Page 147

13 Mistakes to Avoid With Indoor Plants

Taking care of indoor plants can feel intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are thirteen mistakes to avoid with potted plants to ensure they stay healthy and vibrant all year long.

Bringing home new indoor plants is always cause for celebration. However, your happiness might turn to despair if your plant withers and dies soon after bringing it home.

Keeping indoor plants alive is a challenge for many growers. However, this doesn’t mean that your green thumb is lacking. There are many common mistakes that new plant parents make that end up killing their plants. Luckily, just a few simple changes to your care routine can help keep your potted plants alive. Here are thirteen common mistakes to avoid with indoor plants.

1. Overwatering

One of the quickest ways to kill an indoor plant is to overwater it. Many species, including cacti and succulents, prefer arid conditions and can go a month or longer without a drink. Others likely need less water than you think.

It’s best to research the water needs for every species you grow so you can provide personalized care. As a general rule, the thicker a plant’s leaves, the less water it needs because the plant stores up its own supply.

Also, keep in mind that plants need less water indoors than they would in the wild because they aren’t exposed to heat and wind, which increase evaporation.

2. Ignoring Lighting Requirements

While it’s easy to assume that more light is always better for indoor plants, bright, direct sunlight can fry many species. Some species, like cacti, thrive under direct sunlight, while others require fully shaded areas. Make sure to research your plants’ lighting requirements to find the perfect spot for them in your home.

For example, consider placing more sensitive plants near north-facing windows for less direct light exposure or softening south-facing windows with a semi-sheer curtain. Plants that love direct sunlight will thrive by south-facing windows.

3. Using the Wrong Soil

For indoor plants, not all soil is the same. Houseplants come from all over the world and therefore require soil that is found in their natural habitat. Some plants will be quite picky about soil type, so make sure to research your plants’ requirements before placing them in the wrong soil.

The best growing medium is typically potting soil because it has a better drainage capacity, which means that the plant roots aren’t sitting in water all day long. Likewise, make sure you choose pots with sufficient drainage holes to allow excess water to seep through.

4. Allowing Salt Buildup

Poor watering practices for potted plants can cause salt to build up on the soil’s surface. It usually shows up as a crust along the edges of the pot and can lead to plant problems like slower growth and browning leaf tips.

Avoid salt buildup by watering to the point that water seeps from the drainage holes, applying minimal fertilizer, and regularly switching out the potting soil.

5. Leaving Plants Dusty

In nature, plant leaves stay dust-free due to rain and regular breezes. But in your home, they need some extra help to keep clean. Not only does a layer of dust on houseplants make them less attractive, but it can block the leave’s ability to photosynthesize and slow down growth.

Avoid these issues by giving leaves a light mist with a spray bottle each week. If things look extra dusty, you can use a cotton swab for further cleaning.

6. Using Too Much Fertilizer

One common mistake for beginning gardeners is assuming indoor plants require lots of fertilizer. In reality, they only need a boost of nutrients if you’re using bad potting soil or the plant is struggling to grow.

If you do decide to apply fertilizer, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully so that you don’t overapply it.

7. Not Understanding the Plant's Natural Habitat

Popular potted plants come from all over the globe and live in a wide range of natural environments. This means the ideal growing conditions for one species could vary significantly for the next.

For example, desert cacti and succulents need special potting soil that encourages drainage, while many plants in the Amazon do better with indirect light and high humidity.

Take the time to learn where a plant thrives naturally so you can replicate those conditions in your own home.

8. Placing Plants Near Chilly Drafts

Cold breezes from doorways and poorly insulated windows can kill sensitive indoor plants before you realize there’s a problem. Pay attention to the potential for any drafts when you place each plant, especially during the colder seasons.

9. Overcrowding Pots

Tempting as it may be to replicate the look for a blooming bouquet with your indoor plants, overcrowding species in one pot will compromise the health of all of them. Each individual plant needs space for its roots to spread out, and you want to ensure the leaves have plenty of air circulation to prevent mold and disease.

Research each variety’s spacing requirements to ensure you give them enough growing room to thrive.

10. Allowing Pests to Infest the Plants

Despite what you might think, indoor plants often deal with insect problems. Leave your plant in a forgotten corner, and you may soon find it covered in aphids, spider mites, or other tiny pests that cause long-term damage.

At the sight of these insects, spray down the plant leaves with warm water and mild insecticidal soap to deter them from staying.

11. Keeping Plants in the Same Pot For Too Long

One of the most common mistakes to avoid with indoor plants is keeping them in cute pots long after they’ve outgrown them. Confining a growing plant to a too-small space will restrict the roots and prevent it from taking in enough nutrients, leading to health problems in the long run.

You’ll need to upgrade to larger pots regularly so the roots have room to expand and the soil around them can hold more water.

12. Moving Them Too Much

In nature, plants spend their whole lives in one location. Many species aren’t designed to withstand getting jostled in pots too often, and the environmental changes from one part of your house to another can disrupt their balance and slow down growth. Keep potted plants in one spot as much as possible to ensure they experience stable conditions.

