5 Fantastic House Plants for First Timers
By Justin Hancock, Costa Farms garden expert
Photographs courtesy of Costa Farms
Start here if you want to start growing house plants successfully.
There are so many reasons to grow house plants: They’re stylish. They make us healthier. They’re inexpensive home décor items. But there are also some misperceptions, including that they’re a lot of work and that they die easily. So if you’re new to houseplants, or want to try again, start here.
Tip: Fertilizing houseplants helps keep them lush and healthy, but the truth is that many will survive without fertilizer for a couple of years. If you do want to feed, the best times are spring and summer. Use any general-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Tip: One way to gauge low light is by if there’s enough brightness for you to read a book or magazine most of the day without having to add supplemental lighting. If there’s not enough light for you to read by throughout the day, it’s best to supplement your plants with artificial light.
Tip: All houseplants will drop old leaves as they age. Don’t be alarmed if your plants develop a yellow leaf periodically. It’s more of a warning sign when you see several leaves start to yellow and drop at the same time.
Tip: Not all soil is equal. Houseplants don’t like garden soil. If you repot your plants, be sure the product you use is labeled potting mix or potting soil and has been designed for plants in pots.
Tip: Though it might go against what you think, more houseplants die from too much water than not enough. If you’re unsure whether you should add a splash of water, probe the potting mix with your finger. If you detect moisture an inch or two down, there’s no need to water. Don’t want to get your finger dirty? Invest in an inexpensive moisture meter!
For more information, go to costafarms.com.
By Justin Hancock, Costa Farms garden expert
Photographs courtesy of Costa Farms
Start here if you want to start growing house plants successfully.
There are so many reasons to grow house plants: They’re stylish. They make us healthier. They’re inexpensive home décor items. But there are also some misperceptions, including that they’re a lot of work and that they die easily. So if you’re new to houseplants, or want to try again, start here.
Chinese Evergreen
You might not think a plant native to the jungles of southeast Asia would be so easy, but this tropical jewel is. Chinese evergreen is a slow grower that features fantastically patterned leaves that show off shades of green and silver. It thrives in low, medium, or bright light and doesn’t mind the low-humidity conditions found in many homes with forced-air heating. And when it comes to watering, Chinese evergreen doesn’t mind if you’re not consistent; it can survive a few weeks without water if necessary.Tip: Fertilizing houseplants helps keep them lush and healthy, but the truth is that many will survive without fertilizer for a couple of years. If you do want to feed, the best times are spring and summer. Use any general-purpose houseplant fertilizer.
Ponytail Palm
Hailing from hot, dry areas of Mexico, ponytail palm is actually a small, very-slow-growing tree that has a thick bonsai-like trunk topped by a festive cluster of grassy leaves. That trunk stores water, allowing ponytail palm to go a few weeks without water if necessary. Ponytail palm grows best in high light, but doesn’t mind low or medium light.Tip: One way to gauge low light is by if there’s enough brightness for you to read a book or magazine most of the day without having to add supplemental lighting. If there’s not enough light for you to read by throughout the day, it’s best to supplement your plants with artificial light.
Sago Palm
Sago palm is as much a stylish, easy-care houseplant as it is a piece of history because this plant is relatively unchanged since it grew in prehistoric times with the dinosaurs! If it’s survived millions of years, you can bet it’s easy to grow. Like ponytail palm, sago palm grows best in bright light, but doesn’t mind medium or low light. It doesn’t need a lot of water to get by; watering once a week or two is usually sufficient.Tip: All houseplants will drop old leaves as they age. Don’t be alarmed if your plants develop a yellow leaf periodically. It’s more of a warning sign when you see several leaves start to yellow and drop at the same time.
Snake Plant
An old-school houseplant that’s held up to the test of time, snake plant has a decidedly modern appearance and no-fuss nature. High-light, medium-light, and low-light are all just fine for snake plant, and it’s just as tolerant of irregular watering as it is what kind of light it’s in. Forget to water it for a few weeks or are travelling? No worries: Snake plant doesn’t mind.Tip: Not all soil is equal. Houseplants don’t like garden soil. If you repot your plants, be sure the product you use is labeled potting mix or potting soil and has been designed for plants in pots.
ZZ Plant
Think ZZ plant looks like plastic? You might also think it grows like a plastic plant! Able to store water in its thick stems, ZZ plant doesn’t care if it’s a little dry. The plant takes the same attitude toward light; low, medium, or high are all good.Tip: Though it might go against what you think, more houseplants die from too much water than not enough. If you’re unsure whether you should add a splash of water, probe the potting mix with your finger. If you detect moisture an inch or two down, there’s no need to water. Don’t want to get your finger dirty? Invest in an inexpensive moisture meter!
For more information, go to costafarms.com.
