The coral cactus is one of the most misidentified plants in the houseplant aisle. Despite the name, it is not a cactus at all. It is two different succulents grafted together into a single sculptural plant: the ruffled, fan-shaped top is the crested form of Euphorbia lactea, and the green spiny stem below is Euphorbia […]
Picking a houseplant by looks alone is the fastest route to a dead plant. The plant that thrives on a sunny kitchen windowsill will sulk on a dim bookshelf, and the one that needs water twice a week will not survive a month of forgetfulness. Match the plant to the room instead: its light, its
Jessenia pothos (Epipremnum aureum ’Jessenia’) is a newer pothos variety with deep green leaves streaked in chartreuse and light green. A member of the Araceae family, it grows as a perennial vine and pairs the easygoing nature of the species with a softer two-tone look. It trails well from baskets and shelves and tolerates conditions
Hydroponic gardening grows plants without soil, delivering water and dissolved nutrients directly to the roots. The method works on a balcony, in a basement, or inside a greenhouse, and it suits properties where outdoor soil is thin, rocky, or contaminated. From city balconies to lakeside construction and rural living setups with a greenhouse, a hydroponic
Flowering trees add a pop of color and texture to any landscape, and they earn their keep with relaxing shade during the summer months. Sizes range from dwarf varieties that stay under 10 feet to canopy trees that pass 40 feet, and the most common bloom colors are pink, purple, white, and yellow. Regardless of
Sedum, better known as stonecrop, ranks among the most forgiving plants a gardener can grow. This large genus appears on nearly every continent, with members from low mats a few inches tall to upright clumps that anchor a flower border. Most sedums are hardy, drought-tolerant succulents with thick, fleshy leaves and tiny, star-shaped flowers that
A rosebush that blooms all season starts with healthy growth, but the same tender shoots that produce flowers also attract a steady stream of insects. Aphids arrive in early spring, thrips follow as buds form, and Japanese beetles show up by midsummer, each leaving different damage behind. Most rosebush pests can be managed with early
Mums dominate garden centers every September, and for good reason: they bloom in saturated color, hold their flowers for weeks, and survive light frosts. But chrysanthemums planted in fall rarely establish roots before winter, which is why most are treated as annuals and replaced every year. A bed of perennials chosen for autumn bloom delivers
Snapdragons bring charm to spring borders, but they are cool-weather annuals that collapse once summer heat arrives. Angelonia (Angelonia angustifolia), widely sold as summer snapdragon, produces the same upright spikes of tubular flowers and keeps blooming through the hottest weeks of the season. In USDA hardiness zones 9 and warmer it behaves as a perennial;
A chiminea is a front-loading outdoor fireplace with a rounded fire chamber and a tall chimney that carries smoke up and away from the people gathered around it. The name comes from the Spanish word chimenea, pronounced che-meh-NEH-yah, and both spellings are used interchangeably. The design is thought to have originated in Mexico centuries ago,
