New Additions
I like to frequent the “distressed plant shelf” at my local home and garden center. This is where all the wilted, neglected plants are put when they no longer appear well enough to sell at full price. House plants can be expensive. I usually try to clone mine in order to propagate them, but sometimes [...]
ZZ Emergency
Dear Ivy,
I had 2 very healthy ZZ plants (several branches over 2 feet long), that I left outside for a few weeks in the Sydney winter. They were in a dry spot but when I brought them in side, most branches died off, lost their leaves and even fell off the plant; one has [...]
Give your plants a bath!
When the heat gets to be too much, set your plants in a few inches of water. This will allow them to fully absorb all the liquid they can hold, without you having to worry about over or under watering. You can spray or mist the top of the plant and get all the dust [...]
Plants in any place
Recently I was talking to a friend. She lamented that she wanted houseplants, but didn’t have anywhere to put them. She thought she would have to wait until she moved to a new home.
Never say never! I excitedly told her she could create a good environment for a plant anywhere in her home where she [...]
Getting Out of the House
Dear Ivy,
Can I put my indoor plants outside for the Summer?
-Hesitant Harriet
Dear Harriet,
Don’t hesitate! Your indoor plants will love the fresh air, sunshine and rain water that mother nature can provide for them! I put as many plants outside as I can in the warm months.
The two potted plants are Dracaena and the hanging plant [...]
Drooping Hens
Dear Ivy,
What does it mean when the leaves on my hen droop?
-Ms. Dangle
Dear Dangle,
I believe you might be referring to Hens and Chicks, more formally known as Sempervivum Tectorum. I’m pretty sure sempervivum means always alive, which is apt for this plant. It’s one of the very rare plants where you can set it and [...]
Dear Ivy,
Is Zanzibar Gem toxic?
-Frettin’ Freddy
Dear Freddy,
Unfortunately, yes, this beautiful African native is poisonous if you eat it. All parts of the plant are. From the glossy gem-green leaves down the tubular stems to the potato-like water storage organ above the roots. So keep it out of reach of pets and curious toddlers…
And no snacking!
-Ivy
Gem Dilemma
Dear Ivy,
My Zanzibar Gem looks healthy as the leaves are glossy, but recently I have noticed that the stalks of the plant have blotches all over them, almost like they are bruised or look like little wet patches (but it’s dry) I only water once a month. Any ideas what it might be and how [...]
Keeping Your Zanzibar Gem Zesty
Question: Why are leaves of zanzibar gem going yellow after transplanting?
Answer: There could be several reasons for this. My guess is that you may have over watered when you re-potted it. The Zanzibar Gem, also known as a ZZ plant, Latin name Zamioculcas Zamiifola, is a succulent that doesn’t appreciate being soaked. Most plants like [...]
Reader Mail: Hens and Chicks
Q: How often should I water my Mother Hen plant?
A: Rarely! This plant, also known as Hens and Chicks, is a desert succulent. It’s like to store water in it’s fleshy leaves, and let its roots dry out completely. The plant is so called because it sends off little round baby plants that look jut [...]