thegirlwithashovel, Author at The Girl with a Shovel

How to Care for Christmas Cactus

August 9, 2024December 7, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

A Christmas cactus can be a beautiful and fun houseplant to own! Not only does it add a bit of warmth to the holidays, but if given good treatment, it can bloom every Christmas for up to 30 years! Now that’s one long life for a plant! But to keep our Christmas cactus alive and well for all those years, we need to know how to properly care for our Christmas cactus! So here’s what you need to know…

Don’t have a Christmas cactus yet? You can get one here!

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Care for Christmas Cactus: Light Requirements

For proper care, we first need to realize that this cactus, a Schlumbergera species, is not like or normal cacti originating from central America to the western United States. Nope… this cactus actually originates from a coastal climate in Brazil. So that being said, it isn’t used to those long hours of hot, direct sunlight. Instead, place it in an east- or west- facing window so that it gets direct sunlight in the mornings or evenings, but it stays protected from any hot, afternoon sunlight.

Care for Christmas Cactus: Water Requirements

Being a coastal cactus, this plant needs some interesting watering techniques. First, only water your Christmas cactus when the soil feels dry to the touch (about 2 inches or 5 cm down from the surface). Too much water, and your cactus will start turning yellow and the leaves will get fast and mushy. If this happens, it’s best to take some cuttings from the healthy part of your plant to propagate in case your entire plant dies from being over-watered. Here are the 3 methods you can use for Christmas Cactus Propagation. So basically let’s avoid this by only watering once the soil feels dry to the touch!

The next tip I have for you is to give your plant higher humidity levels, especially during the time when it had buds on it. If your plant doesn’t get enough humidity, or it is getting either too little water or too much water, it will drop all of its buds. So once your plant’s buds form, lightly mist it every day.

Water requirements for Christmas cactus care...

Care for Christmas Cactus: Additional Tips

As well as misting, once your plant’s buds form, you will also want to be giving it a high-phosphorous plant food once every two weeks. This will help it to stay healthy while it is at it’s most vulnerable. Next, to help with correct watering, it is VITAL that you keep it in a light, well-draining soil, such as in a cactus and succulent potting soil.

Also, as your plant blooms, remove any dead or wilting flowers. This helps it to produce even more flowers as it senses that it’s seeds didn’t fully ripen. It also keeps your Christmas cactus looking fresh and healthy! Then, once your plant has finished blooming, re-pot it into fresh soil, keeping the pot small enough to have the roots just a little cramped. Then just let it sit and enjoy it’s morning or evening sun until the following September when you’ll want to prompt it to start blooming once again!

Here are the additional tips for care for Christmas cactus...

That’s how to care for your Christmas cactus! And once again, for information on how to propagate your plant, check out my post, 3 Easy Ways to Propagate Christmas Cactus! If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends! Simply click on your favorite social button and it will let you share this post, no copying and pasting required! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and I hope your Christmas cactus stays beautiful all year round!

Happy Digging!

Money Tree Plant Care

August 9, 2024November 12, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

Money trees are sold for their beautifully braided trunks, their bonsai shape, or as a good luck charm that bring wealth and prosperity to the space. It’s no wonder this plant appeals to so many different people! But now the question becomes… how do I keep my money tree alive?!?! Because a dead money tree definitely won’t be bringing you any of its good luck charm! So here is what you need to know to properly care for your money tree!

Don’t have one of these awesome plants yet?! You can get one here!

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Just to be clear… in this post, we are talking about the money tree, Pachira aquatica. There are two other plants that are commonly referred to as a money tree. These are jade plants, and Chinese money tree plants, or Pilea peperomioides.

Money Tree Plant Care - Jade Plant - Crassula ovata - Do not confuse this plant with the money tree!

Money Tree Plant Care - Pachira aquatica

Money Tree Plant Care - Chinese Money Plant - Pilea peperomioides - Do not confuse this plant with the money tree!

