The Houseplant Guru

Houseplant expert Author of Houseplants, Grow in The Dark, and Houseplant Party. www.thehouseplantguru.com

[houseplantguru]

Shooting star 🌠 hoya or Hoya multiflora is one of my favorites. 💚 It reliably blooms 🌸 and doesn't need full sun 🌓 to do so. If you thought you needed full sun to have a hoya bloom and don't have that, this one is for you. Its flowers 🌸 do drip quite a bit of nectar, so make sure it isnt over a piece of furniture or carpeting. (Swipe to see the flower dripping.) It has thin succulent leaves 🍃- much thinner than most hoyas, so it needs water less often. I do still have it in my cacti/succulent potting medium, but it could use a heavier mix as it is more like a "normal" houseplant. Do you have a hoya and is it blooming? . . #thehouseplantguru #flowersofinstagram #hoyaflowers #hoyasofInstagram #hoyamultiflora #succulentsofinstagram #succulents #greenyourfeed #house_plant_community #houseplant #indoorplants #get_planted #urbanjungle #plantnerd #houseplantsmakemehappy #plantsmakepeoplehappy #bhghome #apartmenttherapy https://www.instagram.com/p/CAu2jV0A_P7/?igshid=1nwu2gwub6t6i

[houseplantguru]

Though the rex begonias aren't necessarily grown for their flowers, look at this huge 'Escargot' 🐌 begonia flower! 🌸 the foliage is so spectacular, it doesn't need flowers. There are plants that I feel the flowers actually take away from the beauty of the foliage. And in cases like the aglaonema, I cut them off so they put all their energy into growing more gorgeous foliage. But this huge flower is gorgeous! Swipe to see the back of the flower, some flower buds, and a new leaf. Notice the hirsute stems, leaves, and sepals. Those red hairs add so much beauty to the plant and glow in the light. ☀️ Do you have any rex begonias? . . #thehouseplantguru #onwednesdaysweplantpink #begoniaflowers #rexbegonias #begoniasofinstagram #flowersofinstagram #get_planted #house_plant_community #indoorplants #greenyourfeed #houseplant #shadelover #goodforashadycontainer #urbanjungle #plantnerd #houseplantsmakemehappy # https://www.instagram.com/p/CAsQ1SEA5oi/?igshid=ltua81os10ti

[houseplantguru]

This unfurling (I'm obsessed with that word, obviously) leaf 🍃 of my Calathea 'Medallion' is just gorgeous! You can see the pattern if you look close and it will become more colorful as it opens and the light ☀️ hits it. I guess the word is really hitting home right now as unfurling leaves show the hope of renewed life. We are all tired of staying home, wearing masks, staying away from our loved ones, and want life to be as it was. It isn't going to happen soon, if ever, but the new way will be okay, right? New is good 👍! Let's start this new week with that in mind. Have a great week! . . Because of the Lord ’s great love ❤ we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 🌈 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 . . #thehouseplantguru #unfurlingistheword #houseplant #newisgood #renewedlife #greenyourfeed #leaveonlyleaves #urbanjungle #thehouseplantguru #calatheas #calathealeaves #houseplantsrock #plantnerd #get_planted #house_plant_community #indoorplants ##neweverymorning #lamentations https://www.instagram.com/p/CApuXLagNQw/?igshid=1lstzlbwvz2yg

[houseplantguru]

I hit the calathea jackpot 🎰 this week! Whereas you could use these in your shade containers outside, I will use them as houseplants- what a surprise! 🎉 1️⃣ Calathea 'Vittata' Love 💚 those white stripes! 2️⃣ Calathea 'White Fusion' Love that the undersides of the leaves are purple! 💜 3️⃣ Calathea 'Beauty Star' Pink stripes- what more could we ask for? 💗 4️⃣ Calathea 'Medallion' Rounded leaves and look at the pattern on those leaves! ❤ I don't know about you, but I have allowed many calatheas to perish in my care. 😢 They need constant moisture, 💧 medium to bright light 🌓 without direct sun and high humidity. The 'White Fusion' especially will burn if given too much sun. Also, remember, they do NOT 🚫 like fluoride in their water. Use distilled, rain, or reverse osmosis water. How are your calatheas doing? . . #thehouseplantguru #caltheahoarder #calatheas #calatheasofinstagram #patterenedleaves #whoneedsflowers #leaveonlyleaves #urbanjungle #greenyourfeed #get_planted #house_plant_community #indoorplants #shadecontainerplants #greenyourfeed https://www.instagram.com/p/CAnPIvxA2zr/?igshid=1ngzg27xby7lr

[houseplantguru]

