Hi everyone! This will be my last blog post for a while. Today, I wanted to take some time and talk about vining houseplants. I really enjoy vining houseplants because they bring a lot of character into your home. However, finding the right one for your space can be difficult. Keep reading if you want to hear about some of my favorite!

The first vining houseplant I want to mention is the string of pearls. The string of pearls is a beautiful cascading succulent. It is a vine with little round balls on it, almost like green peas on a string. The downfall to this plant is that they can be very hard to take care of. For the best chance of survival, place this plant where it will be direct sunlight. Water only when the pearls start to wilt. If all goes well, the vines on this plant can get up to three feet long.

A vining houseplant with a lot of old character is english ivy. English ivy has a very classic look with green leaves that have three points. The ivy will thrive in indirect bright light. You should water when the top of the soil feels dry. In the right growing conditions, you will see your ivy grow rapidly.

Lastly there is the arrowhead plant. The leaves of the arrowhead plant look like arrows and come in a variety of colors. This plant will do best in a hanging basket or with a moss pole to climb. They like to be placed in indirect light. If they get too much light the leaves will start to turn white. Let the arrowhead plant dry out between waterings. This plant is relatively easy to care for.

What is your favorite vining houseplants? Have you ever had a string of pearls die?

Hi everyone! I am so glad you are reading my blog today. I will be talking about houseplants that grow at a rapid pace. These plants can be good if you are impatient or like to see progress fast. They are also good if you want to fill a big space but only have the budget for a smaller plant. Kiddos also are drawn to caring for these plants since they can see that the care they are giving them is paying off!

The first fast-growing houseplant is the asparagus fern. Asparagus ferns have soft fuzzy looking foliage that can produce small white flowers in the right conditions. It likes to be placed in indirect light. If the plant gets too much light, its leaves will turn yellow. Water this houseplant when the top of the soil feels dry and water less frequently in the winter. The asparagus fern can grow to be up to ten feet tall in the right conditions.

Next, is the Benjamin ficus. This is one of the most popular trees to keep inside. It is an evergreen with droopy branches that have glossy oblong leaves. This is why it is sometimes referred to as a weeping fig. It likes to receive indirect sunlight. Water when the soil feels dry and water less in the winter. Inside this plant will grow up to six feet tall and four feet wide. The benjamin ficus is able to survive in less than ideal growing conditions, but for the fastest growth follow what it likes best.

Last we have the watermelon rubber plant. This is a great choice if you want some interesting looking foliage in your house. The watermelon rubber plant has heart shaped leaves with a watermelon rhine like pattern. This plant will thrive if placed in indirect sunlight. You should water it when the soil feels dry to the touch. Watch your plant get up to one foot high!

What plant do you have that grows really fast? Have you ever moved a plant to a different area and noticed that it started growing faster?

Welcome back everyone! Today, I wanted to focus on tropical houseplants. Tropical houseplants can really liven up a room. A lot of houseplants are considered to be tropical plants, but I will be talking about some of my favorite.

One of my favorite tropical plants is the bird of paradise. This plant has large glossy banana shaped leaves. When it blooms, its flower looks like a bird. Hence where it got its name. The bird of paradise plant likes to be in direct sunlight but can survive in medium light. They like to be kept moist in the summer and dry in the winter. Adjust your watering of this plant as necessary for the season. Be sure to check your plants leaves. If they are starting to turn brown consider using filtered water to water this plant.

Possibly one of my favorite houseplants, the pothos, is tropical. Pothos have many different varieties such as golden, jade, and marble queen. They have glossy heart shaped leaves that grow on vines. They prefer to be in indirect light. You should water your pothos when the soil dries out. They will tell you when they need watered because their leaves start to curl. This is a great easy to care for plant if you are looking to liven your space.

Another great tropical plant is the fiddle leaf fig tree. The plant usually becomes ten feet tall indoors and has large veined leaves. Your fiddle leaf fig will do best if placed in bright indirect light and rotated often. Water this houseplant when the top of the soil feels dry. Be sure to prune your fiddle leaf fig to see the best results long-term. A fun fact about this plant is it likes to be shaken gently. This mimics its natural growing environment.

