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 [...]
Mail Call!
Dear Ivy,
I have Over watered my bromeliad, What can I do? The leaves are turning brown on the ends and Have spots on them. Please help I love this plant!
-Brown Betty
Dear Betty!
Cease and desist! Bromeliads evoke images of steamy jungles and high rainfall, so most people feel the strong urge to water them constantly. In [...]
What Are These White Spots?
Question: What are the white spots on my trailing ivy?
Answer: Well, they could be lots of things… A really great thing to do would be to invest in a magnifying glass (I use the word “invest” here loosely, since magnifying glasses can be bought most anywhere and are pretty cheap). It is underestimated how helpful [...]
Reader Mail!-
For Ivy,
I am getting ready to buy large plants for an outdoor patio. The patio gets
sun from around 9:00 to 3:00. I then want to be able to bring them indoors
for the winter. Any recommendations for types?
-Musing in Massachusetts
Dear Musing,
Congratulations, it sounds like you have a full sun patio! Lots of gardeners struggle with lack [...]
Brown thumbs rejoice!
I’ve found the world’s most fool-proof plant.
I came across a basket at my last sojourn to the greenhouse at my favorite local nursery. It was filled with a mass of fuzzy, spiky balls. “Air Plants 3 for ten dollars” the sign said.
Tillandsia!
My favorite epiphytic bromeliad!
These plants are great. If you have ever wanted to get [...]