The Gardners Path

Hey guys, Here I want to share 10 tips on planting and caring for succulents. And this information is going to be geared a little bit more toward beginners, so kind of succulents one on one. And I know that there are a lot of different ways to do things and there are a lot of great tips out there but the things. Here, I'm going to share with you those things that I think helped me the most especially in the beginning. So I'm really hoping that after reading this you feel inspired and encouraged to go try planting succulents yourself. Tips on Planting And Caring for Succulents Choose a Container So the first tip is to choose a container with drainage basically anything with a hole in the bottom that way water has a chance to escape in that pool, which can cause your plant to rot.  Recommended Pot for Succulents , you can buy it from amazon . Soil The second tip is to use soil specifically blended for cactus and succulents because they prefer a soil that's lighter, faster dra...

Growing plants from cuttings are one of the most straightforward ways to start your own garden without a struggle. Plants grown from cuttings are accurate clones of the parent plant, so you have a complete idea of what you are growing. Generally, growing plants from the seeds is a long process, this is the reason why many gardeners prefer to grow new plants from cuttings.  In picking a place to grow your herbs, keep in mind that they need a good four to six hours of sun daily. There are many herbs that you can grow to enhance your cooking. When you plant a kitchen garden, don’t only plant the herbs you know, take a chance on something else. You might just be surprised. So, if you are ready to grow plants and herbs from cuttings, here is a list of plants and herbs you can start from cuttings. Sage The best way to regrow sage is by cuttings from a garden in the fall and repots it in spring. You can easily place the cuttings in water until they form roots, and then transplant them int...

Cilantro is a great herb addition to any outdoor garden. Not only is it a relatively easy plant to grow outdoors, but it actually boasts two herbs for the price of one. The name cilantro refers to the plant's green stems and flat leaves (which are best eaten fresh) while its other common name, coriander, refers to the seeds, which are used as a common cooking spice, especially in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Asian cuisines. Cilantro is best planted in the early spring and will grow quickly throughout the summer, often yielding its first harvest of leaves within 30 days. Its seeds will be ready for harvest closer to three months from planting. History of Cilantro (Coriander) Cilantro has been used for many centuries in the cooking of Mexico, India, Africa, Spain, Russia, China, many areas of Asia - especially Thailand, and the Middle East. It is thought to be native to North Africa or the Middle East. In addition to its many culinary uses, cilantro seeds were used medicinally, especi...

Growing celery from the base of the stalks is a fun, easy garden project that produces fast results. There are two ways to do it: using just water in a container or planting the base in potting soil. You might get more leaves than stalks when growing celery from its base, and your celery might not be as big as a store-bought bunch. However, there are great ways to use celery leaves in cooking. Not only is garden celery better-tasting than store-bought types, but also it’s less chemically laden. In cool spring and summer regions, plant celery in early spring. In warm spring and summer regions, plant celery in mid to late summer for harvest in late autumn or early winter. Think of them as an herb: They taste like mild celery and work well in soups, stews, and more; some people even use them as a substitute for cilantro. Here’s our advice on sowing, growing, and harvesting celery.  WHAT IS CELERY? Celery is considered both a vegetable and an herb belonging to the genus Apium and the f...

Botanical Name: Philodendron scandens Common Name: Philodendron Heartleaf, Sweetheart Vine If there were ever a plant that’s perfect for people who are terrible with plants, it’s the sweetheart or heartleaf philodendron. Not only are they easy to keep healthy but they come in a variety of beautiful shades and can be kept as cheerful, bushy plants or graceful trailers. Heartleaf philodendron is a popular house plant because it is extremely easy to grow. The Philodendron Heartleaf is a fast-growing, easy, vining plant. Its graceful, heart-shaped leaves are dark and glossy green in color but almost look transparent at times. Native to Africa and the Canary Islands, the Heartleaf can be grown as a trailer or climber. This full, trailing plant is perfect on top of bookshelves or in a plant hanger where its vines can ‘spill’ out. The Philodendron Heartleaf is incredibly forgiving and will tolerate all kinds of neglect including low light, poor soil, and inconsistent watering. This is a gre...

Hoya Carnosa is also commonly referred to as a wax plant due to its thick, you guessed it, wax-like leaves. A tricolor Hoya Carnosa is recognizable by the color of these waxy leaves. Green, white and pink, this variety of hoya has pink stems that branch out into colorful leaves. Wax plants have beautiful, long slender stems covered with thick, glossy, succulent leaves. It is popular as a houseplant due to its attractive foliage and clusters of sweet-scented, star-shaped pink-white flowers. Wax plants are found vining along with trees and cascading out of available crevices. Owing to their epiphytic nature they have the ability to draw nutrients and moisture out of the warm damp jungle air. These are truly majestic houseplants that are a must-have for any plant collection. Height 2m indoors and 6m in its natural habitat. Soil Chose a well-draining soil mix for this Hoya as you would for most other houseplants. If you mix your soil on your own use a combination of peat moss, vermiculite,...

