Organic Gardening

Top 5 Websites to Buy Climbers And Creepers In India

Climbers and creepers are without any doubt, the best décor plants for your house interiors or even your outdoor gardens, walls, arches, doors, or fences.

Vines with attractive green shaded leaves, several kinds of variegated twines wrapping around other plants and poles, the colorful flowers that bloom and the aesthetically wild appearance are among the best buys for any garden enthusiast looking for some dramatic greens to add to their displays.

It can be a dilemmatic situation to choose a good platform to buy your plants from. Many a time when the local or city plant nursery, gardening stores, etc. do not seem to be the most convenient option for you, the best option is to look online.

Online sites selling plants may or may not seem like a good idea because of the virtual space of interaction, but with the right amount of knowledge and good platforms and sites to choose from, you can arrive at a good conclusion.

Among the very many websites available to choose from, we’ve brought to you 5 easy and efficient sites to buy your climbers and creepers from if you’re an Indian searching for your favorite green vines online.

Listed below are 5 websites you can go to if you’re looking for creepers and climbers for your Indian homes:

1. PLANTSGURU

PLANTSGURU is a website where you can buy all kinds of creepers and climbers in India for fairly low prices. In PLANTGURU’s online store you can get a variety of creepers and climbers to choose from and know more about.

This is a very user-friendly site and you can easily search, select, know more about, and order plants for your house according to your choices.

PLANTSGURU is a great shopper-friendly site and a lot of customers have had great experiences and no complaints about buying creepers and climbers from here.

The price they offer is considerably low as compared to many other general plant selling sites.

Apart from pricing, these retailers have a wide range of plants to offer from. They have a great collection in their creepers and climbers section too. Bougainvillea, Allamanda creepers, jasmine plants, curtain creepers, English ivy, money plants, bleeding heat vine, garlic creepers, etc. are among their best-selling vine plants.

This online plant shop also brings to you a lot of varieties within one species to choose from, for example – they have a wide range of bougainvillea creepers with various colored flowers and unique foliage. They also offer several varieties of the Allamanda creepers and the Pothos plants.

On browsing through this site about a plant, you can get to know the details of the plants, its description, uses and benefits, cultivation and care tips, etc. You can often avail offers and use coupons. They also provide you with a chat option where you can share your questions, queries, suggestions, and feedback.

They deliver plants right to your homes in good and safe packaging and within time, avoiding any kind of damage. They also offer to you a wide range of pots, garden décor, fertilizers, and other seeds and plants to add to your gardens.

2. NurseryLive

Another good option if you’re looking for online options to buy creepers and climbers from is NurseryLive. It can be your go-to online nursery.

It is one of the very popular sites and it also has a blog where regular tips, information, facts, and other interesting knowledge are shared related to gardening and plants. It is fit to serve you with all your gardening needs. It has a range of as many as 6000 products to choose from and it delivers all across India.

When it comes to climbers and creepers this store has a lot to choose from. The rates are reasonable and aren’t really on the more expensive side. Delivery is correctly carried out and conveniently done for customer satisfaction.

They have a variety of Pothos vines to offer to you, like – the regular money plant, neon Pothos, marble Pothos, etc. Apart from money plant species, it also has a good collection of Allamanda vines varying in sizes and blooming colors.

Jasmines and Garlic creepers are also available in this online store. The very famous curtain creeper can also be purchased on NurseryLive. Several colorful varieties of Mandevilla plants and philodendrons are made accessible to gardens as well at cheap prices.

To make buying even better, they provide appealing offers and deals for the customers.This site is a very efficient one. It includes a detailed description of a plant along with videos from their channel to help the buyers get a good idea about the growing care tips that are necessary for a particular plant.

It mentions the planting and care tips for each plant and also the dos and don’ts that are needed to follow. Other information like the key elements to keep in mind to take care of and provide requirements to the plants, special features and facts of the plants are provided.

It also adds the uses and benefits of the plant along with some frequently asked questions that the buyer might stumble upon. Apart from all of this it also has a live chat option that makes interactions better and easier.

Here on NurseryLive you can even buy potting soil mix, decorative pots, and fancy garden ornaments, fertilizers and plant nutrition mix, etc. They sell an attractive stock of a variety of pots to choose from.

NurseryLive, overtime has received a lot of media recognition and mentions by Hindustan Times, daily hunt, Dainik Bhaskar, Economic Times, etc. as a great business platform and a one-stop platform for all garden enthusiasts across India.

3. PlantsLive

PlantsLive is a great platform to get your greens online in India. This stage allows you to browse through a variety of plants, climbers, creepers, flowering plants, etc.

This site provides an attractive and varied collection. You can always find your favorite creepers and climbers on this online plant store.

Ranging from Bougainvillea and its vibrantly colored species, Philodendrons, variegated Pothos varieties, Curtain creepers, passionflower vines English ivy vines, garlic creepers, etc. this store has a lot to offer to the buyers. It has well over 150 varieties of creepers and climbers in store.

These e-commerce sellers aim at providing gardeners and houseplant growers all across India with plants and seeds right at their doorsteps.

It also offers its products at reasonable rates and also puts forward many convenient online payment varieties to suit the buyer’s needs and make it easier.

Along with providing information about the size, shape, color, age, etc. of various plants, this site also puts forward a lot of extra information that comes handy to all the buyers, like – the plant requirements, care and maintenance tips, the right temperature, watering, soil, light, fertilizing, etc.

You can also directly contact the sellers on WhatsApp to inquire and clear your doubts or gain extra information about specific plants. You can also view reviews on each plant from previous buyers or add a review about your buying experience as well.

This site all in all works to suit and serve its customers well and provide them with satisfactory delivery and green products.

4. Amazon

Along with its so many varieties of products, Amazon is also a great online shopping site if you are looking from plants to decorate your rooms or outdoor gardens. Amazon is among the world’s largest seller and e-commerce websites.

In India, Amazon is a popular online shopping website. It is an all products supply site and they have a garden shop as well.

The plants and gardening section of amazon is as intimidating as the rest of the site. Amazon is well-known for its fast deliveries, various benefits, cheap prices, easy return policies, and so much more.

Amazon also brings to all the green-thumbed, an opportunity to browse through its garden categories. If you are looking for creepers and climbers, you can always trust Amazon with its great service policies and customer satisfactory reviews.

Amazon has over 500 varieties to offer when it comes to vines and creepers. From the famous and popular homegrown climbers and creepers to the rather uncommon ones, you can find a lot of varieties on Amazon.

Some among the varied available climbers and creepers found on Amazon include – the curtain creeper, various colored morning glory vines, golden Pothos (money plant), Madhumalati vines, bleeding heart vines, N’Joy Pothos, satin Pothos, Allamanda creepers in various colors, jasmine vines, English ivy creepers, etc.

Amazon offers very cheap prices when compared to other online plant stores. It also mentions a detailed description of the creeper you want to buy, its light requirements, water, temperature and nutrition needs, feature, details, uses, benefits, etc.

There are also reviews for items and many a time answers to doubts and queries. You can also ask about a product to acquire more detail.

It also has a lot of pots, fertilizers, pesticides, plant nutrition mixtures, gardening tools, hanging garden structures, etc. which you can buy to supplement your garden needs.

A lot of gardening stores use amazon as their product selling platform, which means you can also search for other branded plants on amazon as it is also a host platform for sellers.

Amazon is one of the easiest and most convenient online shopping stores and has excellent customer service history. Amazon is growing as a popular website among houseplant buyers and interior décor experts also recommend buying from here. Amazon is one of the best stops to get your greens in India while online shopping.

5. MyBageecha

MyBageecha is another useful station for you while to decide to get some climbers and creepers online. This site is a great one for not only individual buyers but also stores and other firms.

All your gardening needs are made available on this accessible and efficient online site. MyBageecha is very popular for its unique moss frames which are a very new and bright idea for a home embellishment item.

Along with this, the sites also provide the buyers with a variety of options among several bulbs and seeds, plants, garden décor and essential items, terrarium kits, etc.

When it comes to vines and creepers, this website has a lot to offer to its customers. They have a colorful variety of the vibrant bougainvillea to bleeding heart vines, the unique Honululu creepers, Jasmines, curtain creepers, passion flowers, sky blue cluster vines, Allamanda, Bush clock vines, Madhumalati, pearls and jade Pothos, Silk Pothos, Neon Pothos, and so many others. They have like 100 variety to choose from.

They mention the necessary description about the plant species, the growing and flowering season, maintenance, light requirements, watering needs, size, correct pot to be used, uses, benefits, etc.

You can view remarks from previous buyers and leave one after your experience with MyBageecha.

It also sells little decorative idols, showpieces, pots, and other ornaments for the garden. Check out this online store today to find your favorite creepers and climbers and get them at reasonably low prices.

Whenever you are shopping online for plants, make sure you keep the following precautions in mind:

The images that are shown and the actual products may vary greatly.
Make sure delivery time is less as plants are perishable products and can be affected if in storage or in transit for long.
Buying plants online during the summer may be risky as the weather may make the plants for vulnerable to damage.
The shipping of your ordered plants may be delayed based on climate issues.
-Do read customer reviews and ask your questions in the FAQ section if plausible.
Always read the seller’s policies to know how to care for your plants.
Look for return policy options.
Follow the requirement and care tips accordingly

With the right information, you can go ahead and get yourselves your favorite plants online to embellish your home and gardens.

Recommended creepers & climbers for your Indian garden

If you are looking for some great creeper and vine options, here are a few popular ones:

Jasmine
Aparajita
Money plants
Flame plant
Madhumalati
Curtain creeper
Garlic vine
Passion Flower vine
Blue Morning glory
Bougainvillea
Bleeding heart vine
English Ivy
Begonia
Allamanda

Jacobinia (Justicia) Care – 8 Useful Tips from Experts

by Constance Harrington

JACOBINIA CARE – TIPS, ADVICE, AND INSTRUCTIONS

Justicia carnea or commonly known as the jacobinia is a native South American flowering plant. It is also generally called the Brazilian plume flowers, flamingo flowers, the blood of Jesus flower, flamingo flower, etc.

This flowering plant belongs to the Acanthaceae family and is a perennial plant with origins in the Atlantic forest Eco regions located in eastern Brazil.

It grows in warm and sub-tropical climatic areas. These plants have unique dark and vibrant flowers of various shades. The plant is well known for its medicinal qualities and is a to-go herb for many localities.

This plant is an evergreen shrub with upright growing stems, long dark green foliage, bushy and attractive flower plumes with tightly packed pink, red, and crimson tubular flowers into a cluster.

This plant usually flowers during the period from summer to fall. These plants are said to attract butterflies and hummingbirds. These make an amazing addition to a tropical garden and give a different and pleasing look.

The lush green foliage, richly colorful and fully bloomed flowers make a great houseplant and add to your home décor.

They are easy to grow and care for and can be planted in containers as well. Maintaining this plant is easy and on top of that, this is an excellent showy addition to your gardens. Let us know about various tips and tricks to grow and care for a Jacobinia plant at home.

Growth patterns of the Jacobinia Plant

Jacobinia usually grows up to a height of almost 4ft – 6ft long and spreads wide to around 2ft – 3ft. This is a bushy shrub type plant and is also available in more indoor friendly sizes in various garden stores or online gardening platforms.

When in a pot it usually grows up to a meter long. The dark green leaves of the Jacobinia are around 8 inches long. As a perennial plant, the Jacobinia must be updated every 2 – 3 years depending on its lifespan.

It bears attractively colored flowers at the top of the foliage in dense tubular clusters. The colors of the flowers can be varied, such as – red, pink, mauve, apricot, orange, magenta, etc. These flowers attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds and are also sterile. The flowers have a subtle scent to them too.

Growing and Caring for your Jacobinia (Justicia) at Home

1. Temperature Requirements

As this plant is a South American native, it thrives in warm and sub-tropical temperatures. A slight humidity in the environment is also generally preferred by this plant.

These plants stay fresh and live all summer till fall time. They do not survive well during the winter season and are intolerant of cold temperatures.

During the warm season, these plants require a minimum of 25 and above. When it comes to wintertime, the ideal range of temperature is around 15to 18. These plants must not be planted in low temperatures as they won’t make it to a good grow plant version.

2. Light requirements for this plant

Coming to the sunlight exposure for these plants, they prefer a partially shaded source of light. The Brazilian plumes do not grow well in harsh sun and thus, they must not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Placing it indoors allows a good lighting supply which isn’t too harsh and works just fine. When placing in an outdoor location, they can be planted under the shade of another plant to block the harsh and direct rays of the sun.

According to the plant’s light needs, it is optimal to place it by your east window as in that way it can receive the less harsh morning sun and indirect light for the rest of the day.

3. Soil conditions required for the Jacobinia

These tropical bushy shrubs can make do with a variety of soils and can also bear acidic to somewhat alkaline soil conditions. Sandy, loamy and clayey soils are good enough for this plant.

The Jacobinia requires well-drained soil with proper aeration. Breathable moisture-retaining soils are preferred by this Brazilian shrub. Agents such as sand, peat, or perlite can be added to make the soil airier and less dense. It is better to choose a well-draining pot as well as this will facilitate lighter and aerated soil conditions.

4. Watering and humidity for this plant

As these plants are native to tropical regions they prefer humid climates and continuous moisture. During the initial days after planting, these plants must be watered daily for a few weeks.

Slowly as the plant starts to establish good roots and adjusts to the settings, it can be watered at gaps of 3 – 5 days. During summers, the plant grows, and thus, it must be thoroughly watered with water which is at room temperature.

Do not let the soil in the pot or the garden dry completely; make sure you water at regular intervals as these plants enjoy moisture.

The soil must be kept well moist during the flowering time. Balance the watering and avoid overflowing the pot as the soil may be clogged and this hampers the drainage as well as the supply of air to the roots.

In the wintertime, these plants can be sprayed with water directly on the leaves to supply enough moisture and maintain the humidity so that the dry air does not disrupt its growth. The leaves can also be wiped with a wet cloth to maintain humidity. Pebbles can be placed in the pot to hold water for the plant.

5. Fertilizing the Jacobinia plant

Fertilizing the Jacobinia plant is an easy task and does not involve a lot of difficulties. In summers these plants can be provided with a nutrient-rich fertilizer once every 3 – 4 weeks. Liquid fertilizer with slow-release properties or a granulated fertilizer can be used too.

To encourage flowering and healthy growth a food supply with an NPK balanced of around 5-10-5 works well enough for this summer blooming plant. Fertilizing must not be overdone as it may render harmful effects on the jacobinia. The usage of fertilizer must be according to its stated instructions for the best results.

6. Re-potting a Jacobinia

These plants are naturally bushy and can spread out when growing in a pot. They can be repotted in a bigger pot or a part of the jacobinia plants can be transferred to another pot for better and spacious growth.

The soil must be mixed and readied in a separate pot with good amounts of humus, sand, peat, and perlite to make it airy and fertile. Slow-release fertilizers and organic matter can also be added to make the soil rich in nutrients for the jacobinia plant.

The existing soil should be broken up and tilled using garden equipment and then the organic matter and soil agents must be added. The jacobinia plant with the roots must be carefully transplanted to the pot and must be well placed in the soil.

Fill the empty spaces around the root with soil and press it down. Water the plant well in the initial days of transplanting and then switch to a more relaxed watering schedule once the plant is well established in the new pot.

7. Pruning and grooming of the Jacobinia plant

This tropical flowering plant does not necessarily need grooming but can be trimmed according to your choice and display preferences. Prune and trim the stems and foliage freely to maintain your desired shape, length, and appearance of this bushy shrub.

The wilted and yellowed leaves can be trimmed whenever they start to appear so. Once the flowering season is over, the jacobinia plants can be trimmed to encourage better growth and flowering in the next growing season.

This gives rise to better flowers, along with denser and bushier growth of the foliage. Removing old and worn-out flowers can be done to avoid self-seeding and it also keeps the appearance of the plant fresh and healthy.

8. Keeping away pests and diseases from the Jacobinia plant

These plants are generally not extremely prone to pest infestations. The foliage is usually not vulnerable to any disease or pest’s concerns. Nevertheless, few insects and nematodes can hamper the plant at times.

At times caterpillars can be a problem as they might climb onto and feed on the foliage of these plants. Although this does not affect the growth of the plant, it certainly hampers the display of the leaves. Caterpillars can be controlled by regularly available pest sprays from your nearest garden nursery.

Other pests like the – Red spider mites, whiteflies, etc. can also, be intruders on your jacobinia plants, and they can be controlled easily by spraying them off with water or with pesticides that are fit for this use.

How is the Jacobinia propagated?

To propagate a jacobinia, shoots from the previously existing plant is taken and transplanted. Stems that haven’t been pruned yet and are still freshly shooting can be used for acquiring the stem cutting from.

It is best to carry out this process in the spring season when the mother plant has bloomed perfectly. Healthy and active stems can be chosen for the work to propagate into a new and fresh jacobinia plant.

Cut portions of the stem that have not yet blossomed should be taken and you must make sure that these stems have two or more leaves.

This shoot can then be placed in a growing. The shoot can either be placed in the soil with all the necessary nutrition, fertilizers, and organic matter, or the cut stems can be placed in a mixture of well-moisturized peat and perlite to facilitate the further growth of the plant.

Humidity and temperature must be maintained according to the growing needs of the new jacobinia plant for its proper establishment. The pots with new shoots for propagation must be kept away from direct sunlight and in a shaded area protected under glass or some kind of light cover.

For the few following weeks after propagation, the cut stems must be regularly watered to encourage root formation.

Proper roots will develop and be established well enough within a month. After the stem has started to root and is growing properly, the regular needs of the plant must be directed accordingly.

Once the new plant starts growing, it can be fed with fertilizers to pace up the process of maturation.

A Jacobinia plant can also be grown from seeds that are available in gardening stores.

Signs your Jacobinia is not healthy

Due to certain light and watering conditions, your Jacobinia shrubs can appear unhealthy.

Watch out for withering leaves and dried ones as they are signs that you have been over-watering the plant. Too much water can also spoil the flowers and they may tend to rot and wither off.

During cold temperatures, leaves from the bottom of the plant may fall. It is a good option to shift your plant in a warmer location during the winter months.

Insufficient lighting or clogged up soil can also stunt the blossoming of the clustered and colorful flowers of this plant.

