My Apartment Plants

In honor of Chinese New Year, here is a quick look at the Lucky Bamboo plant. This versatile little plant, paired with a beautiful vase, is often used as a decorative accent that can add color into any home. As a low-maintenance plant, it is perfect for people who want to add a bit of greenery to their home, without the commitment required by some other indoor plants. Care Tips: How much Sun? Lucky Bamboo plants enjoy lots of bright light, but they prefer to be out of direct sunlight, as it can burn their leaves. Although they can survive in quite low light, it may stunt their leaf growth & mute their coloring. How much Water? These plants are very versatile in the fact that they can be grown in either soil, or directly in water (generally with some type of loose gravel or large rocks for stability). When grown directly in water, ensure that their roots are completely covered by water at all times. It is also a good idea to change out the water every couple of weeks,

Poinsettia are a gorgeous holiday plant that come in a variety of colors, and can add life to any Christmas display. Although they look amazing for a few weeks after bringing them home from the store, or receiving them as a gift, they tend to die off quickly without proper care. Purchase: If you plan on keeping your poinsettia for a long time, it is important to choose a healthy plant to begin with. Make sure there are no yellowing leave, no bugs, and there should be small yellowish buds in the middle of the "flower" (the bunch of red or white leaves that are the signature look of the poinsettia). Bringing it home: Poinsettias are very sensitive to cold temperatures, so if you live in a cold area, it is very important to protect your poinsettia while bringing it into the house. If possible, only purchase your plant on a warmer day without freezing temperatures or strong winds, and use a large box to transport it rather than a plastic bag. Plastic can actually cause

Fertilizers provide a much needed boost to many indoor and outdoor plants, but most fertilizers contain harsh chemicals and are far from natural. Whether you are trying to live a more eco-friendly life, or you don't want to keep chemical fertilizers around your house for fear that kids or pets will find them, it is a good idea to look in to alternative methods of feeding your plants. Here are a few alternatives you can try: Coffee Grounds Used coffee grounds contain high amounts of potassium and phosphorous, and even some nitrogen -- The main ingredients of many commercial plant fertilizers. This is a great alternative, as they are a byproduct of many households -- Even if you use a Keruig or Tassimo single-cup coffee system, just cut open the top plastic/foil of the little packet and you can easily scoop out the used grounds. Methods: Collect grounds into a sealable plastic container If you need to store the grounds for a long period of time (like over the win

Plumeria Plumeria are a shrub like plant that are famous for their plentiful, often two-toned flowers. They are native to Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. Related to the Oleander, the Plumeria can have various shaped leaves, form and growth habits depending on its species. They also produce a sap that can be irritating to the eyes and skin. Oleander Growing Plumeria: Plant Care: Plumeria love lots of bright light and sun Moist soil - They don't like to dry out completely Can be grown outside, but should be brought in for the winter if you live in a cooler area Fertilize twice a month during the summer using a mix that is high in phosphorous  Propagation: Plumeria can easily be propagated by taking a cutting from a leafless stem tip in the spring, and planting the base into high-quality soil.  Should be slightly dried out near the base before planting Prone to various types of rot if kept too moist. Growing from Seed: S

Lilacs (Syringa spp.) are one of the most popular outdoor plants here in Southern Alberta.Their beautiful purple flowers contrast nicely with their abundant leaves, and most people will agree that their easily recognizable scent is just amazing. They can also grow very large, flower often, and are a nice addition to any outdoor space. This makes them a favourite among many. Lilacs grow well in zones 4 through 9, depending on their species -- There are approximately twelve recognized species of Lilac to date. Here in Calgary we are in zone 4a, and throughout most of the spring, you can’t walk down a neighbourhood street without seeing a lilac bush in someone’s yard. Although they are easy to grow, and happy outside, is it possible to grow them in a container? What about indoors? Containers: Generally, the types of lilacs we most commonly see  are only happy when they can spread their roots far out around them - much like most trees. This makes it difficult to keep t

Interesting video series on how to start up a coconut palm from a store-bought coconut. YouTuber:  The Kiwi Grower Something to try one day :) Thanks for reading, Amanda