Savvy Gardening

The best meadow grasses for native plantings

As I work to get rid of my lawn in favor of growing more perennials and edible crops, meadow grasses are among some of the native plants I’ve been adding to the garden. Meadow plantings have become increasingly popular in the home landscape for plenty of good reasons. Once established, a meadow garden can provide food and habitat for songbirds and insects—particularly many kinds of butterflies and moths.

When to repot a snake plant and how to do it right

Written by Niki Jabbour

Snake plants are among the easiest houseplants to grow and I have over a dozen growing in my home. They have eye-catching vertical growth and pointed, sword-shaped leaves often with attractive variegations. One of the reasons snake plants are so popular is that they thrive in a range of light conditions – from full sun to low light. Although they are considered low-care indoor plants, snake plants benefit from repotting every 3 to 4 years. If you’re wondering when to repot a snake plant, keep reading for my step-by-step instructions on repotting as well as advice on dividing.

The shingle plant: How to care for Rhaphidophora hayi and R. cryptantha

Written by Jessica Walliser

The shingle plant is one of the most unusual houseplants you can grow. Its funky growth habit is responsible for its current popularity among houseplant enthusiasts (myself included!). Shingle plants have a vining stem that clings to trees, rocks, and other structures and climbs up them. Its leaves sit flush against whatever structure the plant is climbing. When the plant is mature, the leaves overlap slightly, making them look like green roofing shingles. In this article, I’ll share essential information on how to grow shingle plants, including watering, feeding, repotting, and propagation.
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Peace lily drooping: 5 reasons why your Spathiphyllum is wilting

Written by Niki Jabbour

Peace lilies are easy-to-grow houseplants that can flower for months. They have deep green glossy foliage and graceful white blooms and while they’re generally considered a low care indoor plant, peace lily drooping is a frequent problem. There are several factors that can cause a peace lily to wilt. Below you’ll find common causes and the easy solutions if you find your peace lily drooping.

Choosing winter interest plants for unique features, like stems, berries, and seed heads

Written by Tara Nolan

As flowers go to seed and all the vibrant shades of green fade to browns and greys in the late fall and winter garden, it’s nice to have winter interest plants to add a little visual oomph to the landscape. Now that doesn’t necessarily have to mean something that blooms, though witch hazel is a lovely exception. I’m talking more along the lines of faded plants, blooms, sedges, and seed heads that provide structure and shape, colorful stems or bark, or evergreen choices that add a dash of color in between snowfalls.

Hanging succulent plants: 16 of the best trailing houseplants to grow

Written by Niki Jabbour

Adding pots of hanging succulent plants like donkey’s tail, string of pearls, and Christmas cactus to your home is an easy way to maximize growing space and add natural beauty. Thanks to their ease of cultivation and wide variety of leaf shapes, sizes, and colors, succulents are popular choices for indoor spaces. Below you’ll discover 16 of my favorite trailing succulent plants to grow in your home and learn more about how to care for each type.