House Plants Blog

Mar 6, Shamrock Plant Care: How to Grow Happy-Go-Lucky Oxalis Indoors

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:10:21 -0800

Shamrock plant is cherished for its resemblance to four leaf clovers, making it a popular St. Patrick's Day gift plant.

Perhaps you could consider these St. Patrick's Day shamrocks "lucky" because they are easy to grow. These perennial plants thrive in average room conditions, making shamrock care a breeze.

Get to Know Your Shamrock Plant

Known botanically as Oxalis, this genus includes hundreds of species native to tropical regions, including South Africa, Mexico, and Central and South America.

Shamrock plants make great house plants. When grown outdoors, shamrocks have an invasive nature. Their fast-spreading tuberous roots can spread like wildfire. However, when confined to a container, you can put this plant on your windowsill to enjoy the lush, clover-like leaves and charming little flowers up-close.

How big do shamrock plants get? They typically grow to a height of 6-12 in (15-30 cm).

Plants may get leggy over time. You can simply cut stems to the soil level anytime. This vigorous grower will sprout new foliage within a few weeks.

Did you know...

Oxalis is not a true clover -- it's in the Wood Sorrell family. Because it looks similar, this plant borrows its "lucky" status from four leaf clovers.

Do shamrock plants bloom? Yes. Given enough light, you can expect lots of blooms in the spring and summer. The 5-petaled flowers are held on tall, slender stems above the foliage and may be white, pink or red, depending on the species.

Folded leaves? Shamrocks fold up their leaves at night, opening them again in the morning light. Cool, huh?

Repot in spring, when the tuberous roots have filled the pot. This is a good time to divide the plant, if you want.

Something bugging your houseplant? This fast-growing houseplant seems to shrug off pests, but there are a few to watch for: spider mites, thrips, whiteflies and mealybugs are the most common. Isolate any infested houseplant and treat it right away.

Yellow leaves are a symptom of an over-watered plant. You can cut the affected stem at the soil level. A vigorous grower, Oxalis will soon replace the leaves.

Got a dormant plant? Shamrock plant may go dormant if the soil is allowed to dry out or if it's exposed to hot, direct sun. If this happens, don't worry. And don't give up on it. Oxalis may stay dormant for several weeks. Reduce watering, stop fertilizing, and keep the plant cool. When the leaves die back, cut them off. When your plant starts growing again, resume normal care and you'll have a mound of new, green foliage in just a few weeks.

Photo credit AYImages / istockphoto

Shamrock Plant Varieties

You'll find shamrock plants in florist shops before St. Patrick's Day. The bulbs are also easy to grow -- and to find online.

Oxalis deppei, pictured at left, has lobed leaflets and pinkish-red flowers. Sometimes called Iron Cross for the purple-brown markings that form a circle in the center.

Purple Shamrock is another popular variety. Its large, dark-purple leaflets make it a beautiful house plant.

Shamrock Plant Care Indoors

Light: Bright light with some direct sun. Leggy, spindly growth is often caused by lack of light. Move the plant to a spot where it will get curtain-filtered light from a sunny window.

Water: Allow surface of soil to dry between waterings. Shamrock plant retains water in its tuberous roots and won't tolerate soggy soil.

Humidity: Average indoor (around 40-50% relative humidity). If indoor air is dry, you can boost humidity for your plant by setting it on a pebble tray or use a cool-mist room humidifier.

Temperature: Cool to average 55-65°F/13-18°C at night, not warmer than 75°F/24°C during the day.

Soil: Any good-quality potting mix will do.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Divide the plant by gently pulling apart its small, tuberous roots into smaller clumps and potting them in separate containers. Don't bury them too deep; set the tubers 1/2" below the soil. Sow shamrock seeds in spring.

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Mar 5, Caring for Haworthia Indoors: Get to Know these Succulent Houseplants

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:32:36 -0800

Botanical Name: Haworthia species

If you like small house plants, you'll want to add at least one of these succulents to your collection. This genus offers more than 80 species to choose from and they're all easy to grow.

Photo vladj55/istockphoto

Get to Know Haworthia Plants

This stemless succulent grows in a rosette of fleshy, upright green leaves with sharp, pointed tips.

The markings vary by species and may be striped or spotted. H. pumila is a popular variety featuring pearly white "warts" on its leaves, giving this species the common name "Pearl Plant." Haworthias are small, making them beautiful additions to succulent and cactus dish gardens.

Some species may flower. The blooms are small and grow in clusters on long stems.