Money Tree Plant Care: Light Requirements

Money trees are some of the best indoor plants due to the fact that they aren’t very picky when it comes to lighting. Try to give them bright, indirect light, but they will do okay in lower light settings as well, especially during the winter when the plant isn’t actively growing. Just be sure to keep it out of hot, direct sunlight. Money tree leaves are sensitive to direct sunlight and will easily burn. If your leaves are looking pale, white, and wrinkled on the edges, this is a sign of too much sunlight and you should immediately move it to a location with less sunlight.

Money Tree Plant Care Tips #1: Keep your money tree out of direct sunlight. Hot, afternoon sun will burn your plant's leaves!

Money Tree Plant Care: Water Requirements

Money tree is sensitive to root rot. This means that it doesn’t like being wet for too long without having a chance to dry out its roots. So to keep it happy, only water your plant once the top several inches of the soil is dry (more or less depending on how big your pot is). Then water thoroughly. Also make sure that your pot has good drainage to help it to dry out quickly in between waterings. But if your plant is still wet a week after watering, then you’ll need to increase your drainage, as well as add water in smaller amounts.

Money Tree Plant Care Tips #2: Make sure that you water your money tree correctly, as this plant is prone to root rot.

Money Tree Plant Care: Additional Tips

The last thing that I need to address is that money trees NEED high humidity. This can be achieved in several ways. You can either grow it in a group of several other high-humidity plants, spray it often, or purchase and use a humidifier nearby. You can also place it on a tray of pebbles that is filled with water. All of these methods can be used to boost humidity levels. And just like palm trees, if a money tree isn’t getting enough humidity, it’s leaf tips will start to turn brown. This is the plant’s signal that you need to increase the humidity.

Also, if you move your plant (like when you first bring your plant home), it might drop some leaves simply due to the change in environment. Because of this, try not to move your plant once it gets settled. And if you’ve recently moved your plant, then don’t be surprised by a few leaves dropping.

Money tree plant care tips #3: give your plant plenty of humidity and avoid moving it from place to place!

I hope these money tree plant care tips help you to keep your plant alive and healthy for years to come! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below! I love hearing from all of you! And for some plant inspiration, check out my list of easy, low-maintenance plants!

Happy Digging!

Are Poinsettias Poisonous?

August 9, 2024November 9, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

During the winter holiday season, poinsettias can be found EVERYWHERE! This can be stunning in the right settings, but what if your cat starts nibbling them? Or maybe your two year old keeps pulling off the leaves and putting them in her mouth? This begs the question… are poinsettias poisonous??? Should I feel safe having them in my home with my pets and small children?

Well the answer is yes, and no…

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Is It Poisonous?

Eating the leaves of poinsettia plants won’t cause any harm. That being said, if a large amount of leaves are ingested, they can make children and pets mildly sick. However, this is usually not life threatening. But if you’re still worried, you can always call poison control here!

So not really anything to worry about as far as a few little nibbles.

What you Need to Worry About…

BUT the big thing that people NEED to be aware of is LATEX ALLERGIES. This plant’s sap contains latex, which will cause some people to form a rash where they come in contact with the sap.

Are poinsettia plants poisonous? No. They won't kill you, but may cause you to get mildly sick. Unless you have a latex allergy! Find out what to do here!

The things you need to do if you have a latex allergy:

Use gloves any time you touch a poinsettia
Avoid touching your eyes and mouth after handling a poinsettia
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling a poinsettia
Watch for signs of difficulty breathing

Some people are extremely sensitive to latex and can have an allergic reaction just being in close proximity with poinsettias. Always be aware of yourself and others in areas with large concentrations of this plant. Although this reaction is extremely rare, it’s always best to stay informed.

Are poinsettias poisonous? They can cause latex allergies! If you are sensitive to latex, find out what to do to keep yourself safe around these plants!

So the takeaway from all of this is that poinsettias are not poisonous when eaten (aka they will not cause death), but people with latex allergies need to be aware that this plant can cause a reaction. So if this is you, please be careful and always wear gloves! I hope this article has helped, and feel free to leave any further questions or comments below!

Wishing you a safe, and joyful holiday season!

And of course… Happy Digging!

Poinsettia Care for the Entire Christmas Season!