If your jacobinia leaves are losing its color and appearing dull and faded, they can be provided with a good fertilizer to provide good nourishment to the plant and encourage healthier blooms and fresher display.

Uses and Benefits of the Jacobinia

This Brazilian perennial plume flower plant is also popular for its various qualities. First and foremost, the evergreen shrub is famous for the tropical look that it brings to the gardens with its dark green and long foliage and pleasantly colored clustered flowers.

It is easy to grow and care for and also less vulnerable to damage by disease or pests. The shrubby bushy plant can be efficiently grown and kept either indoors in pots and containers or the outside gardens.

This plant is claimed to be useful to treat respiratory problems, inflammation, gastric and intestinal diseases, anemia, etc. The extracts from this plant are generally only used by local folks for medicinal purposes.

This is a common ornamental variety of indoor plants and suits as well as embellishes your rooms, porches, gardens, driveways, gates, and so on. Get your Jacobinia today to add that modern tropical touch to your gardens and homes.

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28703962/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15951145/
https://oaktrust.library.tamu.edu/handle/1969.1/108085
https://www.biomedres.info/biomedical-research/nutritive-properties-of-aqueous-extract-justicia-carnea-leaves-and-its-effectson-haematological-and-some-biochemical-indices-of-an-11500.html
https://www.nijophasr.net/index.php/nijophasr/article/view/292
http://siba.ibiologia.unam.mx/irekani/handle/123456789/31509?proyecto=Irekani
https://aip.scitation.org/doi/abs/10.1063/1.4858685
https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jophas/article/view/196038

How to Grow Giloy In My Garden and Where to Buy It Online?

by Constance Harrington

A popularly found in the Indian subcontinent and a medicinal green, the giloy is truly a magical herb. This is a very useful and herbaceous vine and is also commonly known as – Guduchi, heart-leaved moonseed.

Scientifically it is called the – Tinospora Cordifolia. Indian traditional medicine as well as Ayurveda has made use of giloy for treating various health conditions since time immemorial. The stem of the giloy plant is said to hold all the medicinal qualities that this plat is well known for.

The giloy is a deciduous green vine with long and uniquely shaped foliage as well as flowers, which spreads extensively and climbs with its long tender twines. These are indigenous to tropical climatic regions of India.

They are at times also found in tropical regions of Sri Lanka and Myanmar. In the world of medical research, naturally occurring medicines are gaining popularity over time and the giloy is one such identified medicinal herb.

Due to its numerous health benefitting properties, in the Sanskrit language, Giloy is said to be ‘amrita’ translates to – the root of immortality. It has also been recognized by the FDA (Food and Drug Association). Let us know more about this magical herb, it uses, how to grow them, and where to find them.

How to Identify Giloy Plants

The giloy is a large and deciduous vine. It has long climbing branches and grows and spreads extensively. The leaves of this vine are bright green and heart-shaped. The leaves have long petioles running up to 15cms long.

Flowers of this plant appear when the vine is rather leafless. The flowers are unisexual and the male ones appear in clusters whereas the female flowers bloom individually.

The flowers are white in color and have six sepals in two groups of three sepals along with six petals.

The vine also has fruits that are usually orange or bright scarlet in color and they blossom in clusters of many.

How to Grow Giloy at Homes and Gardens

Giloy is also a simple herb to grow at home in your gardens. It is rather similar to the money plant when it comes to growing it.

They can be grown with support from a bigger plant or tree where it can easily climb. It is easy to grow vine and also develops quickly. This can be grown using stem cuttings like the Money plants or seeds for this plant can be bought and planted.

It can also be initially grown in water and later transplanted to a soil medium for further growth, blooming, and maturation.

Propagation of Giloy Plants

The period around May to the month of July, seems to be the best time for growing and propagation a new giloy plant in your homes.

You can identify a giloy growing in the wild or on sidewalks and take a stem cutting from those already established plants or you can also buy readily available seeds from gardening stores to begin your giloy plantation.

When using seeds for propagating giloy, make sure you buy good quality healthy seeds to get a good plant. It is advised to soak the seed in cold water for a day.

Soaked giloy seeds have a 90 percent chance of shooting into a healthy stem, whereas seeds that aren’t soaked have only a 30 – 35 percent possibility of germination. This facilitates faster germination and better overall growth of the plant.

The seeds can be then planted in the soil without blocking it too deep below the soil. Regular watering in the initial days helps the seeds to germinate well. Germination of the shoot may take around 2 weeks.

Stem cuttings from this vine can be used and propagated in the same manner that money plants are grown through stem cuttings.

A fresh stem with healthy foliage can be chosen and snipped from the mother plant. The stem can be cut at an angle. It is advisable to take an 8 – 10inch long cutting. Make sure you pick the leaves off of the bottom portion of the stem and then plant it.

The soil must be readied before planting the stem. The stem should be positioned well and straight down to around an inch or two inches deep. During the initial days from planting the stem, make sure to water it thoroughly. The shoot would start to establish and bloom further.

It can also be propagated in a glass jar of water and when the shoot starts to develop roots, the stem can be then transplanted to the soil for further growth.

What are the Soil Requirements for Giloy?

Generally, any kind of soil condition for the type is suitable for growing giloy. It can easily grow even without the soil medium when placed in a water jar.

What is the Ideal Climate needed for the growth of Giloy?

These vines are versatile and can grow in varying climatic conditions. They are seen and available in several places. Different climatic conditions ranging up to an altitude of around 320 meters are suitable for the growth of giloy.

How to Water the Giloy vines?

Watering this vine is no big deal either. Watering can be carried out either weekly or once in two weeks as required. They do not require too much watering.

When grown in water, the water in the jar can be changed weekly for maintaining a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients to the roots. Over-watering must be avoided as too much moisture can lead to rotting of the leaves and roots.

Fertilizing the Giloy Plants

When it comes to fertilizing a giloy plant, it is best to avoid chemical fertilizers. These plants can survive all by itself without the addition of extra chemical nutrients.

Adding organic manures to the soil can benefit and facilitate the growth of giloy plants. Natural manures like green manure, vermicomposting, or farmyard manures can be used for these vines.

Pesticide usage in Giloy

Using chemical pesticides on the giloy plant are to be avoided. These vines are better grown with natural substances instead of chemicals.

Weed control in Giloy plants

A lot of times, weeds can result in competition in the soil among giloy plants. It is best to pick out the weeds whenever they begin to appear. The regular tilling and hoeing of the soil can be useful in preventing the growth and rise of these weeds and in return it facilitates healthy plant growth by aerating the soil too.

Harvesting and Uses of the Giloy

The giloy plant stops growing during the time of August and September. During these months, the leaves from the vine start falling off. This is the time for harvesting the medicinal stem from this plant for various health-related uses.

Once the leaves from the vine have fallen off, the stems are cut off the vine from around 30cms above the ground. The stems appear like a dried and pale shade of green and this means they are good to be harvested.

Once the stems are ready, they are harvested and cut into small pieces. These stems are then dried to make them fit for further use. These stems have great medicinal value and are thus sent to various places to be used to manufacture into medicine. The market value of giloy is respectably good according to its herbal properties.

12 Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits of Giloy

This magical herb has been used in Ayurveda and Indian medicine since time immemorial and it still is one of the very useful ingredients in Indian medicines when it comes to treating a variety of diseases.

Both, the root as well as the stem have exceptional medicinal values and are incorporated to convert into easily accessible and edible medicine.

Usually, this herb is made available in the form of capsules, powders, tablets, and juices for easy consumption. The amazing and versatile benefits of this herb have been recognized by the Food and Drug Association as well.

Following are the well-known advantages and health benefits derived from giloy:

1. Giloy boots immunity when taken regularly. The numerous goodness of this herb fights various free-radicals in our body, gets rid of diseases, keeps our cells and systems healthy, and makes us overall less vulnerable to harmful health conditions.

It contains many antioxidants that are great for the human body to get rid of germs and disease-causing microbes, harmful toxins, etc. It is also known to purify the blood in our body and fight liver diseases as well as infections of the urinary tract. It also works wonders in treating heart diseases and infertility issues.

2. Giloy juices are considered miraculous for curing digestive problems. It is also helpful in the treatment and curing of constipation. Daily consumption of this juice or powder can improve results.

3. It also treats diabetes in the human body by reducing blood sugar levels. It is popularly a used cure for type 2 diabetes.

4. Giloy medicines help to cure recurring fevers.

5. It also has antipyretic qualities which help in reducing the vulnerability of the human body towards diseases like malaria, dengue, and swine flu.

6. The anti-inflammatory properties of this herb are said to work wonders in curing respiratory problems like cold, cough, and tonsils.

7. Patients who suffer from Arthritis can also be benefitted from the use of this vine’s medicine. Using the stem in boiling milk along with ginger and consuming it can be a remedy to treat the several symptoms of Arthritis.

8. Giloy is also said to increase memory strength. It also has a calming effect on the mind and reduces anxiety as well as stress in the body, thus acting as an ultimate health tonic. A combination of this herb with other medicinal plants that have a relaxing effect on the mind is an ideal way of treating many mental health-related issues.

9. This versatile herb is excellent when it comes to treating vision-related issues as well. The paste of this plant when applied to the eyes claims to have medicinal advantages and boosts the clarity of vision. The paste is to be applied over the eyelids. To make a paste, the giloy powder can be boiled in water and used once it is cool.

10. Apart from being used to cure a cold and cough, the root of giloy and the juice from the stems, both are considered to be useful when it comes to treating a more serious respiratory condition of asthma in patients.

11. This herb also has in it the goodness of anti-aging qualities. Consumption of giloy juice or application of the giloy paste to the skin helps treat pimples, reduce dark spots, wrinkles, and fine lines on the skin, making the skin appear more glowing and flawless.

12. Giloy also works in curing and healing wounds because it assists in the production of collagen and facilitates the regeneration of the skin.

4 Side Effects of Giloy

Along with the numerous health benefits of giloy, it also tends to have certain side effects if not consumed or used properly. Side effects of Giloy include:

1. Pregnant and breast-feeding women must avoid the consumption of giloy as this may lead to negative effects.

2. When using giloy to accompany your diabetes treatment, make sure to use it in proper dosage as it can reduce blood sugar levels and thus, must be maintained well.

3. As the usage of giloy hampers levels of blood sugar, it must not be used before or after 2 weeks of surgery.

4. Improper consumption of giloy can also lead to constipation. Thus, the correct dosage is very necessary to avoid this.

Where to buy Giloy online?

You can buy high-quality Giloy (Tinospora) plants from this seller on Etsy, with free shipping.

If you are from India, you can get Giloy plants from this seller on Amazon.

Many medicines and pharmaceutical companies engage in using giloy to produce various types of medicine. Indian Ayurvedic medicine brands like Patanjali, Sri Sri Tattva, etc. sell juices, tablets, and powders of giloy which can be either bought from stores or online shopping sites.

Online shopping sites such as Flipkart, IndianJadiBooti, Snapdeal, etc. sell these products at easily available prices straight to your homes for use. In a lot of these sites, you can also get dried giloy stems which you can use according to your wish.

Gardening sites such as NurseryLive and other shopping platforms also sell giloy seeds which you can get to grow your giloy plant at home. You can even buy this vine in a potted form from online shopping sites like Amazon and Flipkart.

Whether you grow your own giloy in your homes and gardens or buy giloy products online, this bittersweet herb and its medicinal properties can enrich and nourish your health with its several magical health benefits.

References

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1157/tinospora-cordifolia
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28260522/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29050549/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32586250/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30428235/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32029162/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31701036/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30285727/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29568195/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30316725/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30644041/

How Do You Tell if a Cactus Is Over or Under Watered?

by Constance Harrington

Cactus is one of the attractive plant species. These spiny plants are available in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, types, etc.

These plants are known to habituate in a desert region and grow in warm temperatures and can thrive well in drought conditions. Cacti are almost all a variety of succulents, that is, they have fleshy stems that have adapted into a thicker variation to facilitate the storage of water.

As cacti are found in dry areas with extreme climatic conditions, they require water, and thus, they have adapted structurally to provide for their water requirements by storing them in their thick and fleshy stems.

The cacti plants either have reduced leaves or highly modified leaves into thorns or no leaves at all to save the transport of water throughout the plant.

Cacti plants have very short growing seasons as compared to other plants and longer dormancy periods. All features of the cactus help it to strive in the driest situations and to store water efficiently.

Cacti are very common houseplants and have over time evolved to be one of the most attractive interior décor elements.

With its adaptive features of caring and providing for itself, the cactus becomes a very easy and low-maintenance type houseplant. It is the best type of houseplant for new gardeners and ones with less time for their greens.

Their attractive sizes, shapes, flowers, and colors are appreciated by all gardeners and plant enthusiasts. There isn’t a lot to do to grow and tend to a cactus plant. They make truly amazing indoor and outdoor plants, are easy to grow and maintain, and also make great gifting and décor options.

With all its adaptive and highly evolved features that help it to store water, the cactus when grown in homes still needs to be provided with a balanced watering routine.

Too much or too little watering can turn out to be problematic. We will look through the ways to properly water your house cacti, ways to find out if the cactus is over watered or under watered, and other requirements to grow and keep your cactus healthy.

How to water your cactus effectively?

These plants, as they belong to arid regions, require dry soil and warm growing condition. They do have certain specific water requirements, mostly during the growing season.

Watering a cactus is rather an essential task and must be carried out well to ensure proper growth and good maintenance of the plant.

There is a proper way to carry it out including factors like when and when not to water, how often to water a cactus, maintaining the porosity in the soil, drainage of the soil, overwatering and under watering and its consequences, etc. Let us look into this aspect of growing cactus in greater detail.

How often and when should the cactus be watered?

Cacti usually have very fleshy stems that hold water for the entire plant. The inside of the cactus is rather mushy and jelly-like because of its water retention in the stems.

The best way to water the cactus is determined by various factors. Usually watering the cactus should be more regular during the growing season.

The summer and spring seasons are the growing seasons for this plant and it needs a little more watering during this period.

Watering your cactus just once in a week is the recommended watering routine during the growing seasons. The soil must be soaked well and make sure that you do not wet the stem of the cactus. It is only the soil that needs to be watered.

The other time of the year, that is, during the fall and winter months, the cactus goes through a non-growing period. It is the dormancy period for the cacti plants and they tend to stop growing during this time.

When the cactus is in its dormant period, it is to be provided with less food and watering. Watering the cacti during winter and fall months must be reduced to once in a month only.

Sometimes the watering schedules depend on the variety of cactus as well. There are some types of cacti plants that are holiday cacti or winter cacti.

These special varieties grow during the holiday and winter months and go through a dormancy period during the summer and spring season. According to your cactus type, you should arrange your watering routines to encourage and facilitate good growth and prevent damage to the plant.

Practical Tips for watering the Cactus adequately

Watering the cactus is a job that takes certain knowledge to carry it out well. When watering the cactus, make sure you are only wetting the soil in the pot and not the cactus stem.

The soil in the pot should be thoroughly provided with water. Moisture on the stem of the cactus can be harmful to the growth and its display as well. If the stem is kept wet it tends to get softer and loses its strength to stay upright. The softening of the cactus can make it droop and look unattractive.

If your cactus tends to be drooping due to too much moisture on the foliage, it must be exposed to the Sun so that the excess water dries off as quickly as possible.

Another way to provide the cactus with water without wetting the foliage is by placing the potted cactus in a saucer containing water.

When the pot is placed upon a saucer with water, the water will seep into the soil from the holes at the bottom of the pot.

The roots can easily absorb the water from the soil this way. The soil gets saturated halfway from the bottom up without even affecting the stem part of the cactus plant.

The cactus always requires soil with a good drainage facility and does not prefer soil that holds moisture.

There are special kinds of potting soil mixes available to suit the cactus varieties. When planting, it is best to use these potting soils. If using regular soil, you should make sure that it is light and allows proper aeration and drainage.

The soil must never be allowed to hold extra moisture and the water should be let out from the pot completely.

The pot chosen must have good drainage holes to encourage flowing out of the water so that the soil can entirely dry off. Too much water when allowed to stay in the soil for long will lead to rotting of the cactus roots.

The soil in the bottom of the pot can be layered with small pebbles that assist in flowing out to water correctly. Before re-watering make sure the soil is dried out and does not contain water from the previous watering schedule.

The topsoil must be dry to touch and it should not be damp up to at least 2 inches deep. To check this, you can often use a wooden skewer. The skewer can be inserted in the soil to make sure that the soil is dry enough and not damp inside.

If your cactus is growing in a humid environment, then make sure that the soil stays dry. The potted cactus can be provided with good amounts of heat to facilitate the drying of the soil.

If the environment contains comparatively more moisture, then you can reduce your watering routine from once a week in the growing season to only once in two weeks. Similarly, during the dormancy period, it can be watered every other month.

How to understand that your cactus plant is under-watered?

Although the cactus has its own ability to store water, it should not be under-watered. If your cactus is thirsty and not well-watered, it starts to show various signs of distress.

If your cactus tends to shrink and pucker up, it is a consequence of less watering. As the cactus uses up all its water reserves stored in the stem, it starts to shrink and dry if more water is not provided.

Another consequence that occurs in the cactus due to under watering is that it shows discoloration. The cactus may turn dull and the color of it may fade. On the other hand, the cactus plant can even develop brown colored patches if it does receive enough water.

Many a time due to less moisture and insufficient watering, the cactus plant can become dry and develop calluses on the skin of the plant. This is a sign that you need to water the cactus more often and more efficiently.

Underwatering a cactus can be corrected easily and the damage can be reversed. Thoroughly watering the cactus can be the solution and can make your unhealthy, dry, and discolored cactus, plump and fresh again. It is easier to correct an under-watered cactus as compared to a cactus plant which is overwatered.

How to determine that your cactus plant is overwatered?

Overwatering of the cactus is more problematic than under-watering it. The damage caused by too much watering of the cactus is more intense and harder to reverse as compared to an under-watered cactus plant.

It is rather simple to find out if the cactus is going through negatives effects due to overwatering. The signs in a cactus when provided with extra water are more prominent.

If a cactus is being overwatered, the stems of it tend to turn soft and mushy. As the roots absorb more water and it is stored in the stem portion, the stem starts to swell and the wall begins to rupture due to excess water and less space to store it.

This results in the stem turning squishy and watery. This is the major consequence that is shown if the cactus is overwatered.

