Elsa 
Finding aphids on jade plant leaves can be a surprise, because jade is a tough succulent that rarely draws these pests. When aphids do show up, they cluster on soft new growth and flower buds. The good news is that they are easy to control once you know what to do. In this guide, I’ll … Read more >>
Good news if you share your home with a cat: the ASPCA lists the areca palm (Dypsis lutescens) as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so a nibbled frond won’t poison your pet. It’s one of the safest large floor plants you can bring into a pet household. That said, “non-toxic” has limits. Rabbits aren’t … Read more >>
Growing cucumbers on black plastic is one of the simplest ways to get warmer soil, fewer weeds, and cleaner fruit. Cucumbers love heat, and a dark film over the bed traps the sun’s warmth right where the roots need it. The result is often an earlier harvest and less work all summer. In this guide, … Read more >>
My top pick among tall indoor plants for low light is the dracaena, especially the corn plant and its dark-green cultivar ‘Janet Craig,’ because it forms a real tree shape and keeps its leaves in a dim corner where most floor plants drop theirs. If your corner is narrow, a tall snake plant is my … Read more >>
How much mushroom compost to use in vegetable beds, raised beds and containers, when to add it, and which vegetables love it.
A small hydroponic system at home lets you grow fresh lettuce, basil and other greens without a single bag of potting soil. You can build one from a mason jar, a single pot or a storage tote in an afternoon, and most of the supplies cost very little. In this guide, I’ll walk you through … Read more >>
Spider mites on dieffenbachia are tiny, and you’ll usually notice their damage long before you see the mites themselves. They suck sap from the leaf undersides and leave pale freckles that slowly turn a dull, dusty bronze. If you ignore them, a healthy dumb cane can look tired and washed out within a few weeks. … Read more >>
Your dieffenbachia weeps because of guttation. When the soil is very moist and the air is humid, the roots keep pushing water up into the plant faster than the leaves can release it as vapor. In short, it’s pushing extra water out through tiny pores at its leaf tips and edges, and an occasional droplet … Read more >>
How many inches does a plant grow in a week? The honest answer is that it depends on the plant, the season, and the care it gets. A sunflower in July and a snake plant in January live on totally different timelines. In this guide, I’ll walk you through typical weekly growth for common plants, … Read more >>
You can grow podocarpus from cuttings by taking 4- to 6-inch semi-hardwood stem tips in summer or early fall, dipping the cut ends in rooting hormone, and keeping them in a moist, airy mix under high humidity until roots form. Plan on a slow wait. Most cuttings need about 2 to 4 months to root, … Read more >>