[size=undefined]All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
Article URL:
http://www.GardenSMART.com/?p=articles&title=5_Fantastic_House_Plants_for_First_Timers[/size]
Article URL:
http://www.GardenSMART.com/?p=articles&title=5_Fantastic_House_Plants_for_First_Timers[/size]
Today at 10:26 am by Rocky
» Kuwait is drilling an oil well near Umm Qasr, towards Iraqi territory
Today at 10:24 am by Rocky
» In the document... the first Iraqi ministry identifies the obstacles to changing the new official wo
Today at 10:22 am by Rocky
» Italian Institute: Iraq is stuck in its own crises, including Baghdad’s efforts to undermine the “au
Today at 10:21 am by Rocky
» The head of the Integrity Commission announces the holding of an international Interpol conference i
Today at 10:18 am by Rocky
» Planning: Iraqi companies are not efficient in conducting the population census
Today at 10:14 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/24/24 Support - USA- Turkey - Timing- Currency Value - Tabled
Today at 8:08 am by Rocky
» MM&C 4/25/24 National Bank of Iraq goes live with Temenos core banking and payments
Today at 8:06 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/26/24 Iraqi Dinar - US Treasury Exchange Rates- Focus - Banking Partnerships - Rate C
Today at 8:06 am by Rocky
» A banking official indicates a "danger" to Iraq by depriving more than half of its banks of dollars
Today at 7:55 am by Rocky
» With the participation of the Association of Private Banks, investment opportunities are on the tabl
Today at 7:45 am by Rocky
» Within a month... an Iranian border crossing recorded a noticeable increase in exports of goods to I
Today at 7:44 am by Rocky
» The Association of Private Banks appreciates the efforts of the government and the Central Bank to c
Today at 7:43 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki's coalition presents a third candidate for the position of governor of Diyala
Today at 6:57 am by Rocky
» Arab gathering: The Kirkuk problem is getting complicated and the Sudanese must intervene
Today at 6:56 am by Rocky
» Next week.. a Kurdish delegation will visit Baghdad to meet with the Minister of Finance
Today at 6:54 am by Rocky
» Under the pretext of salaries... Al-Party refrains from handing over port revenues to Baghdad
Today at 6:53 am by Rocky
» Association of Banks: For the first time, we are witnessing a clear targeting of depriving half of t
Today at 6:51 am by Rocky
» Parliament does not know the reason for the delay in sending the 2024 budget schedules: Voting takes
Today at 6:49 am by Rocky
» Applicants for the 2024 Hajj are demanding that the Central Bank secure the dollar for them through
Today at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Governmental and private banks will showcase their services tomorrow during Financial Inclusion Week
Today at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Iraq's oil exports rise despite OPEC+ cuts
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» A study explodes a "surprise"... Iraq is among the countries that export oil to "Israel": How is the
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Al-Araji emphasizes working to strengthen national identity
Today at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani visits Saudi Arabia to participate in the World Economic Forum in Riyadh
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Iraq is talking about producing one million additional liters of gasoline
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers approves the implementation of the Baghdad Metro project
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Minister of Commerce: We formed a joint economic committee with Türkiye
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Resources: Government measures have contributed to improving the water situation in Iraq
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Finance: Baghdad will continue to send salaries to the region’s employees until settle
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» A parliamentarian describes the corruption of Iraqi ports as “ghouls” and reveals the involvement of
Today at 4:49 am by Rocky
» Obelisk Hour: Basra is the subject of political conflict and ambiguity over the fate of the funds al
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» Turkmen leader: An agreement on the local government of Kirkuk is near
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Anbar calls for the operation of its factories despite financial obstacles
Today at 4:44 am by Rocky
» Turki: The crisis of the Presidency of Parliament prompted the Sunnis to amend the Council’s interna
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» The Agriculture Committee confirms the existence of Iraqi-Turkish-Iranian discussions on water
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Resources diagnose the challenges facing the water file in Iraq
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Parliament pledges to the Interior Ministry: We will transfer money to buy weapons from citizens
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» Al-Issawi is the closest.. Parliament sets the date for deciding the choice of the new president
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Deputy: Iraq's investments have risen and need a comprehensive review of previous years
Today at 4:30 am by Rocky
» Iraqis consume 7 billion eggs annually and import about $900 million
Today at 4:28 am by Rocky
» The Iranian role complicates attempts at open cooperation between Iraq and Turkey. Turkey is trying
Today at 4:26 am by Rocky
» Move in Iran to obtain $242 billion from Iraq in compensation for the eight-year war
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» 12 decisions from the Council of Ministers regarding the Baghdad Metro and Najaf-Karbala train proje
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» Sudanese Advisor: The path to development has begun... the Baka and the militias “we silence them wi
Today at 4:21 am by Rocky
» Not from Kurdistan.. How did Iraq become a source of oil for “Israeli tanks”?
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Agriculture criticizes the Sudanese and Erdogan agreement: Türkiye will control water
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government issues new decisions
Yesterday at 2:35 pm by Rocky
» The story of “reduced oil” to Jordan, from “compulsion” to mutual benefit.. Is there a loss?
