it from my livingroom ceiling. I don't want to have to mist it every day, and I was told that putting the potted plant into another bigger pot with moss will hold in the moisture so I won't need to mist it so often. Also, I read that I may need to use a high-nitrogen liquid fertilizer monthly for the Ivy plant. Do you have any suggestions as to which brand to use? I have been using Jack's Classic basic indoor plant fertilizer for all my other plants, but did not know if this would be ok to use for the Ivy. Please get back to me and let me know, as I want to take the very best care of my plants as possible. Thank you, and have a great day.

Hi Wanda,

Thanks for the question. The suggestion to "double pot" your ivy in a moss basket is a good idea and an easy way to increase the humidity for your English Ivy. A hanging plant is subject to quite a bit more heat and dry air than a plant on the floor or table.

As for the fertilizer, it should not be necessary to feed any new plants as there should be sufficient nutrients in the potting media to last for a year or more. I personally don't use any type of plant food unless my plant starts showing signs of nutrient deficiency (which never happens) and after making sure that any problems are not caused by improper watering, insect problems, etc. I prefer to add fresh soil to the plant as it is potted up or depleted.

I know that the companies that promote (and produce) fertilizers are trying to make money but I have found they often do more harm over time (for houseplants in particular). Plants have been growing on their own for millions of years without humans giving them chemical fertilizers.

That, of course, is your own decision and you may find it is beneficial to your plants. Any other thoughts on the subject of fertilizing houseplants? Feel free to post any opinions.
And good luck with your Ivy plant.

Thanks again...

Read more about houseplants care and English Ivy...

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Poinsettia - Holiday Plant Care

Euphorbia pulcherrima - Poinsettia

Pretty Poinsettia Plant Care

Your pretty #holiday flowering #Poinsettia #plant will need some TLC or maybe I should say TLPC. Yes, that is tender loving #plant #care! It is the holiday season once again and Poinsettias usually start to appear just after Thanksgiving week. When the Poinsettias, or Euphorbia Pulcherrima, are put out, the Christmas trees and decorations start going up.
Poinsettia is most commonly used as an indoor potted plant at Christmas time, at least in the United States. In some of our milder climates, it can also be found in exterior landscapes. A member of the Euphorbia family, Poinsettia is a succulent plant. That tells you something about your beautiful Poinsettia flower. These native plants from south of the border do best if placed in bright lighting and average room temperatures. Poinsettias are not difficult to care for it you just use common sense watering practices. Do not expose them to the cold as it will quickly damage the leaves and bracts. For information on re-blooming your Poinsettia when the holiday season is over and plant care for your Poinsettia flowers read more...
Have a Great Holiday Season! May God Bless Everyone Around the World with Peace and Happiness...

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Peace Lily, an Easy Flowering Indoor Plant

Spathiphyllum Plant

Peace Lily A Great Flowering Houseplant

One of the most common houseplants, other than Pothos, is the Spathiphyllum. Also known as Peace Lily or White Flag, these plants are often given as gift plants. While it does not offer a lot in the way of color because the flower is white, it is still one of the few houseplants that will tolerate average indoor conditions and still produce flowers throughout the year. Bring home a Mum or Begonia and chances are, unless you have a sun room, skylight or atrium, the flowers won't last more than a week or two and still look good.

Peace Lily will flower for a good part of the year and when it is not in bloom you will have a lovely foliage plant to enhance your home.

If you have ever owned one of these plants, you know that if you let it dry completely, it will lay down on the floor in a full faint! While they do not need to be kept constantly wet, Spathiphyllums also do not like to be treated as a cactus, either! Read more about Peace Lily and their care...

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