Your Christmas cactus sits on the windowsill with flat green segments and no buds in sight, and you are wondering whether that bottle of plant food under the sink would help. Feeding at the right time makes a real difference in how full the plant grows and how well it blooms. The short version: Knowing … 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 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 >>
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 >>
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 >>
A plant on the windowsill or a small pot on your desk can feel like more than decoration, and many traditions agree. The short version: The houseplants that bring good luck in Feng Shui and Vastu Shastra include lucky bamboo, money tree, jade plant, pothos, snake plant, peace lily and holy basil. They are thought … 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 >>
You water a pothos on the windowsill and a line of small brown ants scrambles out of the soil and up the side of the pot. If you are searching for how to get rid of ants in a houseplant, the fix is usually simple once you know why they moved in. The short version: … Read more >>
Your prayer plant’s leaves, usually flat and painted with red veins, are rolling inward along the edges or curling into tubes. If you’re wondering why your prayer plant leaves are curling, the answer usually comes down to water, air, or light, and most cases can be fixed. The short version: Prayer plants curl their leaves … Read more >>