Due to excess water in the stems and not enough space to store it, the stems start to leak. This is a noticeable change and an alarm for you to water your cactus lesser and allow it to dry.

Many a time the development of dark-colored patches can be a result of overwatering the cactus. The stem can show a change in color. The bottom of the cactus stem tends to turn brown or black and has a slimy feel when touched if it is receiving too much water.

The cactus tends to look stale and appears unhealthy and rotten. These are signs of decay in the cactus caused by overwatering it.

Overwatering leads to the soil holding more water and this can be harmful as the cacti do not at all tolerate damp soil.

This leads to the rotting of the roots. Rotting of the roots in cactus is generally an irreversible phenomenon and can destroy the plant over time. The roots of a cactus are sensitive and more vulnerable to damage.

If the roots begin to rot, then they lose their ability to absorb water properly and thus leading to an insufficient supply of nutrients and water to the stem.

Overwatering is more harmful also because as the roots rot, the ability to absorb water is lost and ultimately it also leads to underwatering and its consequences as the stem do not receive water and suffer from dehydration.

Thus, it is really necessary to follow the proper watering schedules that we mentioned and letting the water drain out well.

Factors that determine the Water requirements in Cactus

1. Sunlight and temperature

Cactus needs a desert-like condition and therefore it requires bright sunlight. It must be positioned near a window where it can receive enough sunlight. Around 6-hour exposure to sunlight is enough for a cactus.

These plants can also be kept in a partially shaded area as too much heat and harsh warmth may be damaging. New plants must be exposed to partial sunlight and gradually to full bright light.

These plants prefer a warm and dry temperature all year round. During summers, the temperature range of 65 – 90 is suitable and around 45 – 55 during the colder months.

2. Soil

As discussed earlier also, cacti prefer a well-drained soil type and there is special cactus specific potting soil that can be used. Regular light and proper-drainage soil can be used too and it can be topped with gravel to make it more absorbent.

3. Fertilization

Cactus can be fertilized once during each growing season, that is, once in summer and once in spring. Winter and fall time being the dormancy period for most cacti, do not need fertilizing. Regular diluted fertilizers or cactus specific fertilizers can be used.

With all these key details about watering the cactus and keeping it fresh and healthy, you can get going on growing cactus in your homes. Give the cactus its requirements and it will turn out to be one of the most attractive and low maintenance houseplants enhancing the beauty of your indoor and outdoor gardens.

References

HOW DO YOU PLANT A HAPPY WANDERER?

by Constance Harrington

The happy wanderer is an evergreen creeper is a great vine and can be grown very easily. The vine is also scientifically known as the Hardenbergia.

It also has other common names such as – False Sarsparilla, Native lilac, purple coral pea, etc. These are originally a member of the pea flower family and the native vines of Australia and are found in three species all around from Queensland to Tasmania.

These make up an excellent garden plant because of their bushy vine appearance and soft purple flowers. The happy wanderer vine is also very sustainable and can thrive and adapt to harsh conditions. They are almost hard to kill.

These vines can climb over a variety of structures and give a vibrant and fresh look to your home gardens, front doors, arches, fences, trellises, garden walls, etc. It is a rather aggressively spreading vine and gives a dense appearance with a wildly pleasing look.

The dark green and leather-like foliage and the clusters of the purple flowers are among the most commonly grown vines in Australia.

Apart from the common Hardenbergia Violacea which is violet in color, there is the Hardenbergia Rosea is of a soft pink shade and the Hardenbergia Alba which is an entirely white flowering type.

Let us know more about growing and maintaining a happy wanderer vine.

Description of the happy wanderer plant:

This native Australian vine is a fancy outdoor plant. The beautiful flowers and dark green leaves add an aesthetic touch to your gardens.

These vines are great climbers and wrap around trellises, fences, poles, and many other structures easily. Their easy to grow nature and very enduring properties make these a good vine choice.

They make great décor elements and add a perfect contrasting color of clustered flowers amongst the vining green foliage of the plant.

These plants usually grow up to 20 feet and are fast growers once they are established properly. Many might even reach a 50 feet length at times.

The flowers of these vies are pea-like and grow in clusters. The major species are a violet-colored flowering variety and along with this, there is also a soft pink in color flower species and one which has white flowers.

The vine has a woody stem structure that climbs. The leaves are longish, dark green, and have a leather-like texture.

The leaves of the happy wanderer vine have prominent venation as well. The base of this vine has a rather leggy and stemmed appearance but as the vine grows further, the leggy look reduces and it has a more bunched out bushy appearance with the dark green foliage and clustered pea-shaped violet flowers.

The nectar of this flower attracts bees to the vine and adds to the natural look of the surrounding environment. This vine usually grows during the winter and spring seasons.

The blooming of the flowers during the cold season attracts bees to these flowers as usually the other flowers during this season do not bloom at much.

Thus, the flowers of the happy wanderer vine become an essential food source for the bees and insects in the surrounding habitat. It also attracts different birds and butterflies.

Growing and caring for a happy wanderer vine:

If you want to grow this beautiful climbing vine in your houses and gardens, make sure to keep in mind these growing and caring tips for this vine.

Propagation of this vine:

These vines can be grown either through the stem cuttings from a well-growing plant or even through seeds for a happy wanderer vine.

Cuttings from the softwood or even semi-hardwood stems can be taken to use for propagation. It is best to snip out the plant’s cuttings during the early springtime as this season facilitates good growth.

Make sure you pick up healthy and fresh stems so that the new plant grows with fewer risks and vulnerability to damage. The stems can be then rooted in the soil.

The soil can be made with mixing 1/4^th parts of peat moss and 3/4^th portions of sand to ensure good aeration and drainage in the soil. The rooted stems prefer a sandy component and it assists in the growth of this vine.

The happy wanderer vine can also be planted using seeds available in gardening stores and markets. The seeds need to be scarified before adding them to the soil mixture as these seeds have a hard outer covering and need to be softened before planting.

The seeds can be soaked in water for a day in order to soften the outer covering. To quicken this process, even a slit can be made on the cover.

Scarifying the seed helps in increasing the speed of a shoot germinating from the seed. The soil mixture can be kept prepared beforehand by mixing all the necessary nutrients, peat moss, sand, etc.

The climate for the germination of a Hardenbergia seed needs to be warm. A temperature range of 21 or above must be provided to this plant. These vines all in all prefer a warm environment and do not grow well in places with cold weather or frosty environments.

Temperature requirements:

This plant prefers growing in a warm climate. The vine while germination must be provided with a temperature of not less than 20. Lower temperatures do not support the germination of the happy wanderer.

These vines do not tolerate low temperatures and frost. It is best to always keep the temperature above 25. The plants are more adaptive to colder temperatures when young, as they grow. They lose this ability to bear the cold.

Soil preferences:

The happy wanderer vine prefers growing in well-drained soil. It can grow well in several types of soils such as clayey soils and sandy soils. The soil must have a pH of around 5.5 to 6.0 to support the growth of a happy wanderer vine. A soil that provides good aeration to the roots and is richly supplied with nutrients is a great medium for the growth of these climbing plants.

Sunlight requires of the happy wanderer:

The happy wanderer vines grow in full sun conditions. They can be placed anywhere on a balcony, a garden, over trellises or fences, etc. They can also survive well with partial and shaded light sources.

It is best advised to keep a happy wanderer in a western sunlight exposure where it grows in partial sun and partially shaded condition. A lot of extreme full sun exposure can damage the plant, the leaves can burn and the flowers can be hampered too with too much heat of the Sun.

Watering the happy wanderer:

The happy wanderer vine should not be watered more than necessary. Too much water on the leaves of the vine can cause fungal infections and give rise to diseases. The plant in the initial days after planting can be regularly watered.

Once the vine is well established, it can be watered less regularly. During the summer, watering should be increased to maintain adequate moisture in the soil. The soil must at all times be kept drained of excess water as waterlogging does not suit this vine.

Fertilizing the happy wanderer vines:

A happy wanderer vine prefers a nutrient-rich soil. Providing the plant with a controlled-release fertilizer at the time of flowering and after the flowering season is good for the plant.

A slow-release fertilizer during the spring and autumn seasons are preferred. This vine can be given liquid fertilizers every two or three weeks. Following these regular schedules of fertilizing can lead to the vigorous growth of the vine.

The happy wanderer can also be fertilized with Epsom salts and iron compounds during April. It can make the plant stronger and less vulnerable before flowering in the climber starts.

Mulching for this vine:

Mulching the soil can prove to be very useful for this flowering vine. Mulching is done by providing a layer on the topsoil to protect the plant, retain moisture in the soil, and to discourage the growth of weeds.

When mulching for a happy wanderer it is best to have an around 5cm depth of a mulching layer on the soil. This creates a decorative and protective cover for the plant and also keeps the moisture intact in the soil. Ultimately, mulching the soil helps the vine to grow and avoids the growth and emergence of weeds that hamper plant growth.

Protecting the happy wanderer from pests and diseases:

During the cold season, this wine can develop a fungal infection from the dew in the environment. The cool and moist weather conditions give rise to a feeding ground for fungi and this can infest the vine. A proper fungicide can be used to get rid of this fungal growth on the plant.

Another way of avoiding the fungal disease during winter is to let the plant be in good air circulation. This prevents the retention of moister and dew on the foliage and stems. Pruning can trim away dead and dried leaves and help in aerating the vine.

Proper air circulation keeps the plant dry and less vulnerable to a moist for fungal diseases. The foliage can also be watered less during the winters. By avoiding the wetting of the vine leaves, the chances of a fungal build-up are considerably less.

Many a time, caterpillars, and other leaf-eating insects can affect the foliage of these vines. Scale insects as well as mealybugs are also common pests that can harm this vine.

They can be kept away by spraying necessary pesticides and insecticides on the vine. Leaf damage must be checked and kept under control. Removing dead or decaying leaves can be of great help, as these leaves are the causes for the spreading of microbial diseases to the entire vine.

Over-watering must also be avoided to prevent the growth of fungus or other microbes and pests due to moisture. Too much moisture in the soil can be the reason for the roots to rot. Thus, the soil must at all times be kept airy and well-drained to avoid the chances of fungal diseases and pest infestations in the happy wanderer.

Pruning of the happy wanderer:

As we have seen earlier, the happy wanderer vine is a climbing plant with very speedy growth. These vines often even spread aggressively all over the growing medium. Thus, pruning and keeping the growth as well as the spread of these vines under control is an essential task.

Regular pruning after the pruning can keep the spreading of these vines under control and it also helps to maintain the size and shape of this vine according to your preferences.

A lot of times pruning up to as much as two-thirds of the entire happy wanderer vine once it has completed flowering for the season can be helpful for the further growth of this plant. It is of great assistance for the vine to grow better till the next flowering season.

Proper pruning and trimming of leaves and branches also helps with reducing the leggy appearance of the vine and makes it more full and bushy.

It is good to trim and snip off dead, drying, and damaged leaves. This helps to keep away pests and insects which can spread to the vine and hamper its growth.

These vines grow back very quickly and thus there isn’t any harm in chopping off a bigger bit. It grows back and would soon need another round of trimming.

Once established, these vines grow by themselves and do not need too much tending when it comes to watering the plant. They grow and twine over structures and only need a regular pruning schedule to keep in check its spread and growth.

You can even buy different varieties of this vine from the gardening stores to suit your taste and preferences. There are these main types namely:

– The ‘Hardenbergia Violacea’ with violet and lilac-colored flowers against dark green foliage. This is the common happy wanderer.

– The ‘Hardenbergia Rosea’ which is a soft pink colored flowering Hardenbergia.

– There is another variety found in stores known as the Free ‘n’ Easy variety. It has a soft lavender-pink hue mixed with white.

– The Hardenbergia Alba is a pure white flowering type in this family.

– Another variety is a mix of purple and white-colored flowers from the common happy wanderer vine and the Free ‘n’ Easy.

With all the available varieties, choose your favorite today to decorate and add color to your gardens with these beautiful vines.

REFERENCES:

https://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/1704
https://www.flowerpower.com.au/garden-advice/gardening/hardenbergia/
https://www.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/Plants/Gardening/Growing-Hardenbergia-violacea

HOW DO I GET MY CACTUS TO FLOWER? – TOP 10 SECRETS

by Constance Harrington

A blooming cactus adds that extra features that your plant misses. Getting your cacti to bloom is indeed a slightly awkward end to achieve, but despite the conditions, it is not impossible. There are various varieties of plants that thrive and many that don’t.

A lot of terms come in the way when it comes to making your cactus flower. Even maintaining the blooming cactus once it does flower is also a continuous task, but with all the right care and tips, you can achieve this too.

Flowering cactus is a unique and pretty sight, and it surely makes the little potted plant in your room add an even more appealing touch to the display.

Seeing your cacti bloom in the spring is a great feeling. The flowers of succulents and cacti are usually very bright, beautiful, different, and showy. Having your cactus bloom is like a reward for being an excellent gardener to your plants.

Various cacti produce various kinds of flowers, and these depend on factors like light, watering, fertilizing, timing, and so on. This entire procedure of tending to your cactus until it blooms is fascinating and worth the effort.

Here we have you for all the necessary things you need to know and do to see your plant develop sweet, little, and bright, colorful flowers.

What types of cacti bloom?

Cactus is a natural flowering plant, and generally, all kinds of cacti bear flowers. Some cactus families may be too hard to get to the flower, and some might be comparatively easier and give rise to more prominent flowers.

Many things are to be kept in mind when trying to make your cactus plant bloom indoors. There are factors such as light and temperature conditions, proper watering, efficient fertilizing, age and maturity of the cactus plant, season, etc.

There are a few varieties which are well known for their comparatively easy blooming qualities, they include:

– Christmas Cacti

– Dwarf or garnet Cacti

– Notocactus

– Spiny Cactus

– Hedgehog cactus species

– Pincushion cactus

Top 10 secrets of making your cactus bloom:

1.The basic idea lies in getting a cactus which is already flowering. When you buy a cactus for your house, if possible, get a plant that already has flowers on it. A cactus that has bloomed before can also be chosen.

This ensures that the cactus plant which you are choosing can bloom. It also shows that the plant is at a rather mature stage where it can produce flowers and will continue to do so ahead. Age is a significant element when it comes to making a cactus bloom; some require years to reach maturity before they can start flowering.

An already flowering cactus can be then provided with all its needs like water, climate, fertilizer, etc. which can take forward the maturation process and assures continuous blooming of the cactus in every coming growing season.

2.Give your cactus enough time, along with care and its other needs. Even when you buy an already flowering cactus, it does not mean that it will flower frequently.

There are intervals between each flowering season, and it also depends on the environmental conditions that the cactus is kept in. Some varieties of cacti even take up to 30 long years to start blooming. It is essential to patiently tend to the needs of your indoor cactus plant.

3.The light source and placement of the cactus where it is receiving proper light are essential too. It is advisable to position the cactus by a window that is south facing. When potted indoors, the cactus plant must be kept where it receives the most amount of Sun.

It is generally the best to let the cactus have at least a 6-hour sunlight exposure. The desert light conditions should be made available to the cactus as much as possible on its remarkable growth. Keeping the cactus plant in a sunroom or even outdoors can contribute to its light needs and make it easier to have a longer, fuller, and brighter exposure to the Sun.

4. If your indoor conditions aren’t suitable for the growth of a cactus plant, you can make arrangements for an artificial light source to provide for your cactus’s light needs.

An artificial grow light can be made use of. Artificial grow light sources can give light to the cactus in the absence of proper sunlight. If you can’t find a preferred position to place your potted cactus, you can make use of these artificial light sources to supply enough and necessary exposure to your cactus.

This also helps increase the time of exposure as by using an artificial light source, you can regulate the period of light exposure for the plant. It is also useful on days with less Sun and during the winter months as the intensity of the Sun’s light tends to reduce.

5. You must acclimatize the cactus to the new surroundings. As we all know, cacti grow in the desert regions; thus, when they are shifted to another habitat with different environmental properties, it needs to adapt to it.

The cactus must be provided with immense sun exposure as if it were still in a desert. Although succulents, in general, are low maintenance type plants, they have to be made comfortable with the environment to ensure growth and development in the cactus.

During the initial days of getting a cactus plant at home, be sure to provide it with enough attention and make sure it is adapting well. In case the cactus isn’t adjusting to the environment that it is kept in, it will begin showing signs of discomfort:

If your cactus shows a faded hue or patches of discolorations here and there, it is less sunlight exposure. In this case, position it to a better sun-exposed location or provide it with an artificial grow light. You can also keep turning the cactus regularly to ensure the distribution of sunlight equally to all parts of the plant.
In case your cactus develops dark, rough, burnt patches and calluses, it means that it is suffering through sunburn. Too much sun exposure can also be harmful. The harsh rays of the Sun can cause your cactus plant to burn. Moving it to a slightly less sun-exposed area is the best way to keep it under control.

Make sure your cactus is in balanced sunlight conditions.

6. Watering the cactus is also an essential job. Although succulents are plants with reduced leaves and hard fleshy stems that store water and hence do not require too much watering, they still need to be carried out correctly. Cacti can thrive without water for long as they are used to the dry and warm conditions of the desert climate.

It is best to water the cactus plant in your rooms only once every week. This watering schedule works for generally all kinds of cacti. During winters, the Watering the cactus should be brought down to only once or twice a month.

The topsoil can be touched, and if it feels dry, it is time to water the cactus. The top 2 centimeters of the soil must be allowed to dry up completely before watering the plant again. If the soil is still wet and has a damp feel when touched, it should be left to dry off before watering the cactus again.

Over-wetting the cactus and the soil must be avoided. Proper watering can promote good growth and, ultimately, the bloom of flowers on the plant.

7. Even if you follow the schedule of watering your cactus only once every week, there is still a chance of water retention in the soil due to inefficient and fewer drainage facilities.

If this is the case, the soil will never be able to dry off thoroughly between watering schedules. If the quantity of water in the potted cactus is more than required, it may negatively affect plant growth.

If water is allowed to sit in the soil, it will lead to rotting of the roots. Root rotting is a permanent hampering to your plant, and it will cause the stem and leaves of the cactus to soften and droop down.

To prevent the rotting of roots due to water retention in the soil, a well-draining pot can be used in the first place. It is optimal to select a pot with adequate drainage holes at the bottom to let the water flow out and facilitate the soil to dry.

