Latest news with #plantcare
The Guardian
a day ago
- General
- The Guardian
Houseplant clinic: why won't my wax plant bloom?
What's the problem? My Hoya carnosa cutting, taken from my father's treasured plant, bloomed once, in 2022, but has not flowered since. How can I encourage it? The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Diagnosis Hoyas, often known as wax plants, have a reputation for thriving on 'benign neglect'. They flower best when slightly stressed, as this triggers their reproductive mode. Regular watering and abundant nutrients will encourage leaf growth rather than blooms. Prescription Allow the soil to completely dry out between waterings – typically, every two to four weeks in autumn and winter, and more often in warmer months. Limit fertiliser applications, as hoyas flower better in nutrient-poor conditions. Ensure bright but indirect sunlight, as too much direct sunlight or a lack of darkness at night can disrupt their flowering cycle. Conversely, some people recommend 'sun-stressing' their hoyas. Also, consider a slight drop in temperature overnight. Prevention Maintain a balance between attentive care and minimal interference. Aim for indirect lighting, cooler night-time temperatures, and less frequent feeding and watering. The mild stress should boost flowering potential. Got a plant dilemma? Email saturday@ with 'Houseplant clinic' in the subject line
Washington Post
4 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
She beautifies our entire block. She also quietly keeps me going.
Last week, my decades-old potted fiddle leaf ficus tree was dying — the one I've had for so long, my mom calls it her grandplant. I texted my neighbor, the only person I knew who could help. She texted me back right away, as if we were consulting about a person in need of immediate triage. She taught me how to cut back the sprawling leaves and what fertilizer to use to make the yellow return to green. We pruned the tree until it looked healthy again. When we gazed at it, we laughed at how much it had shrunk from our cutting. 'It looks small,' I said. 'It'll grow back stronger,' she said reassuringly.
The Guardian
20-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Guardian
14 ways to keep your houseplants alive while you're on holiday (and how to revive them when you get back)
Summer holidays are a joy for us, but not always such a thrill for our houseplants. Few things are worse than returning home to discover a horticultural graveyard. Plants can survive unsupervised during the winter, but heatwaves, a lack of ventilation, and no one around to water mean summer holidays are a recipe for disaster. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. But fear not. A bit of planning and the right kit can make all the difference between a happy homecoming and a shrivelled mess. Whether you go full-tech or just trust in a good soak and a friend, there's a holiday plant-care method for every budget and plant. Regardless of how long you're going away for, here are some of the best tips and tricks to keep your houseplants alive, hydrated and happy in your absence. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best: ask a neighbour, family member or friend to look after your plants while you're away. Leave easy instructions and group plants that require similar care. It's a lot to expect someone to visit several times a week, but even one mid-holiday visit can make a huge difference. Or, as I'm doing with my neighbour, swap plant-sitting duties with a fellow plant lover: you water theirs, they water yours. Move your plants away from windows where they might be scorched by direct sunlight. Place them together on a table in a room that gets indirect light. This helps create a more humid microenvironment, which helps reduce water loss through evaporation and can prevent the plants from drying out. Try placing shallow trays filled with water and pebbles nearby to provide extra humidity and buy you a few extra days of grace. For extra moisture, soak your plants' soil in the bath or sink first and let it drain before grouping them. H&M watering globe £9.99 at H&M These elegant glass orbs are plant decor and a hydration device. They're filled with water and inserted into the soil to provide a slow, steady water supply. This will help maintain moisture levels while you're away. They're ideal for smaller potted plants or trailing varieties such as pothos and philodendron. Ensure they're securely in place and filled before you go. Terracotta watering spikes £7.99 at Crocus£25.99 for 10 at Amazon A more lo-fi version of the globe above, and a great way to recycle a used bottle. These terracotta cones slowly release water from an upturned wine or plastic bottle as the soil dries out. A great option for bigger houseplants that don't like to dry out completely. Willow plant parent sensor £63.99 at Willow For something more tech-savvy, this plant sensor connects