Orchids, also known as Orchidaceae, are one of the most beautiful flowers around due to their large, long-lasting blooms and crisp colors. They can be found in white, pink, magenta, purple, and yellow hues. Orchids symbolize fertility, elegance, and love. Orchids are some of the most commonly grown houseplants. Provided they have proper growing conditions, it isn’t difficult to learn how to take care of orchid plants. If you are new to the world of orchids, don't be afraid of them. Many orchids can be easy to grow if you take some time to learn what they need. One of the most popular types of orchids is the moth orchid or phalaenopsis. This variety blooms one to two times a year and the flowers last from two to three months. Other popular types of orchids are dendrobium and oncidium, which bloom one to two times a year and have flowers that last a little over a month. Orchid Growing Tips There are more than 20,000 types of orchids around the world, and their growth is dependant on ...

Dracaena marginata, more commonly known as a dragon tree, is an attractive plant with green sword-like, red-edged leaves. It makes a big impact as an indoor plant and well suited for offices and homes. They grow to be tall trees that aren't just visually stunning in a space, they also remove harmful chemicals from the air. Dracaena marginata plants can be used as table plants, but they are especially impressive as tall trees with multiple canes and hundreds of long, thin, green leaves trimmed in dark red. The canes are often thick, twisted, and woody, making them a desirable and expensive “specimen” plant. NASA lists a Dracaena marginata is an excellent plant for removing harmful chemicals from the air. Dracaena marginata is a low-maintenance plant that can last for years. It prefers a bright or lightly shaded spot but will also tolerate lower light levels. It likes moist compost but is tolerant of erratic watering. Wipe the leaves occasionally to keep them dust-free and shiny, pul...

 Oxalis Triangularis Overview Oxalis triangularis is often referred to as "purple shamrocks. Oxalis triangularis are not Irish natives; however – instead, they hail from Brazil. Oxalis is a variety of the wood sorrel group and is well known for being an invasive weed in most gardens. However, some types of Oxalis are perfectly well behaved and don't spread all over the places, such as the Oxalis Triangularis. Oxalis are excellent houseplants because they come in a range of colors and sizes. They are SO prolific that they are considered to be weeds to greenhouse growers and gardeners. Some would go through a dormant phase in the winter if they were kept as a houseplant.  The striking purple leaves stand out amongst green indoor plants, and it's also photophilic, which mean that the leaves open and close in response to light. At night the leaves fold down, and during the day, they will open up.  Flowering Many small trumpet-shaped blooms sitting over the leaves arrive durin...

Aphelandra squarrosa, known more commonly as the Zebra plant, is a tropical plant originally from Brazil. Typically grown indoors, it's lauded for its unique dark leaves that are striped with white veins, as well as its colorful flowers. The leaves are large and waxy in a base color of dark green with contrasting creamy white veins, making it easy to see where this plant. This attractive houseplant is grown for its unusual foliage, along with its striking flowers. It can be quite a challenge to encourage the flowers to bloom, (which usually happens in late summer or early autumn) but when they do they are a sight to behold in startling yellow. Like many tropical plants, the Zebra plant can be a challenge to grow indoors, especially in temperate areas. It requires a lot of moisture, warmth, and food to thrive, and indoor conditions are not always naturally conducive to the plant. Still, with the right care and attention, a Zebra plant can thrive for several months. Zebra Plant Care ...

Sansevieria trifasciata (also known as the Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law's Tongue) is one of the most popular and hardy species of houseplants. This succulent plant is very forgiving and perfect for beginners. Sansevierias have several names: Snake Plant, Mother In Law Tongue, Bowstring Hemp Plant, or Devil’s Tongue. They are some of the easiest and most beautiful plants to grow,  Sansevieria plants are great for indoors and mild climates outdoors.  Native to southern Africa, snake plants are well adapted to conditions similar to those in southern regions of the United States. Because of this, they may be grown outdoors for part of all of the year in USDA zones 8 and warmer. However, they spread by sending out underground runners and may become invasive, so treat snake plants like you would bamboo; plant it only in contained areas or pots. SNAKE PLANT PROPAGATION Learning how to propagate snake plants is easy. It’s true that too much water can kill your plant, but rooting a sna...

