House Fur | Forever outnumbered by houseplants

Christmas cactus plants (Schlumbergera bridgesii_)_ are epiphytes that grow naturally in trees in Brazil. They absorb moisture and nutrients from debris that gets caught in the tree branches. Commonly grown as houseplants, they can also be grown outdoors in pots in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, as long as they are brought indoors if the weather gets too cold. They can survive temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, but their stems will be severely damaged. Rooting a New Christmas Cactus To root a brand new cutting of a Christmas Cactus, be sure to plant in a mixture of moist peat and sand soil. You'll want to place the cactus into the soil about a quarter of an inch. Also, be sure not to overwater your newly rooted cactus to avoid rot. Once fully rooted, you can move your plant to a pot with potting soil for a permanent home. Light and Temperature Place indoor Christmas cactus plants in bright, indirect light. Right next to south-, west- or east-...

If your friendly yucca plants become yellow or may discover black spots on leaves then there may be chances of spoiling the growth of yuccas from blooming flowers. You need not worry as this problem can be easily solved by applying natural fertilizers and by providing sufficient water and sunlight to the plants. Yucca plant is a perennial shrub in the family of Asparagaceae that is abundantly seen in the Caribbean and American countries. It is a super air-purifying plant and grows well in hot and dry climatic conditions. Plant leaves, stems and roots are poisonous if consumed directly. Though the plant is poisonous it contains powerful antioxidants that help to cure a stomach ache, headache and other skin related problems in humans. Here in this article, we shared the detailed information related to the yucca plants, growing conditions and how it is helpful in your daily life to lead a happy life. Companion Plants Yucca combination plants include euphorbia, sedum, lilies, sage, rudbeck...

I love outdoor spaces filled with overgrown blooms, piles of mismatched pots, bits and bobs of weathered sculpture, and richly textured blankets of moss. Moss adds a touch of magic and intrigue to any garden, and makes it look that much lusher! Super easy to propagate, moss is actually an amazing plant to have in your garden because it has no known pests AND also stays green throughout winter. If you're looking to learn how to grow your own moss, you've come to the right place! With just a few ingredients (only 2 really!), you can grow your own moss! HOW TO GROW YOUR OWN MOSS – A DIY GARDENING GUIDE INGREDIENTS: A piece of moss from your garden or anywhere else – it can be dead or alive. 2 cups of water 2 cups buttermilk TOOLS: Blender Paintbrush DIRECTIONS: Pour the water and buttermilk into a blender. Top with enough moss to fill the blender. Blend until you get a milkshake-like consistency. Paint or pour the mixture over rocks, pots, garden decorations, fences, bricks, trees...

The name “dusty miller” is shared with a few other similar plants, we’re specifically discussing the Jacobaea Maritima, a name that sounds much more impressive and smart (as long as the person I’m talking to has no idea how to pronounce it.)​. They make wonderful landscaping foliage with their beautiful silver-felted leaves and fluffy voluptuousness. They’re a cinch to care for and a pleasing addition that will bring a different dimension to your flower garden.​ The dusty miller plant hails from many different places, mostly rocky coasts and cliffs. You’ll find these woolly-looking plants in far west Asia, northwest Africa, and southern Europe. It is most often paired as a counterbalance with flowering plants, though they do have yellow blooms of their own. You won’t usually see them, as most aficionados of this silvery vegetation will do away with the blossoms to keep the fronds as full as possible. The flowers cost the plant much of its silver. Dusty Miller Plant Types : Dusty Miller...

The Monstera adansonii is a smaller relative of the insta-famous Monstera deliciosa and quite often mislabelled as Monstera obliqua, a much rarer family member. With the right care, the cheese vine plant makes a great evergreen indoor houseplant. Because it doesn’t grow as fast and as big as the Monstera deliciosa, it is perfect for smaller spaces. Smaller size, but still a big impact. It can climb or trail, therefore your Monstera adansonii is perfect to keep as an indoor hanging plant or on a shelf where it can cascade down. Monstera adansonii Care Tips Know the basics on how to best care for your Monstera adansonii and make it thrive. It’s not hard, but it does require a little attention. Light It is good to know where the Monstera adansonii originates from. What is the native habitat? Knowing this you can try and and mimic this for your plant in your home. The Monstera adansonii comes from the jungles of Central and South America. In the wild, they grow on tree trunks under coverag...