August 9, 2024November 8, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

This post is full of Poinsettia Plant Care Tips to help you keep your poinsettia alive and looking beautiful all season long!

Tis the season to decorate the home with tinsel, trees, and poinsettias! But the hard part is that sometimes your poinsettia plant can be hit-or-miss as to if it will actually last until Christmas. But this doesn’t have to be the case! Follow these poinsettia care tips and your poinsettia will not only last the season, it’ll last all year!

Order your poinsettias here and get them delivered straight to your home!

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Poinsettia Care Tip #1: Purchase a healthy plant!

So this all makes sense to people. Of course no one is going to buy the sad, dying plant in the corner. But poinsettias sometimes don’t look sick until they all-of-a-sudden keel over dead! Basically, they’re really good at pretending they’re just fine until the very end… so here’s what you need to do to make sure that your plant is healthy BEFORE you put down the money…

Before you buy!

1. Choose plants that are away from the door

The closer these guys are to the store’s door, the colder they get… and let me say, these guys HATE the cold!!! (They originate in Mexico, so it’s no wonder!) If there is a strip of poinsettias being sold, choose one from the end that is furthest from any cold, drafty doors!

2. Look for healthy flowers

At the center of the poinsettia plant lies the actual flowers. This isn’t the bright red part. These are actually special bracts that this plant produces. (Amazing, right?!?!) Instead, look at the center of the colorful bracts. These flowers should be green or yellow, small, and look healthy. If these are brown or wilted, this can be a sign of cold damage, improper watering, or just overall lack of vitality. So to make sure you have the best plant possible, make sure that these flowers look healthy!

3. Check the soil

Sometimes these department stores have people take care of their poinsettia supply, even though they don’t know anything about plant care. This can cause plants to die shortly after they are purchased. So feel the soil! If it is super dry, or if it is super wet (you push on the soil and a puddle of water forms), then it isn’t in the best place. You can definitely remedy this, but I’d suggest you simply buy your plants somewhere else.

Follow these poinsettia care tips! First, check for healthy flowers to make sure you purchase a healthy poinsettia plant!

Poinsettia Care #2: In Transit

Once you purchas your poinsettia, make sure that it stays warm during your trip home. If you are out shopping with another person, have them pre-heat the car and pick you up at the front of the store. This way your poinsettia has the least amount of shock from the cold as possible.

Another way to protect your plant is to place an extra bag around the top of your plant and try to seal it at the base with your hands. This will trap a small amount of the warm store-temperature air around the poinsettia to give it just a touch more protection as you travel to your car.

Next, as you’d imagine, make sure that you don’t leave your plant in a cold car, and that you bring it indoors (into warmer temperatures) as soon as possible. This will help it to stay as healthy as possible!

Poinsettia Care #3: At Home

Now that you’ve chosen a healthy plant and you’ve painstakingly protected it from the cold, let’s talk about what to do with it at your home! To keep your poinsettia happy, place it in a location where it will start away from cold drafts and where it will possibly get a few hours on sunshine. If you only want it to last through the season then low light is fine, but if you want to keep it longer, make sure it gets a few hours of direct sunlight, or several hours of indirect sunlight each day. Just keep it away from hot, afternoon sunlight as this can scorch the plant’s leaves.

When watering, remember that less is more. Only water it when the top of the soil feels dry. This should be anywhere between once every couple of days (for light watering), or once a week (for large, thorough watering). Just keep feeling the soil each morning that first week to give yourself a good gauge for watering times. Also, make sure to remove the decorative wrapping when watering. This is because it will catch the excess water, causing your plant to get too much water and eventually rot and die. So yeah. Just take it off, let the pot drain into a sink or bathtub for a few minutes, then put it back in! Keep it pretty, but also healthy!

Follow these poinsettia care tips! Keep your poinsettia away from the cold, water lightly, and give it bright, indirect sunlight!

That’s all the poinsettia care instructions I’ve got for you today! For instructions on how to get your poinsettia to bloom for next year, follow these instructions!

