Escape the dull days of winter and brighten up your corner of the world during the long dark winter months with indoor flowering tropical plants! Who needs silk arrangements when you can have the real thing? There is nothing more cheerful than a plant springing into bloom when it is cold and snowy outside. …

Often the best way to acquire a plant you want is by growing it from seed, but some plants can be difficult to germinate, so today we will discuss arisaema seed germination. Arisaema, or cobra lily as they are commonly called are fascinating plants, especially for those who love unusual plants in their home landscape. …

This week we are going to delve into various tropical plants for medium to high light. Remember that these lighting conditions can be achieved either by natural light or by grow lights. So, just because you don't have a sunny window or greenhouse doesn't necessarly limit your choices if you are willing to make a …

The banana comes from the genus Musa and is one of the most popular foods in the world which is why learning about bananas is not only important, but fascinating. Banana plants are available in both large and dwarf varieties, so there is one that is ideal for everyone regardless of where they live. Dwarf …

I remember getting my first large greenhouse years ago when I was a new gardener and wondering how to utilize an unheated greenhouse. At the time I didn't think much about heat. It was a Valentine's Day present and I was anxious to get it put up so I could start using it. Once it …

With spring upon us again, many of you are looking to perk up your flower beds with a mass of color, try using colorful foliage plants. Annuals are great way to add masses of color either alone or mixed in with trees, shrubs or perennials. Another great way to acheive this goal is to add …

Disclaimer: I received this item for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own. Brugmansia seed typically germinate somewhere between 2 to 10 weeks - however sometimes seed can germinate faster or slower spending on germination conditions (temperature, light, moisture, etc.). Normally I let the …

If you are going to invest the time, money and energy to grow tomatoes, you will want to achieve the best possible results for your efforts. When you start researching how to achieve this, you will come across the topic of what the best soil amendments for tomatoes are. Becoming a successful vegetable gardener means learning …

You can eat better and save money by growing a garden! With spring fast approaching, many of you are in the final stages of deciding what to grow in your vegetable garden this coming year. Most of us will agree that growing our own food not only produces better tasting produce, but also allows us …

Are you ready to learn how to garden? Or take your current gardening skills to the next level? Here are a variety of online courses, including one that is free, and books or eBooks that can help you hone your skills. There are also some pretty awesome printables that can help you keep track of …

It has been quite some time since I took inventory of the rare tropical plants in my greenhouses. I did some potting up in Greenhouse #2 tonight but did not take inventory just yet. In Greenhouse #1, which is the one directly off my office, I decided to go ahead and see what was alive …

Ophrys are a group of terrestrial Orchids with unbranched stems and showy flowers that often resemble insects. There are approximately 150 species, according to the American Orchid Society, that naturally hybridize. While collecting plants or even seeds from the wild is discouraged, there are numerous places to purchase plants that were grown in cultivation.

Spring is almost here and plants are already hitting the shelves in stores, some as bare root stock wrapped in spagnum moss or a small amount of peat moss, surrounded with a pretty plastic bag. For those of you who ordered through one of the many mail order companies that can be found online or …

If you've ever wondered how to successfully start seeds, than you might already know that nothing compares to growing plants from seed. It is fun, it is economical and it gives you the opportunity to grow plants you can’t find locally. Starting plants from seeds is one of the most rewarding aspects of gardening. Starting …

So, you’ve been looking for a reason to get your hands on some exotic houseplants, but what if I tell you that they don't just clean the air? What's more is these plants are not only easy-to-grow but they do extremely well indoors. Here are two suggestions of exotic tropical plants that are perfect in …

Gardening in winter in a cold climate outdoors is possible if you are willing to grow cool weather crops and protect those crops with frost cover, cold frames or a similar structure. It is a cold, snowy 16 degrees F here today however it is January 1 and I am harvesting and planting vegetables in …

Growing a great garden takes more than just popping a few plants into the ground. It takes healthy soil that is alive and full of nutrients, and it takes proper watering as well Yes, you can create healthy soil. By simply adding plenty of organic matter, making sure your ground drains well, and mulching, you …

It's the start of another year - and what better way to start off a new year than to direct sow carrot seed in the garden. Yes, you heard that right. Here in Indiana - United States Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 6 - I sow carrot seed in the garden on January 1. Now …

Disclaimer: I did receive the grow lights talked about in this post for free or at a reduced price in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Greenhouses are a sanctuary where people and plants spend time, so knowing what to look for when choosing greenhouse lighting is important. If you are in …

The Persian Shield Plant is quickly catching everyone's eye this spring with its beautiful, exotic looking narrow, lance-shaped quilted leaves. The marbled rich purple leaves have iridescent blue markings with a deep wine red underside. The Persian Shield plant was a favorite in Victorian times and appears to be well on its way to becoming …