What is your favorite tropical houseplant? Have you owned any of these?

Welcome! Have you ever bought produce and wondered if you could do anything more that just eat it? Well you can! In todays blog, I will be talking about growing plants inside from leftovers in your kitchen. This is a fun creative thing to do and it lowers waste. Plus, who doesn’t like a growing challenge!

A popular plant to grow like this is an avocado plant. You can use the pit to start a new plant. This is a great thing to try because the pit is inedible and usually ends up in the trash. Start by cleaning the pit but not taking off the brown skin on it. Place the bottom in water and pierce the pit with toothpicks so it does not become full submerged. You can tell which end is the top and bottom because the top is pointier. Now, sit the pit and water on a windowsill and change the water every few days. You should see the pit dry out, grow roots, and sprout from the top!

Another plant you can try is ginger. For this you will need a ginger rhizome. You can use left over pieces of ginger that are about 1 inch. Before planting in loose soil, let the ginger piece set out for a few days to form a callus. Put the ginger about 2-4 inches deep. Make sure to not let the soil dry out. You can harvest the ginger in 8 to 10 months.

Pineapples can also be grown this way. To start you will remove the crown of your pineapple and trim of the remaining fruit. Then, you should set out the piece you have cut in a sunny area to dry out. Once it is dry, place the crown in a jar with water propping it up so only the bottom is in the water. Change the water frequently and wait for root growth. Once you see roots, you can transfer the cutting to soil and place it in full sun. Make sure to keep the soil moist. You can expect to see a pineapple in one to three years.

Have you every tried growing anything from kitchen scraps? Were you successful?

Hi everyone! Welcome back to my blog. Today, I will be talking about plants that grow great in high light areas. This could be a window that sees sun all day long. Sometimes it is hard to find a plant that does well in this much sun due to plants in full sun drying out faster and leaf burn. If you need a recommendation for a full sun plant, keep reading!

The first houseplant that I would like to mention is the ponytail palm. The ponytail palm resembles a small tree with soft spike like foliage on top. It is actually part of the succulent family. Place the ponytail palm in as much light as possible. Water when the soil feels dry. This plant is forgiving if you forget to water it! Its trunk stores water for drought. They are slow growing houseplants.

Next, I would like to talk about the barrel cactus. Personally, I find this to be one of the most interesting cacti to look at. It has a ball like shape with spikes that lay along it. Some people like it looks like a sewing pincushion. They like to be in full sun. You should water your barrel cactus once a week in the summer and less frequently in the other seasons. Fun fact: if the plant is happy and mature enough it will produce edible fruit.

Lastly, I would like to mention the yucca plant. Yucca plants have long straight woody bases with foliage on top. I think they resemble small pine trees. Yucca plants are happy in full sun. However, if you see white spots on the leaves it is best to move your plant to an area with less sun. Yuccas can be sensitive to watering. Make sure your plant is dry in between waterings. In the right conditions your yucca will bloom.

Do you have any good high-light plants? What direction window do they do best in?

Welcome back! Today, I want to talk about plants that you can keep in water with no soil. Sometimes soil can get messy, so growing plants just in water can be cleaner. This is also a good way to up-cycle your old glass containers!

A good plant to grow in water is lucky bamboo. You can get lucky bamboo at most grocery stores that sell plants and Lowes. Lucky bamboo resembles bamboo but is actually a dracaena. They are very easy plants to care for. They like bright indirect light. When growing them just in water be sure to add pebbles or orbeez for stability. 

One of my favorite houseplants to grow in just water is the golden pothos. Golden pothos are vining plants that love to climb. If you’re not too sure about keeping your plant just in water, I recommend starting with a propagation of this one since it is an easy plant to propagate. Like lucky bamboo they also like bright indirect light.

Another great vining plant for this is English ivy. English ivy will thrive in water if it is placed in full sun. Make sure to check on the water level frequently since the water will evaporate faster with the amount of sunlight it gets. If there is not enough light your ivy will start to get lanky. 

Remember to consider the quality of your water when growing your plants in water! Also, use fertilizers since your plant will not have soil to grab nutrients from. Have you ever kept a plant in water only? If so, which one?

