Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia
40 Years of Growing Gardens and Gardeners
So many people avoid owning and loving houseplants because they are worried about having to water them or have failed in the past. With these low-water alternatives, you can dip your toe into the fascinating world of houseplants, without having to add a weekly watering session to your calendar. Start with one and prove to yourself that you actually can have a green thumb; you just need the right plant.
One day you look up, only to notice that one of your plants is looking a little droopy, maybe it’s even slightly changed color. So, what do you do? You swear it was fine last time you watered it and that can’t have been that long ago, can it? It’s time for a little detective work to figure out what’s ailing your sad plant and what can be done to get it back to its former glory.
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
Philodendrons make great houseplants, which is why you’ll find so many different varieties in the houseplant section of your favorite garden center. They can live quite happily in our indoor spaces and even put on some impressive growth while still being one of the easiest plants to care for in our homes.
When we bring plants indoors, most of the time, we follow a one plant per pot scheme. What if we brought some of those outdoor planting concepts inside? With a large container and a handful of houseplants, you can make an incredible living arrangement.
Bringing home a new plant this time of year can be a fun way to bridge the gap until spring arrives, but going in with a plan will save you time and money.
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.
While poinsettias and holiday cacti. are two of the most popular plants to pop up this time of year, there are a few more that are worth bringing home and shining a spotlight on. Read on to learn about Norfolk Island Pine, Frost Moss, and Amaryllis.
As soon as the calendar flipped to November, the plant sections of the grocery and hardware stores filled with poinsettias, brightly blooming cacti, and so many other plant goodies. While beautiful upon arrival, without the proper care, your new holiday decoration might take a turn for the worse before the end of the year.
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.
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
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.
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.
One of the joys of keeping houseplants over the decades is seeing the buds, blooms, and flowers that appear each winter from early December through March.
Linda Cornish Blank shares great tips on moving houseplants back indoors after a summer outside.
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.
At the end of a long winter indoors, houseplants often become spindly and tired-looking. You can renew your plants by moving them outdoors for the summer. Finding the right spot for their “summer vacation” is key.
Lina Rodriguez has been keeping houseplants healthy for ten years and has over 50 in her home. Only four of them are succulents. Because here’s the secret: succulents are easy, low-maintenance houseplants if you have the perfect conditions for them. But a lot of people don’t.
If you’re looking to introduce indoor plants to your home, Tradescantia pallida (purple heart) and Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant) are two good choices for starter houseplants. Following are growing basics for each plant.
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.
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.
By Christa Watters, Extension Master Gardener Last fall I harvested five beautiful Meyer lemons from a potted dwarf lemon tree I had received as a Christmas present in 2015. Along …
