Posts

The Alocasia Dragon Scale looks like something out of a fairy tale with shimmering, textured foliage that appears crafted from granite. This handsome plant is tender and has some demands, but it’s actually easier than many Alocasias. Let’s examine everything you need to know about Alocasia Dragon Scale care, to keep your plant looking its best. Alocasia Dragon Scale prefers light, open soil that is kept moist but dries a bit between waterings....

Alyssum plants have been grown for ages. In Spain in the 1500s, you’d find sweet alyssum bordering edible gardens or growing wild on Mediterranean beaches. Alyssum flowers are not only beautiful, but they also attract many of the beneficial pests that help you grow a garden. Table of Contents A short-lived perennial, alyssum has been cultivated long enough for the development of heat and drought-tolerant varieties. These small flowers self-seed, and can be biennial in temperate climates....

I bet you want to know which companion plants I’m talking about, yeah? Pumpkins are such friendly looking gourds, aren’t they? It’s hard not to smile when you see them adorning peoples’ porches in the fall. But what’s even better is watching them grow into big, orange beauties in your garden. There’s something even better than that, though: watching the pumpkins grow alongside their best companions, each plant providing a benefit to the others....

Ice cream banana? It sounds almost too good to be true. But the blue java banana, also called ice cream bananas, is an incredible fruit. An ice cream banana is initially blue while on the plant, but ripens into a creamy yellow color. And did I mention that it tastes like vanilla ice cream? Table of Contents Slightly gooey in comparison to other banana types, these are rapidly gaining popularity around the world....

Vitamin D (also known as calciferol) is essential for regulating optimal blood pressure levels, enhancing muscular strength, supporting kidney function and the immune response, and maintaining healthy teeth and bones. Oddly enough, however, it’s one of the few essential vitamins that a balanced diet won’t supply in sufficient quantities — which is a bad thing, because too little Vitamin D can cause rickets, a painful softening of the bones which strikes children especially hard....

The same species as a beet (another tasty leafy green), Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris subsp. Vulgaris) leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked. Trim fresh young, tender leaves for salads, use larger mature leaves as wraps, or chop it up for stir fries. I enjoy sautéing Swiss chard in a little olive oil and garlic, or I’ll flavor it with sesame oil, depending on which recipe I’m preparing. I make a LOT of stir fries, so I like to have a wide variety of healthy greens ready for snipping in my gardens....

Crane flies can be irritating and cause damage to your garden plants if you’re not going to get rid of them on time. If you are looking for How to Get Rid of Crane Flies, you are at the right place! Let’s see some of the most potent ways to eliminate them! Check out our article on natural ways to get rid of pests here! What are Crane Flies? Looking a lot like giant mosquitoes, crane flies don’t spread diseases or bite but cause damage to the gardens....

When you find scale on plants, getting rid of them can take some time – but it’s not impossible! In this post, I will show you exactly how to get rid of scale on houseplants, FOR GOOD. Simply follow these organic houseplant scale treatment methods. Sometimes it feels like all of the plant bugs on the planet are trying to attack my houseplants! Until a few years ago, I’ve never had to deal with houseplant scale before....

To keep this calathea happy indoors you’ll need to meet a few specific needs. But once you understand these requirements, caring for it is quite easy. Goeppertia makoyana (syn. Calathea makoyana) The peacock plant is a gorgeous variety of prayer plant with beautifully patterned, variegated leaves. This houseplant provides texture and color to living spaces, and including one in your collection is an absolute must! We link to vendors to help you find relevant products....

Though similar to other honeysuckle plants in the Caprifoliaceae family, Himalayan honeysuckle offers notable differences in terms of its low-maintenance appeal as well as its visual appearance. Leycesteria formosa Himalayan honeysuckle, Leycesteria formosa, is just as beautiful as all the other types of honeysuckle plants, yet offers its own unique appeal. L. formosa can be grown as a vine or a shrub, and it produces sweet-smelling white flowers that descend from scarlet or purple bracts....

The eucalyptus trees are fast-growing evergreen Australian native plants. They belong to a species of flowering trees, shrubs, and Mallees from the myrtle family (Myrtaceae). Eucalyptus trees, or gum trees as most of its species are called, are famous for their round, silver leaves. These are marked by a distinctive fragrant oil and leathery feel. Due to the aromatic nature of the plant, it is commonly used in fresh and dried floral arrangements....

by Jennifer Poindexter Are you in the market for a new and interesting flower for your garden? Don’t overlook the flower known as flower of an hour. This plant produces light yellow or off white blooms. The maroon center of the plant stands out against the pale petals and produces quite the contrast. What’s even more interesting is this flower will only open part of the day or not at all on a cloudy day....

by Jennifer Poindexter Have you had the pleasure of admiring gentian flowers? They’re a unique wildflower grown in many areas of the world. In fact, they grow on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. With over 1,000 species, there’s a flower sure to suit everyone. These flowers prosper in a variety of growing conditions and produce vibrant blooms in blue, white, and red. If you have an area around your home that could use a splash of color, check into growing gentian flowers....

So, when I’m formulating my vegetable garden plan each year, potatoes are pretty much universally on my list of crops. Are they a staple of yours, too? Let’s talk about the top five creative ways to grow potatoes in containers, as well as the benefits of using this method, and what’s required. When I think about my favorite way to enjoy homegrown potatoes, I’d have to say that mine is au gratin style, but a hot, buttery baked potato can’t be beat either....

There are tons of sage types out there, and we’ve covered those in our piece on types of sage. But perhaps you just want to know how to grow sage that’s simple and easy to cook with: the most common sage there is.We can help with that!Growing sage at home ensures you a neverending supply of those lovely sage leaves for seasonings. Small, fresh leaves can be fried to add a crispy pop of flavor on a dish....

Unfortunately, hydrangeas can be one of its victims, and bigleaf hydrangeas – Hydrangea macrophylla – are particularly susceptible. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Hydrangeas can be lush, carefree plants, but they are also vulnerable to a number of different fungal infections that can sully the leaves – and in some cases, the flowers. You know that old saying, “There’s a fungus among us?” There is some truth to that. A fungus called anthracnose can infect a large number of tropical and temperate plants, and it is widespread throughout the world....

Not only is jade easy to propagate, each specimen has massive potential since all it takes is one leaf to start a new plant. Jade plants are succulent stunners, sporting thick, round, deep green jewels for leaves. Described botanically as Crassula ovata, this species is also known as the money plant. Now, money doesn’t grow on trees, but if money did grow on C. ovata, you’d be hitting the jackpot by reading this article....

Growing aloe vera from a cutting is easier than you might think. In this post, I’m going to show you exactly how to do it step by step. Many people are surprised to learn that you can indeed grow aloe vera from a cutting. It’s not that difficult, and it’s the best way to get a sizable new plant quickly, or save a leggy one. In this step by step guide, I’ll show you all you need to know about propagating aloe vera cuttings....

Balconies are the places to unwind where you spend leisure time with your loved ones. How about making them more relaxing by growing different varieties of herbs, fruits, and flowers? Wouldn’t that be amazing? Here are some of the Best Plants for Balcony you can easily grow! Check out our article on the balcony flower garden here! Points to Consider Before Growing Balcony Plants Size of Balcony- Whether you have a large, full-sized balcony, or a small one, you can grow plants that go well with the available space....

Hyssop is an old-fashioned herb you may have heard of, but you might not know what it looks like or what to do with it. Hopefully, the tips and advice in this article will answer some of these questions and encourage you to grow a hyssop plant in your garden! Table of Contents There are many reasons to plant hyssop. Firstly, it looks great! You can grow hyssop in the herb garden, as a border, or as a specimen plant and it will catch your eye....