Care & Maintenance

Adored for their fragrant, waxy flowers, gardenias can be a snap to grow in and out of the garden – as long as you know the tricks to their culture and care.

Jade plants are tough, easy-to-care-for houseplants that work well as tabletop decor or can be allowed to grow large enough to become floor specimens. Here’s a look at how to care for this indoor succulent, as well as a few tips for propagating it.

As long as you’re stuck indoors, you might as well keep your green thumb active and your houseplants happy. Learn some easy tips to giving indoor plants extra care – so when you return to your outdoor gardening adventures, your houseplants are prepared to survive a season of neglect.

Keeping a constant eye out for – and properly identifying – houseplant pests can go a long way in maintaining the beauty of your living décor. Here’s a look at some of the most common indoor pests on plants, the damage they can cause and a few remedies to try.

To water, or not to water…it’s a burning question, but we’ve got the answer. Learn how to assess the thirst level of your houseplants to keep them happy and healthy.

Keeping a constant eye out for – and properly identifying – houseplant diseases will go a long way in maintaining the beauty of your living décor. Learn the difference between fungal diseases and plant viruses, as well as the signs, causes and remedies for these houseplant problems.

Those brown margins on your houseplants’ leaves may be a hint that something’s wrong with the water you feed them with: Chances are it’s got too much salt. And just like with people, too much salt can be bad for a plant’s health.

Learn2Grow asked our newsletter readers to pose midwinter houseplant questions to our plant doctors. Here are some of your common questions – and our answers – to help you gain green-thumb success with your indoor beauties.

Many indoor plants make great additions to outdoor planters. If you’re tired of the same old, same old with annuals, why not add new interest to the mix with some tried-and-true houseplants?

It’s fall, and if you’ve got plants that enjoyed a nice outdoors summer vacation, it’s time to bring them back indoors. Make their transition easier with some helpful tips!

Keeping your living décor healthy and beautiful requires upkeep and care. If your houseplants aren’t looking their best, inspect them closely and use their clues – along with the following chart – to help keep your indoor garden alive and well.

Although few houseplants need regular pruning, many require some form of pinching. And if your houseplant suffers from dead, damaged or diseased wood, pruning is a must. Learn the easy steps to pruning and pinching houseplants to keep them looking their shapely best.

Houseplants generally need the most fertilizing in spring and summer, when they’re likely to be growing rapidly. Learn why feeding your houseplants is so important, as well as a step-by-step demonstration on two common techniques used for applying houseplant fertilizer.

Everyone enjoys a summer vacation – so do your houseplants. Follow these simple steps to help your indoor plants get the most out of the great outdoors. (They may not send you a postcard, but they’ll bring you back a great souvenir – lush growth!)

Putting your houseplants on a watering schedule might seem like a good idea, but the best practice is to only water when they need it. Get to know your plants better by determining their water needs – and learn the deep-watering trick to keeping them well-hydrated and healthy.

Your plants don’t like the cold any more than you do. Learn how to give your indoor garden a little extra winter plant care by adjusting the temperature, humidity, light, water and fertilizer they’re exposed to. You – and your winter houseplants – will be glad you did!