Also, to make your holiday season more meaningful, join thousands of people around the globe in the daily December challenge, Light the World! I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas season!

Happy Digging!

The 5 BEST Vegetables to Grow Indoors

August 8, 2024October 29, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

Whether you’re new to indoor gardening or an expert, it’s always good to know which vegetables you should actually be growing indoors, a.k.a. which ones will give you the most bang for your buck! And let me tell you, I’m not just going to list the vegetables that are the easiest to grow indoors. This is because a lot of people suggest vegetables only because they do well indoors. And strange enough, a lot of people suggest growing radishes indoors. Honestly, I don’t remember the last time I’ve actually eaten a radish! So even if I grew radishes in my home, I know that I still would never eat them.

So here’s my list of vegetables that are most commonly consumed, are easy to grow, and that give you good yields per plant. But remember, make sure that you are growing vegetables that you will actually eat. In the long run, it’s your own preferences that matter most when making this decision.

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a small portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

The Best Vegetables to Grow Indoors – Vegetable #1: Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the best vegetables to grow indoors mainly because they are one of the most versatile! You can eat them in salads, on sandwiches, in pastas, or as pastes! Plus, they’re easy to can or freeze for later use. Just make sure to get an ever-bearing variety, as well as give this plant its own plant light. Here’s a plant light review post if you’re unsure of what to get. It might take your tomato plant a while to start producing indoors, but once it does, you’ll be glad you waited!

These are the top 5 BEST vegetables to grow indoors. Just starting out? Choose to grow tomatoes for an ultra versatile crop!

Vegetable #2: Lettuce

Here is another plant that is highly eaten and enjoyed! Lettuce is also one of the easiest plants to grow from scraps! Simply purchase your lettuce of choice, cut off the bottom, and place it in water. Leave it in a cup with toothpicks placed in it to hold the top of the plant out of the water. Then fill the cup with enough water to allow the bottom to be submerged. Start one every time you bring a new head of lettuce home. After a couple of months you should have your endless supply of lettuce!

These are the top 5 BEST vegetables to grow indoors. Just starting out? Grow lettuce from the scraps you're already buying!

Vegetable #3: Green Beans

Beans are one of the easiest vegetables to grow indoors mainly because they require less sunlight than most other vegetables, as well as they can use less space by growing vertically! Here are some ideas for how you can create your own vertical gardens! Another reason why green beans makes by top 5 list is because it’s difficult to eat fresh green beans all year long when they start costing over $4/pound during the winter! It’s much more cost effective to simply grow your own and enjoy them whenever you want! Just keep a constant planting schedule every few weeks and you’ll never run out!

These are the top 5 BEST vegetables to grow indoors. Just starting out? Choose to grow green beans for a small-space crop that you can grow year round!

Vegetable #4: Spinach

If you’re a health nerd (like my husband), or a foodie (like me!) then you’ll definitely want to start a row of spinach. Like these other vegetables, it is also one of the easiest to grow indoors. Then, if it’s growing a bit faster than you can eat it, spinach can easily be frozen, or added to sauces, entrees, or appetizers on the fly!

These are the top 5 BEST vegetables to grow indoors. Just starting out? Grow spinach for an easy to grow choice!

Vegetable #5: Peppers

Although peppers take a bit longer to grow, and will also need a plant light, they are definitely a popular plant to grow indoors. This is because they are not only super versatile and can be added to many dishes, but you can also custom grow your peppers according to your temperature preferences! Whether you prefer bell peppers, jalapenos, ghost peppers, or chili peppers, the method of growing is all the same. So wow your friends with your home-grown pepper collection, and spice up your life! Just make sure that you keep them in a big enough pot, and they’ll reward you with large peppers!

These are the top 5 BEST vegetables to grow indoors. Just starting out? Grow peppers to get your spicy fix.

These are my recommendations for the best vegetables to grow indoors. For more information on growing plants indoors, be sure to sign up for my email list and enjoy a free welcome gift! Then let me know in the comments below if you’ve tried growing any of these plants, and let me know how it goes! I love hearing from all of you!