How big do Haworthias get? They'll reach a height of 3-6 inches (7.5-15 cm) tall, depending on the species.

What these succulent house plants have in common is a tolerance for neglect. Put them in indirect light and water occasionally and you'll keep them happy for several years.

Haworthia Problems, Solutions and Answers

Watch that water. When watering, avoid getting the leaves wet. Like other succulents, its leaves are prone to rot.

Give it a winter rest. Growth slows down in winter, when light levels are lower. Water less in winter and keep your Haworthia houseplant slightly cooler. Stop feeding till spring.

Something bugging your plant? Mealy bugs are the most common pest on succulents and cacti. They are tiny, white and fuzzy, looking like specks of white cotton. Keep an eye out for these insects, which may be anywhere on the plant -- stems, leaves, and even around the roots. Treat any infestation immediately because they multiply quickly and may move on to your other houseplants. Pick them off the plant, if you can. Or use insecticidal soap.

Wondering When to Repot?

Repot in late spring. It's a good idea to repot every year or two because they shed their old roots each spring, and giving them fresh potting mix will keep the plants healthy. You'll probably want to propagate offsets at that time anyway.

Haworthias have small roots, so a shallow container will do. If you use a container without drainage holes, use it as a cachepot. Slip a plain nursery pot into the cachepot to cover it up. Add a 1-inch (2.5 cm) layer of pebbles at the bottom of the cachepot to keep the inner pot above the drainage water.

Haworthias are attractive additions to succulent dish gardens -- and beautiful all on their own, too.

Buying Tip

Choose plants based on colors and forms you like. They're all easy to grow.

Want a variety? I knew that you would. Get several. These beautiful South African succulents are a quick way to start or add to your houseplant collection.

Photo credit cenglanddesigns | istockphoto

Haworthia Care Indoors

Light: Bright indirect light. Unlike most succulents, haworthias don't like direct sun, which can make the leaves shrivel or cause brown scorch marks. If you move your plant outdoors for the summer months, make the move a gradual one and keep it shaded.

Water: Allow soil to almost dry out between waterings. Try to avoid getting the leaves wet because they may rot.

Humidity: Average room (around 40% relative humidity). Dry air won't hurt haworthia.

Temperature: Normal room temperatures (65-75°F/18-24°C) spring through fall. In winter, allow plant to rest, keeping it cooler (around 60°F/16°C) if possible.

Soil: Cactus and succulent potting mix works well to provide good drainage. Or combine 2 parts peat-moss based potting mix and 1 part horticultural sand.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with a fertilizer specially made for succulents. Don't feed in winter when growth is slow.

Propagation: Remove offsets that grow around the plant in spring and pot in their own containers.

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Mar 3, Rosary Vine Plant Care - How to Grow Ceropegia Woodii Houseplant

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 12:12:52 -0800

Whether you call it Rosary Vine or String of Hearts, you'll be captivated by this charming house plant.

Known botanically as Ceropegia woodii, this beauty has exquisite heart-shaped leaves that grow along slender stems. Display Ceropegia in a hanging basket to show off those long, heart-studded vines.

Heart-shaped patterned leaves make Rosary Vine eye-catching. Photo credit

Get to Know Ceropegia Woodii

This semi-succulent grows from 2-inch (5 cm) tubers that rest on the surface of the soil. Several purple stems (also called runners) will grow from each tuber.

Pairs of heart-shaped leaves grow about every 3 in (8 cm) along the slender stems. Each leaf will eventually grow to about 1-inch (2.5 cm) long. Decorative all on their own, the leaves are splotched with a lacy pattern of silvery white on the top and are purple underneath.

How big does it get? Rosary vine trails up to 10 ft (3 m). Too long? Don't worry... you can cut those vines back any time.

Native to South Africa, this semi-succulent likes the same warm temperatures we do. It's also fast-growing and long-lived, so you'll enjoy your houseplant a long time.

Ceropegia woodii is a captivating houseplant and is easy to grow.

How to Propagate Ceropegia Woodii

Small tubers sometimes grow along the stems, causing the stems to branch out. You can remove the tubers anytime and set them on the surface of the soil to grow more plants in the same pot.

Here's how: Take stem tip cuttings and insert cut ends in moist soil. Or cut off stem tubers and place them on the surface of the soil, where they'll root quickly.

Give your cuttings indirect light to promote growth, but keep them out of harsh, direct sunlight, which can scorch young leaves.