The soil can be lined with a layer of small pebbles at the bottom to encourage better drainage. Dampness in the soil must be avoided as much as possible to let the cactus grow well and reach a flowering stage.

8. The growth and development of your indoor cactus are also affected by the potting mix for the cactus. Cactus has different soil requirements as compared to other plants.

When potting a cactus, make sure to use a potting mix specially composed for cacti. The regular potting soil mix contains a different composure and is more suited to other varieties of plants that require a water holding capacity in the soil.

If this same kind of soil mix is used for growing cacti, the soil can affect the overall growth due to extra water retention in the soil. Even when re-potting, it is best to use a potting mix designed for cacti and succulents as they provide the best growing needs and soil conditions for your cactus and prevent root rot caused by extra moisture in the soil.

9. Cacti are usually well growing healthy plants and do not require to be provided with extra nourishment. But if you want your cactus to grow even better and boost the flowering in the plant, you can make use of fertilizers.

Fertilizing in the right way can encourage the nutrients that are necessary for the blooming of a cactus. Cacti have a different need for nutrition compared to other plants, and thus to see the best results, you should provide the cactus with special fertilizers made for cacti.

Using a regular fertilizer that is less intense and diluted can also work. A regular and less concentrated plant fertilizer that has less quantity of nitrogen and a higher content of potassium and phosphorus is advisable to be used for cacti plants.

Fertilizing should be done during the summer or spring seasons, as it is the growing season for cacti. Fertilizing too much is unnecessary and can cause misbalance.

Too much fertilizing will not lead to faster growth or quicker blooming of flowers on your cactus. Providing the cactus with a proper fertilizer just once or twice a year, I enough to supply it with its essential nutrients and food.

10. Not all cacti bloom during the same time or the growing season. Every different cactus has a different blooming season. Some species of cacti bloom during the general flowering time, that is, the spring season. Whereas, some other varieties may even bloom in the colder season.

During the beginning of the fall season and throughout the winter months, the dormant period can also be the time for some cacti flowers. The holiday variety cacti, as the name suggests, bloom during the holiday time. Several cacti can even flower at night.

Give your cactus its time and patiently provide it with all it requires for the proper growth, and it will bloom when the time for it has arrived.

Following all lighting, watering, fertilizing, and other tips properly can lead to the efficient development of the cactus, and it can ultimately bear flowers.

Once the cactus has flowered, it is essential to care for the plant even while its flowering time and after its bloom season the same way you did before it bloomed. This ensures a balanced way of growing and encourages flowering in the next season as well.

Cacti flowers can last up to a day or even up to weeks depending on the variety of cactus. Make sure to follow all the tips carefully to grow your pretty, unique, and vibrant cactus flowers.

REFERENCES:

https://cactusway.com/how-often-does-a-cactus-flower-bloom/
https://todayshomeowner.com/how-to-encourage-cactus-to-bloom/amp/
https://cactusway.com/ultimate-guide-how-to-get-your-cactus-to-flower/

BEST THREE WEBSITES TO GET RUDRAKSH PLANTS ONLINE

by Constance Harrington

The Rudraksh is a holy symbol in the Hindu culture. The believers and followers of Shaivism use the Rudraksh seed as a bead in prayers. The Rudraksh seed which has such important value in the Hindu culture is derived from a large variety of evergreen trees.

This seed is threaded together to make into mala or bracelets and necklaces and is worn by the followers of Lord Shiva. The name – ‘Rudraksh’ is derived from the Sanskrit language and when broken up constitutes to ‘Rudra’ and ‘Aksh’ which when put together mean – the eyes of Lord Shiva. Scientifically this plant is called – Elaeocarpus ganitrus.

These broad-leaved, large, and evergreen trees are found growing alongside the areas of the Gangetic plains in India by the foothills of Himalayas.

They are also found in places like Nepal, South-east Asia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Hawaii, Australia, etc. These trees generally grow up to a height of around 30ft.

The Rudraksh seeds obtained from these trees are covered with a blue husky outer layer and this color quality gives this seed its other name of – the blueberry bead. The Rudraksh trees grow quickly and start to fruit in around 3 to 4 years.

Growing a Rudraksh plant t home is like bringing the blessings of Lord Shiva to the house and family. Gardening, growing, and maintenance of a Rudraksh tree is a feasible task and can be done at home gardens with all the proper instructions and good care.

Where to get a Rudraksh plant online?

If you want you to plant a Rudraksh tree in your garden, it can be done from the very beginning by buying Rudraksh plant seeds, or you can even buy a small plant which can be transplanted to your garden soil and it can continue to grow there.

Getting a Rudraksh plant online is easy; there are various online stores where you can find seeds or a small sampling of the Rudraksh plant which can be delivered to you efficiently and can be used to plant and maintain it to a tree. Among the many websites where you can get your Rudraksh plant online, some include:

1. PLANTSGURU

https://plantsguru.com

PLANTSGURU is a very convenient online store where you can get your garden plants, samplings, seeds, equipment and tools, fertilizers, pots, pesticides, etc. for considerably reasonable prices.

This site is a popular Indian gardening website and delivers products efficiently to the customers. There are a variety of plants to choose from. They deliver to your doorstep within proper time and in good packaging to avoid damage.

This is a very user-friendly site to search, select, read, and plan about the product you are looking for. You can also read reviews and comments of various previous buyers of the same product and pitch in your views as well after buying their product.

There is also a live chat option where you can type in your queries, questions, and suggestions for the sellers and you would receive your reply as well.

Buying a Rudraksh plant here would be a great choice as they provide you with good quality plants and that too at reasonable costs. You can view the images of the sampling plants and even read about the description of the plant.

The details also contain the information that a buyer would need for proper planting and caring of the trees or plants they buy. On this site, you can easily find the desirable Rudraksh plant that is 100 percent original and comes along with a pot to help you plant it.

The plant sampling sold by these dealers is around 1 – 2 feet tall and perfect for starting a plant at your homes. The reviews about this product are all positive and trustworthy.

You can even exchange the product in case of any damage or defect. This is a great site to order a Rudraksh plant from, for your home gardens.

2. Amazon

https://www.amazon.in

Another very efficient site where you can buy a Rudraksh plant is from Amazon. Amazon is a very popular online store and has a variety of products to choose from.

Gardening tools and supplies are also popularly found on this site. The customer service and product qualities on Amazon are trustworthy and verified.

On Amazon, you can easily find a lot of varieties of the Rudraksh plant as well as seeds for this tree. A lot of different branded sellers showcase their products of Amazon and you can choose from a myriad of varieties. Amazon products also give you a detailed description along with the description of the sellers.

Rudraksh plants on Amazon are cheaper than on many other online stores. You can choose from a potted variety or a non-potted Rudraksh plant as well. It even has a lot of rare varieties o choose from. You can also buy the Rudraksh tree seeds from here.

Delivery charges are often either low or null and delivery is made efficient and the product is sent right to the customer’s doorstep without damage. You can even read, ask questions, and verify details of the product and leave reviews of your experience.

Amazon often has various discounts and other attractive offers in its products.

All in all, this is a great online shopping platform from where you can get the Rudraksh plant sampling of your choice to plant in your gardens.

3. NurseryLive

https://nurserylive.com

NurseryLive is an online plant store where you can buy all your required garden essentials. This can even be your go-to online nursery.

It is one of the popular online gardening stores and it also has its blog where daily tips, information, facts, and other important knowledge are shared related to planting and plants. It serves you with all your gardening needs. It has a range of as many as 6000 gardening products to choose from and it also delivers to customers all across India.

You can get Rudraksh plants from NurseryLive as well and it also provides all the necessary information and descriptions for this plant. It mentions specifications like the height of the plant, spread, planting, and caring requirements for proper growth, uses of this tree, etc. You can even read reviews of other buyers about a product.

There are already answered FAQs and you can also post your questions and doubts on their messaging option.

With a lot of available offers, discounts and free benefits, this is yet another great online store to buy a Rudraksh plant.

Many other online shopping sites like Flipkart, Snapdeal, Paudhshala, Shopclues, and so on can be referred for buying a Rudraksh plant or seeds for this tree as well.

How to grow and care for a Rudraksh plant?

Growing is Rudraksh plant is very simple and having this tree at home is considered to be of good fortune and it also has religious and medicinal uses. This tree can be grown and maintained by following these steps:

1. Propagation of the plant:

If planting a sampling, it is better to take a fresh and healthy plant to encourage good growth and less vulnerability of the plant.

When seeds are being used to plant a new Rudraksh tree, be sure to break the dried Rudraksh into two and take out the seeds before planting as the hard woody outer covering does not let the seeds in them germinate until taken out.

2. Soil Requirements:

Rudraksh plants like well-draining soils that are rich in compost. When growing in a pot, it is advisable to make the soil airier and well-drained by adding agents such as sand, pebbles, gravel, etc. at the bottom of the pot to let water drain out easily.

Natural manures and nutrient-rich fertilizers can be added to the soil before planting the Rudraksh for better growth of the plant. Hoeing the soil once in a while is also good as it lets the soil hold more air for the roots and makes drainage easier.

3. Climate required to grow a Rudraksh tree:

These trees are generally found along the Gangetic plains in northern India by the foothills of the Himalayas. Thus such northern and cool climates are best for the growth of a Rudraksh plant.

Regions that have a comparatively cool climate throughout the year with mild and moderate summer temperatures are ideal for the growth of these plants. A maximum temperature of 35 is suitable.

If you are growing this plant in a place with higher temperatures, it is best to let the plant grow in shade. The potted Rudraksh can be put under the shade of a bigger tree so that it receives protection from the direct heat.

4. Watering the Rudraksh plant:

During the initial stages of the plant, the Rudraksh needs regular watering. It is advisable to water the plants twice in a day during the summers and once a day during other months of the year.

Once the plant is well-established and has grown into a tree, watering regularly can be reduced as per choice. During the monsoon months, these plants can survive with the water from the rains.

Over-watering the plants must be avoided as the roots of these plants absorb water readily and too much moisture can make the roots rot. It is good to keep the soil well-drained and prevent water-logging as well.

5. Fertilizing the Rudraksh plant:

This plant likes to be treated with organic manures. Using rotting cow dung can be very beneficial to the growth of this plant. Cow dung is natural and excellent as organic plant manure.

Adding this naturally occurring manure is to be carried out regularly during the flowering and fruiting season of the Rudraksh tree as it encourages growth and blooming of the tree. Potash rich fertilizers are also good for this plant and can be used to make the soil richer in nutrient content.

6. Pests and diseases in these plants:

The Rudraksh is a rather pest-resistant plant and does not get infested on by insects and pests. Too much watering in this plant can lead to rotting of the roots

. The roots happen to absorb water quickly and thus is it very important to not over wet these roots. Root rotting can lead to diseases in the plant. To avoid water-logging in the soil, it can be sloped a little so that excess water flows down and away from the bottom of the plant/tree.

7. Pruning the Rudraksh plant:

Once the plant is established and reaches a height of up to 10 – 12 feet, the leaves and branches can be pruned. Pruning the branches lightly helps in the development of newer branches and fresher foliage growth.

It also prevents the tree from getting too thinly branched. Timely pruning of the branches leads to a bushier growth. It also encourages better and more branches and in turn better fruits and seeds.

Symbolical importance, Benefits, and Uses of the Rudraksh:

The Rudraksh has extremely important values in the Hindu culture and has strong symbolical values and beliefs attached to it. The devotees of Lord Shiva wear the Rudraksh mala and also use the Rudraksh seeds for various religious and worshipping purposes.

Other than its religious value, the Rudraksh also has its importance in Indian medicine and Ayurveda because of its several health benefitting properties. Multiple parts of this plant have several medicinal qualities. The religious and medicinal uses of Rudraksh include:

– The power of the Rudraksh is said to act as a protector and safeguards the wearer from various negative energies of the world.

– The ones who wear Rudraksh also benefit from its power of maintaining good support, health, and providing stability to the body.

– The beads of Rudraksh are said to have calming effects on the wearer and also helps in reducing blood pressure and relaxes the nervous system.

– It is also said to increase concentration power in children.

– Mala made from these beads are used for reciting prayers while meditating.

– The powder obtained from crushing these seeds can be mixed with mustard oil to use as a paste to treat joint pain issues.

– Consuming the Rudraksh seed powder along with honey and Tulsi leaves is said to cure colds.

– The leaves of this plant have anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities. They are often used to treat wounds.

– The leaves from the Rudraksh plant are also used to cure migraine and epilepsy.

– Wearing Rudraksh has a good and soothing effect on the skin too. It heals itches and irritations.

– Wearing this immensely blessed bead is claimed to have an overall purifying and rejuvenating effect on the body and mind as it brings positivity.

REFERENCES:

https://www.rudraksha-ratna.com/articles/rudraksha-planting-instructions
https://indiagardening.com/how-to-grow/how-to-grow-rudraksha-tree-plant-care/
https://m.timesofindia.com/astrology/gemstones/benefits-of-wearing-the-rudraksha/amp_articleshow/68204848.cms

What Are 10 Bad Luck Plants?

by Constance Harrington

According to some believers, there are many plants that attract bad luck plants or good vibes into houses. With presence of the furniture or placement of other substances, it is proven that flowing energy in a surrounding can stimulate or create many vibes in the environment.

It is believed that several plants hold bad vibes or energies in a surrounding and as a result people should avoid them to bring them.

Plants that are classified usually as bad luck plants have patterns that can give rise to unpleasant energies. The bad luck and good luck are related along the plants which are spread wide and followers also recognize the energies connected with individual plants while deciding which plant to buy? And what energy does it create? How to care for that plant ? Lastly, why are they considered as bad luck plants?

There are many plants but a few will describe for example cactus, bonsai, tamarind, English ivy, etc.

1. Cally Lily:

The scientific name is Zantedeschia aethiopica and commonly known as Arum Lily which are found in southern parts of Africa. They grow up to size of 2 to 3 feet and require indirect sunlight or partial shade to survive. They grow in damp soil nutrient rich and the pH of soil is little acidic in nature.

Calla lily is an elegant , fleshy, tropical, flower in the shape of trumpets. These flowers are useful for occasions to decorate the interiors and it indicates new starts with new phases and with new problems.

The blooms have variegated sword-like foliage which produce them good ornamental qualities even when the flowers are not available. Foliage is helpful to decorate.

The calla lily is considered as well a captivating bloom which flourish in the spring seasons since it results in individual shades.

The blooms are available in standard shades like clean white and dark red.

Considering arum lily as a bad luck plant is because they are poisonous in nature.

The cally lily tropical blooms are useful to provide ornamental appearance. All parts of cally lily including leaves as well as flowers are poisonous in nature because they contain toxicants like crystals of calcium oxalate that may cause vomiting and skin irritations and perform inflammatory reactions afterwards in the body and are fatal.

2. Bluebells:

The bluebell is a shrub that develops from a structure known as ‘bulb’. It has elongated leaves and a blooming stem that develops until 50 cm long and bends to one side. The sweet-fragrant, inclined tops of blooms are in the shape of a bell and are in different shades purplish-blue and occasionally they are in white color or in a pastel pink shade.

Bluebells are distinctively in the shape of a bell, an eternal shrub. They generally occupy their maximum time under the ground in a form of bulb, and make an appearance, frequently in folds, to bloom from the month of April on ahead.

Leaves: are compressed, about 7 mm to 25 mm broad and 45 cm elongated. They are strop-shaped, continuous and hairless, with a sharp tip.

Flowers: generally in deep purplish-blue shade, bluebells are in the shape of a bell along with a number of six petals and folded tips. The bluebells are sweet in smell, blooms dip or decline to one side of the blooming stem, called as inflorescence and blooms have white creamy shade pollen grains inside. Some bluebells are in different colors like white, blue or pink. Maximum number of 20 blooms can develop on a single inflorescence.

How do bluebells grow:

Light: They need adequate light which varies from full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type: The bluebell plants develop in sandy soil type. They need well-drained soil. The pH of soil should be neutral, a little bit acidic or a little bit alkaline in nature.

Water: The bluebell plant has limited water requirements.

Temperature and Humidity: Bluebells are inhabitants of cool, humid environments.

Fertilizer: Organic fertilizer like peat moss, bark mix, manures and compost are great for including an adequate quantity of enhancement to the soil mix.

The reason why they are known for bad luck is unknown, but they are poisonous in nature and toxic to pets and are fatal.

Bluebells are ordinary spring blooms spotted in British forests. Pets are normally influenced subsequently by ingesting flowers while they are on walks. All divisions of the plant, consisting of the bulb especially, are poisonous in nature.

Bulbs of bluebells plant involve ‘scillarens’; a chemical compound which is cardiac glycosides used in treatment of cardiac disease but their role for pets is different; they work to decrease the heart rate of a cat. This chemical can cause several common symptoms like vomiting, bowels, lack of energy and unbalanced mechanism or disorientation in cats.

3. Cactus:

According to some believers these beautiful plants are bad luck plants. They give bad energy. This bad energy is in their ‘‘prickly and sharp’’ thorns. Having a cactus plant indoors will come with bad luck to someone’s life, like: losses, anxiety issues,many diseases and mental stress.

Cactus plants originate from deserts and grow in xerophytic conditions, they live by reserving great amounts of water. This is the reason people do not consider this plant as abundant. Some people say cactus plants are symbols to live in extreme hard situations to deal with them and win. And some believers say they bring financial losses indoor.

It is said that the plants do not bring bad luck, it’s just the location where they are set indoors. For example some believe bad vibes of cactus plants come indoor when they are set at the front doors of houses, to ignore the production of bad vibes and bad luck into the house. Some people put “horse-shoe” as a symbol of avoiding bad vibes coming into the house.

How to grow cactus plants:-

The cactus plants are simple to grow; it does not require many watering sessions. Although it is significant to water it in intervals, like it does not require regular watering, it requires watering in small amounts like once in a week.

4. Snake plant:

The botanical name for snake plant is Sansevieria trifasciata and commonly called as ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’ plant or bowstring-hemp.

They were first cultivated in China by 8 gods; they gave all the qualities like long life, poetry, health, art, prosperity, strength, beauty and intelligence and used all their energies to grow this plant. They are evergreen plants, and habitat to West Africa.

Size: They can mature up to 6 inch to 12 feet long

Light: they grow in low light conditions and need partial shade.

