Garden Tips by Month
April Gardening Tips
The temperatures are rising, the birds are singing and the sun is shining- Spring is here! The weather, rather than the calendar, dictate when to start working in your garden.
April 1, 2024
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House Plants for Healthy Living: August
Clean air and healthy living have become more important than ever. House Plants are a top trend to help boost your immune system and clean the air inside your home or office. Here are our top picks for August to help you live healthier.
Schefflera Amate
The Schefflera plant, also known as the Umbrella plant, comes in several varieties and sizes. The full-size plants can be 5-6 feet tall, while the dwarf plants are great for tabletops. These are easy-to-care-for plants.
Light: Umbrella Plants need bright, indirect light. They can do well in medium lighting conditions, but if they start to get leggy and floppy, you’ll want to move them to a brighter spot.
Water: Schefflera plants like to dry out between waterings. Allow the soil to dry completely and then give it a soak when it’s time to water. If the leaves turn yellow, it’s getting too much water.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced house plant fertilizer every month during the spring and summer. Or a half-strength fertilizer every 2-3 weeks all year.
Note: Scheffleras are more susceptible to pests and disease so monitor them often and bring a sample of any issue into our garden pharmacy for treatment as soon as they arise.
Rhapis Palm
Also called Lady Palm, have fan-shaped foliage on tall stalks, and give off an oriental vibe. They are one of the easier palm varieties to care for and can grow up to 12 feet tall in the right conditions.
Light: They are happiest in bright indirect light. Near a window or skylight is best if the sun doesn’t shine directly through. However, these plants adapt well to dimly lit hallways or rooms but will grow more slowly. Turn your palm ¼ turn every week so it grows evenly.
Water: Palms love moist soil, check the soil often and drench the entire root system when watering to keep it healthy. They can handle mild drought, however, this can put stress on the plant.
Fertilizer: Use a half-strength house plant fertilizer monthly during the summer months to give your Rhapis Palm an extra boost. Do not fertilize during the fall and winter. African Violet fertilizer is ideal for these plants.
Aglaonema Silver Bay
Aglaonemas are an easy-care plant that thrives in a variety of conditions making them great for new plant parents. The Silver Bay Aglaonema has dark and light green variegated leaves. These plants are available in a variety of sizes to fit any home or office.
Light: Aglaonmena prefers bright, indirect light, but will thrive in lower lighting conditions. You may notice the variation starting to fade though if they are in lower lit areas.
Water: These plants like to have moist soil and to dry out between waterings. It is best to let them dry out a bit rather than overwatering them, as this can cause root rot.
Fertilizer: Use a balanced house plant fertilizer diluted to half-strength every other month in the Spring and Summer. Do not apply fertilizer to dry soil, make sure fertilizer is damp before feeding your plant.
Pothos Neon
Pothos Neon is a popular trailing house plant that is practically indestructible. It has bright green leaves, is great at cleaning the air and can thrive with little care.
Light: Pothos can survive in low lighting conditions but does best with bright indirect light. Lower lighting conditions may cause your plant to lose its variegation.
Water: Water your pothos only when the soil is completely dry. These plants will start to droop when they need water. If the edges turn brown or they start to shrivel it means you need to water more often. Thoroughly soak the soil when it’s time to water.
Fertilize: Use a water-soluble fertilizer on your pothos 2 to 3 times a year to make sure it’s getting proper nutrients.
Watch our video: House Plant Care Made Easy
For more information on caring for your house plants visit the experts at any English Gardens location.
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