*Note: For sun requirements of any of these plants, check out my free reference guide at How Much Sun Does my Plant Need?!

Happy Digging!

Indoor Chive Plant Care

August 9, 2024October 10, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

Growing chives indoors can be fun, easy, and tasty! The bright green, grassy look of this herb also makes it easy to decorate with! So now let’s talk about indoor chives plant care… cause you want to keep your plant healthy in order to keep your spice options open!

Don’t have a chive plant? Get one here!

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Indoor Chive Plant Care: Light Requirements

Chives like direct sunlight and can tolerate about 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. However, if your windowsill is full of other sun-loving herbs, this is your first herb to move away from the perfect spot. It does well with down to 4 hours of direct sunlight and also does well with artificial lighting. Just make sure that if it’s bending towards the light, that you consistently rotate your pot.

Indoor Chive Plant Care: Water Requirements

Chives like a little bit more water than most of your other Mediterranean drought-tolerant herbs. So make sure to water it slightly more than your other herbs. Also, make sure that you don’t over-water your plant. If the soil is spongy because it is so wet (the day after you water), then you should dry out the soil and try to add either more drainage to the pot, or a lighter soil (or both!).

Indoor Chive Plant Care: Additional Requirements

Make sure that when you are harvesting your chives that you leave at least 2 inches (5 cm) at the bottom of the plant untouched. Also, if the tips of your plant is turning yellow, this is a sign of too little water and too little humidity. If you feel that you are watering it enough (you aren’t letting the soil fully dry out in between watering), then try misting your plant a few times a week. Or you can place it on a tray of pebbles and add a layer of water to the tray. This will naturally boost the humidity as the water in the tray evaporates in the sun.

I hope these indoor chive tips help! I personally love my chives and have had an easier time growing these than all my other herbs! So have fun, and enjoy this awesome herb! Then, for information on how to start chives from seed, check out this post, How to Star Chives from Seed! Or, for more information about simple indoor herb gardens, check out my post on 5 Effortless Indoor Herb Garden Kits! And as always, please leave any comments or questions below! I look forward to hearing your experiences!

Happy Digging!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: 10 Unique Gift Ideas!

August 9, 2024October 4, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

Unsure of what to buy for that special plant lover in your life? Check out one of these 10 unique gift ideas! The perfect gift for any plant person!

Sometimes shopping for plant lovers can be difficult. Especially if you aren’t a plant-lover yourself, it can all be somewhat confusing. So I put together this list of 10 items that would all make a GREAT gift for a plant lover. Show them that you really care!

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Face Plant/Glasses Holder

This is one of my FAVORITE pot ideas ever! Not only fun, but this pot is also very practical for those who wear glasses (I get it… I wore glasses my entire childhood…) Plus, pot it up with one of the best air-purifying plants, and your plant-lover friend will not only have a place for their special set of glasses or sunglasses, but they will also sleep better! It’s a win, win, win!!!

AeroGarden Countertop Hydroponic Herb System

For all those techie plant-lovers (we know you’re out there!) here’s the AMAZING hydroponic herb grower! This kit includes a set of starter herb seeds (6 pods) as well as the built-in LED plant lights that automatically turn on and off. This system will also remind you when you need to add more water, and when you need to add more plant food! Seriously, this high-tech herb planter makes it IMPOSSIBLE to fail!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #2 - Smart Hydroponic Herb System

Pink Mini Garden Tool Set

Wondering why someone would need a miniature tool set? Honestly, this mini toolkit can be SUPER helpful. The main uses are in planting, cleaning, watering, and pruning small plants such as succulents, cacti, fairy garden plants, or small bonsai. The pink is perfect for women, but this company also has blue tools as well. Just make sure that whatever kit you end up purchasing, that it includes the mini watering nozzle. Trust me! These watering nozzles are a MUST for small indoor plants!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #3 - Mini Succulent and Cactus Tool Kit

1-of-a-kind Red Copper Plated Birch Leaf Necklace

This necklace is truly remarkable! It isn’t just made from a mold like other necklaces. The producers hand-pick a birch leaf, press and dry it, remove the chlorophyll, then plate it in red copper. You are buying an actual leaf! Preserved forever in it’s one-of-a-kind design! Be aware… no two necklaces are the same! Sorry about all the exclamation points… I just LOVE this necklace!!!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #4 - Red Copper Birch Leaf

Vintage Plant Mister

This GORGEOUS plant mister is useful for anyone who owns a palm, fern, or other high-humidity plant. But this vintage mister is also a decor piece for anyone who uses their plants as a design aspect to their home! Leave it on any shelf to add to the decor and to show off to your friends! Such a dazzling gift for a plant lover!