Soil: they require fast-draining soil along slightly acidic to slightly basic pH. They flourish in the spring and the shades of bloom is greenish-white.

Snake plants bring bad luck since they can produce discordant and bad vines indoors.

The structure of the leaves of the snake plant are extended upwards in the shape of a sword. Some believers say that the upward portion is positive and cut all the negative vibes coming indoors.

The result of bad luck of a snake plant is poverty and bad vibes in someone’s life. It is controversial because many people think that the location where snake plants are set is producing bad luck and bad vibes.

There are many ways to ignore all the bad vibes coming out of the snake plant by changing the location of the snake plants. There is one other way to ignore the bad luck coming out of the snake plant is by locating them in an area of less traffic because of the aggressive vibes of snake plants which can not come in control in the high-traffic locations.

5. Ficus- Bonsai Tree

It is said that bonsai trees can produce both vibes, good as well as bad.

Light: they need high intensity light conditions. Either the direct sunlight or artificial fluorescent lamps of high intensity.

Temperature: they can bear normal temperatures of rooms but not so cold like freezing temperatures.

Humidity: they need high levels of relative humidity. Either they require open environments or humidifiers of high capacity. And also they need proper air circulation to thrive.

Watering: they do not need watering every time only spraying water is sufficient just to moisturise.

Fertilizer: do not over fertilise the plants because normal fertilizers will give proper nutrients in great amounts. Only fertilise in spring season.

Bad luck by Bonsai tree:

Some people say do not plant bonsai trees at home for a reason because they need adequate growth factors like light,water, temperature, etc. Because indoor environmental conditions will restrict the development of the tree. It brings bad luck in the form of bad vibes, a symbol of slow development in life and in profession as well but most importantly it affects the life cycle of the other organisms present in that surrounding.

6. Syringa vulgaris:

They are commonly known as Lilac bushes. These are deciduous plants that grow in the late spring season.

It matures about six to sixteen feet long and the size of bushes is about eight to twelve feet broad.

Light: they need direct sunlight to grow. They can also tolerate partial shade and flourishes.

Temperature: they require cold temperature to thrive.

Humidity: moderate humidity is sufficient for moisture requirements.

Fertilizer: a balanced proportion of feeding in the spring.

Soil: they develop in well-drained loamy type of soil with neutral pH.

Watering: the normal watering is adequate to flourish.

Lilacs bring Bad luck:

Lilacs are used on the coffins and sometimes it symbolises death of people by bringing them in home.

7. Gossypium

They are commonly known as cotton plants. They have a compound shape and can elongate upto three to four feet and three feet broad. They are in white colors.

It grows in the drought environments where it needs watering once a week. And they require high intensity of light and do not require any fertilizers.

They are considered as inauspicious plants because they bring bad luck and stress issues.

8. Dead plants:

If proper care is not given to plants they will shed their leaves and flowers. The roots will decompose and this is not a good sign.

The dead plants cause irritation mentally and give stress to the people and bring bad luck.

9. Lawsonia inermis:

They are also known as “myrtle plants” . They work as medicinal plants and believers also say this that they attract the evil spirits and bring negative vibes to the indoor settings.

10. Tamarind trees:

The scientific name for tamarind is ‘Tamarindus indica’ , they have many health benefits as well as being known for bringing bad luck. They also attract evil spirits and people are always in negative thoughts and deal with mental stress. They causes anxiety issues and losses in the profession.

Refrences-

https://www.floweraura.com/blog/10-lucky-plants-bring-good-luck-and-wealth
https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/10-lucky-plants-to-bring-you-wealth-health-and-love-for-home/

What Is 20-20-20 Fertilizer?

by Constance Harrington

20-20-20 Fertilizer either natural or synthetic material carrying the chemical elements that enhance the development and productiveness of the plants. Fertilizers improve the fertility in nature of the soil mix or replace the chemical elements taken from the soil by previous crops.

Fertilizers are fundamental for producing to rectify for the nitrogen that is extinct by the elimination of harvest products.

Plants require fertilizer because most of the variety of soil does not supply the significant nutrients needed for great development.

Liquid Fertilizers:

Inorganic materials, manufacture industrially and spread into the soil medium in a liquid state.

Liquid fertilizers hold nitrogenous fertilizers, dehydrated and hydrated liquid ammonia, ammonium compounds, concentrated nitrates of ammonia, urea, and compound fertilizers containing only the main supplements that are nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the same proportions.

In every type of soil medium, present plants consume all the nitrogen present in the environment. Plant tissues require nutrients that are easily available in fertilizers to thrive greatly in the environment. The nutrients that plants require come from feeding the plants to supply the energy.

Plants need 17 significant nutrients in the soil to live and to develop.

Nitrogenous liquid fertilizers

It consists mainly of nitrogen in the form of ammonia, which combines with the particles of soil.

Apply liquid fertilizers in every season like spring, in late summer, and in the autumn but not in winters.

Spread Liquid fertilizers into the soil at a specific surface to ignore the loss of ammonia with the help of plows of tractors on the farm.

Liquid fertilizers are just like other solid nitrogen fertilizers.

Compound liquid fertilizers are aqueous solvents comprising up to 20 percent nitrogen, 20 percent phosphorus, and 20 percent potassium. By mixing stabilizers like colloidal clay will stop crystallization, otherwise, it will result in an increment in concentration of present substances into the fertilizer to 30 percent. Compound fertilizers do not restrain added nitrogen; they are only scattered on the surface during cultivation.

Fertilizers help to fill up the requirement of nutrients after every yield. The nutrients are Nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and sulphur, which are the most significant supplements for harvesting crops and for the production of energy.

Primary Nutrients:

There are nine nutrients that plants need in great amounts:

Carbon is found in Carbon dioxide present in the environment.
hydrogen from water (H2O)
oxygen from water(H2O) and air.
Nitrogen supports plants to create proteins to make new tissues. In the environment, nitrogen supply is decreasing day by day so plants consume as much as nitrogen in possible amounts. even if the plants neglect other elements to consume.

If nitrogen is present in great amounts, the plant develops large foliage but does not give rise to fruit or blooms. Restrict the development of plants because of the reason that the plants are not consuming sufficient amounts of other elements.

Potassium improvises the total strength of any plant. It supports the plants to create carbohydrates (glucose) and supplies resistance to plant diseases. It also supports to control all the metabolic activities happening during the development period.
Phosphorus promotes the development of roots, it supports the plant, arranges buds and blooms, improvises energy and maximizes the size of the seeds. It helps in this phenomenon by applying the law of energy i.e. transferring the energy from one part of the plant to another part of the plant. To consume phosphorus, several plants need a pH of soil from about 6.5 to 6.8. Fertilizers and the rate of metabolic activity of soil microorganisms will increase the necessity of phosphorus elements.
Calcium is used for plants in semi-permeable membranes, at developing spacing and to neutralize poisonous substances. As well as calcium improvise the structure of soil and helps to combine all the particles together.
Magnesium is the only metallic portion of the green pigment i.e. chlorophyll; in the absence of chlorophyll, the plant will not perform photosynthesis i.e. create energy in the form of ATP using sunlight.
Sulfur is a great source of protein.

HOW FERTILISERS WORK?

Fertilizers are nutrients for plants. Just like other organisms, plants also need food to produce energy and to thrive.

Plants need a balanced proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulphur. Pants absorb these supplements from the soil while developing phase, in addition, they require fertilizers, manures, and compost to plants every year.

The characteristic feature of fertilizers is that they are spread in balanced amounts to fulfill the needs of plants and are not harmful to the surrounding environment. Manure and compost are used to get sure that the soil is getting sufficient nutrients. Fertilizer helps to understand the significance of balancing the number of nutrients to stop both over-fertilization and under fertilization.

20 20 20 liquid fertilizer is multi-purpose, that is used in all phases of plant development in the farm.

It comprises equal proportions of nitrogen (20%), phosphorus (20%), and potassium (20%) to give a balanced equation for plants to thrive.

WHEN TO FERTILIZE PLANTS?

Do not fertilize the plants during the winter season. Fertilize the plants during the developing phase, that is spring and summers. It is essential to provide fertilizer to plants every two weeks during the spring season and summers.

It is essential not to fertilize at some seasons like in the autumn when the climate in the surrounding gets cold and plants go into the dormancy phase of their life cycle. If fertilizer we apply is continuously in winters it will promote new development of the plant, which is harmful in the cold seasons.

Always increase the watering intervals after fertilizing the plants. In winter if the plant is left under the shade place them in direct sunlight for sometime before fertilizing it.

Use liquid fertilizer in balanced amounts to promote the healthy growth of the plants because plants absorb easily and transfer to every part of the plant.

METHOD OF USE

Conventional procedure:

Spreading nutrient-rich fertilizer to the area of root steadily during the development season. The number of gallons spread every interval is equal to a usual watering rate.

Constant Feeding: A clarification of the conventional procedure; it ignores variation inaccessible plant energy measures into the soil and manufactures more usual growth and previous yields. In this procedure, small amounts of fertilizers are nourishes along with every watering interval at the standard rate.

Foliar Feeding: Spreading fertilizer rich in nutrients from a fine spray bottle to the foliage. Foliar feeding is useful for fertilization or to encourage new development while deteriorated soil, humidity, or temperature environmental conditions when other methods are not effective.

pH:

the pH of the soil is a major factor to feed the plant with liquid fertilizers to give all the nutrients to the plant for proper development.

If the pH of the soil is high or low; the number of nutrients is present in proper proportions into the soil mixture, several nutrients are not absorbed by plants. For many plants, the pH of the soil ranges between six and seven.

To increase the pH of the soil using the lime and ash because aluminum or sulfur sulfate can lower the value of pH. Compost balances the pH of the soil and maintains the ideal pH “6.5”.

Why and When to Use Liquid Fertilizers:

To develop well healthy plants rich in nutrients, because the people want their healthy soil in proper conditions. In the absence of fertilizers, the plants will not gain the proper nutrients to nourish the soil.

When we harvest plants, essential supplements are coming out from the soil for proper nourishment. If the soil of the plants is not rich in nutrients after fertilizing, plants will deteriorate at that time.

Liquid fertilizers work faster than other organic manures. They accelerate the number of nutrients required by plants if it is difficult to consume supplements like nitrogen in winters.

HOW TO APPLY FERTILIZER TO PLANTS :

Step-1

Cut and remove decayed or dead leaves from the plant with pruning shears, sterilize with alcohol. This will support the plant to transfer energy to all the leaves, then leaves will result in green color again. Delicately remove dead leaves from the soil medium to ensure that the fertilizing liquid is transferring to roots or not.

Step-2

Do not spread fertilizer into the soil without moisture. It is significant for the soil too moist before spreading fertilizer. Water the plant until the water drains out of the pot. Ensure that the water drains out completely, it will not rot the roots.

Step-3

Dilute the liquid fertilizer more with water to decrease the strength. Over-fertilizing the plant will result in plant death.

Step-4

Be careful to spread fertilizing liquid completely on the superior surface of the soil, till the water starts to drain out from the drainage system.

The role of nutrients present in fertilizer:

Nitrogen:

Plants are not able to consume nitrogen directly from the environment, the soil is the only way to absorb this essential supplement. If the amount of nitrogen present in the soil is low, fertilizers are used as the acceleration of the supply of nutrients in the soil.

Potassium:

Great amounts of potassium appear deep below the soil mixture and not reachable for the roots of the plant. It takes a lot of effort to absorb the potassium and this is why the fertilizers are used to complete the needs.

Phosphorus:

It is easily found in rocks, but for plants to complete the needs of phosphorus, it requires liquid fertilizers to fulfill the needs. The use of phosphorus in fertilizers supports plants to consume it from the environment and soil of the plant and it ensures for great productions and quick growth of the plants.

USES OF 20-20-20 LIQUID FERTILIZER :

The 20-20-20 liquid fertilizer performs great after the process of making a flower from a bud. It is manufactured which is rich with high-quality supplements and is highly soluble. It has a balanced proportion of 1: 1: 1 sufficient for a broad variety of plants in every phase of their development.

It promotes the formation of seeds.
It boosts the formation of roots and growth.
It gives great blooms and helps in the formation of fruits.
It maximizes the plant’s ability to not get affected by cold weather and drought conditions.
Use the liquid fertilizers in the thriving phase of the plant.
It prevents plant diseases and infestations.
It gives proper nutrients and micronutrients to improvise the growth of the plant in a balanced proportion.

MAIN BENEFITS Of 20-20-20 LIQUID FERTILIZER :

-It is highly soluble in water.

– Raw materials are high.

– proper balanced nutrition to nourish the plant

– Rich with micronutrients of high quality.

– Safe and easy to use.

– it is free from salts.

References-

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/dilute-powder-202020-fertilizer-houseplants-98417.html

http://www.kisanmandi.com/index.php/kisanmandi-products/529-npk-20-20-20-water-soluble-fertilizer

How to take care of Neon Pothos?

by Constance Harrington

The scientific name of the Neon Pothos plant is Epipremnum aureum, they are indoor plants. They can gain a length of 40 feet long in tropical regions.

The pothos plant generally encloses itself to approximately six to ten feet. Their leaves have bright colors and waxy texture along with a significant and in heart shape with pointed edges and are frequently green or prismatic in yellow color, or pale green color.

It is infrequent for pothos to bloom or make drupe, mainly houseplants, but definite variation can have small, stalk-less instant blooms that feature tiny drupe.

Pothos is also known as devil’s ivy. They are very good at supporting in filtering the air and liberal of bright light. Pothos plants also help to clarify the air when developed in an indoor environment.

The pothos plant is captivating and this is the most trouble-free and calm tree to develop in the indoor settings.

Although pothos is endemic to the understory forest because the forests have a hot climate and they are rich in high humidity in the Islands of the south pacific region, pothos is capable of adapting to a great range of developing surroundings out of their natural tropical environment.

Pothos are not only used as ornamental plants but also they purify the air in the surrounding by increasing the moisture level and absorbing carbon dioxide. There are many diversities of pothos plants like Jade Pothos, Golden Pothos, Neon Pothos, Blue Pothos, Silver Pothos, Glacier Pothos, and Jessenia Pothos.

Although there are many variations of pothos plants, only a few can thrive in indoor settings like pothos and Golden Pothos.

Rate Of Growth:

Pothos are average to quick developers. If Pothos are in shade or in low light, the rate of growth will decrease. In their endemic environment surrounding pothos grow up to the trees & they can grow up to 60′. This is the reason Pothos are tough to remove and have gained a new regular name: Devil’s Ivy.

During the development period between autumn and winter and spring season grows quickly. When the proper growth suppliers are present in balanced proportions they gain a height of approximately 20 to 40 feet and scatter up to 3 to 6 feet broad, they have an average life span of 10 years.

Neon pothos

Neon color is always captivating and eye-catching. The great Neon Pothos (Epipremnum) have left in the shape of heart, and an electrifying green color to get attention.

Neon pothos plants are as difficult as easy to develop. This is also a carefree plant-like other pothos plant.

These neon pothos plants shine in the environment where they are with their attracting yellowish-green leaves.

The leaves in the heart shape of neon pothos can develop elongated up to 20 inches, but in indoor settings, the leaves of neon pothos can only elongate up to 5 inches. The neon pothos can bear extremely diverse conditions.

Neon pothos is vigorous growers and do well in hanging baskets or anyplace where their trailing vines can fall freely. Because they tolerate low light, Neon pothos plants can grow in a bathroom or office. Neon pothos cuttings can even live for years in plain water, so this makes it easy to add a houseplant to hard-to-reach places, such as atop a grandfather clock.

Neon pothos gets excess light beyond the adequate light then the leaves will start to turn pale.

Pothos plants can only tolerate temperature ranges between 65° to 80°F. The neon pothos can also survive in normal humidity present in an environment without water, but start watering when the top surface of the soil mix starts to lose moisture.

As if their easy care and bright chartreuse-green leaves aren’t enough, Neon Pothos is a living air purifier, able to remove toxins found in paint, carpeting, and even insulation. Is the Neon Pothos the ideal plant for you? To quote Packard Motors, ”Ask the man who owns one.”

Growth Factors:

Light:

Neon Pothos are capable of tolerating low light but develop in bright, indirect light. The direct sunlight will burn the leaves, when the adequate light is not available then the leaves will turn into pale green color and size of the leaves will get smaller

Pothos plants develop greatly in a variety of light availability and can even endure minimum light available.

Medium-light is adequate in the indoor setting and in outdoor settings, Pothos grows into the shade or in low light intensity. Direct sunlight is harmful to Pothos plants.

A highly multicolored pothos may drop its spectrum when pothos are placed under low-light intensity. The green parts of the leaves if the pothos plant makes food in the form of energy, leaves balances for the low quantity of light by transforming into more green color.

Plant leaves changes from Pale to yellowish in color would specify that the plant is acquiring a lot of light. The number of light pothos plants require is moderate. The plant will endure low light but will not develop greatly at all. Do not reveal pothos plants into direct sunlight.

The plants will burn in very little time. High intensity of light is excellent but be cautious of the plant away from direct contact.

If pothos plants are getting light from only one direction, then the leaves of the plant will incline towards the direction of light.

Temperatures:

The pothos can bear a great range of temperatures. Pothos grow in temperature between 65° – 85℉ during the day and do not thrive below 60° at night. Although the plants belong to tropical plants and the maximum range of high temperatures is between 70° – 90℉.

Soil:

Use any type of damp soil which is well-drained and full of nutrients to promote growth.

Watering:

Pothos plants are extremely subtle to watering so it is significant to know the needs of water a plant requires. Watering will result in two ways either the plant will develop greatly or the plant will wilt. Be cautious of the water plant’s daily irregularity in watering will lead to plant diseases. Usually, this result comes after the overwatering sessions.

Do not let the soil lose its moisture but be cautious do not overwater plants.

Is it easier to water plants than said? Pothos grow great when the soil is ready to lose its moisture between intervals of waterings.

Do not let the roots lose their moisture in the watering intervals, only allow the potting mix to get dry.

Colors of leaves will tell how much quantity a plant needs.

If the leaves of pothos plants are turning into brown color or wilting, it needs watering more often.
If the leaves of pothos plants are turning yellow, this indicates that the plant is overwatering. Excessive watering causes decomposition of roots.

Humidity:

The level of relative humidity is usually low in the months of winter. pothos are in the benefit because they do not require regular misting.

