If you are terrible with plants, the sweetheart or heartleaf philodendron is a perfect type for you.

From potting to watering, here are 5 great tips for caring for your plants.

With the right care and conditions, Philodendron may thrive

Philodendrons can survive in low light, but they eschew direct sunlight. These plants grow faster with higher indirect light and will produce more leaves with medium or indirect light.

Philodendrons are hard to kill, so how do you keep it alive?

You can maintain your philodendron by either watering it or letting it grow in water. You should mix half of the soil with dry sand and then do either a light or heavy watering at necessary times to ensure optimal growth.

If the leaves of your philodendron are wilted, give them more water and they will perk up again.

To grow a philodendron, it is necessary to give it soil and water, then monitor its drinking habits. If the plant starts to drink more than usual, the amount of water given should be reduced.

In particular, it is worth noting that if you transplant a Philodendron, they may not do so well.

Why potted philodendrons are more difficult than they sound

Potted philodendrons bring life and color to your home. Be thoughtful about well-drained soil, as they require that. After a few years, you might want to move them into another pot with fresh potting mix. It’s also important to avoid over-hydration by using smaller pots often.

Use pots that have drainage holes and make sure not to keep water sitting underneath them or else you will kill them.

Read about Philodendron growth and fertilizing requirements.

Philodendrons can survive for years without fertilization, and should still be fertilized monthly. In the spring and summer, give them half strength houseplant fertilizer every month, and in winter and fall, give them full strength houseplant runoff once every other.

Alternatively, fertilize your plants every 2-3 months. Fertilize when they are producing new leaves in order to prevent any harm on the other parts of their system.

See what you can do to keep your philodendron alive

Make sure to prune the philodendron regularly, you want it happy and lush.

So, you should trim the shrubs so they don’t look overgrown. If you choose scissors, shears, or your fingernails to trim the shrub, go at it soon.

Learn how to grow and propagate this common houseplant

A new addition to your garden is as easy as cutting off a couple of nodes from the stem and planting it in the soil for rapid growth.

You can grow the cutting instantly.

Philodendron Toxicity

Philodendron can be harmful to one’s health. Never consume any part of the vine, as it could cause discomfort like burning in the mouth and throat; nausea; diarrhea among other toxic symptoms.

Philodendrons are toxic to animals, and signs of poisoning include pain in the mouth, swelling in the mouth, lips and tongue. In some cases, skin could show irritation from sap contact as further evidence.

Are you wondering how to repel spiders naturally? With spider mating season around the corner, you may find the eight-legged insects creeping around your bathroom, kitchen and living room more than usual.

“There’s many old-wives’ tales about how conkers can repel spiders – but many don’t know that a lot of fragrant houseplants can do just that,” Evie Lane, Gardening Expert at Primrose, says. “Most spider-deterring plants have a strong odour since aromatic plants are generally more effective at repelling insects – but they still smell great in your home too.”

Wondering how to banish the pesky creatures for good? Take a look at the popular plants that can repel them below…

1. Basil

Basil is great at repelling spiders, as well as other bugs such as ants, houseflies and mosquitoes. It might be a popular culinary herb, but its fragrant scent will keep the creepy crawlies at bay. Simply get your hands on a few basil pots and place them around entry points in the home.

“The herb can be grown in any area of your home, as long as it gets access to direct sunlight for four to five hours per day,” Evie adds.

2. Lavender

If you’re looking to avoid noxious chemicals, lavender is a safe and effective alternative for getting rid of spiders. Simply take a cutting from your lavender bush, tie it together in a small bunch and then hang in each room of your house. As well as bringing beautiful fragrance to your home, its strong scent will have your eight-legged roommates crawling away in no time.

3. Mint

If you’re someone who shrieks when you see spiders, you may want to try peppermint to get rid of them. All you need to do is pluck a few fresh mint leaves and place them inside a spray bottle with water. Leave to absorb and then spray around entry points in your home, targeting areas such as windowsills and doorways.

4. Rose

“Rosemary is faintly scented for the human nose but releases an intense odour to spiders,” Evie explains. “Make sure you’re growing it indoors though – rosemary is less cold tolerant so will thrive in a standalone pot in a warmer environment.”

