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:

• Look up your plant in the Encyclopedia A-Z and find out how to care for it.


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


• 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 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

Windowsill Herb Garden

Fragrant herbs will thrive on a sunny kitchen windowsill. Choose a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight, giving the pots a quarter turn every day to expose all sides to light.

Wondering what to grow? Some good herbs for beginners include:

• sweet basil, a fast-growing annual you'll be harvesting before you know it.


• parsley, loaded with vitamins and minerals and easy to add to your favorite dishes.


• oregano, a favorite of cooks that adds a lot of flavor to Mediterranean meals.

Take a look at indoor herb gardens for more ideas on what to grow, plus all the how-tos for successfully growing herbs. Make it easy on yourself with an herb kit that takes away all the guesswork.

Is it Time to Repot?

Be honest. When was the last time you repotted your house plant? If you can't remember, chances are it's been a few years.

If the potting mix looks caked and light in color...if there is white, crusty stuff on the surface...if roots are coiled around the bottom of the pot or growing out the drainage holes...it's definitely time.

Relax, it's all easier than you think. Follow these steps for repotting house plants.

Fresh potting mix will rejuvenate a plant. Good quality mixes contain micronutrients and perlite that help feed and aerate the roots. And spring is the best time to repot most plants because they're starting their most vigorous time of growth. What are you waiting for?

3 Tips for a Greener Home

• Grow fresh air. Some plants do more than add beauty to a room -- they're efficient at removing air pollutants. Check out this list of house plants that clean the air. Add a few and they'll go to work, scrubbing toxins from indoor air.


• Catch the rain. Use a rainwater barrel to collect water for watering your house plants. Rainwater doesn't contain chemicals like tap water so it's good for your plants. Best of all, it's free!


• Use organic fertilizer. This organic fertilizer is easy to use and provides just the nutrients your indoor plants need for healthy growth. Good for your plants, good for the planet...what's not to love?

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.

Stay Up to Date

Guide-to-Houseplants.com is all about getting to know your indoor plants so you can bring out their best.

My hope is that it will give you an easy-to-use resource -- a place to turn when you need quick solutions, helpful how-tos, and maybe inspiration to grow something new.

Pages and tips are added all the time. Subscribe to my blog and you'll always be the first to know about new features, articles and updates.

Enjoy your visit!

Publisher, Guide-to-Houseplants.com