Rosary Vine Solutions, Answers and Houseplant Help

Prune it back when Rosary Vine starts to look leggy. Propagating the stem cuttings by inserting them back in the soil will give a fuller display that's lush with leaves.

Soft, yellow leaves are a symptom of over-watering. Allow potting medium to dry between waterings. Cut off affected stems at the soil level. Don't worry, this fast-growing plant will soon replace them.

Curling, brown or crunchy leaves often are a sign of dry soil. Although this semi-succulent is not tolerant of soggy soil, it does need watered regularly. Cut off any affected stems.

Repot in spring when it gets crowded, moving to a pot only 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) bigger. This vining plant grows from 2-inch (5 cm) tubers. Place them on the surface of the soil and they'll root quickly. Use a sandy mix and a pot with a drainage hole to avoid soggy soil, which can cause the tubers to rot.

Something bugging your houseplant? Rosary Vine seems to shrug off pests, but watch for webbing between leaves and stems -- a tell-tale sign of spider mites. These tiny pests are attracted to houseplants, especially during the winter months when indoor air can become extremely dry. Treat any infestation immediately to prevent pests from moving on to your other houseplants. Raising the humidity around your houseplant can help prevent an infestation.

Is Ceropegia woodii poisonous? No. It's not toxic. But I can see how its long, dangling leaves may appeal to playful cats and dogs. That's another good reason to hang it up, away from curious pets.

Why You Should Grow Rosary Vine

This carefree classic beauty was once an extremely popular indoor plant, but not as common these days. Perhaps it has fallen out of favor because it is so easy to grow? Somehow easy-care plants get less respect. If you come across this beautiful succulent vine, buy it. It's long-lived and easy to propagate for more plants.

You may find rosary vine for sale at online nurseries or at your local garden center. It is usually labeled by its genus and subspecies names, Ceropegia woodii.

A more colorful variety exists, Ceropegia woodii var. 'Variegata' has grayish-green leaves edged with creamy white. With lots of bright sunlight, the edges may turn pink.

Ceropegia looks best set high, allowing its stems to cascade. Photo © Agata Buczek

Rosary Vine Care Tips

Light: Keep your plant in bright light (with some direct morning sun) for best color and plenty of leaves. Long spaces between leaves are a sign it's not getting enough sunlight.

Water: Keep the soil lightly moist in spring and summer. Water sparingly in fall and winter, when growth is slow. A semi-succulent, this plant is more tolerant of dry soil than wet. In fact, one sure-fire way to kill Rosary Vine is to over-water. Use a pot with a drainage hole to prevent soggy soil, which can lead to stem rot or root rot.

Humidity: Moderate (around 45% relative humidity). If indoor air is dry, use one of these easy ways to increase humidity for your houseplant. During the winter months, indoor air can become extremely dry; using a humidity monitor will take away any guesswork.

Temperature: Normal room temperatures (65-80°F/18-27°C) will suit this vine year-round. Don't expose this warm-natured plant to temps below 55°F/13°C.

Soil: Mix 1 part good-quality, all-purpose potting mix and 1 part sand or perlite for fast drainage. Cactus potting mix works beautifully to give Rosary Vine the fast drainage it needs.

Fertilizer: Feed monthly in spring and summer with balanced water-soluble fertilizer. It's a good idea to fertilize houseplants after watering to prevent burning roots. Don't feed in fall and winter when growth is slower.

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Mar 1, Chinese Jasmine Plant Care: Grow Jasminum Polyanthum Indoors

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 11:46:01 -0800

Chinese jasmine plant is surely among the most graceful of vining plants. Its long, wiry vines are densely covered with glossy, green leaves and fragrant star-shaped flowers, making Jasminum polyanthum a treasured houseplant.

Discover when to water, repot, and fertilize, why you should pinch your plant, and how to get the most blooms.

How to Make Jasmine Plant Bloom

Cool autumn air and plenty of light will bring a profusion of blooms in winter. Because you're growing jasmine indoors, this beautiful evergreen needs some help from you.

Give it plenty of sunshine and warmth in the summer months to help it grow. Then provide 6 weeks of cool temperatures in fall to set buds. Move your jasmine plant outdoors in the fall when the weather is cool, keeping it in partial shade. If you can't put it outdoors, keep it in a cool sunroom, brightly lit porch, or other cool room for this cool treatment.

Beautiful jasmine adapts well to living indoors. Photo ©Giulianax

Clusters of dark-pink, tubular flower buds arise from the leaf axils in late fall to early winter. The buds stay small until around February, when they will open into 5-petaled, white star-like flowers that are strongly scented, especially at night.

