How Not to Kill Your Houseplant: Survival Tips for the Horticulturally Challenged

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Air Plants, Cacti, Sansevieria and the ZZ Plants are just a few that will be happy with infrequent watering. Just like Senecio rowleanus, this highly decorative, easy-to-grow species is a native of south-west Africa and relishes the warm, bright, sheltered position that it's been given, as does a fleshy, spiky agave (a nameless gift) that grows in a pot on the nearby windowsill.

You might be gushing about how adorable your chunky little cactus looks in its new home next to your couch.Like the very best kinds of houseplants, all three have thrived on a regime of benign neglect, a minimal intervention approach that asks only that they be watered occasionally (less in winter, more in summer) and be given an occasional nourishing liquid feed during the growing season. If you notice poor growth, variegated leaves turning green or no flowers on a flowering plant, move your houseplant to a lighter spot to encourage healthier growth. By using the Web site, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by the Terms and Conditions.

Notice or treat the problem too late and everything might be lost if the infestation has taken hold or spread to surrounding plants. Place a handful of fresh houseplant compost into the base and place the root ball of your plant on top. For example, you've noticed your plant's not doing too well and not sure what's going on, you try to fix the problem, perhaps by giving it extra water which in turn causes an overwatering ending. If you notice any of the symptoms below, tackle them quickly and your houseplant will be looking its best again in no time. This is your guide to every stage of plant parenting for beginners, from identifying exactly what's in the pot, to keeping it in check when it grows too well!

It makes the perfect gift for people who love plants/gardening because of the elegant format and the gorgeous photography by the folks at Soiled (www. While complete neglect — aka leaving an aloe in your closet to perish with nary a drop of water or spot of sunlight — will result in plant death, these indoor plants are surprisingly resilient.

Mother in law’s tongue doesn’t need a ton of light or water to thrive — just plop ‘er in a shady corner and give her a drink every couple of weeks. Because most houseplants prefer a drying period between waterings, the soil needs to drain sufficiently. And just like all other living things, you can often tell whether or not they are doing well by looking at them closely.If you're a repeat offender as you read through, try to spot which ones you're prone too and read up on our suggested articles to enhance your knowledge and skills. Right next to it hangs another pot in which grows yet another favourite houseplant, Ceropegia woodii. A larger leaf variety, Pilea peperomioides or the Chinese money plant (pictured here), has glossy, fleshy leaves and is equally low-maintenance. You learned in school that plants need sunlight to be able to grow big and strong, so you figure that sun drenched heat trap you've got can only be a good thing in the grand scheme of things.