Hi everyone! In previous posts, I have talked about low light plants. Sometimes however there just isn’t even enough light to support those low light plants. This is why a lot of people choose to incorporate grow lights into these spaces. Using grow lights allows you to keep plants in areas that you wouldn’t usually be able to. There are different types of grow lights. Keep reading if you’re interested to know about them!

First, you will have to pick if you would like LED or fluorescent bulbs. A pro to LED lights is that they are more energy-efficient. A pro to fluorescent bulbs is they are usually cheaper at the store. You can buy LEDs in more shapes and sizes than fluorescent bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs can be placed closer to your plants than LED bulbs due to light strenght. 

Next, you will have to chose the color for your growlight. There are two common colors to pick from: red light and blue light. However, you can also chose to have green light or far red light. You should base the color of your grow light on the plant you want to keep under it. Red light is best for growth of stems and leaves. Blue light is best for regulating plant growth and promoting foliage. Green light is good for plants with thick canopies. Far red light makes plants flower sooner. 

Lastly, you will want to pick the light intensity. Light intensity can be measured in lux, a lumen per square meter. Full sun plants prefer 10,000-50,000 lux. Partial light plants prefer between 2,500- 10,000 lux. Low light plants prefer 500-2,500 lux. 

A good plant to try grow lights with is an African violet. They are known to tolerate grow lights well.

Remember, you do not need to keep your grow lights on all of the time! Have you ever tried using grow lights? How did it go?

Welcome back to my blog. Today, I want to discuss good plants to grow for your cat. I have blogged about houseplants that are safe for your cat, but this post will be different because the plants I will discuss have uses to your cat! I hope you continue reading.

Catnip is something everyone has heard of and most cats love it. A fun fact about catnip is that it affects about 80% of cats and the effects only last for around ten minutes. It is also very easy to grow. Be sure to place your catnip in full sun and water when the top of the soil feels dry. Catnip is a houseplant that would like being put outside for the warmer months of the year. It is recommended that you harvest a catnip plant regularly to keep it healthy. Cats can have the herb fresh or dried.

Another great plant to keep around if you have cats or even dogs is cat grass. Cat grass is simply a mix of cereal grains including barley, oat, wheat, and rye. Cat grass serves as a digestive aid for cats. It is high in fiber. If you wish you can consume cat grass too! To care for your plant, place it in direct light and water when the top of the soil is dry. Be sure to trim the grass regularly like your lawn.

Valerian is another plant that is good to grow inside for your cats. Often cats will prefer valerian over catnip! It is a tall plant with tiny bunches of sweet white or pink flowers. It has calming effects and is a very easy plant to grow. They are not picky about the amount of sunlight they get and can thrive in full to partial sun. The valerian however does like to be kept moist. If you forget to water your plants sometimes, I recommend keeping this one in partial shade to allow for more error in watering. For a happy plant, harvest the flowers?

Have you ever grown any of these plants for your cats? Has it helped reduce the amount that they bother your other plants? Is your cat affected by catnip?

Hi! Are you a sucker for succulents like me? If so keep reading because I’ll be talking about some of my favorite succulents. Succulents are a good houseplant to have if you do not want a plant with constant care. They are some of the easiest houseplants to care for!

First, I would like to put the spotlight on lithops. They are also called living stones. I find these one of the most interesting succulents to look at. They are small split succulents of varying colors including grey, yellow, brown, pink, cream, and orange. A fun fact about lithops is that most of the plant is under the soil. They are a great low maintenance plant that you can keep in the same pot for years due to their slow growth. Lithops prefer full sun and need watered very infrequently, sometimes only a few times a year.

Next, I would like to talk about a very popular succulent, the jade plant. Jade plants are succulents with shiny green leaves on woody stems. They often look like a small bush or tree. The plants are a symbol of luck! Jade plants like water when the top of their soil is dry. It is important to not let their soil dry out too much. If your jade plant receives too little water its will develop leaf spots to tell you. Like most succulents jade plants also like to be placed in full sun. 

The last succulent I would like to mention is the haworthia. The haworthia reminds me of a zebra because it has white stripes. They have pointy green leaves like aloe. Haworthias are typically very small growing to be about two inches tall and wide. They also like to be in direct sunlight. You should water your haworthia when the soil dries out. 