13. Giving Plants Too Much Care

Finally, many beginning plant owners err by over-nurturing their plants. Too much pampering can cause problems, as it makes you likely to overwater and add too much fertilizer. Many species thrive with minimal attention, so set up a schedule and only tend to your plant when you see something wrong.

Potted plants are an easy way to enhance your home’s décor, and keeping them alive is a rewarding hobby. Avoid these thirteen growing mistakes, and your indoor plants should give you joy for seasons to come.

How to Care For Hanging Plants Indoors

Plants in hanging baskets make a nice feature to any home. However, hanging plants require care that isn’t needed of plants found in your garden. Here’s a complete guide on how to care for hanging plants indoors.

Growing plants in hanging baskets indoors is a great way to add nice greenery and interest to your home. However, hanging plants require care that isn’t needed of plants found in your garden. Since they live indoors, their needs will differ from those of your outdoor plants.

With proper sun, water, and love, your hanging plants will thrive and beautify your home. Here’s a complete guide on how to care for hanging plants indoors.

Make Sure Your Plant Is Secured Correctly

Hanging baskets full of wet soil and large plants can get quite heavy. Therefore, you need to ensure that the hook you’re hanging it from is secure and can hold the weight of the plant.

Invest in hooks that can handle the weight and make sure to secure them properly. Always test the hook before trusting it with your plants to ensure it can hold the weight. The last thing you want is a plant that has fallen and shattered all over your floor.

Use A Lighter Potting Mix For Hanging Plants

Most commercially available potting mixes can be quite heavy, especially when they’re wet. You can make the mixture lighter by adding some perlite. Perlite keeps the soil loose, aerated, and well-draining, preventing water accumulation and ensuring the roots get plenty of oxygen. However, since it improves the drainage of the soil, you will need to water your plant more frequently.

Choose The Right Pot For Your Indoor Plants

When growing hanging plants indoors, it’s important to select the most suitable hanging pot. For example, peat or coir-lined hanging baskets are unsuitable because they’ll drip water all over your floor every time you water them. Furthermore, terracotta pots are generally too heavy, especially when you add the weight of the potting mix and the plant.

Therefore, choose attractive plastic hanging pots that have saucers or reservoirs attached to the base. The saucer will catch the excess water and prevent your plant from making a mess on the floor.

If you really love ceramic hanging planters, then make sure these don’t have drainage holes or use plugs to fill the holes. Then, place your plant inside the planter in its plastic pot. This way, the planter will catch the excess water that drains out of the plant. If you do this, check the planter regularly so that your plant is not constantly sitting in water.

Give Your Plants Sufficient Light

All plants need light so that they can photosynthesize and continue to grow. However, the variety of plants that you’re growing will determine how much light it needs. For example, plants with large, dark green, and glossy leaves will tolerate lower light conditions than those with lighter-colored leaves and produce flowers.

Many hanging plants do best when they’re hung near a window but protected from direct sunlight. Usually, south or east-facing windows are best for most indoor plants. However, you should research your plant species to ensure you are giving them their ideal light conditions.

Water Regularly

Plants grown in hanging baskets or planters tend to dry out quite quickly due to the increased airflow around the planter. Furthermore, the air near the ceiling of your home is usually warmer and drier than the air that is closer to the floor, which only further increases transpiration.

Therefore, these plants need to be watered more regularly than other plants grown in large pots on the floor. The best way to water your hanging plants is with a small watering can that has a long spout. You may also like to have a small step ladder handy so that you can reach your plants easily.

To check whether your plants need water, poke your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. If the soil feels dry to the touch, it’s time to give your plant some water. An easier way to do this is to invest in a moisture meter. These meters have a long spike that you poke into the soil and will tell you how much moisture content the soil has.

It’s also a good idea to periodically take down your hanging plants and put them outside in the rain on a dull day. Rainwater is so much better for plants than standard tap water. If you do this, say every couple of months, your plants will really benefit and reward you with extra growth.

However, make sure to research your plants further to understand their water needs. For example, some plants need consistently moist soil, while others can go weeks without water.

Keep Your Hanging Plants Well Fed

All plants grown in pots need regular applications of fertilizer. This is because the plant roots will quickly deplete the nutrients in the potting mix as they grow. These nutrients are critical for a plant’s health and growth.

How much and how often you fertilize, once again, depends on the species of plants that you’re growing. The season is also a factor, as plants will need more regular feeding during the warmer months than in winter.

As a general rule, you should apply some liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks during warmer months. If your plants aren’t actively growing during the winter, you can reduce this to once every four to six weeks.

Alternatively, you can apply some slow-release fertilizer granules to the soil after you’ve watered the plant. Adding fertilizer to dry soil can easily burn the roots of your plants. In general, slow-release fertilizers only need to be replenished every six months or so.

Carry Out Regular Maintenance

All hanging plants need a little care on a regular basis. Once a month or so, take your plants down and inspect them for any problems. At this time, you also want to give them a little trim and remove any dead leaves or long, straggly growth.

For plants with large leaves, give these a wipe with a damp cloth to remove any dust that has accumulated on the leaves. This dust will clog up the pores in the leaves, called stomata, and prevent the plant from absorbing light and carbon dioxide from the air. This reduces the plant’s ability to photosynthesize and provide food for strong growth.

You can also place the plant under the shower for a few minutes to “wash” the leaves. Ensure that the excess water can easily drain out of the soil so that you don’t drown your plant. Leave the plant to drain fully before hanging it back up again.

Flower of the Week: Cyclamen

From winter to spring, you may find clusters of lovely “bunny ears,” which may smell lightly fragrant if you sniff closely enough. Those potted flowers, favored by many a teenage girl, are cyclamens. The 5 upstanding petals of a cyclamen flower look like cute bunny ears; thus the nickname. They are often put on coffee tables and desks for interior decoration, bringing a sense of liveliness and elegance into people’s lives.

Viewing Map

Cyclamen has been grown throughout history. If your curiosity is not satisfied by the potted ones indoors, you’d better go to their original country to appreciate their raw charm: Meteora, Greece.

Meteora is a true “city in the sky.” There are numerous monasteries tucked away on bouldery mountaintops and cliffs–ancient structures that date back to the 14th century and cling to the mountains as if floating on clouds. In this remote and sacred environment, you will forget any worldly cares.

Every spring, large fields of cyclamens blossom. As the breezes moves through the sea of flowers, you will feel as if you are in a Hayao Miyazaki fairyland, while the lovely “bunny ears” will also make you feel you’ve just fallen down the rabbit hole in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The sensational experience of blurred reality and fairytale is full of marvels and wonders.

A Witness to the Development of Human Civilization

Plants of the Cyclamen genus are sparsely distributed around the Mediterranean, with a small number of exceptions spreading as far as Somalia and Asia Minor. The unique geographic distribution proves that their common ancestors were once active in the Tertiary Period 6 million years ago, and have receded to their current habitats gradually over time.

Luckily, the cyclamen-inhabited shores of the Aegean Sea were also the cradle of civilization. This beautiful plant has been in mankind’s company since our burgeoning days.

Murals of the Minoan civilization on Crete have traces of cyclamens together with lilies, irises, and crocuses. Ancient archives from the Theophrastus of Ancient Greece to the Dioscurides of Ancient Rome all documented cyclamens in great detail. Such documentation provides invaluable information to today’s historians and botanists.

From Medicinal Value to Ornamental Value

Before the 16th Century, people thought the corm of cyclamen was helpful to induce labor, and regarded it as a medicinal plant. Because its starchy roots are a favorite food of boars, people also gave it a funny name, “sowbread.” But beware: its corm is somewhat toxic. Don’t consume it by mistake.

The horticulture of this plant did not start as early as we may have imagined. Cyclamen first showed up in Paris around 1620, but affirmative proof that the French began growing it as a garden plant did not appear until the 18th century. By the mid- to late-19th century, British horticulturists had begun selecting and cultivating varieties of cyclamen.

Through all these years of breeding and selection, horticulturists have cultured many varieties, such as double flowers, frilled petals, and rich or faint fragrances. There are plenty of colors, too, including noble and graceful red, elegant and refreshing white, lively and naughty pink, mysterious and quiet purple, etc. They are truly synonymous with cuteness!

Can I Grow Cyclamen Well?

Cyclamen requires certain things from its habitats and needs time invested in its care. Meet its preferred light, water, and soil requirements, and this little cutie will satisfy your desire for romance.

Cyclamen likes cool environments. Put potted plants somewhere with good ventilation and provide sufficient scattered light to it. Keep it away from direct, blazing sunlight. It likes fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It is afraid of dehydration but is also of waterlogging, so keep the soil just moist. In hot summers, cyclamens go into dormancy, and watering can be reduced then.

Size: 5-25 cm (2-10 in) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11, with varying hardiness of different varieties

Light: Half sun

Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained

Blooming time: Spring or winter

Flower of the Week: Christmas Cactus

Beautiful houseplants are essential when it comes to celebrating the long winter holiday season. If you pay attention, you will notice a plant with green stems, leaves like crab claws, and colorful flowers like wing-flapping birds. That is Christmas cactus. Since a splash of winter brightness is always welcome, take it home and let this vibrant winter fairy bring you the joy of the holidays.

Place of Interest

To appreciate the original charm of Christmas cactus, why not pay a visit to its native habitat in Brazil? The Organs Range, located in Rio, Brazil, is where you can discover the wild beauty of Christmas cactus in addition to spectacular local scenery.

Darwin mentioned the Organs Range in On the Origin of Species. Its unique climatic conditions, combined with the fact that it’s rarely visited, make it a haven for many rare plants. The Organs Range National Park was founded in 1939, and there you can hike the mountain’s most pristine natural trails with a local guide.

Christmas cactus blooms in Brazil in May. Visit Organs Range National Park in May, and you will not only enjoy the beauty of Christmas cactus against the backdrop of nature, but also encounter such amazing flora and fauna that you’ll think you are in a horticulturalist’s dream.

A Name in Memory of a Collector

In the mid-19th century, a cactus collector named Frédéric Schlumberger lived in a castle near Rouen, France. He delighted in the collection of Christmas cactuses he gathered from the rainforests of southeastern Brazil.

In 1858, Charles Antoine Lemaire named Christmas cactus’ genus name Schlumbergera after Frédéric Schlumberger, as a tribute in his memory.

Flower of the Winter Holiday Seasons

In 1818, people began to plant Christmas cactus in Europe, and in the 1860s, horticulturists cultivated Christmas cactus with various colors, making them popular as an indoor ornamental plant that spread to North America, Australia, New Zealand, etc. Over the years, hundreds of Christmas cactus varieties have been selected and bred through constant hybridization, and these little fairies have been given catchy names such as Gina, Eva, etc.

In most Western countries, people associate Christmas cactus with various winter holidays. Before Thanksgiving in the United States, people buy Christmas cactuses in large quantities, and around Christmas in Europe, people take them home, too, one after another. They are deeply loved by all sectors of the population for the colorful, gorgeous flowers that warm the cold winter and bring joy to the holidays.

Can I Grow Christmas Cactus Well?

Christmas cactus requires certain temperatures to grow well, but other than that, doesn’t need much care. Just meet its preferred soil, light, and moisture conditions, and it will decorate your winter holidays like a champion.

Christmas cactus prefers a warm environment, and should be placed indoors by a window in winter to receive plenty of scattered light. It needs shade in summer to avoid direct sunlight. It prefers loose, fertile, well-drained soil. When the soil is too damp, it can affect the growth of the plant’s root system, so don’t water it too often, and wait to do so until the soil is dry. After flowering, cut off the spent flowers to reduce nutrient consumption and help it rejuvenate.

Size: 25-45 cm (10-18 in) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12

Light: Half sun

Soil: Loose, fertile, well-drained

Blooming time: Winter

Flower of the Week: Peace Lily

The peace lily is an evergreen herb in the Araceae family, native to the Central and South American tropics. Today, it’s one of the most popular green indoor plants worldwide, and you have likely seen it in a variety of settings.

Peace lilies are almost stemless, have large leaves, are caespitose and very ornamental. Properly cultivated, they can bloom frequently, producing white or greenish upright “flowers.” As with other plants in the Araceae family, the “petals” of peace lily are spathes, and the pale yellow “stamens” within them are true spadixes made of many florets.

A Symbol of Peace

In German, peace lily’s name is “Friedenslilie,” which suggests a similar meaning as in English: a state of truce. It was named so because of the white spathes, which are like white flags raised high. According to international law, in war the white flag stands for ceasefires, peace talks, or neutrality, and so is naturally a symbol of peace.

What's Wrong with It When the Leaves Turn Yellow?

Although peace lilies are easy to care for, there are times when the leaves suddenly turn yellow, catching people off guard. In general, the following reasons may make the plants unwell.

Over-watering. This is the most common cause of yellowing leaves. Too much water prevents the roots from breathing, resulting in the yellowing of leaves and even wilting of new shoots. Wait until the soil dries thoroughly before watering.
Sunburn. Leaves turn yellow, develop yellow-brown spots, and even dry up to die. Direct sunlight should be avoided.
Overly low temperatures. Peace lily is a tropical plant. When the temperature gets too low, old and new leaves both yellow. Please move the pot to a warmer place.
Over-fertilizing. Using slow-release fertilizer in small pots can cause excessive fertilizer accumulation, which is toxic to plants. Remove the plant from the pot with the root ball in soil, water it thoroughly, and then place it in a sink to let the water seep out, washing away some of the residual fertilizer. It's best to use a liquid fertilizer diluted to half the concentration the product manual instructs.
Pests and diseases. Mites can cause yellowing leaves. Please use a miticide.
Repotting. No matter how careful you are, repotting will damage the root system somewhat. However, there is no need to worry, as it will naturally get better after resting for a while. During the recovery period, protect the plant from direct light completely and don't let the environment get too dry, too hot, or too cold.

Be Careful of Toxicity

Although it’s one of the most common indoor plants, it’s still important to keep in mind that the whole peace lily plant is toxic to humans and pets. Do not eat it by mistake. The toxicity comes mainly from its calcium oxalate crystals, which are present in large quantities in the sap from broken stems and leaves. Direct contact with these crystals with the skin or mucosa can cause varying degrees of discomfort, and in some cases can induce severe allergic reactions.

Can I Grow Peace Lily Well?

Peace lily likes warm and moist environments. It is tolerant of shade but intolerant of direct sunlight, drought, and waterlogging, and doesn’t survive cold. Only when the winter temperature stays above 15°C (60°F) can the plant survive outdoors. For this reason, peace lilies are commonly grown potted and indoors.

To pot peace lily, use a commercial potting mix soil that is loose, fertile, and has a good water retention. Add a handful of bone meal as base fertilizer in the pot. The pot must have drain holes.

Peace lily can be kept indoors all year round. Scattered sunlight is its best source of light. Keep direct sunlight away in summer and let it receive more light in winter. Despite being shade-tolerant, peace lily will only bloom if it gets sufficient scattered light. It’s also important to keep it away from air conditioning vents, heaters, fireplaces, etc. when placing the plant indoors.

To reduce mold diseases, it’s best to wait to water peace lily when the leaves show slight signs of dehydration: when they start to droop, for example. Generally speaking, water about every 4-7 days. From spring to late summer, apply a compound fertilizer once a month at half the concentration indicated in the instructions. During the plant’s growth, if leaves show any signs of withering, remove them promptly. In the flowering season, whole scapes should be cut off as soon as the pollen is shed to retain nutrients.

During its growth season, peace lily will reproduce via rhizomes. Therefore, depending on the size and growth of the plant, repotting is necessary every 1-2 years. Repotting should be done in early spring or at the end of the flower season in the fall. While repotting, plant division can also be performed.

Size: 10-50 cm tall

Hardiness: For open-field culture, USDA Hardiness Zones 10-12

Light: Half shade to full shade

Soil: Fertile, well-drained soil

Bloom time: Late spring, early fall

Flower of the Week: Pansy

As enchanting as a fairy’s dress, the pansy is a lovely little plant impossible to overlook in the garden. This common wildflower originated in Europe and West Asia. It is an annual herb of Violaceae and is often cultivated in gardens or as a potted plant.

Cultivation History

This beautiful flower has an amazing number of varieties, yet only about 200 years of cultivation history. In the early 19th century, Lady Mary Elizabeth Bennet (1785-1861) collected and planted all kinds of pansies in her father’s 4th Earl of Tankerville garden in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey. With the help of her gardener William Richardson, she produced a large number of plant varieties through hybridization.

In 1812, she introduced her pansy to the horticultural world. Florists and horticulturists began to cultivate and sell pansy. The flower became the most popular garden plant of the period.

Variety Admiration

Since the 19th century, pansy has been developed into many popular varieties. Particularly in the past 50 years, selective cultivation has introduced many new pansy varieties. The cultivation of pansy is mainly carried out in Germany, the United States, and Japan.

The newer pansy colors are colorful, ranging from simple two-color or three-color to dreamlike color-changing. In very recent years, a popular oil painting depicting the retro color design demonstrated an artistic appreciation of the flower.

In terms of flower design, the direction of selective breeding has changed from the early pursuit of large flowers to a present pursuit of delicate and natural small flowers.

In recent years, pansies with romantic tendrils and double petals have gradually become more popular varieties, though the lovely rabbit flower design presently remains the most popular variety.

Well-rounded Pansy

Besides decorating your garden, the pansy has many uses. Its leaves and flowers are actually edible. They can also be used as an embellishment for fruits and cakes, as well as a natural dye. Some varieties with longer stems can also be used as fresh cut flowers, impressively rounding out the plant’s usefulness in the garden.

Insect’s Parking Spot: Nectar Guides

Modern pansy petals often have very interesting, large, dark spots sometimes likened to scary facial expressions. However, back in the 18th century when pansy was not widely bred and hybridized, the original ancestors did not have such spots. They only had a few dark lines which were called “nectar guides”. These lines would guide insects to the nectar to more easily pollinate the pansy.

Pansy in Literary Masterpieces

The primitive, lined pansies described above are Shakespeare’s literary “love potions”. In the plot of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the “juice of the heartsease” is a love potion, and “on sleeping eyelids laid, will make a man or woman madly dote upon the next live creature that it sees.” This led to the neverending separation and reunion of lovers throughout the story.

In the 20th century, when Margaret Mitchell was still writing her famous novel, “Gone With the Wind”, she initially chose Pansy as the heroine’s name. This was probably because of pansy’s unpredictable nature, and perhaps also the other meaning of pansy, which is “love to dress up”. These descriptions both fit the heroine’s characteristics. It wasn’t until the last minute before the book was printed that the author changed the name of the main character to Scarlett.

Can I Grow a Decent Pansy?

Potted pansy tends to bloom all year round, sprouting flowers that are gorgeous and fragrant even in late autumn when everything else withers. Pansy has also been introduced to North America, where it is widely cultivated as a popular horticultural plant.

Pansies are easy to care for. Remember to water them regularly. Commercial, all-purpose fertilizer can be added around the roots and will help them bloom better. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer should be avoided.

Size: 4-8 inches tall, 8-12 inches wide

Hardiness: zone 7 and above

Sunlight: full sun to partial shade

Soil: loose, well-draining

Bloom time: all season long

Flower of the Week: Sweet Alyssum

Waves of sweet scent ride the breezes of late spring and early summer, luring you to seek the origin of such delightful fragrance. It comes from clusters of dense, lovely, lush, sweet alyssums, blossoming quietly in small bundles in flower beds and corners. These flowers smell like sweet melting honey. Feel an urge to own these exquisite floral fairies? Grow them at home and add a sense of lively energy to your life and garden.

Colorful Sweet Alyssum

Common sweet alyssum flowers are white or light purple. Because people are so fond of its sweet fragrance, horticulturists have cultivated many other colorful varieties, boasting pink, rosy red, purple, and apricot blossoms. They also come with delightful names such as Wonder Land, Snow Crystals, Carpet of Snow, Oriental Nights, Violet Queen, etc.

Nowadays, your choice is no longer bound to white. There’s a wide range of color selections.

Viewing Map

Originating from Macaronesia, sweet alyssum blooms most charmingly in the Mediterranean climate. To appreciate its beauty in its most primitive form, consider paying a visit to the Canary Islands.

Located off the West Coast of Africa, the Canary Islands are a short distance from mysterious Morocco across the sea. This is not only home to Sanmao and Jose Maria Quero y Ruiz’s romantic love story, but is a beautiful showcase of vivid biodiversity. Just walk up the hills along any random trail, and you will be greeted by roadside sweet alyssums blossoming tenaciously in boulder cracks.

April to June is the best time to look for sweet alyssum here. Unlike the artificial beauty carefully staged in a man-made city landscape, here you can capture unrestricted wild charisma from the clusters of spherical inflorescences. Tenacious and unapologetic, sweet alyssum blossoms in the rock cracks with intense vitality–some taller, some shorter–displaying an unpolished raw liveliness of dynamic energy.

An Inspiration to Writers

Richard Brautigan, an American poet of the Beat Generation, published a collection of poems in 1968 called Please Plant This Book. Humorous and light-hearted, the poems are all written around plants and vegetables, including sweet alyssum.

The poem collection was recently reprinted with a full-scale makeover and redesign. The poems are now printed on different envelopes with respective plant seeds hidden inside. When you read the poem about sweet alyssum, you can sow the attached seeds. The title of the collection has been turned into reality.

A Film Named after Sweet Alyssum

The flower language of sweet alyssum suggests innocence, ease of mind, and sweet memories. Filmmakers have imbedded those wonderful little floral balls in their storytelling as early as the silent film era.

In 1915, American filmmaker Colin Campbell directed a silent drama picture called Sweet Alyssum. The film tells a complex story of entangled love and hate in which the leading girl’s name is also Sweet Alyssum.

Can I Grow Sweet Alyssum Well?

Sweet Alyssum is a very robust plant. Wild species survive in rock cracks. With a reasonable supply of light and water, the plant can grow without much care.

Sweet Alyssum likes ample sunlight, but needs proper shading in hot summers. Drought-resistant, it doesn’t require water often, and an extended run of wet weather can make it more vulnerable to pests and disease. It grows best in well-drained soil. To achieve a more beautiful look, the terminal young buds of sweet alyssum can be pinched to make the plant grow more compactly and bloom more densely. Deadheading spent flowers helps reduce nutrition loss and make it bloom again.

Size: 10-50 cm (4-20 in) tall

Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9

Light: Full sun to half sun

Soil: Well-drained

Blooming time: Spring or summer

20 Flowers That Make Beautiful Cut Arrangements

There’s nothing quite like a bright and beautiful bunch of cut flowers to lighten up any room and bring the outdoors indoors. If you’d like to create a stunning display of cut flowers, check out our list to find out which flowers make for the best cut arrangements.

Barberton daisy

The Barberton daisy produces bright, attractive flowers. It is native to Southeastern Africa and has become increasingly popular as a house plant far outside its home range. The South African province of Mpumalanga includes the Barberton daisy on its flag and coat of arms.

Garden dahlia

The Garden dahlia is a common spring flower that comes in a wide range of colors. The flowers themselves are unscented and attract pollinators (like bees) using only their bright coloration. Garden dahlia plants were grown by ancient Aztecs and it is now the official flower of Mexico. It is genetically related to garden plants like sunflowers and zinnias.

Common sunflower

The Common sunflower is recognizable for its bright flower on a very tall stem. It is often grown in gardens. These flowers have been important in culture: they were worshipped by the ancient Inca people, and today, they represent eco-friendly movements. The artist Vincent Van Gogh made a famous series of paintings about Common sunflowers. Wild versions of the plant branch out to many flower heads, but domesticated plants typically only have one.

Chinese peony

Chinese peony is a perennial herbaceous bushy plant native to central and eastern Asia. It is highly regarded for its lush, white, pink, or crimson rose-like flowers, with pronounced yellow stamens. White Chinese peony was first introduced to England in the mid-18th century, and today there are several hundred cultivars common in temperate gardens around the world.

English lavender

The English lavender is a common flowering plant originally native to the Mediterranean region. Today, it is often used in scented products such as candles, oils, perfumes, soaps, and house sprays. The scent also has a deterrent effect against clothing moths.

Tenweeks stock

Tenweeks stock (Matthiola incana) is a flowering annual plant native to southern Europe. The Tenweeks stock is commonly grown as an ornamental plant and as a component of cut floral bouquets.

Love-lies-bleeding

Love-lies-bleeding (Amaranthus caudatus) generates spectacular blossoms of deep red to crimson-purple in summer. Edible seeds follow in fall. Known for sweet and savory culinary applications, the seeds of the Love-lies-bleeding can be ground into a nutritious gluten-free flour while the leaves can be cooked like spinach. It was likely an important food crop for ancient South American peoples.

Common corn-flag

The Common corn-flag takes its Latin name, Gladiolus communis, from the way its sharply-pointed leaves resemble the old Roman sword known as a gladius. They are grown as ornamental plants that bloom tall spikes of magenta flowers from late summer to early autumn.

China rose

The China rose (Rosa chinensis) is a Southwest China native. The plant has been cultivated for so long that it has become hard to tell the difference between wild and cultivated varieties. With medium-sized clusters of flowers and a long blooming season, it is easy to see why the China rose was chosen as the basis for many rose hybrids.

Easter lily

Lilium longiflorum, commonly known as Easter lily is a perennial bulb, famous for the beautiful fragrance of its large, trumpet-shaped white flowers. It plays an important role in Christianity, as it symbolizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ celebrated during Easter (hence the common name). Easter lily is most often cultivated for cut flowers.

Persian buttercup

Persian buttercup (Ranunculus asiaticus) is a flowering buttercup species native to the eastern Mediterranean region. It is known to tolerate lower temperatures than many buttercup species. The Persian buttercup is a popular ornamental plant for its attractive blossoms.

Common heather

Common heather (Calluna vulgaris) is an evergreen flowering shrub that produces hundreds of rose-pink to purplish-pink, bell-shaped flowers that bloom in late summer. Relatively low maintenance, it is perfect in rock gardens or used as a border or ground cover. It prefers acidic soil and will grow from 1 to 2 feet in full sun to partial shade.

Peruvian lily

Peruvian lily (Alstroemeria aurea) is a tuberous perennial with stunning orchid-like flowers, most commonly cultivated as an ornamental. Flowers are usually yellow to orange, spotted or striped. They are often visited by bees, butterflies and other pollinators. A number of varieties have been selected over the years to create greater diversity of flower colors.

Carnation

Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) is a herbaceous ornamental perennial known for its fragrant, distinctive flowers. Wild varieties of this species can be found in the Mediterranean. Carnation has rich symbolism, both in the traditional and religious sense. Its symbolic representations can be found in numerous cultures, from North America to the far East.

Candle larkspur

The Delphinium elatum is a beautiful ornamental plant, which includes cultivars ‘Magic Fountains’, ‘Dwarf Pacific’, ‘New Millennium’, ‘Pacific giant’, and 6 varieties of ‘Aurora’. It was first referred to as its scientific name by the Greek botanist and physician Pedanius Dioscorides.

Bird of paradise

The Bird of paradise is a bright, flowering plant. It is native to South Africa, where it is important to national culture, even being featured on the country’s 50-cent coin. The Bird of paradise has also become the official flower of Los Angeles in spite of its non-native status. In the wild, these flowers attract sunbirds as pollinators.

Flame lily

Flame lily (Gloriosa superba) is a climbing flowering plant also known as the tiger claw, fire lily, and creeping lily. Flame lily attracts sunbirds and butterflies. This plant is extremely toxic when ingested.

Aphrodite's phalaenopsis

Phalaenopsis aphrodite, colloquially known as Aphrodite’s phalaenopsis or goddess of fertility, is an orchid species native to southeast Asia. Aphrodite’s phalaenopsis is commonly mistaken for moon orchid (Phalaenopsis amabilis), as both have white flowers. However, Phalaenopsis aphrodite has smaller flowers and calyx with four horns compared to Phalaenopsis amabilis which has two-horned calyxes.

Love-in-a-mist

Love-in-a-mist is a member of the buttercup family with leaves that resemble those of the dill plant. The flowers, which bloom in early summer, sport tiny black seeds at their centers. Love-in-a-mist seeds get added to bread in some Middle-Eastern countries with a flavor like oregano or nutmeg. But note that it could be toxic if ingested in quantities.

Calla lily

The Calla lily is a well-known ornamental plant with several cultivars receiving the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. The most common cultivars include ‘Crowborough’, ‘Green Goddess’, ‘Pink Mist’, and ‘Red Desire’. They are popular as a cut flower or a rhizomatous herb in the warm gardens.

10 Flower Bulbs That Deer Usually Don’t Eat

If you share your garden with deer, you might be tired of them eating your precious plants! But there’s no need to worry, as we’ve put together a list of the ten flower bulbs that deer won’t eat, so you can have peace of mind that your plants are protected.

Glory of the snow

This perennial, Glory of the snow or Scilla luciliae gets its name because it blooms so early in the spring or late winter that the light blue blossoms sometimes appear poking up through the snow. Grown from bulbs, it tolerates full sun to partial shade and can be used as a cut flower.

Common hyacinth

Common hyacinth is one of the heralds of spring. The name hyacinth comes from the Greek name Hyákinthos. According to Greek legend, Hyákinthos was admired by both Apollo and Zypherus. Hyákinthos ended up being killed out of jealousy and a flower bloomed on the spot where his blood was spilled. Apollo named the flower after his lost love.

Crown imperial

Regal crowns of flowers perch atop tall stems of the Crown imperial, or Fritillaria imperialis. Bulbs can be planted in mass plantings, flowerbeds, and container gardens. These striking flowers grow from bulbs and bloom in early spring. The skunk-like fragrance is a great pest repellent.

Snowdrop

A herald of spring, the Snowdrop grows up to around 7–15 cm tall. Sprouting from bulbs, the drooping bell-shaped white flowers are accompanied by two slender, erect leaves. These flowers have been noted throughout history, with references going as far back as the fourth century.

Wild daffodil

Wild daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus) is a perennial flower that grows from bulbs. It is a common ornamental plant, famous for its pale-yellow flowers with a bright-yellow central trumpet. In the wild, Narcissus pseudonarcissus can be found in forests, grasslands, and rocky terrains. Its bulbs and leaves are poisonous when ingested.

Siberian squill

Siberian squill (Scilla siberica) belongs to the lily family. Its common name is a misnomer, since it’s not native to Siberia. Siberian squill originated in other parts of Russia. It’s a plant that’s been cultivated since 1796 and grows best in partial sunlight.

Lily of the valley

Lily of the valley is highly poisonous and originates in Euroasia. Although it is toxic, it is popular in gardens and perfume industry for its charming flowers and fragrance. Lily of the valley is the national flower of Finland and was the national flower of former Yugoslavia.

Dutch crocus

Dutch crocus (Crocus vernus) is an early spring blooming bulb with large flowers that range in color from yellow, white, and purple to striped or bronze. The plant grows 4 to 6 inches tall in full sun or partial shade. Makes a colorful display when planted under trees, in rock gardens, or in flower beds.

Armenian grape hyacinth

Armenian grape hyacinth is an easy to grow spring favorite flower. These little bell-shaped blue flowers grow in clusters under trees, in pots, and also work well in cut arrangements. These little beauties can thrive in both full sun or part shade, as long as soil is moist but well-draining. For a striking visual effect, plant at least 25 bulbs close together. Armenian grape hyacinths are deer and rabbit resistant.

Giant onion

Giant onion, Allium giganteum, or ornamental onion, is a member of the Amaryllidaceae family. This hardy perennial grows large purple clusters of tiny florets. It’s the largest of the ornamental onions, and although it produces onion-like fragrances, it is not grown for consumption.

12 Plants That Symbolize Love and Romance

Romance is often shown with a rose, but what if you can symbolize your love with more garden plants? We have the perfect list of plants that create a romantic atmosphere to showcase your love.

Carnation

Sweet basil

Sweet basil is a species of mint plant native to Asia and Africa. It is a popular houseplant, and thrives when it receives plenty of regular sun and water. This plant is also easy to transfer from one soil environment to another. The edible Sweet basil leaves can be eaten fresh or dried with pizza, salads, soups, teas, and many other dishes.

Pot marigold

The Pot marigold is a herbaceous perennial plant often recognized by its thick, orange-yellow blooms with numerous petals. Flowers of the Pot marigold have a long history of table use. They are often served in salads or as a decoration. The flowers can also be made into a similarly-colored dye for foods, textiles, or cosmetic products.

Garden thyme

While best known for culinary purposes, Garden thyme has historically seen use in embalming rituals and as incense. In the kitchen, it most often ends up as a flavoring herb or brewed in tea. Garden thyme was gifted to warriors in the Middle Ages because it was supposed to spur courage and energy.

Patchouli

Patchouli grows as a bushy perennial herb, with erect stems reaching up to 75 cm in height and bearing small, pale pink-white flowers. Noted for its fragrant essential oil, it has many commercial uses and is now extensively cultivated in tropical climates around the world. Extraction of patchouli’s essential oil is by steam distillation of the dried leaves and twigs, which may be harvested several times a year.

Common yarrow

Common yarrow is a wildflower that has feathery leaves and flowers in white, yellow or pink. In China, the plant is considered to be good luck while for some time in Scotland it was believed to have magical properties. It has been brewed into beer, tea, and liquors, but it has low toxicity. Don’t consumed in large quantities. Common yarrow’s bitter leaves are toxic to pets and horses. Other livestock can eat it, though it gives cow milk an unpleasant flavor.

English lavender

Oregano

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a herbaceous perennial plant closely related to marjoram. Ancient Greeks and Romans considered it a symbol of happiness. It is one of the most popular spice herbs, used in various cuisines all over the world. Oregano oil can be derived from the plant as well. Unfortunately, legal action has been required to stop suppliers of the oil from falsely claiming unproven health benefits.

Sweet fennel

Sweet fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering perennial plant related to carrots. It is native to the Mediterranean region, but is used throughout the world as a flavoring herb. Sweet fennel has a sweet aromatic flavor similar to anise, and is an important ingredient in absinthe. In the wild, it often becomes a noxious weed.

Chinese peony

Garden tulip

Garden tulip (Tulipa gesneriana) is an ornamental bulbous plant native to southwest Asia. Ottomans brought it to Europe in the 16th century, and it almost instantly became popular, especially amongst Dutchmen. Garden tulip’s showy flowers are usually red or orange, but there are also varieties with purple, pink or yellow flowers.

Sweet violet

Sweet violet is a mainstay in European gardening and cuisine. Its sweet smell has engendered a long tradition of use in the perfume industry. The leaves and flowers are edible and can be mixed with salads or made into syrup. In the wild, Sweet violet is often found near woodland edges, forest clearings, and other shaded areas.