Look in old houseplant books and you’ll often find this succulent listed as mother-in-law’s tongue on account of its long, pointed leaves. These days it goes by the far more politically correct name of snake plant because of the shape of the leaves and snakeskin like markings that can be found on some varieties. Forming…
“Why is my houseplant dying?” Many houseplants live a long life, brightening up your home without ever giving cause for concern. However, it can be very worrying when a cherished plant starts to go down hill rapidly and there is no obvious reason for its decline. Fortunately, most plants will make a full recovery once…
There are various factors that have a big impact on houseplants but the big three are watering, temperature and of course, light. The amount a houseplant receives will make a big difference to its health, wellbeing and appearance. As a result, it’s best to ensure they are given a position that suits their requirements. The…
Devil’s Ivy or Golden Pothos? If ever a plant was going to have an identity crisis, it would be devil’s ivy. Apart from the common name I’ve just mentioned, it goes by the nicknames of golden pothos, Ceylon creeper and money plant. Its current botanical name is Epripremnum aureum but to older gardeners it was…
“How do I get rid of bugs on my houseplant?” There’s nothing worse than waking up one morning to find the leaves of your favourite foliage houseplant have been nibbled by a mysterious pest or that a flowering pot plant is starting to flag. Fortunately, indoor plants aren’t besieged by pests like their outdoor cousins,…
If you’re looking to create a lush, leafy, tropical effect indoors, then kentia palms can’t be beat. This tender palm produces masses of tall, slightly arching stems clothed with long, tapering leaflets. Forming an elegant clump of foliage, it enjoys a reputation for being attractive as well as bombproof. This lovely palm has been a…
When you buy new houseplants they will generally do well in the same container for months or even years, if they are particularly slow growing. However, all will eventually outgrow their pots and need moving into bigger ones to avoid a check in growth. If you’ve never re-potted houseplants, don’t worry, it’s super easy. Tell…
“Why are the leaves on my houseplant turning brown?” It’s a common concern for many owners of houseplants. You’ve just bought a stunning new plant, put it in your desired location and within a week or so, a leaf starts to turn brown and eventually falls off. Losing one leaf is bad enough, but before…
Most houseplants will need pruning at some point. It might be to improve its shape, encourage bushy growth or to keep a vigorous specimen from taking over a given position. On the other hand it might simply need dead, diseased or damaged growth removing – apart from the keeping a plant look tidy, this will…
Flick through the pages of old houseplant books and you’re unlikely to come across Zamioculcas zamiffolia, a dramatic plant with wand-like stalks that are clothed with thick, glossy leaves. In fact, it was almost impossible to find in the UK until the early noughties, when imports from the Netherlands landed in garden centres. Today, this…