What is your favorite succulent? Have you ever watered a succulent too much or too little? Have you every propagated a succulent? They are one of my favorite plants to propagate!

Hi everyone! If you’re like me you’ve probably caught yourself thinking “how can I surround myself with as many plants as possible.” Unfortunately, due to reasons such as lighting and space we can only have so many plants in our homes. If you want to be surrounded I suggest you check out Phipps conservatory and botanical gardens or a plant sanctuary close to you!

Phipps Conservatory and botanical gardens is located in Schenley Park, Pittsburgh, PA.  It is about an hour drive from where I am local to. I am lucky to have one of the greenest facilities in the world so close to me. Phipps was built with the intention to educate people on formal gardens and species of plants. It is awesome because some of the plants you can see in Phipps you can grow at home and others you wouldn’t see unless you went to the rainforest. 

There are fourteen distinct rooms in Phipps and additional gardens outside. First there is a plan court contain various species of palm trees. Then there is the serpentine room filled with seasonal plants such as poinsettias at Christmas time. Next, you will see the fern room which contains many species of ferns and cycads. Then there is the orchid room which at one point had 800 rare orchids. The stove room is next containing deep tropic plants and butterfly forest. The south conservatory room has small plants on display along with seasonal flowers. Next, you will go into the tropical fruit and spice room with plants such as lemon trees and coffee plants. Then, is the huge tropical forest conservatory with a lot of tropical plants. The room rotates tropical countries every three years. Most recently it is cuba. Next, you will make your way into the gallery room with the farmers market. Then you will move into the sunken garden with seasonal plants. This room changes its theme frequently so you never know what to expect. Next, there is the desert room filled with cacti and succulents. Then there is the Victoria room with a pond and seasonal plants. Next, you will enter the broderie room and see flower beds representing the gardens of Louis the fourteenth. Lastly there is the east room with streams, water falls, and seasonal plants. 

Phipps is a great place for everyone. They let you walk through and enjoy it at your own pace. They have seasonal events where they decorate. I recommend attending the Christmas one. You won’t be disappointed.

Have you ever been to Phipps? What did you think? Is there another botanical garden you like to visit or have heard good things about?

Welcome back to all the plant parents. Today I will be talking about flowering houseplants. If you like having flowers in your home, but do not like to constantly keep buying cut ones, keep reading. A lot of houseplants flower, but the ones I will discuss keep their flowers year round or flower frequently.

African violets are one of the most popular flowering houseplants. You can get African violets that are blue, lavender, pink, red, and white. With the right care you will get the best flowers possible from your plant. African violets like bright indirect light, but can survive in less light. If they get too much light their leaves will turn yellowish. To water your plant, make sure you use room temperature or lukewarm water and make sure not to splash the leaves. The leaves are sensitive to foliar spots caused by water. You should water when the soil feels noticeably less moist but not dry. 

Next, with a beautiful white flower is the peace lily. Peace lilies are considered easy to care for. They have white flowers that turn to pale green as they age. The foliage of the plant is dark green. To care for this houseplant, place it in medium to low light. Water when the soil is dry. Peace lilies are drought tolerant so they do better if they are underwatered rather than overwatered. It is recommended that your wipe your peace lilies leaves when you notice dust on them. This will make it easier for the plant to grab the sunlight.

Lastly, we have the orchid. There are over 22,000 species of orchids. This is a lot of different flowers that you can grow! Orchids grow naturally in the air attached to other plants, on rocks, or on the jungle floor. Orchids like to have bright indirect sunlight. You should water your orchid when it feels a little dry. They are a houseplant that needs a lot of water. Orchids also like humidity. A good way to do this inside is to place a humidifier near your orchid. Fertilizer is especially important for this houseplant. It is recommended you use a fertilizer specific to orchids. 

Do you have a favorite houseplant that flowers? Are there any tricks you have found that make your flowers top notch?

P.S. phipps conservatory and botanical garden has an awesome orchid room!

Hi! With all the hot weather we’ve been having where I live I thought it was fitting to discuss none other than the cactus. Cacti come in many different forms and there is one out there for everyone. Cacti are members of the succulent family. They are a good low maintenance houseplant that generally like a lot of sunlight!