to a hub using wifi (most use Bluetooth). It tracks soil moisture, temperature and light, and syncs with an app to give real-time care advice based on the specific plant you're monitoring. It allows you to keep a virtual eye on your plants, and if the levels get too low, you can always bribe a friend to pop over. Westland water-saving gel £6.49 at the Range£12.99 at B&Q Soak these in water to let them expand, then mix into your compost before you go. They'll release the water slowly as the soil dries. Especially useful for thirsty tropicals or ferns that throw a fit the moment they dry out. The downside? You'll be adding polymers to your soil, so it may not be ideal if you're aiming for a fully organic setup. Capillary matting sheet £3 for five sheets at B&Q£10.99 for a 5 x 5 x 50cm sheet at Amazon Lay this felt-like fabric across your kitchen countertop or table and dip one end into a container of water (such as your kitchen sink). Place your plants in their nursery pots on top. The mat draws up water as needed, letting multiple pots drink at their own pace. It's cheap, easy and a life-saver for grouped watering. Sturme self-watering indoor plant pots £15 for three at Amazon Self-watering glass planter £9.09 at Crocus£10.39 at Waitrose Orchid and bonsai self-watering pot £49.95 at John Lewis Balcony self-watering planter £60 at FlannelsFrom £60 at Fraser Sign up to The Filter Get the best shopping advice from the Filter team straight to your inbox. The Guardian's journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. after newsletter promotion A chic upgrade that does the hard work for you. These pots have a built-in reservoir and wick system, keeping roots hydrated without the risk of soggy soil. They look so good that I would be tempted to use them even when I'm not away. Plant straws £22 at London Terrariums If you want something stylish and reusable, plant straws are a modern take on the classic wick watering system. Handmade in Sweden, these use a cotton wick and aluminium straw to draw water from a nearby container into your plant's soil. Great for hard-to-reach plants, hanging pots or if you just want to avoid the DIY faff. They deliver consistent moisture for up to two weeks and look great doing it. Garden Gear Mighty Dripper £15.99 at Robert Dyas£15.99 at Amazon These reusable drip bags slowly release water over three to seven days and can be looped on to larger pots or hanging baskets. They are especially useful for thirsty outdoor pots or balcony jungle setups. No batteries, no fuss – just fill and go. Grow Gadgets moisture meter £29.99 at GroWell£29.99 at eBay Don't trust your watering instincts? I've got a gadget that could help. Stick this probe into the soil and it'll tell you exactly how wet or dry things are. Handy for pre-holiday checks or for leaving with a nervous plant-sitter. It's not glamorous, but loosely covering smaller plants with a clear plastic bag creates a mini greenhouse effect that locks in humidity. Just make sure the bag isn't touching the leaves and has a couple of small air holes. Never use this on succulents or cacti – they'll rot. Pianta grow light £57 at Grow Gang If you don't trust the unpredictability of natural light or your home doesn't get much of it, try a UV grow light. Relocate your plants to a cooler, shadier room and set a grow light on a timer for about eight to 10 hours a day. This one comes with a clip-on holder, making it easy to position above your plant shelf. Peace of mind that your plants are getting just enough light, without getting scorched to a crisp. Ready Steady Defend houseplant bug killer spray, 200ml £16.95 at Ready Steady Defend£18.91 at eBay Ready Steady Defend houseplant bug killer spray, 1l £14.55 at Amazon Warm weather = peak pest season. Before you leave, give your plants a light mist with a natural insecticide. When you get back, inspect for sticky leaves or fine webs – signs of mealybugs, aphids or spider mites. Neem oil or insecticidal soap will sort them quickly. Back from your trip? Check your plants for signs that they might have got too much sun. Look for scorched leaves, which may appear yellow or brown and feel dry or crispy. Snip off the damaged parts, move them to a shadier location, and mist them regularly to help them recover. Trim back any brown or mushy parts, check the roots (they should be white and firm), and give the soil a thorough soak. Then place it somewhere bright but not too sunny. Plants are tougher than they appear and can bounce back with some care and attention. Gynelle Leon is a houseplant expert, award-winning photographer, and a qualified therapist. She founded the cult plant shop Prick Ldn and now writes the Guardian's Houseplant Clinic column. A proud Virgo based in London, she's also an avid allotment owner and lover of self-development books
Irish Times
20-07-2025
- General
- Irish Times
My dahlias are struggling this summer - what can I do to rescue them?