Organic Cat Grass Growing Kit

Give your plant lover something to give to their plant loving furry friend! I know cats can cause quite a bit of damage when they snack on your plants… so try giving them something they CAN munch on! Cat grass provides your pet with essential vitamins and minerals that most indoor cats don’t have access to. So get them away from your other plants by treating them with their own scrumptious greens!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #6 - Cat Grass Grow Kit

Succ without You Pot and Plant

This cute little gift not only comes with the endearing pot, but it also comes with a live echeveria succulent! Spoil that special someone by letting them know you care… and having them be reminded of that every time they water their plant! Oh… so much love!!!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #7 - Succ Without You Pot

Bonsai Tree Seed Starter Kit

This kit is perfect for any plant-lover who wants to grow a few bonsai trees! This kit includes everything you need to grow 4 different bonsai tree species, as well as instructions that will help you along the way! Definitely a great gift for the more experimental or adventurous plant lover!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #8 - Bonsai Starter Grow Kit

It’s Not Hoarding if it’s Plants Mug

This is a great gift to give during those cold, winter months! Make your friend/relative/significant other smile with this cute plant mug! For all of us plant-lovers who can admit that they probably have a lot of plants… but still need more!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #9 - Plant Hoarder Mug

Galison 1000pc Houseplant Jungle Jigsaw Puzzle

This plant puzzle is a collage of over 50 different plants! Bring out your true plant nerd as you challenge your brain with this amazing adult puzzle! Final dimensions are 20″ x 27″. The perfect gift for a plant lover who also enjoys puzzling!

Gifts for a Plant Lover: #10 - Plant Foliage Puzzle

I hope you’ve found inspiration for what to buy for your plant-lover! Believe me… anything from this list will get them smiling and excited! Because there’s nothing more loving than recognizing and supporting each others’ hobbies. So pick out one of these gifts, and let me know how it goes! AND… since I’m really rooting for you… if you haven’t been inspired by any of these gifts, you can find some more gift ideas here!

Happy Digging!

Indoor Oregano Plant Care

August 9, 2024October 2, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

Oregano is an easy-to-grow plant with a myriad of medicinal and culinary uses. It’s no wonder that this Mediterranean plant has made is way around the globe. Anyone with an indoor herb garden needs to grow this fantastic herb! But only a healthy growing plant can give you your desired harvest, so today I’m going to give you all the plant care tips you need to grow oregano indoors!

Don’t have an oregano plant yet?! You can buy one here!

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Indoor Oregano Plant Care: Light Requirements

Oregano, like most herbs, likes to grow in partial to full sunlight outdoors. This means that indoors it needs to either be placed in a south-facing window or it should have plant lights to boost its indoor lighting. If it isn’t getting enough light, it will begin to stretch out and become “leggy”. Watch for this sign to increase light.

Indoor Oregano Plant Care: Water Requirements

Oregano is naturally drought tolerant which means that it would rather go dry than stay wet. Make sure that you only water your plant when the top inch of soil is dry. This keeps your plant safe from over-watering!

Indoor Oregano Plant Care: Additional Tips

Some things to keep in mind while growing oregano is first it’s dislike of staying wet. Make sure that you plant it in a pot that has good drainage, as well as use soil that is light and airy (such as cactus and succulent potting mix, or regular potting soil mixed with sand or perlite). Also, when your plant is several years old, it is a good idea to root some cuttings in water to make a new plant. This will keep your flavors strong with every leaf!

