-Naomi Austin- It’s obvious that houseplants are becoming big again. Back in the 70s everybody had their basic spider plant and pothos, and that was pretty much the extent of it. Nowadays there are plant-obsessed groups online devoted to all different types of varieties of houseplants and their care, whether it be rare or standard varieties. People are absolutely filling their houses with green plants, and no wonder! They improve the oxygen quality of your home, reduce allergies, and bring a … [Read more...] about Common Houseplant Pests and Ailments (and how to address them)
House plants
Pet Friendly Houseplants
-Pam Scott- Fifth Season Gardening has an impressive array of tropical house plants ready for you to choose from for brightening and humidifying your home. The most frequently asked question we hear from our tropical plant customers is, “Which houseplants are safe for pets?” As the mother of two precocious boxer puppies, as well as the mother of close to 50 house plants, I know that keeping them all safe and healthy is a priority. Most cats and dogs eat plant material at some time. It's … [Read more...] about Pet Friendly Houseplants
Caring for Christmas Cactus
-Pam Scott- Winter can seem pretty bleak on the plant front, but there are a lot of beautiful, colorful holiday plants for inside the home or office. Unusual varieties of poinsettia, lush green Norfolk Island Pines, and blooming exotic Christmas cactus are the perfect plants to brighten these dark leafless winter days. The decorative holiday plant we get the most questions about this time of year is the Christmas cactus, or Schlumbergera. We might assume that all cacti prefer sunny, dry … [Read more...] about Caring for Christmas Cactus
Happy Houseplants
-Gabrial House- Today on the blog I wanted to take a look at the basics of caring for your houseplants. Too often we hear people say “I have a black thumb” or “I killed that aloe plant within a week.” If you follow these basic practices you will have a house full of beautiful lush plants that make you happier and healthier. The first piece of advice I have is to know your plants – different plants require different amounts of water and light, so knowing what you are caring for is really … [Read more...] about Happy Houseplants
Forcing Bulbs For Winter Blooms
-Pam Scott- As the days become shorter, we start to see signs that the outdoor growing season is coming to an end. Summer annuals and perennials set seeds for the birds and other wildlife to eat. The trees shed their leaves. As gardeners, many of us still have the urge to nurture color, scent, and life into the slowly greying pallet of the shortening winter days. In this week’s blog, I’m going to talk about how you can do just that by forcing spring-blooming bulbs for a succession of fabulous … [Read more...] about Forcing Bulbs For Winter Blooms
Caring For Indoor Citrus Trees
-Pam Scott- Bringing tropical greenery into a room softens corners, adding an inviting warmth to most spaces. A windowsill full of blooming African violets, wintered over annuals, forced spring bulbs, scented geraniums, or fragrant culinary herbs will certainly brighten your spirits on a cold bleak day. The scents and colors of an indoor garden can remind us that the warmth and light that we crave during winter will once again be ours. One of the most rewarding families of plants to incorporate … [Read more...] about Caring For Indoor Citrus Trees
Top 5 Easiest Low-Light Houseplants
-Naomi Austin- Often times people come to us wanting to green their homes, but don’t think they have enough light or discipline to care for plants properly. How happy they are when we point them to our top 5 (virtually) indestructible houseplants! Not all plants want your love and attention. Some are best when almost ignored and thrown in a corner. Sounds harsh, I know, but it’s the truth. The following houseplants are our most recommended for both low light and low … [Read more...] about Top 5 Easiest Low-Light Houseplants
Beginning with Bonsai
-Naomi Austin- There are a lot of opinions out there when it comes to bonsai plants -- so many, that it can be a bit intimidating to approach this deeply enjoyable pastime. But trust me, once you get started, you’ll have a hard time foregoing the pleasure that bonsai gardening affords you. It can be so calming to focus on small spaces and intricate details, creating and trimming your tiny worlds in a pot. Let me start by saying that I am not a “Bonsai Master”. I have learned how to pot … [Read more...] about Beginning with Bonsai
Magical, Marvelous Air Plants
-Gabrial House- There is no easier way to brighten up a room than with tillandsia, a.k.a. air plants! They can add all sorts of colors, shapes, and textures to any house, workspace, or chill space. Air plants are native to forests, mountains, and deserts of the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, northern Mexico, Mesoamerica, and parts of Argentina. Tillandsia will pretty much grow onto anything their seedpods can land on. They are commonly seen growing on trees, rock walls, … [Read more...] about Magical, Marvelous Air Plants
Houseplant Care When It’s Cold Outside
-Chris Amaya- Whether you know it or not, those house plants in the corner of the room are making a difference in the air quality in your home. Air-borne contaminants such as viruses, pollen, bacteria, and mold can be present and growing in your air conditioner, humidifier, and even carpet, circulating all throughout the house. Changing out your air filter every three months will help keep these pollutants down, but greening up your environment can also play a key role in improving indoor … [Read more...] about Houseplant Care When It’s Cold Outside