5. Chrysanthemum

Many gardeners use chrysanthemums as companion plants to repel spiders, ants, ticks, fleas, spider mites, cockroaches and even bed bugs. Not only will the bright blooms liven up your home, but their pyrethrum ingredient will naturally repel any unwanted spiders without harming them.

6. Eucalyptus

Thanks to the distinctly earthy aroma of its oil, eucalyptus makes a great repellent for spiders, mosquitoes and other pests. All you need to do is add a few fresh sprigs around your bathroom, kitchen, living room and entryway to keep them at bay. If that still isn’t working, Evie explains you can also mix a few leaves with witch hazel and water to make a nifty spray. Simply spritz any areas to prevent spiders from making webs.

7. Marigolds

“Allotment keepers have been planting marigolds next to vegetables for generations – and for good reason,” Evie says. “Marigolds will repel nearly every small pest known, including spiders, snails and bugs. By placing fragrant plants throughout your home and investing in a cruelty-free spider catcher, your home will be pleasantly spider free this autumn.”

8. Citronella plants

Known for being an effective bug repellent, citronella plants can grow happily in many types of different soil. If you want to keep these sweet-smelling plants indoors, make sure you give them as much sunlight as possible to keep them bushy and more sturdy. Much like lavender, it’s a good idea to give these plants artificial light during the dark winter months.

9. Lemon balm

This bushy perennial, famous for its lemon-scented leaves and pale purple flowers in summer, is a member of the mint family. If you’re struggling with spiders during the autumn season, consider placing a potted lemon balm on a sunny window sill (they need around six hours of sunlight each day). Easy to grow from seeds, they are excellent at driving away common insects, such as fruit flies and spiders.

Do you have a few favorite “go-to” herbs? Why not grow them in water and keep them close at hand on the kitchen window sill or right on the counter?

Water-grown herbs are just as flavorsome as those you grow in the garden. You don’t have to mess with soil or worry about regular watering or changing seasons.

Most herbs will be happy growing in water, but those propagated from cuttings are easier to start in water.

Seed-grown annuals like cilantro, mustard, and dill are a bit tricky because you need to sow the seeds in soil or some other medium and then transfer the seedlings to water.

Soil to water transition is not impossible, but it may not always work out because soil-grown roots are a bit different from water roots.

What You Need to Grow Herbs in Water

Water

For a simple herb stand in the kitchen, you can root herb cuttings in plain water in glass bottles.

Avoid using chlorinated water directly as the bleaching chemical is not exactly friendly to plant tissues. Tap water that has been left to air overnight is fine, so is stored rainwater.

Spring water or well water is the best because it has some amount of dissolved minerals that may be of use to plants.

Containers

As for the container, mason jars or any other glass bottles will do, even plastic bottles.

Roots generally like to grow away from light, so colored bottles, especially amber colored ones (such as these) are best. You can just wrap a piece of paper around the bottle to keep the root zone in the dark.

This will even prevent algal growth on the container walls and on the root surface. Algae do not adversely affect plant growth, but they make the bottles look untidy.

Narrow-mouthed containers have an advantage: they can support the cuttings and keep them nearly upright. However, the mouth of the container shouldn’t be too narrow or tight-fitting around the cutting.

The roots have to breathe, and the mouth of the container should allow free movement of air.

If you’re using a wide-mouthed container, you have the option of covering the top with nylon or wire netting. Insert the cuttings through the holes, and that will offer some support to the cuttings.

Another advantage, especially in warmer areas, is that the netting prevents mosquitoes from laying eggs in the water and multiplying.

Plant cuttings   

Soft cuttings are pretty quick to root in water. You don’t need to use any rooting hormones. If you have some herbs growing in the garden, snip off 6-inch sections from growing tips and put them in the water-filled containers.

The best part of growing herbs from cuttings is that you can use the ones you get from the supermarket. Just wash them in plain water and cut off the lower portion.

Remove lower leaves from cuttings and trim the lower tips close to the nodes from where the roots arise. When they are inserted into the bottles, there shouldn’t be any leaves touching the water. They can rot easily and spoil the water, as they do in flower vases.

Woody cuttings like rosemary may take longer to root, so be patient. Change the water once a week without disturbing the cuttings. Once the roots start growing, usually between 2-6 weeks, water changes may not be necessary.

If you have willow trees in the garden, you can steep some branches in warm water overnight to make a natural rooting hormone mix. Place the cuttings in the infusion to encourage rooting. Alternately, rooting hormone powder can be used.