My favorite cactus is the fairy castle cactus. It grows a lot of stems making it look like a castle. The stems are green and five sided with white wooly spines. It’s a slow growing cactus, but in time it can become up to six feet tall! Rarely if the plant is very healthy and mature it will bloom with white flowers. To take best care of your fairy castle cactus, water when it’s soil is completely dry and place it in direct sunlight.

Another great cactus is the rat tail cactus. Don’t let the name fool you, the plant is very beautiful! It has long trailing stems that hang down. The stems can grow to be up to four feet long. Max growth is one foot per year. It flowers are bright violet-red and appear in the spring lasting for only a few days. To keep indoors it is best grown in a hanging basket. It likes to be in full sun. During the spring and summer the cactus likes to be water frequently but taper off with the watering in the fall and winter for best results.

The angel wing cactus is another one of my favorites. It has stem like pads that have glochids with small spines. This gives it a furry look. Don’t be fooled though it is very spiky still. It flowers infrequently with yellow flowers. It can get up to three feet tall and 6 feet wide! It’s a slow growing cactus that prefers full sun and water when it drys out.

What is your favorite cactus? How big have your cacti grown?

Hi everyone! Have you ever wondered about the medicinal uses of some houseplants? In my blog today, I will discuss some of the plants you can grow in your home and use to help you feel better! Ever since we have record people have been using plants for medicine.

Probably the most widely known houseplant for medicinal use is aloe vera. Aloe vera is used for minor burns, sunburn, rashes, and other skin irritations. It can also be injected to enhance insulin sensitivity for diabetes and treat constipation. However, be careful when injecting aloe vera due to its laxative effects.

Another great plant is peppermint. It is used to soothe your digestive system. A good way to consume it is through brewing a tea with fresh picked leaves. A bonus to using peppermint is it is easy to grow and fast growing. Peppermint is found in a lot of teas. It can also be used as a natural way to freshen your breath.

Lastly, thyme is a good medicinal herb. Thyme has anti fungal properties. This makes it good for soothing a sore throat, asthma, coughs, and heartburn. Topically you can make a salve with thyme to soothe athletes foot, ringworm, and bug bites.

It is important to always talk with your doctor before using these plants. What’s your favorite houseplant for medicinal purposes?

Hi everyone! Have you ever wanted more color in your houseplants? If so, this is a good read for you! I will be talking about some good houseplants to get if you want more colors in your collection.

A croton is a very colorful tropical houseplant. Their leaves are a mix of green, yellow, orange, and red. Crotons like full to part sun. In fact if they get too little sun their colorful foliage will lighten in color. They like a humid environment since they are a tropical plant. They can grow to be rather large so it is a good choice to get one if you are looking to fill a space.

My personal favorite colorful house plant is the fittonia, nerve plant. The colored veins in the leaves resemble nerves. The veins can be white, pink, or red. Fittonias are low-growing plants. They are referred to as a dramatic plant. When they need water they will faint to tell you. But do not worry, after some water and a few hours your fittonia will look good as new.

Another great colorful plant is the tropical ti plant. The ti plant has purple leaves and can be streaked with pink, white, and purple. You can find some variations that are red. Like the croton, keeping this plant in bright light will help keep its color vibrant. One thing to note is if you give the ti plant tap water its leaves will brown due to sensitivity to flouride. 

What is your favorite colorful houseplant? Do you have a favorite variety of any of the ones I mentioned?

Welcome back to my blog! Today, I will be talking about propagation from cuttings. I find this to be one of the most fun things to do as a plant parent. It is always fun to see your new baby grow into a healthy plant. This is a great thing to do if your plant is getting too big or if you’d like to share your plant with a friend.

You can either propagate in water or soil. Houseplants that propagate best include pothos, snake plant, spider plant, zz plant, Chinese money plant, and string of pearls/hearts/bananas/dolphins. It is usual recommended that you use soil to propagate.

To propagate in water, you will first start out with a cutting. You’ll have to cut your plant with a sharp clean knife or pair of scissors a little before the node. You should then remove any leaves close to the node. Then, put your cutting in a glass filled with water (tap will do) and place it in indirect light. Be sure not to put it in too much or too little light. Now you wait! Change and add new water as needed. In a few weeks you will see roots.

