If you want to impress your loved one with a lovely plant in your home, you might as well make it an orchid flowering plant. It not only looks beautiful but also emits a lovely smell. You could also send her a cactus plant. Cactus are a member of the succulent family and they can retain water better than most other plants. They are great plants for outdoor space because they don’t require a lot of maintenance. You can even gift cactus plants to your relatives if you know they will appreciate it.
Cactus
While they make perfect houseplants, they also make great landscape plants in colder climates. Prickly pear cacti, for example, are capable of growing outdoors pretty far north. As with all plants, the key to growing cacti is to give them the proper amount of light, soil, and water. They also need some food and moisture. Read on to learn more about caring for cacti.
While some cacti need direct sunlight to thrive, others need filtered light. Aside from avoiding direct sunlight, the best outdoor plants for home should be located in an area that has a consistent temperature. Some cacti grow best in warm, sunny spots, while others prefer cooler conditions. For best results, choose a shady spot if possible. Likewise, if you live in a cold climate, you can plant cacti in containers. You can move them to another location if you experience a storm, or in the case of snow, they can be moved indoors.
When shopping for cacti, check the plant’s tag for specific information on the appropriate climate, soil type, and location. Make sure that you have all the proper care for the cactus before buying it. While they’re relatively low-maintenance plants, they do require special care. Be sure to check the cactus’ skin for bruises or scars, and the firmness of its flesh.
Snake plant
Despite its name, the Snake plant is best grown indoors, and you will not find it outdoors. It is often grown in hanging baskets, but is also suitable for the patio. Choose a sunny spot in your home, but not one that gets too much sunlight. It needs just enough light to thrive, but not so much that it shrivels up. Once established, water the plant well once a week to reduce evaporation.
A snake plant does well in most types of light, but it prefers indirect light. If you do have to grow this plant outdoors, be sure to select a sunny spot in a well-ventilated room. The ideal spot is ten feet away from a window that faces west or south. Make sure not to overwater the snake plant. If grown indoors, water it every two weeks in summer and every six weeks in winter.
If you’re wondering where to grow a snake plant, consider its climate needs. Most snake plants do not grow well in temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. However, cool greenhouses can work well for some snake plants. If you want to grow your snake plant outdoors, it will do best in a sunroom or porch. The sun-reflecting leaves and stems will make the plants look great. The only downside to snake plants is that they can be difficult to grow.
Elephant ear plant
An excellent choice for any garden, the elephant ear plant makes a striking statement with its large leaves and bold vein patterns. Native to Southeast Asia, it is now grown throughout the world, including southeastern Asia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. Its unique edible feature made it a popular food plant in its native countries. Today, it grows in nearly every climate and thrives in subtropical and tropical environments.
If you are not sure how to grow the elephant ear plant, don’t worry! It is easy to propagate by starting it from seed. The elephant ear plant is best grown in large pots with multiple drainage holes. You can also plant the rhizome separately and plant it in a pot with moist sphagnum moss. After germination, move it to a sunny spot in your garden and water it as usual.
Once the last frost has passed, the elephant ear plant is ready to be transplanted outdoors. However, it can’t be planted outdoors until late fall if it freezes or is exposed to too much sunlight. For this reason, it’s best to purchase elephant ear plant as a transplant if your climate is too cool for it. The elephant ear plant thrives in moist soil so it’s important to water it regularly.
Honeysuckle
It grows well in full sun or partial shade. It is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but requires regular watering. Plant it two to three feet apart. For best results, place it at least 6 inches from a support structure. Make sure to water the plant regularly until it produces new growth. Mulch the plant well to conserve moisture and prevent weeds. It needs a pH between 5.5 and 8.0.
If you are planning on planting honeysuckle, you can buy a cutting and root it indoors. It’s best to take the cuttings in spring, when new growth is emerging. You can also prune it any time during the growing season. If the cutting has green growth, it’s best to remove it before it matures. If you want the plant to cover a trellis, thin the top half.
Japanese honeysuckle is an excellent choice. Japanese honeysuckle is easy to grow but it can become unmanageable. Make sure to plant the cuttings in a container that’s at least twice as deep as the root system. The Japanese variety is particularly resilient to wildlife snacking. You can buy potted honeysuckle plants from Nature Hills Nursery. Honeysuckle can be difficult to transplant from a container, so consider it carefully.
Lantana
Lantanas are one of the best outdoor plants for home gardens, and they thrive in bright, sunny conditions. They are typically planted in early spring, but they can grow in partial shade as well. Make sure the soil is well-drained, and keep it evenly moist to avoid root rot. This plant can also be grown in pots, but it needs a well-draining container and full sun for the best results.
Lantanas should be planted in spring or early summer, and they prefer six hours of bright sunlight. They are able to tolerate partial shade, but need at least six hours of sunlight a day. Plant lantanas in locations that receive part sun for part of the day. They require little pruning once established. Once established, lantanas should bloom in early fall. However, if your area freezes in the winter, be sure to mulch the lantana heavily.
Despite being drought-tolerant, lantanas still require weekly soakings. Even if they do thrive in dry conditions, they need consistent watering to keep them healthy. When watering lantanas, check the moisture level at the root level of the soil. Don’t let them sit in water for long periods of time, as this can result in root rot. If you want to grow your own lantanas, make sure you use a high-quality soil and water it at the right time.
Lavender
Growing lavender in a container is easy and inexpensive. The plant requires very little maintenance and is drought-resistant. However, lavender is not a good choice for areas with humid climates. To ensure that your lavender grows well, you should provide it with a shady environment and ample air circulation. Lavender can thrive in hot and dry climates. In southern climates, it does best when growing along stone or building walls, which reflect sun rays.
A lavender plant requires adequate drainage, but if it’s growing in a pot, you may have to adjust the watering schedule a bit. It’s best to water it when the soil feels dry but not so much that the soil begins to pull away from the pot edges. Watering it too frequently or too often will lead to unhealthy roots. To maintain the health of your lavender plant, irrigate it just twice a year. Don’t let the soil remain soggy, either.
If you’re not sure about where to plant your lavender plant, you can get it planted in a container. Containers are a great option for lavender since they are easy to move from place to place and you can bring them inside in the winter. A hardy lavender plant will perform well for years and can be added to your container garden as needed. A hardy lavender plant will last for many years if cared for properly.