The pothos plant does great in the environment of the level of relative humidity but will develop in very little humidity present in the surrounding environment.

Brown edges of the leaf may point out that the air present in the environment is moisture-free i.e. air is dry.

Fertilizer:

If pothos plants are growing in water then liquid fertilizer will provide better nutrients to thrive and if the pothos plants are developing in soil then the normal balanced fertilizer will work to grow the plants.

Fertilize pothos plants alternate months with a quality with high balanced proportions of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in a diluted form for providing strength to thrive better.

Most indoor plants when bought they are rich in good potting mix and soil with all the required supplements absorbed in the soil and help the pothos to thrive greatly.

In some situations like pothos are developing in a bad potting mix; the Pothos plant will require a light quantity of fertilizers. A light application of worm compost apply fertilizers with a balanced proportion every spring season and in summers to strengthen the plants.

Do not fertilize in autumn seasons or in winters because they go into the dormancy phase.

Do not overfeed the plant because it will make salts and will burn the roots and then the plant will not able to thrive again.

Repotting:

It is not a hard task to report a pothos plant. If the pothos plant has elongated strings just tie them up because they are delicate to move them aside while repotting a pothos plant. The pothos plant can thrive in the given pot for a year or more if the proper nutrients are available.

Check the condition of soil either it is loose or the roots are overgrown by touching it. If the condition is so bad then repot the plant otherwise there is no need to repot the pothos plant.

Pruning :

Trim all the dead parts or rot roots and different color parts of the plant.

Always try to remain the stems short to support foliage with the entire elongation of the stem.

Prune the plant to provide new development and nourishment. Trimming the stems until some nodes will also promote the new development of the plant. Trim the long stem ends and propagate again into the new pot to regenerate the plant to spread, or plant it into the same pot either to entourage new developments.

Always sterilize scissors or other sources before pruning to prevent from spreading allergies or diseases in the surrounding. Cut the dead or decayed leaves or foliage or if they have lost their color.

Toxicity:

Although the pothos plants are hardly fatal. If a pet or a baby ingests pothos it will result in vomiting and irritation because it secrets calcium oxalates.

Propagation:

Cut the stem overhead the leaf node about 4 to 6 inches elongated, with three or more leaves and not less than two leaf nodes.

Remove the leaf which is close to the end of the root, and then place it in a pot filled entirely with water. Freshen the water and wash the pot completely as required, and then the pothos plant will develop in the water without soil mixture as much as the liquid fertilizer is available. If the cutting has started propagating in water, it will not get adjusted in the soil medium.

So if the cutting is in soil medium then use normal fertilizer in a balanced proportion to promote the new growth.

Pests:

The pothos plants have no issues with the insects and they do not have any disease problems. Though mealybugs and scales are found on the leaves of plants creating a home in the soil.

Using a ball of cotton dipped fully in the alcohol will help to prevent insects from coming to the plant.

Check the pothos plant every week to stop infestations and either use a pesticide or a spray to kill the mealybugs and other insects.

References-

https://www.joyusgarden.com/neon-pothos-care/
https://www.mygardenlife.com/plant-library/6156/epipremnum/pinnatum/neon
https://www.capegazette.com/article/neon-pothos-ideal-plant-you/173759

9 Best Air Purifying House Plants?

by Constance Harrington

Air Purifying House Plants always make our offices, homes a happier and lovely place but they can reduce Carbon Dioxide Levels in the surroundings and thus makes the air fresh to breathe.

It’s very good to grow plants in many perspectives, green plants are very good for one’s health.

NASA announced in their Clean Air Study, that some indoor plants are used as air purifiers as they eliminate harmful chemicals like Benzene, ammonia from the surroundings. These harmful compounds are injurious to health and may cause headache, sick building syndrome(SBS) in humans.

SBS(Sick Building Syndrome) is a type of disease that is generally found in people who work in poor ventilation surroundings and due to that, the person is prone to various respiratory problems.

Is Air Purified by Indoor Plants Really?

A series of studies which was conducted by NASA in the ’80s proved that indoor plants can help in purifying the air in the environment.

But, due to increased air pollution rates around the globe, researchers suggested that there must be approximately 700 plants in a 1,500 square foot area to completely eliminate harmful compounds and introduce fresh and clean air.

Even a small amount of plants can enhance air quality. So, it is not harmful to grow some useful green plants at our homes and offices.

What does Indoor Air Pollution mean?

Indoor Air Pollution refers to a state where indoor areas of our homes and offices are exposed to Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) or volatile organic pollutants.

Pollutants are substances or compounds which are responsible for initiating pollution in a particular area. Examples of some volatile organic compounds are ammonia, formaldehyde, etc.

It has been proved in Research that VOCs levels are two to five times greater indoors than outside environments.

Various causes of indoor air pollution are:

Carpet
Cleaning products
Paint
Bacteria
Pesticides
Furnishings

Benefits of having Indoor Plants

Indoor plants reduce Carbon Dioxide levels in the surroundings and help to lower volatile organic compounds levels from the atmosphere and thus upgrade air quality.

Indoor plants are helpful in many ways. Some of which are:

They can lower stress levels
Reduce irritation in the throat, eyes, ears
Uplift your attention while working
It helps you to breathe in the fresh air and thus keeps you healthy and safe from diseases.

9 Best Air Purifying plants for indoors

Every person has its own choice in terms of plants. We suggest you grow plants that totally fit in your requirement list. However, one should grow that plant which requires little maintenance and in return give incredible results.

9 Best Air Purifying Plants are as follows:

1. Snake Plant

Dracaena trifasciata commonly called snake plants are generally grown in tropical west Africa and are very popular in terms of purifying the air.

The snake plant is often referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue because of its leaves’ shape. This plant needs very little care and it is almost impossible to kill it naturally.

Snake plants help to eliminate toxic substances like Benzene, formaldehyde from the surroundings. This plant presence around you always ensures you to breathe in the fresh air.

Snake plant care guide:

It needs a little amount of water to grow healthy.
Sunlight requirements are very low, in fact, snake plants love to live in shade sometimes.

2. Red-Edged Dracaena

Dracaena marginata, commonly referred to as red-edge Dracaena is a type of evergreen plant.

This plant is called red-edged Dracaena because of its red margined, ribbon-like leaves. This plant is generally native to the east coast of Africa.

As per NASA recommendation, this plant is one of the best air-purifying plants in the world.

Dracaena, apart from purifying the air, also helps you by increasing the value of your home and offices by its beautiful appearance. The whole credit of its beauty goes to its foliage patterns. However, this plant can cause poisoning to dogs and cats, when it’s leaves are eaten by them. So, it would be suggested to ignore this plant if you love your pet.

Red-edged Dracaena care guide:

Dracaena prefer misting, rather than watering
Ni need to spray fertilizers on the plant during winters
60-70 °F Temperature range is good enough to keep it healthy and fresh.

3. Spider Plant

Spider plant which is scientifically called “Chlorophytum comosum” is also called airplane plant. Chlorophytum comosum is commonly called spider plant and airplane plant not because they capture spiders or other insects, but they are called so because they possess long wire-like stems and have small offshoots that somewhat look like spider webs.

These plants can increase oxygen levels in the surroundings and help to absorb harmful substances like xylene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Also, these plants are safe for cats and dogs as they don’t produce any toxic chemicals in the pet body and thus are safe for homes.

These plants require very little maintenance and can grow in any kind of atmosphere.

Spider Plant care guide:

Spider plants love moist soil and don’t prefer soggy soil. So always water this plant moderately.
Spider Plant loves indirect sunlight

4. English Ivy

English Ivy plant which is scientifically called “Hedera helix” is a type of flowering plant which belongs to family Araliaceae and is grown generally in Europe and Western Asia.

Other common names of English Ivy include European Ivy or simply Ivy. This plant is best known for its beautiful appearance and apart from its air-purifying quality, people preferred it because this plant decorates their homes, offices very well and gives a very pleasant atmosphere.

Care guide for English Ivy:

English Ivy loves sunlight and it loves to grow in an area where it can trap maximum sunlight.
This plant needs water regularly.
Needs fertilizers only in a month.

5. Dwarf Date Palm

“Phoenix roebelenii” which is commonly called Dwarf date palm are plants that are natively found in Southeastern Asia. Other common names of this plant consist of a miniature date palm, pygmy date palm, and robellini.

This plant can give you an awesome tropical feel of the forest, belongs to the Arecaceae family and it is the best plant in the whole family in terms of purifying the air.

It can reach a maximum height of 4-5 feet and gives a very pleasant and decorative look in homes and offices.

Care guide for Dwarf Date Palm:

Dwarf date palm doesn’t love the sunlight that much, in fact, this plant prefers to be in indirect sunlight.
50-75 F temperature range is required by the plant to keep it healthy.
Dwarf dates palm love moist soil and don’t prefer soggy soil. So always water this plant moderately.

6. Bamboo Palm

Bamboo Palm is highly recommended for offices and homes. This plant’s charm can bring fresh air, love, and prosperity in your surroundings. It is not surprising to know that Bamboo Palm really needs a negligible amount of maintenance and care.

Scientifically called “Chamaedorea seifrizii” can grow in almost all conditions. Some of its common names are Butterfly Palm, Areca Palm, and Golden Cane Palm.

NASA has claimed that this plant can act as one of the best air-purifying plants and can remove Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the atmosphere. It can eliminate VOCs like Benzene, xylene, formaldehyde from the atmosphere and thus makes the air fresh and clean. Also, this plant can be edible by cats and dogs as it does not cause any poisoning in them and thus safe for your pets.

Care guide for Bamboo Palm:

It requires a very little amount of water as it loves slightly moist soil and not soggy soil.
The normal indoor temperature keeps this plant healthy.
Avoid keeping this plant in direct sunlight, as it loves to be in indirect sunlight.

7. Pothos Plant

Epipremnum aureum, which is commonly called pothos are plant species which are generally grown indoors and is natively found in Southeastern Asia.

Pothos are known by other names as well like money plants, golden pothos, and devil’s ivy. These plants are used for decorative purposes in various shops, public places, and offices as this plant is very attractive in nature and need little care for healthy growth.

Pothos do not need long periods of sunlight, this plant can grow in a temperature range between 17-30C. When soil gets dry, the plant needs to be watered at that time.

One should remember that pothos plants are toxic to cats and dogs. So, avoid these plants if you have pets in your house.

Care guide for Pothos Plant:

Grows best in Room temperatures.
Avoid keeping this plant in direct sunlight as it shines better in low light.

8. Flamingo Lily

Flamingo Lily can be the most beautiful and gorgeous plant to grow indoors. Scientifically known as “Anthurium andraeanum” which belongs to family Araceae are flowering species.

This plant can be proven as the best choice if you are looking for a plant that looks beautiful and at the same time purifies the air.

Maintenance levels are very low and this plant can bloom in almost every situation. However, one should know that these plants can cause poisoning in dogs and cats as they release some harmful toxic substances in pets’ bodies if their leaves are eaten by them.

So, it is recommended to avoid this plant in your homes if you have pets, or else proper precautions have to be taken.

Care guide for Flamingo Lily:

Water needs are low and this plant needs water, only when the soil gets a little dry.
This plant loves to grow in indirect sunlight.
Spray Fertilizers only 3-4 times in a month.

9.Chinese Evergreens

Chinese Evergreens are one of the best air-purifying plants and its appealing looks can act as the cherry on the top. Chinese Evergreens require almost no care and it is almost impossible to kill it naturally. It can tolerate high levels of drought and can be able to live in poor sunlight too.

It’s tolerance to a wide temperature range makes it stand out from others. This plant can grow healthily in temperatures ranging from 60-72F and also from 50-55F.

However, one has to keep in mind that this plant can be toxic to cats and dogs and can induce toxic chemical compounds in the body of animals if plant leaves are eaten by them.

Care guide for Chinese Evergreens:

Water needs are low and this plant needs water, only when the soil gets a little dry.
This plant loves to grow in medium or indirect sunlight.

Conclusion:

We have seen 9 plants that can be Proven Best Air purifiers and can help you to eliminate harmful substances or chemicals from the air and thus makes you feel fresh and can brighten up your mood.

Also, all these plants are highly recommended by NASA and they all require less maintenance. One can do a little care of them but these plants will stand out alive and fresh always.

However, some of them are poisonous in nature and can induce toxic chemicals in pets. Symptoms of toxicity of these plants in pets include vomiting, ulcers in the mouth, the stomach of your pets. One has to consider all the points before choosing the correct air purifiers plants for them.

Refrences-

https://greatist.com/connect/houseplants-that-clean-air
https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wellbeing/a668/houseplants-to-purify-house-air/
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/gardening/a32552/houseplants-that-purify-air/

How Do I Know When My Pothos Plant Need Water?

by Constance Harrington

The scientific name of the Pothos plant is Epipremnum, they are indoor plants. They can gain a length of 40 feet long in tropical regions.

Pothos are evergreen plants they flourish in outdoor setups but at the time when they mature in a suitable environment and in the presence of adequate light; the color of the bloom is greenish-offwhite and they have great size. Pothos plants do not flourish in indoor setups.

Pothos plants are known as climbers because of the presence of long aerial roots whose height relies on the place where they thrive i.e. either indoor or outdoor.

In outdoor settings, they can attain a height of up to 40 feet and in indoor settings, they can thrive up to a maximum of 6 to 8 feet. The foliage of the pothos plant shine in a different shade like yellow, green, neon green and so on

It is infrequent for pothos to bloom or make drupe, mainly houseplants, but definite variation can have small, stalk-less instant blooms that feature tiny drupe.

The pothos plant is captivating and in addition, they are healthy, this is the most trouble-free and a calm tree to develop in the indoor settings.

Pothos are not only used as ornamental plants but also they purify the air in the surrounding by increasing the moisture level and absorbing carbon dioxide.

There are many diversities of pothos plants like Jade Pothos, Golden Pothos, Neon Pothos, Blue Pothos, Silver Pothos, Glacier Pothos, and Jessenia Pothos.

Although there are many variations of pothos plants, only a few can thrive in indoor settings like pothos and Golden Pothos.

Rate Of Growth:

Pothos are average to quick developers. If Pothos are in shade or in low light, the rate of growth will decrease. In their endemic environment surrounding pothos grow up to the trees & they can grow up to 60′. This is the reason Pothos is considered as tough to remove and have gained a new regular name: Devil’s Ivy.

Growth Factors:

Light:

Pothos plants develop greatly in a variety of light availability and can even endure minimum light available.

Medium-light is adequate in the indoor setting and in outdoor settings, Pothos grows into the shade or in low light intensity. Direct sunlight is harmful to Pothos plants. A highly multicolored pothos may drop its spectrum when pothos is under low-light intensity.

The green parts of the leaves if the pothos plant makes food in the form of energy, leaves balances for the low quantity of light by transforming into more green color.

Plant leaves changes from Pale to yellowish in color would specify that the plant is acquiring a lot of light.

The number of light pothos plants require is moderate. The plant will endure low light but will not develop greatly at all.

Do not reveal pothos plants into direct sunlight. The plants will burn in very little time. High intensity of light is excellent but be cautious of the plant away from direct contact.

If pothos plants are getting light from only one direction, then the leaves of the plant will incline towards the direction of light.

Temperatures:

The pothos can bear a great range of temperatures. Pothos grow in temperature between 55° – 85℉, although the plants belong to tropical plants and the maximum range of high temperatures is between 70° – 90℉.

Soil:

Use any type of damp soil which is well-drained and full of nutrients to promote growth.

Watering:

Do not let the soil lose its moisture but be cautious do not overwater plants.

Is it easier to water plants than said? Pothos grow great when the soil is able to lose its moisture between intervals of watering.

Do not let the roots lose their moisture in the watering intervals, only allow the potting mix to get dry.

Colors of leaves will tell how much quantity a plant needs.

If the leaves of pothos plants are turning into brown color or wilting, it needs watering more often.
If the leaves of pothos plants are turning yellow, this indicates that the plant gets too much water. Excessive watering causes decomposition of roots.

Pothos plants develop in water and in addition soil, but it’s not easy for pothos plants to switch from one medium to another. If pothos plants start developing in the soil medium will grow greatly if it continues to grow in soil, and inversely.

Pothos plants can also grow only in water under suitable conditions like

Low light or partial shade
A normal relative humidity level
Proper misting
Use a liquid fertilizer.
Easy to propagate
Free from pests

Humidity:

The level of relative humidity is usually low in the months of winter. pothos are in the benefit because they do not require regular misting.

The pothos plant does great in the environment of the level of relative humidity but will develop in very little humidity present in the surrounding environment.

Brown edges of the leaf may point out that the air present in the environment is moisture-free i.e. air is dry.

Fertilizer:

Fertilize pothos plants alternate months with a quality with high balanced proportions of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in a diluted form for providing strength to thrive better.

Most indoor plants when bought they are rich in good potting mix and soil with all the required supplements absorbed in the soil and help the pothos to thrive greatly.

In some situations like pothos are developing in a bad potting mix; the Pothos plant will require a light quantity of fertilizers.

a light application of worm compost

Apply fertilizers with a balanced proportion every spring season and in summers to strengthen the plants.

Do not fertilize in autumn seasons or in winters because they go into the dormancy phase.

Do not overfeed the plant because it will make salts and will burn the roots and then the plant will not able to thrive again.

Repotting:

It is not a hard task to repot a pothos plant. If the pothos plant has elongated strings just tie them up because they are delicate to move them aside while repotting a pothos plant. The pothos plant can thrive in the given pot for a year or more if the proper nutrients are available.

Check the condition of soil either it is loose or the roots are overgrown by touching it. If the condition is so bad then repot the plant otherwise there is no need to repot the pothos plant.

Pruning :

Trim all the dead parts or rot roots and different color parts of the plant.

Always try to remain the stems short to support foliage with the entire elongation of the stem.

Prune the plant to provide new development and nourishment. Trimming the stems until some nodes will also promote the new development of the plant. Trim the long stem ends and propagate again into a new pot to regenerate the plant to spread, or plant it into the same pot either to entourage new developments.

Toxicity:

Although the pothos plants are hardly fatal. If a pet or a baby ingests pothos it will result in vomiting and irritation because it secrets calcium oxalates.

Propagation:

Cut the stem overhead the leaf node about 4 to 6 inches elongated, with three or more leaves and not less than two leaf nodes.