My dahlias are struggling this summer for some reason. The flowers aren't opening properly and the petals are going brown at the tips. The plants are growing in good, rich soil in a nice sunny spot in the garden where they've always done well before now. Any advice? T Dunphy, Cork Judging by your description, it sounds like your dahlias are suffering from thrip damage. These tiny, sap-sucking insects, which are hard to spot unless you look very closely, can sometimes infest dahlia plants at this time of year, causing deformation of both the flowers and leaves as well as discolouration. As is true of many kinds of insects that feed on plant tissue, they also spread plant diseases. A hot, dry environment suits them to a tee, which is why thrips are much more common in warm summers or on plants grown under cover in a polytunnel or glasshouse. To check if your plants are indeed affected, examine the flowers carefully and look for multiple tiny dark insects, each one no bigger than a poppy seed, moving rapidly among the petals. READ MORE The best long-term solution to keeping your dahlia plants free of this destructive little pest is to keep them well-watered, especially during any prolonged hot, dry spells. Always make sure to water around the base of the plants, gently soaking the soil so that it penetrates well below the surface. Although wetting foliage and flowers is generally not recommended when watering plants, gently misting all parts of your dahlias with a fine water spray will also help to rid them of thrips, which dislike a moist atmosphere. As the insects can overwinter as eggs with the potential to cause problems for your plants again next summer, I'd also suggest mulching the ground with a generous layer of well-rotted organic matter in spring. This will help the soil retain moisture as well as boosting plant health. In the short term, you could also use the biodegradable, organically-acceptable product known as Uncle Tom's Natural Soft Soap (from ). These kinds of insecticidal soaps have been used for centuries to treat a range of common plant pests including aphids, red spider mite and thrips. They only work when they come into direct contact, so need to be diluted in water and then applied liberally to all parts of the plants as a fine spray. The best time of the day to do this is in late evening when beneficial insects are much less active and temperatures are lower, reducing the rate of evaporation.
CTV News
16-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
How to garden when it's hot outside
Kathryn Brillinger stands in her Kitchener, Ont. garden made mostly of native species plants on July 16, 2025. (Alexandra Holyk/CTV News) Hot weather in Southern Ontario is wreaking havoc on gardens and flowerbeds. The intense heat and blazing sun forced Kitchener, Ont. gardener Prabhu Chinnappan to bring his basil plant into the shade during the day. 'As you can see, a lot of leaves are burnt due to excess heat,' Chinnappan said. 'It's really difficult to manage it. Especially when the plants are at the beginning stage.' Chinnappan said he waters his plants often and protects them from pests. However, the heat seeps in. 'Heat affects everybody. People, animals, and plants,' said Rosemary Van Roose, the co-owner of Belgian Nursery in Breslau, Ont. The number one rule: Hydration. 'Keep your plants hydrated,' said Van Roose. 'Good, thorough, deep watering, especially in the morning or evenings.' While some plants can adapt to the conditions, others buckle under pressure. 'Heat stress is real,' she said. 'Some plants will take their leaves and almost fold them up closed, other plants will tend to droop and sag as if they look wilted. Some might slow down in their flowering or fruiting.' Van Roose also said annual plants and those that were newly planted need the most care, as they rely on frequent watering for survival. Other plants, like perennials and native species are easier to manage. 'Native plants are strong and are used to this climate,' said gardener Kathryn Brillinger. 'After two or three years, they don't need to be watered.' So far, Brillinger said she hasn't watered her garden once this summer. 'it's thriving with the bee balm and the coneflowers and all of the pollinators that are used to this area,' she said. While it may not be for everyone, Van Roose said it's something to consider. 'If you struggle through this year having scorched plants, maybe next year would be good to look at something a little more drought tolerant.' 'Re-leaf' in the forecast As for the rest of this week, Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Steven Flisfeder said the region is in for a bit of relief. 'We'll still be having temperatures through the latter half of this week in the high 20s,' he said. 'But compared to the low 30s that we've been experiencing pretty consistently so far through July, will be relative relief.' However, he still urged gardeners to use caution when going outside. 'These temperatures can still be dangerous, especially to people who have pre-existing conditions.' As for Chinnappan, whether it's rain, shine, or high temperatures, he said it's all worth it. 'Every day, a lot of effort goes in there,' he said. 'But at the end of the day, when you get some good fruits and veggies, that's the reward you take for all the effort.'