Yesterday at 2:33 pm by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers takes 12 decisions for the Baghdad Metro and the Najaf-Karbala train
Yesterday at 2:32 pm by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/23/24 Iraqi Dinar - IQD Update - Development Road Project - Saviour of Global Banking
Yesterday at 10:18 am by Rocky
» Kidney from pig transplanted into deathly ill New Jersey woman — and begins working almost immediat
Yesterday at 10:15 am by Bama Diva
» The most difficult option.. Warnings of the danger of floating the Iraqi dinar without achieving an
Yesterday at 9:48 am by Rocky
» Trade from the “Economic Committee” with Türkiye: It will overcome all obstacles facing the traders
Yesterday at 9:46 am by Rocky
» Washington's hope for stable relations with Baghdad clashes with Iraqi parties' rejection of the Ame
Yesterday at 9:41 am by Rocky
» Karim Badr: Development is America’s will to kill silk
Yesterday at 9:36 am by Rocky
» Oil: Opening of a new port for liquid gas for vehicles in Baghdad
Yesterday at 9:33 am by Rocky
» A media advisor warns of corruption in a draft law on the Parliament’s agenda
Yesterday at 9:21 am by Rocky
» Economist: There is serious work to lift US sanctions on Iraqi banks
Yesterday at 9:16 am by Rocky
» Will the agreements signed with the US Treasury reflect positively on the exchange rates?
Yesterday at 7:52 am by Rocky
» Iraq continues its quest to join the World Trade Organization
Yesterday at 7:51 am by Rocky
» Iraq completes the completion of the files for the initial offer of goods and services to join the W
Yesterday at 7:50 am by Rocky
» Economist: Travelers' dollars are leaking into the parallel market...and this is what the Central Ba
Yesterday at 7:32 am by Rocky
» President of the Federal Court: It is not permissible to force anyone to join any party, and the pol
Yesterday at 7:30 am by Rocky
» The Council of Ministers holds its session headed by Al-Sudani
Yesterday at 7:27 am by Rocky
» America weakens Baghdad...and increases Kurdistan's military capabilities
Yesterday at 7:26 am by Rocky
» The Iraqi government plans to build 10,000 schools throughout the country
Yesterday at 7:23 am by Rocky
» American threats close the Iraqi Stock Exchange at a loss
Yesterday at 7:21 am by Rocky
» Increase in external transfers at the Central Bank
Yesterday at 7:20 am by Rocky
» Al-Maliki calls on Britain to cancel restrictions on the entry of its companies into Iraq
Yesterday at 7:18 am by Rocky
» Planning and the European Union are discussing signing a number of agreements in the development, en
Yesterday at 7:16 am by Rocky
» Parliament talks about the mechanism for recovering smuggled funds and hints at the next stage
Yesterday at 7:13 am by Rocky
» Interior Ministry: The number of completed national cards reached 37 million cards
Yesterday at 7:06 am by Rocky
» Amnesty International: Violations of freedom and human rights continue in Iraq and the Kurdistan Reg
Yesterday at 7:04 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Oil: The government is proceeding with the decision to raise the price of improved gas
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary committee in Basra to investigate violations of the port company and the local gover
Yesterday at 7:00 am by Rocky
» Revealing the 10 most important American exports to Iraq
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» A noticeable increase in the rate of Iraq's import of Chinese cooling devices
Yesterday at 5:30 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: Working on projects without completing the infrastructure is a waste of money
Yesterday at 5:28 am by Rocky
» Iraq.. Extending the deadline for registration procedures on plots of land
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» What is the main purpose of conducting the population census in Iraq?
Yesterday at 5:25 am by Rocky
» A plan to transform Iraq from a barren land to green with 5 million trees
Yesterday at 5:24 am by Rocky
» The Housing Fund announces the acceptance of more than 11 thousand loans through the Ur platform
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» The Bank of Baghdad is moving to increase its capital to 400 billion dinars
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» The electronic payment system will soon be adopted on Iraqi buses
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» “It threatens our interests and destroys our economy.” An Iraqi project “irritates” the Kuwaiti stre
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Warning from the Central Bank about “misuse of electronic payment cards”
Yesterday at 5:17 am by Rocky
» Iraq and the Sultanate of Oman are discussing sending capacities through the Gulf countries
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» The fact that a decision was issued to deport Syrian workers from Iraq
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Rice comes first... America exports 10 foodstuffs worth more than 350 million dollars to Iraq
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» A sixth licensing round for gas exploration
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Baghdad is preparing to host the 50th session of the Arab Labor Conference
Yesterday at 5:11 am by Rocky
» Scientific symposium on the future vision of the tripartite budget
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Five conversion power stations enter service in Najaf
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» Planning: Conduct a population census next November
Yesterday at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Experts: Spreading misleading information harms development and investment
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Economists call for tightening money laundering laws and port controls
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Today's newspapers are interested in Sudanese's visit to Anbar Governorate and preparations for cond
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Iraq and Russia discuss cooperation between the two countries in the field of information and artifi
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky