No, a true money tree isn’t toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists the money tree (Pachira aquatica) as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses, so a nibbled leaf won’t poison your pet. That’s good news, since this braided plant sits in a lot of living rooms where cats love to explore. There are two catches … Read more >>
Yes, you can plant onions and cabbage together, and they make one of the easiest companion pairs in a cool-season bed. Onions are narrow and shallow-rooted, so they tuck in around wide cabbage plants without stealing much space or water. The catch is spacing and expectations. Give each cabbage about 18 inches, ring it with … Read more >>
Plant one broccoli plant in each square of your grid. For square foot gardening broccoli, the rule is one plant per 12-inch square, so a standard 4 x 4 raised bed holds up to 16 plants if you give the whole bed to broccoli. That spacing gives each plant enough sun, root room and airflow … Read more >>
Yes, an air plant dies after it flowers, but it takes its time. Each air plant blooms only once, and after flowering the mother plant slowly declines over several months to a couple of years while it grows new baby plants called pups. It doesn’t wilt and collapse the week the flower fades. So if … Read more >>
Powdery mildew on indoor plants looks like someone dusted your leaves with flour, and it keeps spreading until you change the conditions that let it grow. The fix is to isolate the plant, cut off the worst leaves, spray the rest with potassium bicarbonate or neem oil, and then give the plant more space, steadier … Read more >>
A ZZ plant is mildly toxic to cats. It contains needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals that sting a cat’s mouth when chewed, causing drooling, pawing and sometimes vomiting, but it isn’t considered deadly. So if your cat just took a bite, take a breath. Most cats get a painful mouthful and back off fast. You still … Read more >>
ZZ plants need fast-draining soil. Cactus mix works well, or add perlite to regular potting mix. Here is a DIY recipe and pot advice.
Morning is the best time of day to water most houseplants, because daytime light and warmth help any splashed leaves dry and the plant starts using water right away. That said, the soil decides whether a plant needs water at all, so check it first and let the clock come second. If you miss your … Read more >>
If you want one lotus for a backyard water garden, I’d grow a compact sacred lotus cultivar in a container. It comes in far more sizes and colors, and the dwarf types fit a patio tub. If your pond drains into a creek or lake, or you live where sacred lotus is listed as invasive, … Read more >>
A dracaena that looks like it’s dying can often be saved, because these plants store a lot of energy in their thick canes. As long as part of the cane is firm and some roots are white or tan, the plant can push out new leaves once you fix the cause. To save a dying … Read more >>