I'm not going to lie- this isn't my first Peperomia prostrata, or string of turtles 🐢 🐢 🐢. A couple more have perished under my care. Well actually, one is coming back even as we speak, but I thought I would pick this one up anyway at the greenhouse the other day. This one is even flowering 🌸! I'm going to pay better attention to this one and hopefully it will thrive! I will show you the pot I chose for it later. Tell me your secrets for making this plant thrive! . . #thehouseplantguru #peperomiasofInstagram #peperomias #floweringpeperomia #stringofturtles #greenyourfeed #get_planted #house_plant_community #houseplant #plantnerd #indoorplants #variegatedleaves #reallylooksliketurtleshells #cuteplants https://www.instagram.com/p/CAlLIkiAxWo/?igshid=6yrt6gzaziih

[houseplantguru]

Still on the word of the week- hirsute or hairy- this is the Calathea rufibarba or velvet leaf calathea. It is so soft on the underside of the leaves, it's like petting a kitty. 🐈 Its leaf tops are green 💚 and the undersides a burgundy color. Keep it moist💧and as with all calatheas, use unfluorinated water if possible to keep the leaves looking nice. Give it a bright light, but not full sun. . . #thehouseplantguru #calatheas #hirsuteistheword #fuzzyleaves #velvetleaf #greenyourfeed #calatheasofinstagram #house_plant_community #houseplant #indoorplants #get_planted #plantnerd #wordoftheweek #easymacro https://www.instagram.com/p/CAiCv0EAhTf/?igshid=1x021hh7sh0oi

[houseplantguru]

My Hoya fitchii is blooming! 🌸 I love it! 💚 Yesterday, the flowers weren't open yet and this morning- voila! This plant is from @logeesplants and it came as a 2" plant last year. I have it on my south windowsill and it may be a bit too much sun ☀️as the leaves have a bit of reddish coloring. (Swipe over) I do love the cool veining on the leaves, though. This is a native of the Philippines 🇵🇭 and usually grows as an epiphyte, so make sure it has a well-draining potting medium. Named after Charles Mardsen Fitch, a photographer and plant book author, and the person who discovered this plant. How's your hoyas doing? . . #thehouseplantguru #hoyafitchii #hoyahoarder #hoyasofInstagram #hoyaflowers #flowerFriday #flowersofinstagram #greenyourfeed #get_planted #house_plant_community #houseplant #indoorplants #vinesofinstagram #houseplantsmakemehappy #plantnerd #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantnerd #highlightplants #houseplantbookauthor https://www.instagram.com/p/CAfbZNMA9lx/?igshid=10bi5ptrntvas

[houseplantguru]

This is the 'Escargot' 🐌begonia. It's not a new hybrid but when it first became available, it was THE hot plant 🔥. You can see why. Its snail shell-like 🐌 spiral leaves make it unique. Still on the word of the week, hirsute or hairy, this begonia is just that. Its red hairs make it shine in the light. Rex begonias aren't always the easiest, at least for me, but keep them on the drier side, up the humidity, and keep any dead leaves or debris cleaned up. It does flower, as you can see if you swipe over, but they are really grown for their gorgeous foliage. 🌿 I'm not sure yet if I'll put this on my east facing front porch for the summer or in my east facing inside window. They like a bright light but never full 🌞. Have you picked up any begonias for inside or for outside in your shade containers? . . #thehouseplantguru #begoniasofinstagram #begonias #whoneedsflowers #greenyourfeed #rexbegonia #get_planted #house_plant_community #spiralleaves #indoorplants #houseplant #betterhomesandgardens #urbanjungle #houseplantsmakemehappy #plantsmakepeoplehappy #leaveonlyleaves #foliagerules #foliagefirst https://www.instagram.com/p/CAcxEqCAVRW/?igshid=1x35edw35sndi

[houseplantguru]

I love 💚 these marimo moss balls (Aegagropila linnaei). They aren't actually moss at all but an algae. They are native to freshwater lakes in Japan 🇯🇵 and Iceland 🇦🇽 where they roll back and forth with the waves 🌊. I've had the big one for many years and had to move it from its original container as it was getting too large. Give them fresh water often and gently swirl them around occasionally to mimic their environment and to make sure they get light on all sides or brown patches will appear. Give them too much light and unwanted algae will grow and if it covers the ball, it will block its light. They can survive in low light ✨ and would prefer not to be in bright or high light. These also could be added to you betta fish 🐟 tank. Do you have a marimo ball? Read more about them on my website- link in bio. . . #thehouseplantguru #marimoballs #watergardens #lowlightplant #algaenotmoss #lakegoblin #noteveryonehasone #lakemoss #get_planted #greenyourfeed #house_plant_community #houseplantsmakemehappy #houseplant #indoorplants #houseplantsrock https://www.instagram.com/p/CAaQ47agwtI/?igshid=sx411drbywb8