10 Best Herbs You Can Grow In Water

1. Peppermint

This is the most popular mint for medicinal uses because it contains high amounts of the volatile substance menthol. It gives a unique cooling sensation on the skin or tongue, but without actually causing any temperature variation.

Growing peppermint in water is easy; just put fresh cuttings in water to grow new plants.

2. Spearmint

This is another mint variety closely related to peppermint. In fact, peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint and an aquatic mint that is commonly known as water mint.

3. Oregano

This pungent herb is worth growing indoors because you can use the leaves to flavor almost any vegetable.

Take cuttings of fresh growth and pot them up in water. Start pinching the growing tips as soon as the plant starts to grow well.

4. Basil

Basil would love the warmth of your kitchen and grow happily in a water-filled container as long as you provide it good light.

Take cuttings any time before it starts flowering. If you have several varieties of basil, growing cuttings in water is the best way to preserve your collection during winter.

5. Sage

Take soft cuttings in the spring and root them in water. You may need only one or two sage plants because only very tiny amounts are needed to impart flavor. Keep the plants in bright light and in a well-aerated place because this herb is prone to mildew.

6. Stevia

This sweet plant is good to have in the house to add to freshly brewed teas and beverages.

Take cuttings of actively growing soft branches and place them in water. Provide a warm place and as much light as possible to keep this tropical plant happy and full of sweetness.

7. Lemon balm

The lemony scent of this mint-family herb is a welcome treat in any home, especially in the winter. The leaves are great for making tea. Take cuttings in spring or fall. Keep the containers in a warm place that receives plenty of bright indirect light. They may take up to 3-4 weeks to develop roots. Keep the water clean with regular changes.

Some people find it easier to root the cuttings outside the house when the weather’s still warm. It may help avoid white mildew that lemon balm is prone to. You can bring them indoors when the new plants are well established.

8. Tarragon

Take cuttings in the spring after new growth appears. Fall cuttings are fine too, but they may take longer to grow roots. Keep cuttings in a warm place that gets bright light. French tarragon is best as a culinary herb. Russian tarragon is milder, or even bland, so use it as a green in salads.

9. Thyme

You need to take cuttings of new growth that is green in color. The old growth that has become stiff and brown may not sprout roots easily. The best time to take the cuttings is mid-spring to early summer, before the plant starts flowering. The thin stems of thyme can dry out very fast, so put them in water as soon as you cut them. Spray the portion above the water, if necessary. Once it starts growing, cut the stems to promote branching.

10. Rosemary

The semi-woody cuttings of rosemary take longer to root, but spring cuttings of new shoots may be faster. Either way, it is worth the effort because rosemary makes an excellent indoor plant for a sunny spot.

9 Best Houseplants To Grow In Water

Not just herbs, but other houseplants do equally well in water. Just perfect for you if you regularly kill houseplants by over watering them or forgetting to water altogether. You don’t need to make any special arrangements when you go off for a few days.

Pothos

This plant is commonly grown in water. Take tip cuttings of any length and put the cut end into some water making sure that 2-3 nodes are submerged in water.

Arrowhead

This plant is similar to pothos. Tip cuttings can be potted up with a few nodes below the water level.

Philodendrons

Dainty heart-leaved philodendrons, as well as the large, split-leaved types do equally well in water. Take 6-8 inch cuttings of growing tips and put in a container that can support its weight. You may need to place a piece of rock in the container to prevent accidental tipping.

Peace lily

You can pot up divisions or use an entire plant growing in a pot. Just wash off all the soil from the roots and put it in a bowl of water.

Aluminum plant

Cuttings of this beautiful plant with silver markings do very well in water.

Dracena

The plant commonly grown in water as Chinese lucky bamboo incidentally is no bamboo, but a variety of dracaena (Dracaena braunii). Others like corn plant (D. fragrans), Song of India (D. reflexa) are good choices. Sections of the cane can be rooted and grown in water, but support is essential for these top heavy plants.

Dieffenbachia (Dumb cane)

Cut top growth and pot up in water after the cut end becomes dry. Care must be taken while handling this plant; its sap is so caustic, it can burn your skin.

Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)

Take cuttings or clean whole plants growing in pots and put them in large containers of water.

