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A healthy African violet will bloom for nine months and then rest for three. Despite their delicate appearance, they are not
difficult to care for. Keep their soil moist to dry and allow it to dry out between waterings to encourage blooming. Because
water can damage their leaves, always water them from the bottom by placing the container in a tray of water. Allow the plant to
absorb the water for about 30 minutes.
Place your African violet in moderate to bright, indirect light, and avoid exposing them to sudden temperature changes. Pinch off wilted blossoms and leaves to encourage blooming, and fertilize monthly or when the plant is actively growing new leaves and
buds. |
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Aglaonema, also known as Chinese evergreen, are very tolerant plants that do well in a range of environments. They prefer medium
to low light in a warm room with slightly higher humidity, but they'll adapt to a spot that's slightly dryer and brighter (they
make nice plants for the bedroom or bathroom). Allow their soil to dry out a bit between waterings (though, avoid letting it
become bone dry), and gently clean off their leaves on a regular basis.
Aglaonema, also known as Chinese evergreen, are very tolerant plants that do well in a range of environments. They prefer medium
to low light in a warm room with slightly higher humidity, but they'll adapt to a spot that's slightly dryer and brighter (they
make nice plants for the bedroom or bathroom). Allow their soil to dry out a bit between waterings (though, avoid letting it
become bone dry), and gently clean off their leaves on a regular basis. |
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The amaryllis is native to warmer climates. The showy funnel-shaped blossoms stand atop a single stalk stem. Occasionally the
flowers' weight will require some support for the stem. A simple bamboo stake and raffia tie can support the stem and be a
decorative addition to the plant.
Some amaryllis are frequently given as a gift in bulb form. Place your amaryllis in a bright, warm room at first, but when buds
appear and begin to color, move it to a cooler spot to prolong blooming time. Water it moderately, keeping the soil moist but not
soggy, and avoid letting it sit in water.
Once it stops flowering, continue to give your amaryllis four hours of full sunlight so allow the leaves to collect solar energy
to nourish the next year's blooms. Cut off the flowers once they fade, and cut down the stems to their base when they wither. Be
sure to water and care for it as long as it has leaves, then let the leaves wilt naturally (but don't remove them). Keep the
dormant bulb in its pot in a cool, dry place, and then replace the top inch or two of soil and start watering it when it begins
to sprout again. |
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Areca palms are generally hardy plants and prefer medium to bright light. Keep their soil moist but not soggy. If you allow the
soil to become too dry, areca palms wilt dramatically, but it's easy to revive them with just a little water (though some of their
fronds may turn yellow). Trim back palm fronds that become damaged or turn brown. |
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Azaleas prefer cool, well-lit spots (out of direct sunlight) with temperatures between 60-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Check the soil
frequently, and keep it moist but not soggy; never allow it to dry out completely.
Allow new growth to develop, and regularly remove any dead flowers. When it's finished flowering, you can replant your azalea in a larger container or move it outdoors, as long as there's no risk of frost. Some cultivated varieties of azaleas are designed for
inside use only. Others are "hardy" varieties that can be planted in the garden in warmer climates. Be sure to ask your florist
what type of azaleas they carry. |
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Display your bonsai in a spot that gets a good amount of bright, indirect light. Keep its soil moist to dry, watering it every 2-3
days from the bottom by submerging its planter in water (just to the top of the soil) to allow its roots to absorb water for about
15 minutes.
Pinch off or prune new growth (avoiding any flowering buds) to help it maintain its shape, and "root prune" your bonsai once a
year in late winter by gently taking it out of its planter and trimming about a third of its roots. Fertilize it monthly when it
is actively growing new buds or leaves. |
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Many cultivars of Boston fern are available some are compact forms, others are large spreading plants with graceful fronds up to
two feet in length. Ferns like bright diffused light and moist soil. Prune dead fronds from the plant immediately and keep
humidity near the plant high for best results. |
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Native to Central and South America, bromeliads are a large family of plants – all with a similar rosette of stiff leaves and some
kind of bright central flower spike or colored leaf area. They're tough, easy-going plants, preferring bright, indirect light or
direct sun.
