Topics
Special Series
Houseplants
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Terrarium: A New Exhibit at BBG
Terrariums have captivated people since the first one was accidentally created in 1829. A new exhibit on view now at BBG shows how far these “gardens in a bottle” have come since then.
By Sarah Schmidt -
Houseplant Pest Control
Pests such as aphids, mites, and gnats can plague indoor plants. Learn how to diagnose a pest problem and how to deal with it without using harmful chemicals.
By Rebecca Bullene -
A Houseplant Harvest—Tropical Trees That Really Do Fruit Indoors
I've been collecting and propagating fruiting tropical shrubs and small trees on my four-acre property in Vieques, Puerto Rico, like a man with a mission. My ultimate goal is to supply my own table with a diverse mix of fresh produce year-round, grow enough surplus fruit to be able to vend to local restaurateurs, and establish a modest nursery and display garden.
By Scott D. Appell -
Ceropegias: Succulent Vines That Bloom Indoors
Easy to grow and propagate, this genus of succulent vine thrives indoors and often produces wonderful blooms.
By Sage Reynolds -
An Indoor Succulent Garden—Welcome the Warmth and Wonder of the Desert into Your Home
The potted succulent garden is a miniature ecosystem that allows you to experience the warmth and wonder of the desert without having to travel all the way to places like North Africa, Australia, or Yemen. What's more, succulent plants vary widely in form, texture, and flower color, so the design potential is enormous.
By Susan Aument -
Four Indoor Garden Designs
The indoor landscape can form an integral part of your interior and, naturally, reflect your personal preference and style.
By Bill Shank -
Bamboo: Graceful Grass or Jungle Giant
Imagine yourself enclosed deep within a bamboo grove, a "living room" of green, with walls enveloping but breathing, a cathedral of vertical stems stretching to the heavens above, the shadows delicate and swaying. You feel quiet, contemplative and calm, protected. Are you in Kyoto, Bangkok, or Bali? No, you are at home, surrounded by bamboos in containers. It is not difficult to create your own bamboo grove indoors—try it!
By Susanne Lucas -
Cacti and Other Succulents as Houseplants
Succulents evoke glorious warmth, and range widely in form and texture. They make wonderful houseplants, alone or in a group.
By Julia Solarz -
Gods and Monsters: The Genus Ficus
We encounter glorious specimens in ubiquitous bank and shopping mall plantings, we marvel at lush archetypes on tropical isles whilst on vacation, and we regard forlorn examples in the corners of our doctor's office. We adore them. We despise them—yet we attempt to maintain them time and time again. They are the gods and monsters of the indoor gardening world—they are the figs, the rubber trees, the genus Ficus.
By Scott D. Appell -
Palms in the Parlor
Of all the members of the plant kingdom suitable for use as houseplants, none evoke a feeling of the tropics like the palms. With their large, architectural leaves and strong outlines, palms can help create an indoor Garden of Eden wherever you live.
By Tom McClendon