Chlorophytum (Spider plant, Airplane plant)

Put large plantlets or entire plants cleaned of all soil particles in goldfish bowls full of water. Water culture is best for hanging plants because you don’t need to water them often.

6 Best Vegetables To Grow In Water

Watercress, water chestnut, wasabi, and lotus are some of the food plants that naturally grow in water. But many terrestrial vegetables can adapt to growing in water.

Some, like leafy greens such as lettuce and spinach, do extremely well.

They seem to be happier than their counterparts growing in the ground because they get a continuous supply of water and are not bothered by soil pathogens.

Lettuce

This is the most favorite vegetable of hydroponic farmers. The easiest way to grow them hydroponically is to start the seeds in netted cups. When they are bigger, insert them into the beds containing growing medium.

Spinach

This leafy vegetable is grown the same way as lettuce.

Tomatoes

Tomato seeds started in individual cups are inserted into the growing medium. High yields are typical of hydroponically cultivated tomatoes.

Peppers

Their cultural requirements are similar to tomatoes.

Cucumbers

Bush type cucumbers are preferred for hydroponics; the climbing type would need extra support.

Celery

Being able to grow celery without soil is a bonus; it means no dirt deposited in the leaf bases. It makes cleaning the vegetable very easy.

How To Feed Water-Grown Plants

Plants growing in plain water will soon exhaust what little mineral nutrients the water may contain. Since they don’t have access to the nutrients naturally occurring in soil, they need supplemental nutrition to do well.

Regular fertilizers diluted in water or proprietary formulations designed for hydroponics can be used at regular intervals.

When you use fertilizers to feed water grown plants, they leave some residues that may accumulate in the water and on the roots, causing root burn. Change the water at regular intervals and flush the plants and the containers occasionally.

Hydroponics – Growing Plants in Water and Inert Media

Soil has some functions other than providing minerals required for plant growth,. It supports the plants and provides a medium for anchoring the roots. When plants are grown without soil, the lack of proper support can be a limiting factor. Soil acts as a reservoir of water and fertilizers added to it, and then releases both in a controlled manner.

Inert natural media like sand, gravel, perlite, vermiculite coconut fiber, and coconut chips are sometimes added to water containers to serve as support. Some products like lightweight expanded clay and rock wool are specially manufactured for this purpose.

Plants grown in a hydroponic medium seem to appreciate the physical support they get. Special nutrient formulations are mixed with water to provide continuous nourishment to the plants. That’s why hydroponic systems typically give very high yield.

Types of Hydroponic Systems

Wick system – The plants grow in tubs filled with an absorbent medium like coco-peat that can wick up nutrient-rich water from a bottom reservoir. It is somewhat like growing plants in soil, except that the nutrients come from the water, not the medium.

Deep Water Culture – It is almost same as the simple system described for growing plants directly in containers of water. The roots remain suspended in water, but the plants are actually growing in another container partially immersed in the main water container. Sometimes Styrofoam sheets with holes are used for suspending the plants.

The water in the main container is agitated or aerated with an aquarium pump. This extra aeration to the root zone helps reduce disease and keeps the roots healthy and strong. The main drawback is that power is required to run the system.

Instead of allowing the roots to remain submerged in water all the time, different types of arrangements for intermittent exposure have been developed. This allows more air-circulation around the roots, helping reduce root zone diseases.

Falling water – Nutrient solution is supplied to the beds from overhead sprinklers. It percolates down by gravity and gets recirculated. The root zone gets good air circulation, but the system involves pumping water for recirculation.

Flood and drain – The plants growing in the bed of inert medium are watered by intermittent flooding of the beds with the nutrient solution. The bed is them allowed to drain, exposing the roots to air.

Aeroponics

This is an improvement on hydroponics where growing medium is done away with. Plants are grown in holes cut into large pipes so that their roots remain inside the pipe. Nutrient solution is sprayed on to this root zone.

Aquaponics

This is a combination of hydroponics and aquaculture in which fish and other aquatic life are grown. It does away with the proprietary nutrient solutions used in hydroponics, replacing it with the nutrient-rich water discarded from aquaculture tanks.

The system uses an inert medium that gets colonized by microorganisms capable of breaking down aquaculture waste products. The water thus cleaned and filtered by the hydroponic bed gets recirculated into the aquaculture tanks.

A simple replication of aquaponics would be growing herbs, watercress or microgreens on Styrofoam sheets floating in an aquarium tank with their roots absorbing the nutrients generated from fish waste.