To propagate in soil, you will also start out with a cutting. You will obtain a cutting the same way as with water propagation. Once you have your cutting you can add it to a pot with soil. You will want to make a small indentation in the soil for the plant to sit in and tamp down the dirt around the cutting. Now all you have to do is water thoroughly and wait for new roots to grow!

Remember it might take a few tries to be successful at propagation but don’t give up! What is the most successful propagation that you have had? Do you prefer to propagate in water or soil?

Hi, everyone! Welcome back. Today, I will be writing about some good low-light houseplants. If you’re like me, you want to put a plant in every possible room in your house. However, not all plant do well in the rooms you have with less light.

The first low-light plant that I would like to show the spotlight to is one of my favorites: the snake plant. The snake plant is a great plant for those who have a hard time caring for plants. It is said that you have to try to kill a snake plant. They are very low maintenance. Snake plants prefer partial shade, but they can also survive in full shade.

Another great shade plant is the ZZ plant. They prefer partial to full shade. Like the snake plant it is also very low maintenance. ZZ plants are known to survive in rooms with no windows. However it is recommended that you provide some source of light for them.

If you have an area with low light, but you would like a plant with a pop of color, the polka dot plant could be the perfect plant for you. Polka dot plants are pink, purple, red, or white with green dots. If the plant were to receive too much light its colors would actually dull. It prefers partial shade.

If you are set on having a plant that requires a lot of light but you want it in a space that does not get a lot of sunlight, I recommend a grow light! I will discuss the use of grow lights later!

Have you ever owned any of these low-light plants? How much light did they receive? P.S. a lot of these plants are good picks for offices too.

Hi! If you’re like me and have a cat or are thinking about getting one but also love your plants todays blog is for you. I will be discussing safe and non-safe houseplants to have around cats. It is important to be aware to keep your cats safe. It is also important to recognize more houseplants won’t cause harm to your pet unless ingested.

Lilies are poisonous to cats. This includes all species including the popular houseplant called the peace lily. If ingested, lilies will cause kidney failure. Elephant ear species are also toxic to cats. If your cat ingests part of an elephant ear, its airways could close. Another poisonous plant is the philodendron. It will cause swelling and vomiting if ingested.

Some seasonal favorites to be careful of are poinsettias, holly berries, mistletoe, daffodils, and easter lilies. A good alternative to these holiday classics are fake plants. Fake plants let you and your cat enjoy the season.

Now, I will talk about some plants that are safe to have around your cat. These plants include the ponytail palm, air plants, rattlesnake plant, Boston fern, haworthia zebra, spider plant, parlor palm, money tree, and pilea peperomionia. As you can see there are still a lot of options for plant and cat parents combine.

If you have or would like to get a plant that is non-safe for cats, I would suggest keeping it out of your cats reach. Please always ask your vet to be on the safe side. Have you ever had any issues with plants I did not include?

 

Link to youtube video: https://youtu.be/lUNAV7lLOP4

To all the plant parents reading this, hi! Today, I have decided to write about natural houseplant fertizers. The main reason to use fertilizers is to boost nutrients for your plants in order to support their growth. Plants need nutrients such as potassium, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. The perfect way to give these to your plants is through natural fertilizers.

I like to use banana peels to fertilize my house plants. As you probably already know, bananas are rich in potassium. Using the peels, you will also add it small amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and magnesium. Ivy is an example of a plant that really likes potassium. To incorporate banana peels you can lay the peel on top of the soil, soak it in water and then water with the banana peel water, or chop it up and mix it through the soil.

Egg shells are another great natural fertilizer. They increase the amount of calcium the plant will receive. They also help to reduce the acidity in the soil. Orchids are a houseplant that would love to receive the extra boost of calcium. Like with the banana peel you can also soak egg shells in water and use the water to water your plant. Another good way if to crush up the shells and mix them into the soil.

Unlike egg shells, coffee grounds are a good way to boost the acidity in the soil. Coffee grounds will also boost the nitrogen levels in the soil. Plants that like coffee grounds are pathos, snake plants, and Christmas cactuses. You can either mix the grounds in or seep them in water and use that water. Tip: if you do not drink coffee a lot of coffee shops will give you the used ones for free.