[houseplantguru]

Hirsute is the word this week. What is that? Hairy. This 'Art Hodes' begonia (last picture is the iron cross begonia) is covered with red hairs 🦰and glows in the light. ☀️ An easier begonia than most because it is forgiving of getting a little dry and in fact prefers it. It has thick leaves and stems so holds a bit of water like a succulent and can actually be treated like a succulent. A wet begonia is usually a dead begonia. I have mine in my east window with ferns and African violets, as they prefer a bright light but not full sun. Do you have any begonias? . . #thehouseplantguru #begoniasofinstagram #hirsuteleaves #hairyleaves #leaveonlyleaves #whoneedsflowers #foliagereigns #greenyourfeed #get_planted #begonias #house_plant_community #houseplants #indoorplants #urbanjungle #crazyplanthoarder #crazyplantlady #houseplantsmakemehappy https://www.instagram.com/p/CAXw22pAEmI/?igshid=32ad3gx4tpvn

[houseplantguru]

The Madagascar palm 🌴 or Pachypodium lamerei is not a palm at all, but is native to the island of Madagascar. Because of its growth pattern of a long trunk with just a few leaves at the top, it resembles a small palm tree 🌴 as it ages. I've had mine for a long time (probably over 15 years) and it's almost hitting the roof in the sun room. I'm going to be sad when it has to go... Though it has spines, this plant is not a cactus but a succulent with stipular spines. These spines, as you can see are not surrounded by an areole, the indicator that it would be a cactus. The spines are wicked and more than once I have bumped into it.... 😬 They do flower, 🌸 but mine never has. Treat it like a succulent, giving it as much light ☀️ as possible- a south or west window is perfect 👌 and water when almost dry. ✳ Remember, whether a cactus or other succulent, or a water loving fern, water 💧 EVERY plant until the water runs out of the drainage hole and the potting medium is entirely wet. Then water when the plant NEEDS it again. (NEVER on a set schedule!) It may be a week or a month or more, depending on the plant. ✳ . . #thehouseplantguru #madagascarmonday #succulent #stipularspines #donttouchme #notapalmtree #houseplant #indoorplants #greenyourfeed #sunroomplant #succulentsofinstagram #houseplantlife #house_plant_community #houseplantsrock #get_planted #spinyplants https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVFgcug7G3/?igshid=ordt05x65g0t

[houseplantguru]

I don't know about you but some days over here are a mess. 😕 I can cry at the "drop of a hat", I am scattered and forgetful. Luckily, most days are okay.. but yesterday, I forgot something that was very important to a friend. I was embarrassed, sad, and couldn't apologize enough. I explained that it had been a loooong week. The friend was more than kind and forgivibg. A couple hours later the florist 🌸 pulled up. She sent me this beautifu terrarium to help me have a better week. I was humbled and grateful for the grace that was extended to me. Thank you, my friend- you know who you are. (And you know me so well- no cut flowers for me. 🌿😊) . That act of kindness and grace reminded me of this: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. Ephesians 2:8 NIV . Grace is a gift and is something I think we all could use a little more of right now. This situation we are ALL in is hard, so let's extend a little grace and understanding to others every day. Have a blessed Sunday! 🙏 . . #graceisagift #thankyou #goodfriendsarepriceless #Sundaymorningmusings #thistooshallpass #extendgracetoday #kindnessmatters #houseplantsmakemehappy #thehouseplantguru #terrariums #peperomias #pilea #greenyourfeed #terrariumsofinstagram #mademyday #tearsofjoy https://www.instagram.com/p/CASgEZGgbQh/?igshid=hexl0yamuuk3

[houseplantguru]

This flower 🌸 belongs to my primulina (formerly chirita) 'Crossroads', a cousin of the African violet and in the gesneriad family. I've allowed mine to become a bit of a tree-like 🌴 plant, but I like the look of it. It is an easy plant and in my opinion, easier than than the violet, not that they are hard to grow. East morning light ☀️ is best or under lights works, too. On the last couple of pictures you can see how the flower stalks originates from between the leaves. This plant hadn't bloomed in a while so I re-potted it with some fresh potting medium and when I switched out the very old fluorescent bulbs on my light stand, where it resides, with LED bulbs 💡, it began to bloom. Anyone have any gesneriads? . . #thehouseplantguru #gesneriadsofInstagram #flowersofinstagram #greenyourfeed #get_planted #Africanviolets #house_plant_community #urbanjungle #houseplants #indoorplants #gesneriads #plantnerd #easyplants #houseplantsmakemehappy #easyplantsofinstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CAP9qcTgWw8/?igshid=5jzlyol2g73u

