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
make life beautiful
House Plants for Healthy Living: July
House plants are popular home decorations and during warm weather months, they make their way outdoors as decorations for the patio. Here are a few of our favorites to spruce up any indoor or outdoor space.
ALOE
Aloe Vera is a versatile house plant that is easy to care for. This succulent has fleshy leaves filled with a medicinal gel that is great on burns, cuts, and as a skincare product. They are easy to grow, and low-maintenance.
Light: Place your Aloe plant near a south-facing window or an area that gets bright, indirect light. Like other succulents, aloe will start to get leggy if not given enough light.
Water: Water every three weeks thoroughly, allowing the water to run through the bottom of the pot. Do not let your plant sit in water, Aloe prefers drier soil.
Fertilizer: Aloe plants don’t need to be fertilized. If you want to give them a little boost, use a phosphorous heavy fertilizer diluted to half strength once a year in the Spring.
ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are as low maintenance as they come. With long stems and glossy leaves, these plants will dress up any room, office, and or hallway.
Light: ZZ Plants will do great in any lighting condition and can even thrive in fluorescent lighting. Avoid direct sunlight, because the leaves can get sunburned.
Water: ZZ Plants like to dry out between watering, and can even thrive if forgotten for a bit. When in doubt underwater. Overwatering this plant can cause root issues, and stems to turn yellow. If plants are outside in the summer, try to keep away from an automatic sprinkling system where they could get too much water.
Fertilize: During the growing season (April to August), fertilize with a liquid fertilizer once a month.
Snake Plant
Snake Plant, Sansevieria or Mother-in-law’s Tongue, is another low-maintenance option for new or seasoned plant parents. Available in several varieties, Snake Plant is a must-have for any room of your home.
Light: Snake Plants aren’t fussy about where their light comes from. They will do great with bright, in-direct sunlight, or within dimly lit hallways or offices. Just keep your snake plant away from direct sun as the leaves can get scorched.
Water: Snake Plants can go a while between waterings, and prefer their soil to dry out. Watering regularly is great, but don’t overwater. It is best to underwater these plants to prevent the roots from getting waterlogged.
Fertilize: A general, all-purpose plant food can be used once a month on your snake plant during the growing season which is April to August.
Philodendron Monstera
Monstera or split-leaf philodendrons are popular house plants that add some Caribbean flair to your home. These plants come in a variety of sizes and are easy to grow.
Light: Monstera like bright light, making them great for brightly lit bathrooms and kitchens. Keep them away from direct sunlight, but the brighter the space the better. If your Monstera’s leaves are splitting, then your plant is getting the right amount of light.
Water: Keep Monstera soil moist, but not soggy. Monsteras love humidity. Give their leaves a spritz everyone once in a while to keep them happy.
Fertilizer: Use a general-purpose water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the Spring and Summer to help promote healthy growth. There is no need to fertilize during the winter.
Pothos Marble Queen
Pothos Marble Queen is a popular trailing house plant that is practically indestructible. It is great at cleaning the air and has variegated leaves.
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.
Summer is a great time to let your House Plants take a little vacation outdoors. The summer sun will help rejuvenate your plants and give them a boost. Watch our video for more information on moving your plants outdoors for the summer.
Visit any English Gardens location, and speak with an expert for more information.
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