With houseplants, most pest problems stem from a separate issue: water, light, relative environment, and/or nutrients. Healthy plants are much more capable of resisting pests than plants under environmental stresses. So a good start to combat pests is to provide favorable conditions to start with, but there are also some methods to handle outbreaks after they happen. By taking preventative measures and considering environmental conditions, problems can be avoided before they manifest. While … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care Series Pt. 6: Common Houseplant Pests
House Plants
Houseplant Care Series Pt. 5: Additives
When most people think about feeding their houseplants, they only consider the three numbers on plant food labels: nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. There are a few other items, however, that can greatly improve the health and beauty of houseplants. These additives are used in conjunction with other nutrients. Three favorites that are frequently recommended at Fifth Season are kelp, silica, and neem. The first additive, kelp, is a wondrous addition to any feeding regimen, as it helps to … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care Series Pt. 5: Additives
Houseplant Care Series Pt. 4: Base Nutrients
At Fifth Season Gardening, we are frequently asked about what fertilizer to feed houseplants. Unfortunately, to cultivate the happiest, healthiest plants there is no one-size-fits-all-solution. Different types of plants have distinct needs -- even plants of the same species can have contrasting nutrient requirements at different stages of their life cycle. In order to help determine what a plant's specific needs are, it helps to first ask yourself a few preliminary questions: Is the plant … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care Series Pt. 4: Base Nutrients
Houseplant Care Series Pt. 3: Basic Soil Choices
Plants have adapted to wildly different environments and, to some extent, you should endeavor to mimic their native soil when deciding what mixture to use. You can also alter a soil mixture depending on where you plan to grow it and to better suit your watering routine. It's often a daunting task to look at the myriad number of soils and choose the right one for your particular houseplant. To get started, there are a few basic questions to ask yourself: What type of plant are you … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care Series Pt. 3: Basic Soil Choices
Houseplant Care Series Pt. 2: Watering Habits
When considering a new house plant, you should think about your watering habits. Do you forget to water? Do you like to water often? Do you water infrequently, and then inundate the plant? If you take home a plant that needs to be watered every other day, but only find time to care for your plants once every week or two, it isn’t likely to work out. However, there is likely a plant with water needs very similar to your habits and you will find better success with those varieties. When … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care Series Pt. 2: Watering Habits
Houseplant Care Series Pt. 1: Light Requirements
We don’t believe in the myth of the ‘brown thumb’ at Fifth Season Gardening. Successfully growing plants often rests on knowing the right questions to ask. In this post, we’ll explore the importance of understanding window orientation and the effect on light levels. When looking for a new house plant it is vitally important to consider your available light levels before selecting a particular variety; if a plant is not put into the light circumstance for which it is adapted, it is often … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care Series Pt. 1: Light Requirements