So if the cutting is in soil medium then use the normal fertilizer in a balanced proportion to promote the new growth.

Pests:

The pothos plants have no issues with the insects and they do not have any disease problems. Though mealybugs and scales are found on the leaves of plants creating a home in the soil.

Using a ball of cotton dipped fully in the alcohol will help to prevent insects from coming to the plant.

Check the pothos plant every week to stop infestations and either use a pesticide or a spray to kill the mealybugs and other insects.

In abstract the question ” how do I know when my pothos needs water ” the response is:

Permit the soil mix of the pothos plant to lose all the moisture dry out entirely between intervals of watering. It will indicate that the foliage starts to bend when the pothos plant starts to require adequate water, then it is the ideal time to start watering the pothos plant.

Do not overwater the plant. It is better to dip a finger up to 2 inches into the soil in a regular interval of time every few days to check relative humidity levels, and do watering when the soil of the pothos plant loses its moisture till a little down from the superficial surface. Overwatering will result in either root rot or yellowing of roots and it is fatal to the plant life.

Watering indoor plants at different intervals and different frequencies it all depends on the need of the plant to how much water a pothos plant requires, size of the pot, seasons of the year i.e. spring, summers, autumn and winters, and the conditions of the environment.

References-

https://www.proflowers.com/blog/pothos-plant-care
https://greeneryunlimited.co/blogs/plant-care/pothos-care
https://www.gardenista.com/posts/gardening-101-pothos/

Is Devil’s Ivy A Good Indoor Plant?

by Constance Harrington

Devil’s ivy is scientifically known as Epipremnum aureum, also known by as name golden pothos, is a plant belongs to a tropical region, native to the Pacific region i.e. the Solomon Islands, the devil’s ivy plant may attach to the ground in winters, but generally flourishes in the spring.

Devil’s ivy’s have needs while the development phase is usually normal demands and it wants an environment free from pests and diseases.

Devil’s ivy plant is a hiker because of the presence of long aerial roots whose height relies on the place where they thrive i.e. either indoor or outdoor.

The devil’s ivy plant generally encloses itself to approximately six to ten feet. Their leaves have bright colors and in heart shape with pointed edges and are frequently green or prismatic in yellow color, or pale green color.

It is infrequent for plants to bloom or make drupe, mainly houseplants, but definite variation can have small, stalk-less instant blooms that feature tiny drupe.

Devil’s ivy is also known as pothos because they are very good at supporting in filtering the air and liberal of bright light. Devil’s ivy plants also help to clarify the air when developed in an indoor environment.

REASONS WHY IT IS CONSIDERED AS A GREAT INDOOR PLANT:

1. Devils ivy plants are great to care a plant as a beginner:

This plant is with smooth and soft leaves, devils ivy are very difficult.1 of their usual name is “golden Devil’s ivy ” because when developing in an environment the plants can elongate about 50′ and they are tough to restrict the development. The devil’s ivy plants choose intense indirect sunlight, but can tolerate low light environments, water the plant entirely, and then allow the extra water to drain out entirely. Golden Devil’s ivy requires fewer supplements to enhance new growth.

Over watering is fatal for the devil’s ivy plants. Devil’s ivy plants allure the pests, people can throw out all pests by just spraying water on the plants.

2. Devil’s ivy plants are found without any effort.

There is no need to go on any hunt to find devil’s ivy plants. They are found in any Pacific region or people can take it from their friends who have this plant because they can grow in any medium like soil as well as in water.

They start to propagate in any environmental conditions but the growth factors rely on indirect sunlight and proper fertilizers.

3. Devils ivy has a great range of different patterns of foliage and different colors.

Everyone has thought the devil’s ivy plant is not interesting since they have seen it at every place. Devils have so many different foliages and different shades and no one can have faith that the different foliages appear on the same plant and make the plant attention seeker. Devils ivy is so classy in appearance they are known as the Golden Devil’s ivy for a reason; the leaves of devil’s ivy plant are bright green in color with a little golden multi-colored look. Devil’s ivy is in a distinct color of green, individual sizes of the leaves, and different varieties.

4. The devil’s ivy plant can endure low light levels.

Devil’s ivy plants can endure low light levels. Remember that the color of leaves will as likely as not go back to deep green color and they will not thrive again as they thrive in an ideal environment. The less air present in the environment will not affect the development of the devil’s ivy plant. Devil’s ivy is commonly found almost in every place like homes, offices, restaurants, airports, etc.

5. Devil’s ivy plants clean the air.

The devil’s ivy plants purify the air in the surrounding by increasing the moisture level and absorbing carbon dioxide. It may look great hanging on ceilings and seeking attention, the plants remove toxicants from the air in the surrounding. The devil’s ivy plants consume all the bad toxicants present in the environment and give out all the good oxygen. The features of purifying the air in the surrounding environment are so captivating that it makes them champions among all plant families. They have great characteristic features; to look captivating and graceful and they purify the air in the surrounding environment.

6. Devil’s ivy is a quick developer.

When we see a plant developing in an ideal environment, it satisfies a lot only when you are a new gardener. The ideal developing factors wok as:

Light Requirements

Devil’s ivy develops greatly in shady regions, but development speed slows when the low light conditions are present in the growing environment, and the foliage will lose its variety, and they result in solid green color. In an indoor setting, put the plant at a place where it gets a filtered light or an artificial fluorescent light.

If the devil’s ivy is in shade or in low light, the rate of growth will decrease. In their endemic environment surrounding devil’s ivy grow up to the trees & they can grow up to 60″. During the development period between autumn and winter and spring season grows quickly. When the proper growth suppliers are present in balanced proportions they gain a height of approximately 20 to 40 feet and scatter up to 3 to 6 feet broad, they have an average life span of 10 years.

Temperature:

Devil’s Ivy plants thrive in normal room temperature and do not require any special conditions to develop properly.

Fertilizer:

Devil’s Ivy plant is not a heavy feeder plant and its development will not stop to thrive. Although devil’s ivy plants can fully fill the needs of fertilizers with a liquid fertilizer in a balanced proportion. Every time feed the devil’s ivy plants with an organic liquid fertilizer to nourish and provide all the supplements to thrive.

Watering:

Devil’s ivy plants are extremely subtle to watering so it is significant to know the needs of water a plant requires. Watering will result in two ways either the plant will develop greatly or the plant will wilt. Be cautious of the water plant’s daily irregularity in watering will lead to plant diseases. Usually, this result comes after the overwatering sessions.

Do not let the soil lose its moisture but be cautious do not overwater plants.

Is it easier to water plants than said? Devil’s ivy grows great when the soil is able to lose its moisture between intervals of watering.

Do not let the roots lose their moisture in the watering intervals, only allow the potting mix to get dry.

Colors of leaves will tell how much quantity a plant needs.

If the leaves of Devil’s ivy plants are turning into brown color or wilting, it needs watering more often.
If the leaves of Devil’s ivy plants are turning yellow, this indicates that the plant gets too much water. Excessive watering causes decomposition of roots.

Devil’s ivy plants develop in water and in addition soil, but it’s not easy for Devil’s ivy plants to switch from one medium to another. If Devil’s ivy plants start developing in the soil medium will grow greatly if it continues to grow in soil, and inversely.

Humidity:

The level of relative humidity is usually low in the months of winter. Plants are in the benefit because they do not require regular misting.

The devil’s ivy plant does great in the environment of the level of relative humidity but will develop in very little humidity present in the surrounding environment.

Brown edges of the leaf may point out that the air present in the environment is moisture-free i.e. air is dry.

Pest control:

The plants have no issues with the insects and they do not have any disease problems. Though mealybugs and scales are found on the leaves of plants creating a home in the soil.

Using a ball of cotton dipped fully in the alcohol will help to prevent insects from coming to the plant.

Check the devil’s ivy plant every week to stop infestations and either use a pesticide or a spray to kill the mealybugs and other insects.

8. Devil’s ivy plants are very flexible in nature.

Generally, these plants hang in the basket due to aerial roots to purify the air. They can sit at any place, bookshelves, offices, dining table, etc.

9. Devil’s ivy plants are easy to propagate.

Cut the stem overhead the leaf node about 4 to 6 inches elongated, with three or more leaves and not less than two leaf nodes.

Remove the leaf which is close to the end of the root, and then place it in a pot filled entirely with water. Freshen the water and wash the pot completely as required, and then the Devil’s ivy plant will develop in the water without soil mixture as much as the liquid fertilizer is available. If the cutting has started propagating in water, it will not get adjusted in the soil medium.

So if the cutting is in soil medium then use the normal fertilizer in a balanced proportion to promote the new growth.

10. Devil’s ivy plants are not to care only.

Devil’s ivy plants look graceful and make an environment of tropical regions. Its generous foliage and waxy textured leaves will provide an ornamental appearance.

The devil’s ivy plants last for a long time.

Devil’s ivy plants live for many years and they do not even require repotting very often but when they need it is not a hard task to repot a plant. If the plant has elongated strings just tie them up because they are delicate to move them aside while repotting a plant. The pothos plant can thrive in the given pot for a year or more if the proper nutrients are available.

Check the condition of soil either it is loose or the roots are overgrown by touching it. If the condition is so bad then repot the plant otherwise there is no need to repot the pothos plant.

Time to time they require pruning otherwise many diseases and other complications will affect the growth of plants.

Pruning:

Trim all the dead parts or rot roots and different color parts of the plant.

Always try to remain the stems short to support foliage with the entire elongation of the stem.

Uses of Devil’s ivy plants:

They can climb high to the ceilings and in a hanging state, they purify the air and thrive quickly. Their appearance is captivating and graceful to decorate the surrounding. Basically, it is an ornamental plant.

In the abstract of the question “Is Devil’s Ivy A Good Indoor Plant?” The response is “yes”. We can care for the devil’s ivy plants easily and they do not require any repotting very often. They can grow in both the mediums that are water as well as soil. They have ideal developing factors in which they bloom and make the appearance captivating.

Refrences-

https://www.epicgardening.com/golden-pothos-devils-ivy/
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/tips-growing-devils-ivy-45281.html
https://www.flowercouncil.co.uk/campaign/august-2018-devils-ivy-houseplant-of-the-month

15 plants that are lucky and good for the home?

by Constance Harrington

Good Luck plants are believed to introduce good luck, happiness, and love in the surrounding environment. These plants not only bring good luck but also help in decorating your indoors.

It is scientifically proven that plants can refresh one’s mood and help them to feel fresh and energetic.

15 Plants which are lucky and good for home are as follows:

1- Palms

Palms are considered very lucky for indoors due to their ability to create dividers because of their perfect size. You can experience a lot of fresh air and energy because of the natural tropical feel provided by palms.

Besides attracting good amounts of fresh energy, palms turn on missing Feng Shui elements (it is a Chinese term, which means the orientation of flow energy) in the atmosphere.

Palms also helps in eliminating harmful dust particles from the carpets. These dust particles can carry xylene and formaldehyde in them, which are eliminated by palms very conveniently.

Thus, Palms helps in purifying the air in the atmosphere and enables us to breathe in the fresh air and make us feel fresh and energetic.

2- Pachira Money Tree

Feng Shui believed that this plant can bring good luck and prosperity to the surroundings.

“Feng Shui” is a branch of ancient science that was developed in China around 3,000 years back. “Feng” means wind and “Shui” means water.

Chinese always believed that wind and water are associated with good health, that’s why they name this branch as Feng Shui.

These plants are generally grown in Central and South America, believing that these plants bring good luck.

Also, they are sold as a good omen to make money.

Not only this, but people also believed that this plant leaves with more than 5 fingers are very lucky for homes and offices.

Pachira Money Tree is not only considered lucky by Feng Shui but also by Vastu it is considered very lucky for homes and offices.

3- Money Plant

As per Vastu and Feng Shui, Money plants are very lucky for homes, offices, and public places. It is believed that these plants come with good luck with them and generate happiness in one’s life.

The round and edged leaves of Money Plant are a symbol of good luck.

It is found very lucky to keep these plants in the southeast direction in our homes for good wealth as the southeast direction is believed to be Lord Ganesha’s direction and planet Venus rules over in this direction.

Apart from this, Money Plant can also help in purifying the air around its atmosphere as it helps to eliminate toxic compounds like benzene, xylene, and formaldehyde from the surroundings.

4- Lucky Bamboo

Lucky Bamboo is always considered as good fortune by Asian culture from ages. Chinese called Lucky bamboo by the name “Fu Gwey Zhu” which symbolizes luck, power, and honor.

The word

“Fu” means luck and fortune
“Gwey” means honor
And “Zhu” means Bamboo

It is believed that this plant brings all the five elements of Feng Shui with itself that is Fire, Earth, Wood, Water, and Metal and thus generate positivity all around.

This plant is considered luckier if placed in the east or in the south-east direction.

This plant can be the best choice for those who can’t take care of the plant often and at the same time wants the plant to grow healthy. Lucky bamboo needs very little care and maintenance and is able to survive in almost all conditions.

5- Snake Plant

It is believed by Feng Shui that this plant can generate positive vibes in an atmosphere of crowds.

Dracaena trifasciata commonly called snake plants are generally grown in tropical west Africa and are very popular in terms of purifying the air.

The snake plant is often referred to as mother-in-law’s tongue because of its leaves’ shape. This plant needs very little care and it is almost impossible to kill it naturally.

Snake plants help to eliminate toxic substances like Benzene, formaldehyde from the surroundings. This plant presence around you always ensures you to breathe in the fresh air.

6- Jade Plant

Jade Plant is an incredibly beautiful plant with rounded leaves. It is believed that this plant is very lucky for businessmen, and that’s the reason this plant is often gifted to businessmen wishing them luck and praying for their growth in business.

Not only this, but it is also believed that the Jade plant is ten times luckier when placed at the entrance of the doors, offices, or any public places.

Scientifically called as Crassula ovata, Jade plants are very low maintenance plants with appealing looks. Also, sometimes it’s leaves are used for curing diseases like diarrhea, nausea, etc.

These plants really love the sun and prefer to be in sunlight all the time. So, if you are thinking of having one in your homes, just make sure that your plant is receiving a minimum of 3 hours of sunlight.

7- Potted orchids

Orchids are symbols of love. Nowadays, orchids are generally gifted to express love and on the same side, these plants are extremely beautiful and attractive in nature.

Orchids bring wealth, good luck, love, and prosperity in our homes and offices and this is believed by Feng Shui.

Orchids are very expensive as it is an endangered plant species and the government doesn’t preserve it well for its protection. Orchids belong to the family Orchidaceae and this family is one of the biggest flowering families in the world.

Also, the unique property of orchids which makes it stand out from others is that they release oxygen at night, which can be proven very healthy for the owner. Orchids with their amazing looks are also safe for your pets, they do not release any toxic substances in the body of your pet if your pet eats its leaves. Therefore it is completely safe for use.

8- Tulsi or basil

Tulsi or Basil which are members of the Lamiaceae family is natively found in Asia. In Asia, mostly in India, Tulsi plants are worshipped and it is believed that this plant is very lucky and brings good luck, wealth, happiness, and prosperity in homes.

Scientifically called as Ocimum Sanctum, Tulsi Plant can be found in almost every Indian house.

Laxmi Tulsi, Ram Tulsi, Krishna Tulsi are some of the species which are found and worshipped in India.

There is no doubt in believing that this plant is very lucky and is very important in the Hindu religion.

Tulsi can bring lots of positive energy and kill various bacteria. It has been recommended by NASA to meditate in front of the Tulsi plant at least twice a week to eliminate all the negative energy from the body and help to calm your mental state.

The leaves of this plant are also very useful at the same time and are used to cure various diseases.

9- Peace Lily

Peace Lily can be the best choice for those who are unable to take care of plants regularly, as this plant needs water only once in a week.

It is believed by Feng Shui that this plant brings best fortunes with it. Not only this, but Peace Lily also purifies the air in the surroundings and eliminates or kills all the harmful gases and compounds like Carbon Monoxide and formaldehyde from the environment, thus cleansing the air.

One has to keep in mind that these plants can be toxic to cats and dogs if plant leaves are eaten by them. The leaves produce some toxic, harmful compounds in the body of your pet which can result in poisoning and can be very dangerous for your pets.

So, if you want safety for your pets, generally avoid this plant. Otherwise, this can be your best choice for homes, offices to bring luck.

10- Rubber Plant

Rubber plants that are natively found in South Asia and Southeast Asia are considered very lucky for homes, offices, or any public places.

According to Feng Shui, Rubber plants bring the best fortunes, wealth in our homes. Also, it’s beautiful leaves symbolizes good luck for money and are very beneficial too.

Rubber plants can purify the air around it and thus eliminate all the harmful and toxic gases from the surroundings like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

It is believed that this plant can induce a sense of positivity in the atmosphere and can freshen up your mood.

Rubber plants generally avoid direct sunlight and love to be in bright but indirect sunlight. Misting should be done regularly for its perfect growth.

NASA also suggested that these plants can produce oxygen in the atmosphere and thus enable ones to breathe in the fresh air. As per Vastu, Rubber Plants leaves are symbols of wealth and good business growth.

11- English Ivy

English Ivy plant which is scientifically called “Hedera helix” is a type of flowering plant which belongs to family Araliaceae and is grown generally in Europe and Western Asia.

These plants are considered very lucky for homes, and offices and can generate a sense of positivity in the atmosphere.

Research claims that this plant leaves can be used to cure diseases like bronchitis and asthma. However, this plant can be poisonous to humans and pets when taken orally and can lead to vomits and other problems.

12- Boston fern

Boston fern is a kind of hanging plant which is used to fill our homes with positive energy. It is believed that these plants bring good fortunes and create a sense of positivity in the environment. Not only this, but this plant also helps in purifying the air by eliminating harmful toxic gases from the environment like carbon monoxide and thus cleans the air. Moisture levels can also be improved by this plant.

These plants are completely safe for your pets and thus can be proven as your best choice to choose these plants in your homes.

13- Spider Plant

Spider plant which is scientifically called “Chlorophytum comosum” is also called airplane plant. These plants can increase oxygen levels in the surroundings and help to absorb harmful substances like xylene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. Also, these plants are safe for cats and dogs as they don’t produce any toxic chemicals in the pet body and thus are safe for homes.

These plants require very little maintenance and can grow in any kind of atmosphere.

14- Lotus

Lotus is believed to bring good wealth in our homes. Lotus plants are considered very pure and can induce a lot of positive energy in the environment.