It is truly amazing the number of plants that can be grown without soil.  If you are ready for a change from conventional gardening why not try your green thumb at water gardening?

Plants do so much for us and ask for so little in return. Simply being in their presence confers a broad range of benefits – when we are around them the air is cleaner and more humid, we are happier and less stressed, we work harder and more effectively, and we heal faster and feel less pain.

Indeed, we are wise to keep these living greens close by. Not only do they add beauty and lushness to your indoor spaces, choosing fragrant varieties means they can also take the place of artificial air fresheners too.

Here we’ve rounded up the most aromatic plants that adapt well to life indoors.

1. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is a bushy, perennial herb of the mint family. Though humble in appearance, when lemon balm’s serrate, oval leaves are lightly brushed or rubbed between the fingertips, it releases a fragrant lemony scent.

Beyond its aromatic properties, lemon balm is an eminently useful specimen to have around. Clip the leaves often to flavor soups, salads, sauces and ice cream. You may also steep the leaves to make lemon balm tea, a therapeutic beverage for lifting mood, improving sleep, relieving pain, and more.

As a houseplant, lemon balm is easy to grow and very low maintenance. Place it on a window ledge that receives up to 5 hours of direct sunlight each day.

Pick up organic, non-GMO lemon balm seeds here.

2. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

The purple spiked plant beloved by natural health enthusiasts, lavender is another herb with dozens of wonderful benefits for health and home.

Though there are several types to choose from, English lavender is one of the more aromatic varieties. Keep it blooming by providing lots of sunlight and good air flow. It also prefers a spacious pot with a couple inches between plantings and monthly feedings.

Heirloom organic English lavender seeds can be purchased here.

3. White Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)

A twining vine that produces clusters of star-shaped flowers, white jasmine provides the sweet smell of summer during the winter months. It is also known as pink jasmine or many flowered jasmine.

Keep white jasmine happy by placing it in a sunny, humid spot. It looks lovely in a pot or hanging basket, just be sure to add a stake or trellis so its clinging vines have something to grasp on to.

Purchase white jasmine starter plants here.

4. Gardenia (Gardenia jasminoides)

Although it made our short list of the worst plants to grow in your garden, gardenia might be tough but she sure is beautiful. If you are up to the challenge, this gorgeous diva just might reward you with a show of exquisite, sweetly fragrant blooms.

Gardenia requires bright, indirect light and temperatures above 60°F at all times. It prefers acidic soil, bi-weekly feedings, and a consistently moist growing medium.

A 2-pack of live gardenia plants can be purchased here.

5. Citrus Tree (Citrus spp.)

Lemon, lime, orange, and other citrus fruit plants can add fruity scents to your indoor garden. Dwarfed into miniature trees, citrus needs sunshine and warmth to produce small fragrant blossoms that smell like their fruit.

Citrus plants tend to be thirsty so give them a good watering regularly and feed with an all-purpose fertilizer in spring and summer.

While you can grow citrus plants from seed, you will have to wait around six years for it to mature enough to bloom. If you don’t want to wait that long, pick up a 3-pack of orange, lime, and lemon starter plugs here.

6. Twinkle Orchid (Oncidium)

Though orchids in general are not known for their fragrance, this Oncidium hybrid blooms with hundreds of dime-sized flowers that emit a spicy vanilla scent.

Despite their reputation, orchid species aren’t too difficult to care for provided you give them plenty of bright, indirect light. Choose a spot with high humidity and temperatures between 70 to 85°F during the day and 55 to 65° at night. Because twinkle orchids are epiphytes, pot them in an orchid mix of fir bark and peat moss.

Purchase Twinkle Orchid ‘Fragrant Fantasy’ here.

7. Scented Leaf Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)

Though scented geraniums bear delicate 5-petaled flowers in summer, their strong fragrance is released when the thick, fuzzy foliage is touched or rubbed.

It comes in several scents – P. capitatum (rose), P. crispum (lemon), P. denticulatum (pine), P. fragrans (apple), P. grossularoides (coconut), P. tomentosum (chocolate mint).

Whatever variety you choose, place scented geranium in a sunny spot that receives at least five hours of sunlight per day.

Pick up rose scented geranium seeds here.

8. Stephanotis (Marsdenia floribunda)

With attractive dark green leaves that look good no matter the season, stephanotis is a vining plant that produces clusters of waxy, sweet smelling flowers in spring and summer.

As one of the easier to grow indoor flowering plants, stephanotis just needs a good amount of bright light and a support to climb on.

Live stephanotis plants can be purchased here.

9. Eucalyptus Tree (Eucalyptus cinerea)

Also known as silver dollar tree and argyle apple, eucalyptus emits a minty, sweet, and uplifting aroma. The silvery, blue-green foliage also provides a nice visual contrast among the pure greens of other houseplants.

Eucalyptus plants are incredibly speedy growers, maturing from seed to shrub in a single growing season. Indoors, they can be pruned into a bushy form or trained to look like a tree. Being native to Australia, it needs full sun to thrive. Feed weekly throughout spring and summer with a low nitrogen fertilizer.

Buy eucalyptus seeds here.

10. Sweet Bay (Laurus nobilis)

Sweet bay is a non-fussy evergreen tree with thick, glossy, elliptical leaves. Its foliage gives off an herbal scent with slight floral notes. Clip off the leaves from time to time to add flavor to soups, sauces, and stews.

Place sweet bay plants in a spot that receives full sun to part shade.

Buy sweet bay live plants here.

11. Tea Rose Begonia (Begonia ‘Tea Rose’)

A fibrous begonia, this tea rose cultivar features broad green leaves and ever blooming pinkish white flowers that appear along its red stem. Blooms are fragrant with a lightly sweet aroma.

Tea rose begonia prefers medium to bright light when kept indoors, high humidity, and warm temperatures.

Pick up tea rose begonia plants here.

12. Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens)

Bearing tiny violet flowers grouped together in large clusters, heliotrope is a delightful specimen that smells of vanilla. Although heliotrope is typically planted outdoors, it can be tamed for your indoor garden as long as you provide plenty of sunlight and humidity. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.

Heliotrope seeds can be purchased here.

13. Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia x candida)

Fill your home with the intoxicating perfume of angel’s trumpet, a large tropical tree native to Ecuador. Releasing its scent in the evenings, angel’s trumpet has numerous, huge, downward facing trumpet-shaped flowers that are available in white, yellow, orange, and pink colors. But beware, all parts of this plant are highly toxic.

To keep it in bloom, angel’s trumpet needs as much sunlight as you can throw at it, warm temperatures, and plenty of ambient humidity.

Purchase 4-inch angel’s trumpet starter plants here.

14. Frangipani (Plumeria spp.)

Frangipani is a small tree native to Mexico, Hawaii, Central American, and the Caribbean. It is most well known as the flower used to make leis. The five-petal blooms – available in red, pink, yellow, and white hues – are incredibly fragrant, especially at night.

To keep frangipani as a houseplant, you’ll need to give it lots of bright, direct sunlight (at least 4 to 6 hours per day). Water the plant deeply but allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Encourage blooming by feeding with a high phosphorus fertilizer every two weeks.

A set of four frangipani cuttings can be purchased here.

15. Blue Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea)

An absolute show stopper, blue passionflower offers a mesmerizing display of colorful sepals, petals, filaments, stamens, and stigmas. Beyond its complex appearance, blue passionflower emits a minty, fruity aroma.

Since blue passionflower is a woody vine, it needs a cage or hoop support to keep it tidy. It also prefers a spacious pot for its roots to become well established. Blue passionflower loves the sun, high humidity, and household temperature ranges.

Live blue passionflower starter plants can be purchased here.

Encouraging Houseplants to Flower

Some houseplants are more stubborn than others when it comes to flowering. The only way to see those marvellous blooms year after year is to recreate their natural environment as best you can.

Here are a few tips:

Lighting – Some plants require more light than your sunniest window sill, especially if you live in the northern hemisphere. Supplement their sunlight needs by adding a grow light or two.

Humidity – To increase humidity levels in the home, place pebble trays beneath your planters. You can also give their foliage a daily spritz with plain water. Investing in a humidifier, grouping houseplants closely together, or setting them in a terrarium are other ways to keep tropical plants happy.

Repotting – Flowering takes up a lot of the plant’s energy. Replenish their nutrients by repotting plants in new potting soil every year.

Put them out – Consider setting plants outside during the summer months to give them a major boost of growth. Just be sure to bring them back inside before the temperature drops.