Peace lilies are not only remarkable through the fact that they stay green all year round, but also because they don’t require too much care, making them great plants for beginners. Additionally, these plants look fabulous in any house and can match almost any interior design. Plus, are excellent air-purifying plants. As always, to find out how to best care for a plant, you first need to know a few things about its origins. Therefore, let me provide you a little background about peace lilies. Peace Lilies Despite its name, the peace lily is not a member of the Liliaceae family but belongs to the family Araceae, in the genus of Spathiphyllum. The peace lily is a perennial plant indigenous to the tropical regions of the Americas and southeastern Asia. In its natural habitat, this plant grows on the floor of the tropical forests, amongst the trees. Many say that the name “peace lily” comes from its white blossoms that look like white flags of peace. While the name “peace lily” is frequent...

Before you throw those old seed packages away, test them to see if they are still viable using this simple germination test As I eagerly wait for spring, and the stores begin to roll out their seed starting supplies, I find myself drawn to the seed displays. Before I know it, I usually have a few packages in my hands to purchase. Sometimes I arrive home to discover that I have duplicate seed packages. Luckily, depending on how the seeds are stored, most seeds can last several seasons or more. They do lose potency over time and will have a decreased germination rate the older they are. Some seeds like onion, parsnip, parsley, and chives are not likely to sprout a second year. Even if they do germinate, they may not have the vigour to produce healthy plants like when they were new. When in doubt, it is best to purchase fresh seeds rather than jeopardize your crop’s success. Fedco’s Seed Viability Chart will give you a general idea of how long seeds will last. Use this chart as a guidelin...

Houseplants make a dramatic difference in our decor. They add colour, vibrancy, and life to our homes. Do you love using houseplants in your decor too? These strange and beautiful houseplants are a sight to behold.  Houseplants help you to breathe easier too as they release oxygen. During the night, photosynthesis ceases, and plants typically respire like humans – they absorb oxygen and release carbon dioxide – isn’t nature amazing? Essentially, they help purify the air too!  Here’s a list of some strange and yet beautiful houseplants for you to enjoy.  1. Trachyandra Trachyandra is a genus of plants similar to Albuca and is native to South Africa. It features a curly squiggly branch and reminds me of curly pasta! Each branch is unique and has perfect symmetry. I can see bunches of them in a huge pot on my windowsill! You can also feature just one plant in a little pot too – perfect to perk up your bathroom!  2. Dolphin Succulents  The internet is on fire becaus...

Only a sample size of a gorgeous tree you’d likely find on a tropical island. These pretty plants are known to bloom all summer long, and even into the fall! Violas Violas love a little bit of shade and cooler temps! These plants generally bloom in the early Spring, but it is possible to delay the growth cycle! Oxalis It may look purple, but these lush clovers are often considered luckier than the green. Aside from a stunning houseplant, Oxalis makes a lovely ground cover as well! Orange Tree A bite-sized version of the orange tree, consider it an orange bonsai. Growing fruit trees indoors can be tricky for some, click the link above for a great article by Better Homes and Gardens. TIP: If you grow an orange tree inside, you will have to “hand pollinate” for fruit. Streptocarpus Aside from the dinosaur-like name, this flower will brighten any boring room. These plants come in a variety of different colours, and they can even be propagated! I love plants th...

Just because you may live in a dry or desert type environment doesn’t mean you have to deal with a lifeless garden. There are many beautiful and vivid flowers and drought-tolerant plants to choose from that actually thrive during periods without water. If you are looking to add life and colour to your home, consider some of these amazing plants. You won’t regret it! Wallflower These brightly coloured flowers will give your backyard a spicy vanilla aroma that you’ll absolutely love. Wallflowers are old fashioned bedding plants and prefer to have well-drained soil. In return, they’ll give you months of blooms. Sage Sage is an excellent choice if you are looking to cut through the vivid colours going on in the rest of your garden. It adds a bit of buffer but keeps things visually interesting due to its unique texture. Succulents Succulents are definitely pretty versatile in where you can keep them. If you want something you can bring inside your home, definitely...