Sophia 
A tall, blue-green column with neat ribs and short spines stands near your window, and you want it to keep growing straight and firm instead of leaning or going soft. Learning how to care for Peruvian apple cactus indoors comes down to a few habits you set once and adjust by season. The short version: … Read more >>
You notice small white tufts tucked between the spines of your cactus on the windowsill, and they look a little too much like cotton to be part of the plant. Cacti are tough, but those fuzzy spots are often a sign of one of the most common indoor pests. If you are asking whether a … Read more >>
The cutting has been sitting in its pot by the window for weeks, still green and upright, but a gentle tug tells you nothing is holding it in place. A Peruvian apple cactus not rooting is one of the most common frustrations with this fast-growing columnar cactus, and the cause is usually simple to correct. … Read more >>
Your tall, blue-green column near the window has started to look washed out, with yellow creeping up from the base or spreading across one side. The short version: Most Peruvian apple cactus yellowing indoors comes from overwatering, weak light, or sudden sunburn. Check the soil and the base first, then look at where the yellow … Read more >>
You have a cactus on the windowsill, a flight booked, and no wish to leave the plant behind or hand it off to a neighbor. The short version: Yes, you can take a cactus on an airplane within the US, either in your carry-on or in a checked bag, as long as it passes the … Read more >>
You glance at the tall, finger-like cactus by your window and wonder if it has grown at all since spring. Many owners ask the same thing: what is an Eve’s needle cactus’ growth rate, and is yours on track? The short version: Eve’s needle cactus (Austrocylindropuntia subulata) is one of the faster-growing cacti you can … Read more >>
You press a thumb against your cactus on the windowsill and the stem gives way like a ripe tomato instead of pushing back firm and solid. If you are wondering what to do if my cactus is squishy, the answer depends on where the softness is, what color it is, and how it smells. The … Read more >>
The last pink and red flowers on your Christmas cactus are wilting on the windowsill, a few have dropped onto the sill, and the plant suddenly looks tired. The short version: Pinch off the spent flowers, then give the plant a cool, lightly watered rest for about 6 to 8 weeks with no fertilizer. In … Read more >>
You water your pothos, glance down, and see tiny white worms in house plants soil wriggling just under the surface or along the inside rim of the pot. It is unsettling, especially when the plant sits on a kitchen counter or a windowsill where you see it every day. The short version: Most white worms … Read more >>
You are looking at a houseplant on your windowsill with sticky leaves, tiny webs, or a cloud of gnats, and a bag of garden dust sitting in the closet. Reaching for Sevin dust on houseplants can feel like a fast fix when the pests keep coming back. The short version: No, you should not use … Read more >>