Avocados are one of the wonderful fruits of summer. High in nutrition and flavor, nothing signals the start of summer like a zesty lime guacamole dip with tortilla chips. The next time you’re making guacamole or slicing an avocado for a salad, try saving your pits to grow into avocado trees. If you’ve been trying to root avocado seeds by suspending them over a glass of water with toothpicks, there is an easier way. I’ll show you a no-fuss way to root avocado pits to create new houseplants. It’s surprisingly easy to grow your own avocado tree from seed, and it makes a great educational project for homes and classrooms.  I recommend this method because it takes little effort and shows you exactly which seeds will germinate before planting them in pots. Growing an avocado from a pit starts with sprouting. The only skill you need to coax that hard avocado seed (aka the pit) to crack is patience — because it usually takes six to eight weeks to get a sprout. REMOVE & CLEAN PIT You’ll...

Who doesn’t love summer? Long days, warm nights, a time to take it easy.  We’re also drinking plenty more water and slathering on the SPF. But sometimes the summer heat can be a little overwhelming. It’s the same for your indoor plants. Even when they are in an air-conditioned office, your indoor plants can suffer from the negative effects of summer heat and humidity. Did you know plants, like people, can suffer from dehydration and sunburn? Like spring, summer is a growth season for houseplants. Adjusting water, light, and potentially switching their scenery can help our plants have the best summer ever. Don’t let your plants sweat it out this summer. Check out our summer indoor plant care tips. Keep growing conditions cool Your indoor plants are a lot like you. They don’t like it when things heat up indoors during the summer. Even if you have air conditioning, there are spots in your home or office that are hard to cool down. Make sure your plants aren’t sweating it out. Move the...

What if I told you that the devil’s ivy plant was given that name because it’s nearly impossible to kill? The Golden Pothos, or the Epipremnum aureum, is native to Southeast Asia. It has the reputation of being one of the easiest houseplants to take care of. Its common name, Pothos, comes from the genus is was once classified under Pothos aureus. The Golden Pothos is known for its heart-shaped green leaves with variegation in yellow. In the wild, it is known to overgrow forest floors and tree trunks due to its aerial root system. In good indoor conditions, you can expect the Golden Pothos to trail to 10 feet long or more. If a moss pole or other type of support is provided, the devil’s ivy plant will create a beautiful climbing houseplant. The Pothos is particularly fitting for indoor settings because it is able to filter gaseous toxins like formaldehyde from the air. Devil’s Ivy: hanging or climbing plant? Due to its trailing and climbing qualities, the plant can be sold as either a h...

In addition to the satisfaction of cheating the seasons, these herbs make for frugal gardening, since you can start them from seeds rather than buying transplants. Here are five recommended herbs that are ideal for planting outdoors from seeds in early spring. Here is a list of herbs you can grow in April. Basil Chives Coriander Dill Parsley Basil As much as you hear about basil loving the heat (which is very true), it may surprise you that basil does best if started as seeds indoors (6 to 8 weeks before the last frost) and then transplanted outside when the weather permits. In fall, you can take root cuttings and transplant them into indoor pots and continue growing the herb through the winter. Basil will grow best in a location that gets 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, though it can perform well in partial sun, too. Soil should be moist but well-drained. Basil works great in containers or raised beds, as these allow for better drainage. Basil is normally grown as an annual in USDA Gr...

There are a few spices that grow well in containers right at home, and ginger happens to be one of them. Popular in tasty Asian dishes and in many favorite baked treats, ginger adds zingy flavor to culinary delights of all sorts. And, ginger is super easy to grow in a container. In fact, it’s so easy to grow; you may not be able to stop yourself from running out today to get this simple gardening project started. You can have fresh ginger available to add to your own recipes in no time flat. Ginger has been a useful plant since before historical records even began. It’s believed to originate in India. It’s been a popular spice on the worldwide scale, second only to pepper, throughout time. Moreover, this plant is known for its medicinal properties, having antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. This plant, so appreciated around the world can easily be grown in pots. Here’s how to do this. You need: – fresh ginger root (you find it in supermarkets) – pot – topsoil Ginger r...

Houseplants make a dramatic difference in our decor. They add colour, vibrancy, and life to our homes. Do you love using houseplants in your decor too? These strange and beautiful houseplants are a sight to behold.  Houseplants help you to breathe easier too as they release oxygen. During the night, photosynthesis ceases, and plants typically respire like humans – they absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide – isn’t nature amazing? Essentially, they help purify the air too!  Here’s a list of some strange and yet beautiful houseplants for you to enjoy.  1. Trachyandra Trachyandra is a genus of plants similar to Albuca and is native to South Africa. It features a curly squiggly branch and reminds me of curly pasta! Each branch is unique and has perfect symmetry. I can see bunches of them in a huge pot on my windowsill! You can also feature just one plant in a little pot too – perfect to perk up your bathroom!  2. Dolphin Succulents  The internet is on fire becaus...