[houseplantguru]

It just keeps blooming! Its #flowerfriday 🌸 and this Hoya obovata is the star 🌟 today and has been for a few weeks. I can't get enough of these flowers! 💚 Anyone else have a hoya vine? . . #thehouseplantguru #waxflower #hoyaobovata #flowersofinstagram #houseplantsmakemehappy #plantsmakepeoplehappy #get_planted #urbanjungle #greenswingingplants #greenyourfeed #house_plant_community #houseplantbookauthor #houseplantlife #houseplantclub #plantcrazy https://www.instagram.com/p/CANXzFXAmlk/?igshid=rdny52cn6pgx

[houseplantguru]

You may find large baskets of this purple 💜 flowering 🌸plant in the annual plant section of your local garden center. Its small purple flower is held on long stalks above the foliage and dance like little butterflies 🦋 over the leaves. It is the streptocarpella (Streptocarpella saxorum) and is in the African violet family. With this plant it is easy to see that, as it's fuzzy foliage 🌱closely resembles that of the violet. It would be best if you could try to water💧this plant with warm water which is impractical outside and at the garden center, so you may find cold water marks on its leaves, but the new leaves will be fine. At the very least, water it under the foliage if possible. It will be continuously full of these dainty flowers 🌸 and would be perfect on a dhaded porch, pergola, or gazebo. (Perfect shade plant in a mixed container as the filler or spiller, too)) BUT the best part? It makes a great houseplant, just like the African violet! Medium to bright light, evenly moist potting medium, and it is going to thrive in your home! . . #thehouseplantguru #outsideinside #gesneriad #flowersofInstagram #purpleflowers #fuzzyleaves #get_planted #greenyourfeed #house_plant_community #flowerslikebutterflies #houseplantsmakemehappy #urbanjungle #Africanvioletcousins #houseplants #indoorplants #plantpeeps #plantnerd https://www.instagram.com/p/CAK01t4AkgA/?igshid=15685fo17d9lp

[houseplantguru]

My Tillandsia streptophylla is getting ready to bloom! 🌸 I love how it blushes pink 💕 at the same time! I bought it in Wisconsin this winter at a garden show before the pandemic. What a wonderful memory 😊 those days are! Anyway, this tillandsia is a xeric plant meaning it can take high light ☀️ (in my west window) and less frequent waterings. I usually soak my tillandsias once a week, but my xeric forms such as this and my xerographica may only get soaked monthly or even less in the winter. Because they have so many trichomes that store water (thus the silver color) they need water less frequently. In the close-up you can see the trichomes. . The streptophylla leaves are curly and curl more the drier they become. It is also has a bulbous bottom as does caput-medusa and seleriana types. Because of those, I also am careful when I water, making sure I shake the water out and dry them upside down even longer than other tillandsias. . This one is displayed in mom's antique meat grinder- ring bologna and pickles went through this for sandwiches I never ate. I also found a cute miniature one at an antique shop- so cute! How do you display your tillandsias? . . #thehouseplantguru #tillandsiastreptophylla #tillandsia #iloveairplants #airplants #tillandsiasofinstagram #plantnerd #houseplantsmakemehappy #houseplants #indoorplants #greenyourfeed #get_planted #house_plant_community #houseplantclub #bhghome #apartmenttherapy https://www.instagram.com/p/CAIQdjNggAD/?igshid=4fpph1c4mzv7

[houseplantguru]

I know unfurling was last week's word (I don't even have one this week) but I had to show you this Calathea lancifolia (now Goeppertia). Look how gorgeous this rolled up leaf🌿 is. Some of these pictures are taken with the #easymacro lens. The burgundy underside is showing its beauty and when it unfurls the top is green with dark green markings 💚 and is also called the rattlesnake 🐍 plant. Make sure to give it high humidity, don't let it dry out, and use distilled water when watering. Calatheas are in the marantaceae family along with the prayer 🙏 plant, and they do not like the chemicals in our water, 💧 (usually only municipal water) especially fluoride which does not dissipate by letting your water sit overnight like the chlorine does. The chemicals and/or inconsistent watering will cause brown tips, edges, and spots on the foliage. This is a beautiful family of foliage plants which do flower 🌸 but may not in your home. They prefer a medium light- no high light, please. Do you have a calathea or prayer plant? . . #thehouseplantguru #calatheasofinstagram #calathea #highhumidityneeded #rattlesnakeplant #houseplanthelp #unfurlingleaves #flauntyourfoliage #house_plant_community #greenyourfeed #houseplants #indoorplants #fancyfoliage #whoneedsflowers #get_planted #plantparent #plantnerd https://www.instagram.com/p/CAFpKc3A45n/?igshid=18b39duouhnax