I hope you’ve enjoyed these plant care tips! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below! I love hearing from you! And let me know if you’d like any tips on how to harvest and store your oregano… good luck with it!

Happy Digging

Indoor Thyme Plant Care

August 9, 2024September 30, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

Thyme is a wonderful plant to add to your herb garden! It is generally easy to grow, but these plant care tips will help your indoor thyme stay healthy and happy, giving you years of harvesting this tasty herb!

Don’t have a thyme plant yet? You can buy one here!

**Note: This post contains affiliate links, which if purchased, I will receive a portion of the profits. This helps me to keep providing awesome information to all of you!**

Indoor Thyme Plant Care: Light Requirements

Thyme likes to have full to partial sun outdoors, which means that indoors we need to put it in a south-facing window or give it additional light with plant lights. If your plant is declining during the winter months, this could be your plant going into dormancy because of a lack of sunlight or because of lower temperatures. If this happens, make sure to add plant lights to give your plant longer day-lengths, and keep it away from cold winter drafts. This will help the plant feel more like it’s summer!

Indoor Thyme Plant Care: Water Requirements

This plant is drought-resistant, meaning that it is used to going for short periods of time without any water. Because of this, the biggest cause of death for thyme is being over-watered. Make sure that you only water your plant when the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the soil has dried. And also make sure that your pot has good drainage. If your soil doesn’t drain well enough, the roots can rot due to to much moisture and not enough air around their roots. So make sure to never over-water this plant!

Indoor Thyme Plant Care: Additional Tips

As with most herbs, make sure to remove any flower stalks before the plant flowers. This will allow the plant to put more energy into leaf production instead of into seed production. Them, as thyme gets older, the lower stem will begin to get thick and woody. If too much of your plant is getting woody, you can either propagate a new, young stem (by rooting it in straight water), or you can prune back the woody stems hard to encourage lots of new, young, and non-woody growth.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these plant care tips! Please leave any questions or comments below… I personally read every one of them, and I love hearing from you! And for more indoor gardening, check out this list of 5 Effortless Indoor Herb Garden Kits!

Happy Digging!

Indoor Rosemary Plant Care

August 9, 2024September 25, 2019 by thegirlwithashovel

Herbs are definitely the beginner’s step into indoor gardening. However, if our herbs die a sad, pitiful death, we can end up never wanting to grow edible plants again… fortunately for you, rosemary is one of the easier herbs to grow indoors. Simply follow these rosemary plant care instructions, and you’ll feel empowered to take on the entire herbal collection!

Don’t have a rosemary plant yet? You can purchase one here!

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Indoor Rosemary Plant Care: Light Requirements

Rosemary, just like most other herbs, likes plenty of direct sunlight. This means it would do well in your super-sunny south-facing window! Or, if you don’t have a lot of sun (or, like me, you already have your south-facing window full of succulents lol!) then you can give your plant supplemental light with plant lights. Here is my personal favorite! Just remember, rosemary likes to get around 5-7 hours of direct sunlight, so keep it around 8 hours with your plant light (since no light will ever be as bright as the sun…)

Indoor Rosemary Plant Care: Water Requirements

Rosemary likes to stay a little on the dry side. Make sure that you only water it when the top of the soil is dry. This plant is especially susceptible to root rot or to powdery mildew, both of which show up when you keep it too wet. Then, when watering, water the soil thoroughly in the summer months, but more sparingly in the winter. Your soil should be watered just enough to dry out every three days or so. This might mean that in the winter months you only add a fraction of the water that you would during the summer.

Indoor Rosemary Plant Care: Additional Tips

If your plant does get powdery mildew, it is important to IMMEDIATELY separate it from your other plants. One summer I didn’t separate mine fast enough and the majority of my indoor edibles got it too… I know… super sad… But from that, I found this awesome powdery mildew fungicide that works great for edibles. Just make sure that you don’t eat anything from the plant for 30 days, then wash everything before eating.

That’s all for my care tips! Leave any questions or comments below! And for some easy herb gardening, check out my list of 5 Effortless Indoor Herb Garden Kits!

Happy Digging!