plant haus

the art of plants

[growingfriends]

meet Ziggy

he is a Haworthia attenuata 'Wide Zebra', a mouthful of a succulent from South Africa.

Hawothias are probably my favorite group of succulents. they are very easy, and look gorgeous. this one is great for beginners, they require little water, and are forgiving of neglect. Keep it close to a window, for the best result. if you put your Haworthia in direct sun it can get a sunburn- and will turn a deep purple. too little light and you'll loose the lovely flower stalk this little guy puts out. and what i'm talking about is that antenna you see shooting out of the top.

this is a great beginner plant, requiring little water, forgiving of neglect, and no special humidity needs. just keep it in Sun/Bright Shade (near a window, or under shade outside) and it will be happy! Seymour can get sun burnt in direct sun, so watch out for leaves turning a dark copper color.

plant in a well draining soil. I use Hoffman’s organic cacti & succulent mix, and then add a cup full of perlite to improve drainage. then water only when the soil is dry (every 10-20 days).

plants need more water when in active growth (putting out new leaves or flowers), and less when dormant/inactive growth (your plant suddenly seems like its not growing). with most cacti/succulents they are in active growth in spring/fall for a brief period of time, and then inactive in winter/summer.

DIFFICULTY : 1/5

Haworthia attenuata cv. WIDE ZEBRA - Cacti art

[growingfriends]

Begonia Babes

got succulents down, and are looking to take your plant collection to the next level? Try the lovely Begonia. Native to tropical Asia and India, this fancy friend (Begonia rex, to be exact) comes in a variety of different leaf choices. Smooth to crinkly. circular, bat winged, or heart shaped. some are flashy and metalic, while others prefer more basic earth-tones.

these plants have relatively low water requirements. if you keep their soil wet all the time, the roots will rot and the plant will die. Begonias like the soil to dry out in between watering - similar to cacti!

plants need more water when in active growth (putting out new leaves or flowers), and less when dormant/inactive growth (your plant suddenly seems like its not growing). Begonias can go into a state of semi-dormancy in winter - but not always. just make sure you keep an eye on you plant, check the soil, and water accordingly.

Begonias also tolerate low-light environments. if you put one in direct the leaves will crisp up and burn. so you are better off setting one inside your house instead of on your porch.

what makes a Begonia tricky is its need for humidity- being native to the tropics it does like humidity - but it does not like water touching its leaves, so spritzing it with a spray bottle is not an option. whats best for begonias is placing small saucers of water around the plant, so the water can evaporate in the are around it. Or placing your plant under a glass container - just be sure the leaves don't touch the glass. or if you have a room with a humidifier in it - that's the room for your Begonia!

DIFFICULTY : 3/5

Guide to Houseplants - Rex Begonia

[growingfriends]

Meet Seymour

he is a Kalanchoe 'Fang', a succulent from Madagascar.

this is a great beginner plant, requiring little water, forgiving of neglect, and no special humidity needs. just keep it in Sun/Bright Shade (near a window, or under shade outside) and it will be happy! Seymour can get sun burnt in direct sun, so watch out for leaves turning a dark copper color.

plant in a well draining soil. I use Hoffman's organic cacti & succulent mix, and then add a cup full of perlite to improve drainage. then water only when the soil is dry (every 10-20 days).

plants need more water when in active growth (putting out new leaves or flowers), and less when dormant/inactive growth (your plant suddenly seems like its not growing). with most cacti/succulents they are in active growth in spring/fall for a brief period of time, and then inactive in winter/summer.

DIFFICULTY  :  2/5

Kalanchoe 'Fang' - Dave's Garden

[growingfriends]

spending time with plants is one of the most rewarding and relaxing moments in my life. i was once very frustrated with them and then, after having my first successes with some very easy plants, i was fascinated by them.

the key is getting to know your plant. you need to know its light needs, water needs, soil needs, humidity needs, and any other quirky facts about the plant. and picking out the plant that fits your care habits and lifestyle is the best way to start.

so if you are really busy and can only find time to water once a week, and live in a super dry apartment - having a basil plant is not the best idea. maybe start with a spider plant, and then work your way up to the more demanding and less forgiving plants.

because gardening teaches patienc

[growingfriends]

I had my first wholesale plant experience this weekend. My mom and I went out to Sudbury to Cavicchio's nursery and there were plants as far as the eye could see. I ended up coming home with a variety of 4" plants (12 begonia rex, 11 succulents) a couple of 6" plants (I am tempted to keep that amazing white aloe...)

Now I feel refreshed, re energized, and ready to get back to work on creating some great new plant friends to send off into the world