Kalanchoes are popular houseplants with low maintenance needs. The Florist Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana), also known as flaming Katy or Madagascar widow’s thrill, is the most grown. It blooms with brightly colored flowers in red, orange, yellow, and white. There are also many types of Kalanchoe grown for their attractive leaves. These include the attractive and…
Thanksgiving cactus is a beautiful plant that can brighten up any indoor space. True to its name, it blooms in late November typically around the Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S. The vibrant tubular flowers can be pink, red, orange, white, purple, and even yellow. The pendulous nature of this plant makes it perfect for hanging…
Hundreds of plants are out there, but only a few make a perfect pick for your bedroom decor. Before you get overwhelmed with choosing one, let’s introduce the snake plant and its benefits as a houseplant. Also known as mother-in-law’s tongue, the snake plant is a long-lived succulent with sword-like leaves colored in green, yellow,…
String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata) is one of the plants I’m completely obsessed with. This cutie has a very attractive leaf shape that makes it look like the shell of tiny turtles strung together. It’s an excellent choice for spaces like desktops and hanging baskets. But how do you go about planting and maintaining this…
What fascinates me about cacti is sometimes their strange-looking shapes. The unique design contributes to maximizing water storage and minimizing water loss through evaporation. Features like ribs, globules, and creases reduce surface area for water loss. As you know cacti are desert plants with adaptive features that make them survive dry conditions. Their fleshy stems…
Aloe vera plants are known to form rosettes that make them look beautiful. They are among the easiest succulents to grow, making them popular indoor plants. Aloe can tolerate a bit of neglect and harsh arid conditions. So, do aloe vera plants bloom? The short answer is yes. Aloe plants are known to produce flowers….
The split rock succulent (Pleiospilos nelii) also known as the cleft stone, living rock cactus or mimicry plant is one little plant that makes a gorgeous houseplant. I like it because it has low watering needs and a strong resistance against heat, pests and drought. True to its name, the split rock has a very…
I have always wondered what eats my cactus. In spite of thorns, it seems some animals use cacti plants for food and shelter. Many rodents, birds, and mammals rely on the flowers, fruits, and stems of cacti for survival. Cactus is also a great source of water for most desert organisms. For birds, cactus is…
The Easter cactus (Rhipsalidopsis gaertneri) is a beautiful plant that blooms in the spring near the Easter holiday. The prolific star-shaped flowers can last for weeks giving plenty of spring color. Flower colors range from white to red, orange, peach, lavender, and pink. Like its cousins, the Christmas and Thanksgiving cactus, this tropical cactus is…
Paddle plant (Kalanchoe thyrsiflora), also called flapjacks, dog tongue, or desert cabbage is an amazing succulent with large, fleshy, paddle-shaped leaves that stack one on top of the other like pancakes. It blooms in late winter to early spring with a tall flower forming at the center of the rosette. Native to South Africa, the…