These natural fertilizers have worked well on my plants. I hope they work on yours too! What natural methods do you like?

Welcome back to my blog! Have you ever wondered about that big gorgeous plant with perfect holes sliced into its’ leaves. Yes, I am talking about one of the most desired houseplants, the monstera. The monstera is a tropical plant. This means there can be some challenges in the winter with keeping it alive if you live in the cold northeast like me! I will be writing all about the monstera and how to keep it happy and healthy.

There are close to 50 species of monsteras but they all have similar defining features. Monstera leaves are round and heart-shaped. The leaves are large, glossy, and perforated with holes in them. As the plant matures the holes in the leaves become larger. The color of a healthy monstera is dark green. They also produce a unique looking fruit that looks similar to a piece of corn on the cob.

The best place to put your monstera in your home is somewhere that receives bright indirect sunlight. Utilizing bright indirect sunlight will maximize your monsertas’ growth. If placed in direct sunlight you plant could suffer with burn marks. If placed somewhere that is too dark your plants growth will be stunted.

Being a tropical plant, monsteras like to have moist soil like you would find in their natural habitat. You can tell when to water the soil by feeling it with your finger. If the soil up to your first knuckle is dry, it is time to water. You can also tell by visual cues when it is time to water or if you have been watering your plant too much. Yellow leaves indicate too much water and brown leaves with dried out edges indicate too little water.

Monsteras thrive in warm temperatures with humidity. This means you should place your monstera in a place that does not receive a cold draft in your home. For example, an entry way may not be the best place if temperatures dip outside. If the plant were to receive too much of a shock from the cold it is at risk for dying. If there is ideal lighting, your monstera will thrive in the bathroom from the humidity and the heat of the shower.

I hope that this helps you care for your gorgeous houseplant. It is important to note that your plant will signal to you what it needs! Where does your monstera thrive in your house? If you have used these tips, how have they improved the health of your plant?

Hello! Today, I will be writing about common houseplant pests. I know it is important for plant parents like me to keep our plants healthy and happy. A great way to do this is by being informed on common pest that make our plants suffer. This is a good read for anyone wanting to be able to identify and treat pests on their plants.

Sometimes it can be difficult to identify what is causing your plant harm. Fortunately, there are different visual signs that can help. I will be discussing what the pest looks like, what effects it has on the plant, and what plants the pest gravitates towards to help you identify the correct bug in order to treat it properly. 

The first common pest I would like to discuss are aphids. Aphids are small soft bodied bugs that are various colors. A couple of common colors are green and black. This is why aphids are also commonly referred to as green-flies and black-flies. They have a diamond shaped body with six long skinny legs. Aphids feed on the underside of leaves and the ends of branches. A sign you have aphids is  distorted new growth on plants. Ivy, herbs, and hibiscus typically attract aphids. To get rid of these particular pests it is best to use an insecticidal soap or expose the plant affected to natural predators of aphids such as ladybugs and birds. 

Mealybugs are one of the most common and easily identifiable houseplant pests. They have a white fuzzy look to them and are oval shaped. Mealybugs are attracted to every part of the plant including the stems, leaves, and roots. This can make for a very difficult removal. Mealybugs cause stunted damage and premature leaf drop. They are most attracted to cacti, succulents, poinsettia, African violets, and gardenia. It is recommended that you dab the mealybugs with rubbing alcohol or spray an insecticidal soap to get rid of them. To help prevent mealybugs it is important not to fertilize too much as they are attracted to nitrogen. 

One more common pest to be aware of are thrips. Thrips are very small tans pest. To the naked eye they look like very tiny grains of rice. If you look closer, you will notice that thrips have wings. They like the undersurface of leaves. You may have thrips if you notice streaking and distortion on flowers and foliage. It is also common for buds not to open up if thrips are living on your plant. You will most likely find them on primrose. To remove thrips it is recommended that you spray the plant with an insecticidal soap or for a more manual remover you can use a lint roller across the affected leaves.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! What did you take away from it? Will this change the way you care for your sick plants?