How to care for hoya linearis as a houseplant Today we’re talking about a plant I first got as a cutting…and then got rid of…and then re-bought when I saw a larger plant for sale locally. It’s a hoya linearis! I seem to love hoyas more and more every year. While the linearis variety is …
Plants & gardening
All about silver sword philodendron care Today we’re talking about the silver sword philodendron—aka philodendron hastatum ‘silver sword.’ When I first got this plant, I had never seen one in person. I really only see them occasionally popping up in plant nurseries where I live for higher prices. So when a friend of mine told …
Learn how to make a plant propagation box It’s been plants out the wazoo over here lately. It’s spring, meaning it’s propagation season! So what better time than now for me to share my moss propagation box setup? A plant propagation box is basically a way to create a small greenhouse for your propagations. It …
Caring for the mildly dramatic calathea Dottie I’ve written about general calathea care tips in the past, and I’ve tried many times to swear off calatheas Because they are a bit higher maintenance than some other plants. They are beautiful, though. Especially Calathea Dottie with her deep green and hot pink leaves. According to the …
Have you ever grown lemon verbena? I usually grow it as an annual where I’m at since it is sensitive to frost, and I’m in zone 7. Otherwise known as Aloysia citrodora, lemon verbena is a species of flowering plant with pointed green leaves that have a district lemon scent. It’s different from lemon balm, …
Elephant ear plants are one of my favorite plants to decorate our patio with. I sometimes plant them in the ground, too—and they can get quite large! Regardless of whether you plant them in the ground or in pots, you’ll likely need to dig up your elephant ear bulbs in the fall if don’t live …
Learn how to dry or preserve eucalyptus branches I have an article all about how to care for potted eucalyptus that’s one of my most popular. I love growing eucalyptus in pots every year—and based on the number of emails I get about eucalyptus, you all do, too! As we near the end of growing …
How to care for the lovely philodendron white knight It’s time for a philodendron white knight care guide! White knight has lovely deep red stems that look a lot like pink princess philodendron stems. The leaves, however, are a deep green with bright white variegation. Not ivory, not cream. Bright white. While it has traditionally …
Today I am sharing all about how to hang flower pots on a fence, deck, or just about any other vertical wood surface—specifically how to hang terracotta flower pots. Terracotta flower pots are so cheap, easy to paint if you want to, and come in a variety of sizes to meet all of your gardening …
Here are my favorite sources for cheap and free plants! Man, I meant to write this post earlier in the growing season, but here we are knocking on June’s door. And I’m just now sitting down to write it! It’s okay though, because it’s not completely too late. And these will still be my favorite …
I usually do a yearly yard update post closer to the end of the growing season—usually in late August or early September when the garden has really filled in and there’s lots to look at. This will be our second full growing season in our current yard. The first year we focused on putting in …
Flowers & plants I’ve added to attract beneficial insects! I’m not anti-pesticides—they certainly have their place in gardening. But I try my best not to use them. Instead, I try to companion plant my food crops with plants and flowers that attract beneficial insects. That way, when pests try to move in, there is a …
I am really excited to share something a bit different today…a post about how to raise black swallowtail butterflies! Our focus this year has been largely on adding butterfly-friendly plants to the garden, so we’re swimming in caterpillars. Identification The black swallowtail—otherwise known as the eastern black swallowtail, American swallowtail, parsnip swallowtail, and papilio polyxenes—is …
How to make seed bombs at home! Last year I did a post on How to Save Milkweed Seeds…and I saved a lot! I spread some in fields near my house last fall. I also started some in my own yard and gave a bunch away. I figured the ones I had left after all …
Seed starting 101 & how I start my seeds! Today’s post really gets back to basics, because I’m walking you through how I start my seeds indoors. If you’re wanting to start gardening and starting some seeds, you might be a bit intimidated. I know I was. In this post, I’ll walk you through what …
How to grow gorgeous alocasia odora Alocasia odora is probably the first elephant ear plant I ever grew. It’s definitely a “gateway” elephant ear plant because it’s so easy to find in garden centers in nurseries. You’ll often find it either as a potted patio plant or a corm (similar to a bulb). Odora is …
Today we’re talking about how to propagate basil from stem cuttings. It’s a super easy thing to do if you want to enjoy fresh basil for your whole growing season. And you can continue chopping and propping basil stem cuttings pretty much indefinitely, meaning you really only need to buy basil once! I know herbs …
Our DIY landscaping progress & a Vego beds review! I’m home from work and puttering around this week, reading and whatnot. I figured it’d be a nice time to go through some of my blogging backlog. And one of the things on my list was my yearly yard post. This is our second summer in …
The pink princess is easier to find than ever! And pink princess philodendron care is a breeze. Learn about this gorgeous pink-variegated plant, including how to keep it pink, pricing, reverting variegation, and more. Let’s finally talk about pink princess philodendron care! Hey plant people! I am finally getting around to writing a pink princess …
Hoya crassipetiolata is a lovely plant to add to your collection. If you’re wondering whether or not hoya crassipetiolata care is difficult—this is the post for you! (Spoiler: It’s not.) My hoya crassipetiolata care guide I recently wrote about the hoya polyneura, one of the more recent hoyas I’ve added to my collection. Around the …