Keep their soil moist to dry, and pour the water in the center of the plant where the leaves join together, allowing it to drain
into the soil. Avoid letting the plant sit in water. If you live in a hard water area, use rainwater or distilled water whenever
possible, as bromeliads are very sensitive to salts, which may cause their leaves to turn brown at the tips. |
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Hardy cacti and other succulent plants are accustomed to desert conditions and prefer bright, indirect light or direct sun. Water
them thoroughly and evenly, allowing them to dry out completely in between waterings. If the soil becomes too hard and causes
water to run off, place the pot in water just to cover the soil, and allow it to soak for about 30 minutes. |
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Callas thrive in slightly cool, sunny spots, especially after their blooms open. Check their soil frequently and keep it moist but
not soggy.
These bulb-like plants grow from rhizomes, and when they're finished blooming, you can plant them outdoors in mild climates. They need a winter rest period before reblooming, so allow them to dry out over the winter. |
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The Christmas cactus, with flowers ranging in color from yellow, salmon, pink, fuchsia and white (or combinations of those colors),
isn't just for the holidays – it can be grown indoors throughout the year.
While it adapts to low light, it will produce more abundant blooms if you place it in a sunny spot. In the summer, you can move it outdoors, but keep it in a shady or semi-shady location, since too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves. When it's time to bring it back indoors in the fall, do so gradually to allow it to adjust. Since it relies on shortened daylight in the fall to induce budding, help it along by placing it in a room that receives no additional evening light. Once buds begin to appear again, bring it back into the living room or kitchen.
Despite its name, the Christmas cactus isn't a true cactus, and it's not quite as drought tolerant as you might think, so water it thoroughly when the top half of the soil feels dry to the touch. During the summer, keep it continually moist, and when fall arrives, water it only well enough to prevent wilting. During the month of October, give it no water at all, and then cautiously resume watering in November, being careful not to let the stems get full from over watering. |
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Chrysanthemums like bright light, place them near an open window to encourage their buds to open (but avoid allowing them to be exposed to direct sunlight once in bloom, as that can burn their flowers). While they're in-bloom, water them every two days or so – even at the risk of over watering, since wilting will shorten their life. When not in bloom, keep their soil moderately moist, watering thoroughly only when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. |
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Characterized by heart-shaped leaves and blossoms that fly over the leaves like miniature colorful birds, cyclamen plants are sensitive to over watering and under watering. Keeping the soil moist (not wet) to the touch is the trick to having them last long in a home or office setting. Allowing the plant to dry out will prevent unopened buds from opening and maturing. Spent blossoms should be removed immediately to make space for new buds to open and unfurl. Cyclamens prefer cooler temperatures 55 to 65 degrees F and diffused bright light. |
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As trumpets of spring, pots of daffodils like moist soil and cool temperatures with high light sources. Placing the plants in low light once they are blooming can cause "stem topple" where the stems that emerge from the bulbs become askew instead of being parallel in the container. Using a series of bamboo stakes and some twine or raffia - the stems and foliage can be corralled within the dimensions of the pot. Depending on their stage of openness, daffodils can last from 5 to 12 days. |
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Dieffenbachias are popular plants because they thrive so well indoors and handle a wide range of light conditions, though
they do best when you place them in bright, indirect light. In the winter, make sure they receive more light.
Water your dieffenbachia thoroughly, allowing the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out in between waterings. Allowing the plant to
become bone dry will cause it to wilt. |
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Easter lilies prefer moist soil and diffused light. As the blossoms open, you may want to remove the yellow anthers with a tissue to prevent the white blossom from discoloring and the pollen from damaging clothing or home surfaces. As flowers pass their prime, they can be removed to keep the plant looking healthy and to make room for new buds to open. |
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