Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia

Promoting environmentally sound gardening practices for over 35 years!

Phlox Subulata (moss pink) in landscape. Photo © Elaine Mills

Houseplants

Rules of Propagation

If you’ve fallen in love with houseplants, the best kept secret is that once you have them you can basically make as many as you want. There’s no need to rush back to the store and buy more as long as you’re willing to give the ones you already own a trim.

Propagation is the practice of dividing or cutting a “parent” plant into smaller pieces to create even more plants. Many gardeners fill their flower beds by dividing perennials, or by taking cuttings from woody plants like roses. The same principle applies to your houseplant

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New Year Resolutions: Houseplant Edition

As we look to 2023 with the best intentions, maybe include a few plant care resolutions  with your fitness plans and Dry January. Winter is a hard time for our houseplants, and cold temperatures and dark days will remain through March. By implementing just two care tips, you will come into spring with a house full of happy, healthy plants.

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Houseplant Moving Day: Bringing Tropicals in for Winter

We’ve all heard of spring cleaning, but now that nighttime temperatures are dropping into the 40s and lower, we need to think about fall cleaning for our tropical plants. If you’re a houseplant enthusiast, one of the biggest advantages of living in North Virginia is that our summer months boast ideal conditions for growing houseplants outside. However, now that it’s time to bring in and protect these tender plants from winter weather, there are a few things you can do to ensure an easy transition to your home or greenhouse.

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Focus on Houseplants: Simply Syngoniums

One houseplant that has been on the market for many years, but still gets overlooked is the Syngonium. These vining plants, also called arrowhead vines (especially in older literature), are perfect for beginners as they thrive in medium light, don’t have any special watering needs, and come in a variety of leaf shapes and colors

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Managing Houseplant Pests

An unhealthy houseplant is most often the result of improper care. Too much or too little water, light, or air circulation cause many plant problems. If a plant is struggling or stressed due to improper care, the likelihood of pest infestation increases. Providing a houseplant with the growing conditions it needs is the best way to keep it healthy and minimize pest infestation.

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Orchids, the No-Fuss Houseplant

No longer in the tropics, my orchids live indoors now and thrive in the high desert climate of Albuquerque, which shows how adaptable they are. They are treated like my other houseplants (African violets, Christmas cactus, etc.). I water them once a week and keep them near a shaded south-facing window where they get early morning and late afternoon direct sun. Different orchids have different humidity and light requirements, so I have learned to choose those that fit into a low-humidity, good light regime.

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Gift Books for Gardeners 2021  

For many gardeners, reading about gardening and plants is the next best thing to working in their own garden or tending their containers or houseplants. If you are looking for a special book to give your favorite gardener this holiday season, consider one of the following Extension Master Gardener favorites.

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How to Care for Houseplants

Join Extension Master Gardener Interns Evin Morrison and Rebecca Secula to learn about getting plants to thrive in your home. Evin and Rebecca cover a variety of topics including ideal lighting conditions, potting soil recipes, and how to deal with pests.

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Phototropism

phototropism: growth or movement of an organism stimulated by light either toward or away from the light source
You have observed phototropism if you grow houseplants–they bend toward the window. If you want them to grow vertically, then you have to routinely rotate the pots.

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My Favorite Houseplant for Beginners

The houseplant I always recommend to beginners is Philodendron hederaceum (heartleaf philodendron). The No. 1 reason I recommend heartleaf philodendron to beginners is because it is extremely forgiving and thrives in a variety of conditions. Simply put, you probably won’t kill a heartleaf philodendron while you learn the ins and outs of caring for houseplants.

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The Indestructible Houseplant

If National House Plant Appreciation Day (Jan. 10) got you thinking about getting a house plant for the first time or if you are looking for easy-to-grow house plants to expand your existing collection, The Indestructible House Plant:  200 Beautiful Plants that Everyone Can Grow by Tovah Martin is a great resource.

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Plant Propagation

Propagation techniques will not only give you more plants to sell, plant or give away, these practices are great for rejuvenating your plants and your soil at the same time. Kirsten Conrad, the Agricultural Natural Resource Extension Agent for Arlington County and City of Alexandria, discusses some easy plant propagation techniques like division, layering, and cuttings for use with both houseplants and common outdoor garden plantings.

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Succulents for Small Spaces

Succulents come in all shapes and sizes with many suited to a small space. However, the defining characteristics of succulents is their ability to store water in their fleshy leaves, thick stems, or swollen roots. The variety of small succulents and their ability to survive in semi-arid environments with infrequent watering is what makes them a perfect choice for your small space.

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