These plants love sunlight, and generally need almost 8 hours of sunlight in a day. pH is a very important factor for its healthy growth, so make sure that your soil has optimum pH to support its healthy growth. As you all know, the lotus is aquatic plants and is grown in water. So, do not ever let6 the water dry, otherwise, it will not be good for your lotus growth.

As per Vastu, this plant brings wealth and prosperity to homes and is very lucky.

15- Morning Glory

Morning glory plants are considered very lucky for homes and with its appealing looks, it can be your best choice to make your surroundings fresh.

It is believed that this plant brings happiness and peace with them and is lucky for homes. Not only this, but it is also believed that this plant can help you to get rid of fearful nightmares. These are very popular because of their beautiful appearance and are considered generally for this reason only.

References-

https://www.homes247.in/blogs/vastu-plants-for-home-90
https://www.mashrita.com/top-lucky-plants-for-home-and-offices/
https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/10-lucky-plants-to-bring-you-wealth-health-and-love-for-home/

Are all pothos toxic to cats?

by Constance Harrington

To understand all pothos toxic to cats, firstly we need to know what Pothos are.

Epipremnum aureum, which is commonly called pothos are plant species which are generally grown indoors and is natively found in Southeastern Asia.

Pothos flourish in outdoor setups but at the time when they mature in a suitable environment and the presence of adequate light; the color of the bloom is greenish-offwhite and they have great size. Pothos plants do not flourish in indoor setups.

Pothos plants are known as climbers because of the presence of long aerial roots whose height relies on the place where they thrive i.e. either indoor or outdoor. In outdoor settings, they can attain a height of up to 40 feet and in indoor settings, they can thrive up to a maximum of 6 to 8 feet. The foliage of the pothos plant shine in the different shades like yellow, green, neon green and so on.

Pothos are known by other names as well like money plants, golden pothos, and devil’s ivy.

Pothos are evergreen plants that possess heart-shaped leaves and have a thick and waxy coating on them. These are climbing species of plants that climb with the help of aerial roots. Due to this property, this plant reaches a good range of height by using long and strong trees as support.

Despite being angiosperm (the plants which bear flowers), Pothos show “shy flowering nature” which means these plants rarely produce flowers. Epipremnum aureum (pothos) is the only species in the family “Araceae” which do not show flower growth.

These plants are used for decorative purposes in various shops, public places, and offices as this plant is very attractive in nature and need little care for healthy growth.

Pothos do not need long periods of sunlight, this plant can grow in a temperature range between 17-30°C. When soil gets dry, the plant needs to be watered at that time.

Pothos plants are easy to propagate. New pothos can be simply grown by cutting a part of mature pothos and cultivating them. However, this cutting process can be dangerous as the cut part of the plant may carry diseases like Pythium root rot, Southern blight, Erwinia leaf spot, etc.

Pothos plants also help to decrease the number of pollutants in the surroundings. A study found that pothos plants can eliminate pollutants like toluene, formaldehyde, xylene, trichloroethane from the atmosphere.

Not only this, this plant often used in fish aquariums. The plants are placed at the surface of the water so that it can absorb various nitrates from the water and initiates healthy growth. But who knows these plants can kill pets or they are harmful to pets if they ingest or swallow the plant.

Growth factors:

They have ideal thriving conditions on which they rely for the upcoming growth.

Light Requirements

Photos developed greatly in shady regions, but development speed slows when the low light conditions are present in the growing environment, and the foliage will lose its variety, and they result in solid green color. In an indoor setting, put the plant at a place where it gets a filtered light or an artificial fluorescent light.

If the devil’s ivy is in the shade or low light, the rate of growth will decrease. In their endemic environment surrounding devil’s ivy grow up to the trees & they can grow up to 60″. During the development period between autumn and winter and spring season grows quickly. When the proper growth suppliers are present in balanced proportions they gain a height of approximately 20 to 40 feet and scatter up to 3 to 6 feet broad, they have an average life span of 10 years.

Temperature:

Pothos plants thrive in normal room temperature and do not require any special conditions to develop properly.

Fertilizer:

A pothos plant is not a heavy feeder plant and its development will not stop to thrive. Although pothos plants can fill the needs of fertilizers with a liquid fertilizer in a balanced proportion. Every time feed the devil’s ivy plants with an organic liquid fertilizer to nourish and provide all the supplements to thrive.

Watering:

pothos plants are extremely subtle to watering so it is significant to know the needs of water a plant requires. Watering will result in two ways either the plant will develop greatly or the plant will wilt. Be cautious of the water plant’s daily irregularity in watering will lead to plant diseases. Usually, this result comes after the overwatering sessions.

Do not let the soil lose its moisture but be cautious do not overwater plants.

Is it easier to water plants than said? Pothos grow great when the soil can lose its moisture between intervals of watering.

Do not let the roots lose their moisture in the watering intervals, only allow the potting mix to get dry.

Humidity:

The level of relative humidity is usually low in the months of winter. Plants are in the benefit because they do not require regular misting.

The pothos plant does great in the environment of the level of relative humidity but will develop in very little humidity present in the surrounding environment.

Brown edges of the leaf may point out that the air present in the environment is moisture-free i.e. air is dry.

What is Poisoning :

Poisons are molecules that react fast as they connect to blood cells and scatters completely to the body of an organism.

Poisons affect the cat’s body in distinct ways that rely on the active factor. Several poisons strike the blood cells directly, causing damage like internal bleeding, other ingredients attack the CNS (central nervous system), influencing the brain and then cardiac system, although various poisons attack the body organs, slowly resulting in shutdown action of every essential organ of the body.

Poisoning happens immediately right after when the cat has eaten or ingested something wrong, it is considered an urgent crisis. Treatment for poisoning in cats should start immediately.

Poisoning mechanisms in cats will occur when they will eat food or swallow pothos flowers, absorption, inhale a toxic matter.

Herbs, drugs, toxicants, chemicals, and unexpectedly individual foodstuffs can contaminate a cat or make it noxious.

Sadly, the greater number of noxious cat detected cases manifest when the cat holder is not around and there is only one form by which a pet holder can detect toxins is by exhalation symptoms. Cats who are noxious will start to spit abundantly from the mouth, the behavioral changes may appear from peaceful to impatient or disturbed, and the cat will start puking.

It all depends on the kind of poison, either cat will move into a state of shock, a sudden attack, and unconsciousness in a very less time

Why Are Pothos Poisonous?

It is very confusing because the ornamental plants are also toxic to pets and children. The presence of calcium oxalates in the stems and leaves of the plants that create Pothos plants is toxic because they are not soluble crystals. The calcium oxalates crystals are similar to the appearance of small size glass which will physically hurt the body of pets and result in skin irritation and rashes when they feel a touch, or when the pets will chew or swallow something they will feel irritation in the buccal cavity and gastrointestinal tract.

This rarely happens, ingesting a part of a pothos plant will also result in inflammation in the respiratory tract, and makes the pet unable to breathe.

All parts of the pothos plant are toxic to pets and children so try to stay safe and away from the children as well because it will cause skin rashes and perform inflammatory reactions in the body.

Signs and Symptoms

Common signs :

Salivating
Nausea
Puking
Diarrhea
Increased heart rate
Increased respiratory rate
Difficulty in breathing

Clinical signs including severe salivation, puking, or also diarrhea, it all depends on the quantity consumed. With great ingestions, more serious symptoms such as:

Fluctuations in respiratory pattern
Shallow breathing
Skin rashes or inflammation Depression
Irritability
Lack of coordinating movement or unstable gait
Shock or quivering
Collapse
Unconsciousness
Anemia
Fever
Kidney failure
Liver failure

The symptoms of toxicity in cats rely on the maximum number of toxicants, it will result in gastrointestinal disturbance, changes in the nervous system, and difficulty in respiration signs, puking (with blood or without), diarrhea (with blood or without), excessive drooling, coughing, difficulty in breathing and sneezing.

Causes:

The frequent habitual reason for poisoning in cats is the consumption by slurping a toxin off the pelage.

The cats do not taste anything like toxic ingredients or toxic products until it is not mingled in the cat food.

Cats have a habit to eat ornamental indoor plants, as cats do not have the chance to reduce gastrointestinal nausea by consuming pothos plants, causing poisoning to themselves.

Diagnosis:

The veterinarians will be able to conclude a diagnosis of poisoning in a cat and not rapidly, assumed from physical signs and symptoms.

Diagnosis may take time because the veterinarian does not know the proper cause so it can become a severe case and may cause the death of a cat. The reason for the poisoning is aware of active toxicants, which will support the doctor to select a proper medication and treatment plan and the cat will recover soon. Do show the pothos plant to the doctor so that the doctor will easily conclude the toxicity and will start treating the cat instantly.

Treatment:

Pothos plants cause poisoning in cats and the treatment of poisoning relies on the toxicants on which the cat contacts.

Treatment depends on the following medications:

Management of alcohol (ethanol) in the condition of antifreeze toxicity.
Liquid therapy supports the body of the cat to exhaust out the toxins.
Muscle relaxants for trembling parts of the body.
Anti-seizure medicines open cardiac sphincter and induce puking to prevent collapsing.
Activated charcoal a reagent that attaches along with the poison and stops it from frequent absorption by the body, used in toxinda that is the reason for internal bleeding or erosion of the esophagus if puking is stimulated.

Recovery:

The prognosis for toxicity in the bodies of cats relies much on regulation.

The shortly available medical treatment for cats, the treatment will start in a moment without wasting time because the poison takes very little time to proliferate in the entire body.

Cats will recover in very little time if the proper treatment is given as soon as possible.

Ask the experts for further poisoning emergencies and have precautions.

In abstract the question that “Are all pothos plants are toxic to cats” the response is Yes, there are many causes to the toxicity in the pets and it will lead to skin irritations and inflammation of the skin. Because of The appearance of the pothos plants, they develop in ideal factors. and don’t need any maintenance every time. Pothos plants are toxic in nature if they are swallowed it will result in irritation of the skin and rashes to the skin if anyone touches. They do not result in fatal, but they lead to irritation of the lips of children and inflammatory reactions and they lead to vomiting. Always keep the cats, children, and other pets away from the pothos plants.

References-

https://nypost.com/2016/12/15/new-yorks-most-popular-plant-can-kill-you-and-your-pets/
https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/golden-pothos

How much light does a Marble Queen Pothos need?

by Constance Harrington

The scientific name of the Pothos plant is Epipremnum, they are indoor plants. They can gain a length of 40 feet long in tropical regions.

It is infrequent for pothos to bloom or make drupe, mainly houseplants, but definite variation can have small, stalk-less instant blooms that feature tiny drupe.

The pothos plant is captivating and this is the most trouble-free and calm tree to develop in the indoor settings.

Pothos are not only used as ornamental plants but also they purify the air in the surrounding by increasing the moisture level and absorbing carbon dioxide. There are many diversities of pothos plants like Marble Queen Pothos, Jade Pothos, Golden Pothos, Neon Pothos, Blue Pothos, Silver Pothos, Glacier Pothos, and Jessenia Pothos.

Although there are many variations of pothos plants, only a few can thrive in indoor settings like Marble Queen Pothos and Golden Pothos.

All members of the pothos plant family are efficient in purifying the air of unfavorable chemicals present in the surrounding environment.

Rate Of Growth:

Pothos are average to quick developers. If Pothos are set in the shade or in low light, the rate of growth will decrease. In their endemic environment surrounding pothos grow up to the trees & they can grow up to 60′. This is the reason Pothos are considered as, tough to remove and have gained a new regular name: Devil’s Ivy.

Marble Queen Pothos:

Marble queen pothos the perfect indoor plants. Although, the odd pattern on leaves of the plant gives the plant an entire a great level of characteristics. The beautiful attractive marbling creates a great appearance indoors.

It is also used as a hanging beauty, as the ceiling full of colors will refresh the environment of a surrounding.

It does not require any proper attention, it quickly thrives and does well in the pruning process. Marble queen pothos can grow up to the height of about 36 inches” to 60 inches”. They can scatter about 22 inches” to 26 inches”.

The marble queen pothos is famous in the pothos plant family. Marble pothos plants are lustrous, in the shape of heart, hard textured leaves, and in contrasting colors. The marble queen pothos is in green and white colors.

They are known as ornamental house plants because they look captivating and graceful. Marble queen pothos plant purifies the air because the indoor air gets polluted due to materials like formaldehyde and gases evolved from cosmetic products are harmful, because of this reason they are also known as devil’s ivy.

They grow on poles to decorate and thrive better in hanging.

Growth Factors:

Light:

Marble Queen Pothos plants develop greatly in a variety of light availability and can even endure minimum light available.

Medium-light is adequate in the indoor setting and in outdoor settings Marble Queen Pothos grows into the shade or in low light intensity. Direct sunlight is harmful to plants. A highly multicolored pothos may drop its spectrum when the pothos plants are under low-light intensity.

The green parts of the leaves if the pothos plant makes food in the form of energy, leaves balances for the low quantity of light by transforming into more green color. Plant leaves changes from Pale to yellowish in color would specify that the plant is acquiring a lot of light.

The number of light pothos plants require is moderate. The plant will endure low light but will not develop greatly at all.

Do not reveal pothos plants into direct sunlight. The plants will burn in very little time. High intensity of light is excellent but be cautious of the plant away from direct contact. If plants are getting light from only one direction, then the leaves of the plant will incline towards the direction of light.

A marble queen pothos does a great development in low light and develops fast in medium-light to indirect bright light. When the light intensity is low the white whirls on leaves default to green color on the new leaf thrives.

Marble Queen Pothos require natural but deviating sunlight. If marble queen plants are under the light for 12 to 14 hours they will thrive greatly.

Generally, marble queen pothos does not get adequate sunlight, then the new development will appear differently as stems will appear in small size, narrower and fragile, the new arriving leaves will contract or shrink in size. This change does not take place overnight; it will take at least a few months for a great change while thriving.

Temperatures:

The pothos can bear a great range of temperatures. Pothos grow in temperature between 55° – 85℉(18.3°C-29.4°C)although the plants belong to tropical plants and the maximum range of high temperatures is between 70° – 90℉. If the temperature in the environment decreases beneath 55°F (12.8°C) the leaves will get destroyed.

Soil:

Use any type of soil which is well-drained and full of nutrients to promote growth.

Watering:

Do not let the soil lose its moisture but be cautious do not overwater plants.

Is it easier to water plants than said? Marble Queen Pothos grows great when the soil loses its moisture between intervals of watering.

Do not let the roots lose their moisture in the watering intervals, only allow the potting mix to get dry.

Colors of leaves will tell how much quantity a plant needs.

If the leaves of marble queen pothos plants are turning into brown color or wilting, it needs watering more often.
If the leaves of marble queen pothos plants are turning yellow, this indicates that the plant is under-watered. Excessive watering causes decomposition of roots.
The black color of leaves will indicate that the plant is overwatered.

Marble Queen Pothos plants develop in water and in addition soil, but it’s not easy for pothos plants to switch from one medium to another. If pothos plants start developing in the soil medium will grow greatly if it continues to grow in soil, and inversely.

Marble queen pothos also grows greatly in a dry soil medium. During the summers and spring season, do watering well and then let the soil lose its moisture from the top 50% before watering the plant again. During the autumn season and in winters, permit the soil to lose moisture entirely before watering. Otherwise, the leaves will become soft and incline a bit before watering.

Humidity:

The level of relative humidity is usually low in the months of winter. Marble Queen pothos are in the benefit because they do not require regular misting.

The marble queen pothos plant does great in the environment of the level of relative humidity but will develop in very little humidity present in the surrounding environment.

Brown edges of the leaf may point out that the air present in the environment is moisture-free i.e. air is dry.

Fertilizer:

Fertilize pothos plants alternate months with a quality with high balanced proportions of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus in a diluted form for providing strength to thrive better.

Most indoor plants when bought they are rich in good potting mix and soil with all the required supplements absorbed in the soil and help the pothos to thrive greatly.

In some situations like pothos are developing in a bad potting mix; the Pothos plant will require a light quantity of fertilizers.

a light application of worm compost

Apply fertilizers with a balanced proportion every spring season and in summers to strengthen the plants.

Do not fertilize in autumn seasons or in winters because they go into the dormancy phase.

Do not overfeed the plant because it will make salts and will burn the roots and then the plant will not able to thrive again.

Repotting:

It is not a hard task to repot a pothos plant. If the pothos plant has elongated strings just tie them up because they are delicate to move them aside while repotting a pothos plant. The pothos plant will thrive in the given pot with the proper nutrients available for a year or more.

Check the condition of soil either it is loose or the roots are overgrown by touching it. If the condition is so bad then repot the plant otherwise there is no need to repot the pothos plant.

Pruning :

Trim all the dead parts or rot roots and different color parts of the plant.

Always try to remain the stems short to support foliage with the entire elongation of the stem.

Prune the plant to provide new development and nourishment. Trimming the stems until some nodes will also promote the new development of the plant. Trim the long stem ends and propagate again into a new pot to regenerate the plant to spread, or plant it into the same pot either to entourage new developments.

Toxicity:

Although the pothos plants are hardly fatal. If a pet or a baby ingests pothos it will result in vomiting and irritation because it secrets calcium oxalates.

Propagation:

Cut the stem overhead the leaf node about 4 to 6 inches elongated, with three or more leaves and not less than two leaf nodes.

Remove the leaf which is close to the end of the root, and then place it in a pot filled entirely with water. Freshen the water and wash the pot completely as required, and then the pothos plant will develop in the water without soil mixture if we apply the liquid fertilizer. If the cutting has started propagating in water, it will not get adjusted in the soil medium.

So, if we plant the cutting in soil medium then use a normal fertilizer in a balanced proportion to promote the new growth.

Pests:

The pothos plants have no issues with the insects and they do not have any disease problems. Though mealybugs and scales are found on the leaves of plants creating a home in the soil.

Using a ball of cotton dipped fully in the alcohol will help to prevent insects from coming to the plant.

Check the pothos plant every week to stop infestations and either use a pesticide or a spray to kill the mealybugs and other insects.

References-

https://bloomscape.com/plant-care-guide/pothos/
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/1483807/marble-queen-pothos-how-much-light
https://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/marble-queen-pothos-how-to-grow-care-guide-devils-ivy
https://www.proflowers.com/blog/pothos-plant-care