Xanthosoma lindenii is a tropical plant with striking green and white arrowhead-like leaves. Learn how to help this plant thrive indoors, including how much light it needs, when to water it, how much humidity it likes, and more. My xanthosoma lindenii care guide! Xanthosoma lindenii is a striking plant that reminds me a lot of …
Looking for hoya polyneura care tips? This plant’s needs are like most other hoyas, and it’s one of the newer types I’ve added to my collection. Learn more about it here. Hoya polyneura care tips I am coming out of what feels like a bit of a houseplant care guide hibernation to tackle the lovely …
Wondering how to root epiphyllum cuttings? Epiphyllums are stunning plants, and epiphyllum propagation is one of the easiest in the game! Learn how to get it right on the first try. All about epiphyllum propagation & rooting cuttings Hey, all! It’s been quite a while since I’ve done a houseplant propagation post. So when I …
How to grow gorgeous sunflowers from seed I have been mentally writing this article for a while now—you all know I only write about plants that I have personally cared for or grown. And I hadn’t grown a ton of sunflowers because I didn’t like how floppy and messy they looked. That is, until I …
How to grow moonflower vine in your garden Today I am talking about one of my favorite plants to grow in my garden: ipomoea alba, otherwise known as moonflower vine. I absolutely adore this plant because I love anything vining and climbing. And I grew this plant in containers before I moved to our current …
Vinegar weed & grass killer…yes, it definitely works! We are deep into yard work season over here, and I wanted to share a quick post on one of the delicious-smelling things I’m using to kill off weeds and grass: vinegar! Yes, I love the smell of vinegar. Reminds me of potato chips and fries. And …
Thai Constellation monstera care & propagation What was once an incredibly challenging plant to get your hands on is now an easy plant to find—the Thai Constellation Monstera! A variegated type of the classic Monstera deliciosa, the Thai’s leaves have cream and green marbled patterns, a mutation caused by a lack of chlorophyll. The cream-colored …
Bunny ear cactus, otherwise known as opuntia pallida or opuntia microdasys, is a cactus with rounded, flat paddles. Learn how to care for this classic cactus as a houseplant! All about bunny ear cactus care What do you think of when you hear “cactus”? I generally think of classic cactuses like the prickly pear, saguaro, …
All about caring for Meyer lemon trees in pots Growing a Meyer lemon tree in our garden is something I’d wanted to do for years before finally getting one. Because it gets very cold where we live, we can’t have certain fruit trees in the ground. So this guide focuses on growing Meyer lemon trees …
If this isn’t your first time here, you’re likely no stranger to the fact that I love hoya plants. They are some of the easiest plants to care for thanks to their drought tolerance and flexible lighting requirements. And there are lots of different varieties with a variety of interesting leaves. Houseplant hobbyists also collect …
My tips for growing gorgeous zinnias! Zinnia flowers were one of the first things I ever grew from seed. My mom recommended them to me as a beginner because they are so easy. And she was right—they are a total confidence booster for new gardeners. But they are also perfect for experienced gardeners. They grow …
How to propagate monstera deliciosa from a cutting Monstera deliciosa plants are beautiful and easy. They can bring a lush tropical vibe to even the most suburban of living rooms (I would know). And while the monstera deliciosa—also called a Swiss cheese plant—is very much a trendy plant these days, it’s also a timeless plant! …
When I first wrote about this plant several years ago, I talked about how I got my first epiphyllum oxypetalum cutting from my grandma. I was at her house and complimented it—she said it was a night-blooming cactus, and she actually had a cutting I could have. Later I visited my other grandmother and noticed …
How to grow the stunning string of pearls! Today we’re talking about one of the coolest succulents I own—the string of pearls. I love trailing plants and easy succulents, and this one fits the bill for both of those. String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a species of flowering plant native to the arid regions …
Learn about fairy castle cactus care. Fairy castle cactus, aka Acanthocereus tetragonus or Cereus tetragonus, is a charming small cactus with straightforward care requirements. Learn how much light it needs, what the best soil is, how to propagate it, and more with my guide. Meet the fairy castle cactus! I’ve been on a bit of …
Learn how to care for your variegated string of hearts plant, also known as Ceropegia woodii. Find out about the proper watering, lighting, and fertilization techniques for this popular houseplant, as well as tips for propagating and troubleshooting common problems. How do you take care of a variegated string of hearts? Hey there, plant people! …
Looking for Philodendron Mayoi care tips? Learn about this gorgeous variety, including how to identify a Mayoi, what kind of light it needs, if it can climb, and more. How to care for the lovely Philodendron Mayoi Philodendrons are fan favorites because with just a little bit of love, they grow fast and look gorgeous! …
Learn all about stromanthe triostar care and how to keep it looking its best! This tropical houseplant is known for its striking, pink-variegated leaves and is relatively easy to care for when provided with bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining soil. How do you care for triostar stromanthe? Today we’re talking about another pink …
All about hoya rope plant care! The hoya carnosa compacta plant is an absolutely stunning vining plant closely related to the hoya carnosa (see my hoya carnosa care guide). It’s also known as the rope hoya, the hoya rope plant, and the Hindu rope plant. The stems grow long, about 1-1.5 feet, twisting and turning to …
I’ll be honest—I hadn’t heard of the philodendron tortum until relatively recently. Until I hit “order” on one, that is. I saw it pop up online and thought, “huh, that looks cool.” And my service to you? I bought it, learned about caring for it, and am now going to write about it 🙂 There …