Since before the days of ancient Rome, the Palm tree has been a symbol of triumph. Today, in addition to this victorious connotation, its appearance may suggest the sway of coconut palms or the swish of bamboo in trade winds. The fan palms bring to mind Egyptian sculptures and thus recall exciting civilizations of times … Read more
It has been a good old American custom to grow sweet-potato vines in the kitchen window for many years. This is not because the homeowner wants to raise a crop of potatoes but because they delight in the effect of the vine twining around the window. The decorative value of a vine is not appreciated … Read more
As with many plants, the leaves of the Prayer Plant (Maranta leuconeura) may turn yellow from time to time. There are several different reasons for this. This article explores the conditions and circumstances that may cause your Prayer Plant leaves to turn yellow. Read on to learn more. 9 Causes of Prayer Plant Leaves Turning … Read more
Achimenes like the same care and culture as African violets and are equally rewarding. By comparison with the achimenes, the African violet is just an infant. First introduced to England from Jamaica in 1778, Achimenes coccinea became popular almost immediately. The African violet did not appear until 1889. In the period from 1838 to 1850, … Read more
Chlorophytum comosum (kloh-roh-FY-tum kom-OH-sum) is one of the most resilient plants out there. So when something goes wrong, it can catch you off guard. These South African natives were among the first plants tested by NASA for air-purification capabilities. They are a favorite among homeowners for their ease of care and non-toxicity to cats and … Read more
When you think of prayer plants, you’re probably either picturing a Maranta or Calathea. Both come from the Marantaceae family and have a similar appearance and behavior. One of the most popular prayer plants is the Maranta leuconeura (muh-RAN-tuh loo-koh-NYUR-uh), a herbaceous perennial hailing from Brazil. This plant has quite a few nicknames, including: Cathedral … Read more
Pothos isn’t a hungry house plant, but feed it during the growing season for the best results. The best NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) Pothos fertilizer is a 3-1-2 ratio. Read and follow package instructions carefully. Feed your plant once a month with a ½ strength mixture, starting in spring and through the summer. Do not … Read more
Native to Southeast Asia, Dracaena plants are one of the most common household plants worldwide. With its dark green leaves spilling from the top, the Dracaena is one of the easiest plants to take care of. In this article, we’ll be discussing how often to water Dracaena plants for them to grow. Thankfully the plants … Read more
Question: I have been told that every house plant must have a resting period – some brief, some long. As the Christmas cactus blooms in the Winter and grows in the Summer, when does its resting time come? Answer: From the time the Christmas cactus is brought indoors in September until the first flower buds … Read more
Question: I’ve had a Christmas cactus plant for years – it always grows nicely until about August. Then large branches rot at joints near the main plant and fall. Although I root these branches and start new plants, I’d rather they didn’t fall off. What can be done to prevent this? Answer: At about the time you … Read more