Disclaimer: I did receive some items for free in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. BROOMFIELD, CO – Gardeners are generally a calm, even contemplative, group of people. Their passions are ignited by a sweetly scented flower or a great-tasting tomato variety. But one recent issue has turned their passion into …

When you grow tropical plants in cold climates you have to decide if you want to overwinter them or let them die and start over again come spring. Many tropical plants bloom the first year when grown from seed while others have bulbs or tubers that are easy to overwinter or buy each spring. Tropical …

Sustainable gardening practices that are economically viable are easier to achieve when you go green with hydroponics. Gardening without soil offers solutions for third world countries, worn out agricultural land plus have the advantage of being environmentally friendly. As people become more aware of the damage chemicals and pesticides cause the need for a better …

Learning how to care for plants is the best way to learn how to grow healthy plants. These six easy tips for house plant care are a great starting point. Each plant has its own individual needs so read the care tags carefully, follow a plant maintenance schedule and your houseplants are sure to flourish.   

Some plants need more care than others and are best left to an expert gardener as opposed to a novice one. If you fall into the latter category of gardeners it is best to choose indoor gardening house plants that are easy to care for, are hardy, and have a low maintenance schedule.

The cool, crisp days of September are upon us. Most of the garden harvest is in and you may be thinking of putting your garden to bed for the winter. But wait! There is still time to plant more cool season crops in the Mid-West.

Fall is here which means winter isn't far off and it's time - once again - to bring your  tropical plants indoors and come up with a decorating idea with tropical plants. We all know the drill - move the plants out in spring, redecorate, then panic once the nights begin to cool down. If …

The herb garden tips below are sure to help you grow the best indoor herb garden you've ever grown! It's not always easy to grow a flourishing garden indoors, but it is possible. There are some tips and tricks I have picked up over the years that may help you on your quest to growing …

When many people think of daylilies, they think of the orange ditch lilies you see growing on the side of the road. While these may be the most common summer flowering bulbs that are seen, hybridizing has produced an unbelievable array of colors, including many that are bi-color. Other interesting color combinations include stippled, polychrome, …

The largest flower in the world comes from a leafless plant from Mayla known as Rafflesia arnoldii. It’s a parasitic plant that has grapevine like roots and a fleshy flower which is the only part of the plant that appears above the ground. The flower is approximately three foot across and can weigh up to …

This year I decided to try a tomato sampler challenge to see which tomatoes tasted the best and ripened the fastest here in my Indiana garden. Waiting for the first tomatoes of the season to ripen - especially if you are growing new varieties - is hard. I grow a lot of heirloom varieties on …

If growing tropical bulbs in containers outdoors in the summer is a bit of a challenge to you, you are not alone. While the growing conditions for tropical bulbs or even forcing bulbs indoors require one set of rules, the growing conditions outdoors require yet another set of rules. Everything from water to soil to …

Learn how to grow Oleanders indoors or out, depending on your climate. Oleanders, a member of the Apocynaceae family, are one of the prettier tropical evergreen shrubs that can easily be grown indoors in containers. In its natural habitat it can reach up to twenty feet in height, but most Oleanders are kept trimmed to …

A member of the Malvaceae family, mallows, have been grown since ancient times which means you too can easily grow mallows in your home or yard. Beginning with the ancient Greeks and Chinese, and carried on into the Victorian age up to today, mallows symbolize ambition, abundance, and fruitfulness. One of the more common members of the …

Allamandas are tropical beauties that are native to South America, and come in different shades of yellow, although you will find some in shades of purple, chocolate and white. Allamanda Neriifolia, produces clusters of flowers, while Allamanda Cathartica produces single blooms that may reach up to five inches across.

This weeks article about growing Tibouchina was inspired by a plant that had both myself and a good friend of mine stumped as to what it was. On a plant buying expedition at Lowe’s we spotted a gorgeous plant among all the others. There was only one of these plants and the leaves had a …

Yes, you can harvest free vegetables year-round in any climate! Getting a head start on the vegetable garden can be tricky if you wait until January because of frozen ground. It seems this time of year if the ground is not frozen it is wet. Neither condition is conducive to tilling, seeding or planting. There …

Everyone wants a really awesome looking yard and you can have that with these container landscaping ideas even if you don't want to till your yard up. Container landscaping is a type of landscaping where plants are grown in containers. The idea of container landscaping is to grow plants in containers that are placed outside …

Container ideas for gardening might sound like the kind of post that makes suggestions on what to plant in containers. However that is not what this post is about. In this post, I will be explaining how to choose containers for your container garden. I will also be going over the pros and cons of …

Lemon grass is a tropical herb that can be grown indoors or outdoors. Lemon grass has the ability to grow nearly everywhere, including jungles, gardens, pots on patios or balconies and of course indoors in a bright window or under grow lights. It is also pest-free which means that it never needs to be sprayed …