How Well Do You Know
Your House Plants?

Have you ever despaired over crispy ivy? Or wondered what it takes to get a cactus to bloom?

House plants can seem like a mystery if you don't know how to care for them.

With information now at your fingertips, it's easy to find out about your plant, discover what it needs, and get the most out of it.

I promise you'll be rewarded with a healthy, thriving plant that's a source of pride and joy for years to come.

Everything you need is here in this
user-friendly house plant guide:

• House plant care tips that will make your plant thrive like never before.


• Suggestions for easy house plants -- including 10 House Plants You Can't Kill.


• Need help identifying house plants? Encyclopedia A-Z with pictures makes it easy.


• Check out Pests and Diseases and find out what to do about spider mites, fungus, powdery mildew, aphids and other things that are bugging your plants.


• Take a look at this list of poisonous house plants and keep your family and pets safe.


• Bring the beauty of the tropics to you. Enjoy these tropical house plants at home.

What's Hot

Hang 'em High

Fuchsias bring on a burst of vibrant color like few other plants can.

Their graceful cascading habit, with long, pendent ruffled blooms seem custom-made for hanging baskets.

Shade them from hot, direct sun. You'll keep these shady bloomers happy with dappled sunlight and moist soil. Pot your fuchsia in a basket with drainage holes and soak it well -- and often -- if you put it outdoors. Get care tips for fuchsias and keep them blooming all season.

Want more hanging basket ideas? Take a look at these hanging basket plants and add cheer to your home from summer till fall.

Spring Checklist

1. Prune. Pruning long vines will help them to branch out, creating a fuller plant. Got a plant that's getting too big? Some can be lopped off without harming them, some can't. Look up your plant in the house plants encyclopedia to find out if, when and how to prune your plant.



2. Clean leaves. Give plants the light they need to grow by removing built-up dust on foliage. Cleaning also helps to get rid of insect eggs. Use a damp cloth to gently wipe off leaves, top and bottom. Fine foliage (like Boston fern fronds) are difficult to wipe clean, so just spray them with tepid water to remove dust.



3. Repot. Spring is the best time to repot most plants because they're starting their most vigorous time of growth. If roots are growing out of the container's drainage holes, give them a bit more space. Follow these steps for repotting house plants.



4. Check for bugs. Look over plant stems and leaves at least once a week. Check under leaves, too (a favorite hiding place for tiny critters). Take a look at house plant pests to identify common insects and find out how to get rid of them.



5. Tidy up. Cut off any dead leaves or flowers. They not only look unsightly, they can attract mold and insects. Cutting off spent flowers encourages more blooms.



6. Flush out salts. Get rid of white, crusty build-up on the potting mix by slowly pouring tepid water over the potting mix. Allow water to run through the pot, then pour more water. Empty drainage tray. You can skip this task if you're repotting.



7. Feed your plant. Increased daylight will make indoor plants grow faster. If you stopped fertilizing your plants for the winter, it's time to start again.

Office Plants

Did you know that office plants are good for you?

Okay, they won't bring your coffee, but they will boost your mood and create an instant garden ambience right there on your desk. Many of them even clean the air.

Check these out. It's never been easier to find a few good candidates to share your office space.