Jasmine Plant How-tos, Solutions and Answers

Pinch and Prune. Pinch stem tips during the growing season to encourage branching. After the flowers fade, prune it back harshly. Plants that aren't pruned back will eventually have bare lower stems as they shed old leaves.

Pruning tip:

Prune back hard in spring or early summer to control its growth and to prevent it from becoming leggy. Take care to only remove the stems that have already flowered. Propagate stem tip cuttings, if you want, for more plants.

Repot in spring only when the roots have filled the pot. Jasmine plant blooms best when slightly pot-bound, so use a smallish container or you may see a lot of leaves and few flowers. Don't worry about pruning and repotting jasmine at the same time. It's pretty robust -- you won't hurt it at all.

Support your plant. Twining jasmine vines need support. You can easily train it around a hoop or over a small trellis inserted in the pot. You can tie it to the support with florist wire, if you need to. However, this vigorous climber doesn't need much training to twine around any type of support.

No flowers? This winter-blooming jasmine needs a cool treatment for 6 weeks in the fall to set buds. (See "Temperature" below.) This plant also needs bright light year-round.

Is Jasminium polyanthum poisonous? No, it is non-toxic according to the ASPCA. It is safe to have in a home with children and pets.

Something bugging your plant?

Aphids are attracted to soft, new growth, which jasmine has in abundance. Look for them on the foliage and along the stems.

Mealybugs seem to love Jasmine. If you see these white, cotton-like bugs, remove them with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.

Spider mites are also possible pests, especially in winter when indoor air tends to be dry. They're so tiny, you'll likely only see their fine webbing between stems and foliage.

Isolate any infested plant to prevent pests from invading your other houseplants, and treat it right away. If your plant has already bloomed, prune off any infested stems.

Jasmine Plant Buying Tips

Jasmine is a member of the olive family (Oleaceae), and includes about 200 species. Jasminum polyanthum is the easiest to grow indoors and has long been a popular house plant.

You may find Chinese Jasmine plant for sale by other common names: Winter-Blooming Jasmine, Pink Jasmine or Star Jasmine.

Jasmine Plant Care Tips

Origin: China

Height: Up to 10 ft (3 m) if not pruned back.

Light: Jasmine needs plenty of light to bloom. Give it bright light with some direct sun.

Water: Keep soil evenly moist while plant is growing and flowering. After flowering, allow the the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Soggy soil will cause leaves to turn yellow and fall off. Plant jasmine in a pot with a drainage hole and water enough to keep the soil lightly moist.

Humidity: Try to maintain 40-50% relative humidity around jasmine. Central heating and A/C can cause the humidity to drop drastically indoors. Discover easy ways to increase humidity for your houseplants.

Temperature: Give your jasmine plant cool temperatures (40-60°F/4-16°C) for 6 weeks in fall to set buds. The rest of the year, average indoor temperatures (65-75°F/18-24°C).

Soil: Good-quality, all-purpose potting mix

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks with a high-phosphorus water-soluble fertilizer. Don't fertilize in spring after the flowers fade, while the plant is resting.

Propagation: Take 4 in (10 cm) stem tip cuttings in early summer and root them in moist soil.

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Feb 28, Rex Begonia House Plant Care

Sat, 28 Feb 2026 08:01:39 -0800

Rex begonia houseplants are cherished for their dramatic colorful and textured leaves. Hundreds of hybrids are available, each one captivating on its own. Fortunately, we don't have to choose just one. These fancy-leafed begonias are breathtaking when displayed together.

In this guide, you'll discover how often to water, when to fertilize, what to do when your begonia goes dormant (don't give up on it!), plus how to propagate these beauties for more houseplants.

Get to Know Rex Begonias

Known botanically as Begonia rex, this is a long-time favorite of house plant lovers. It is native to Southeast Asia and India, where it thrives in the year-round warmth and humidity.

These fancy-leafed begonias produce dramatic, wing-shaped leaves streaked, veined, or splashed in shades of silver, pink, purple, cream, green, red, or burgundy.

Small flowers may grow on tall stems. It's up to you whether you want to keep them. Flowers use the plant's energy, which is better used to grow those magnificent leaves. If you want, you can pinch off the flower stems to encourage larger leaves.

This begonia is rhizomatous, growing from a thick, fleshy rhizome that grows just below the surface of the soil. Repot in spring when the rhizome outgrows the pot. Because rhizomes have shallow roots, a shallow pot will do.

How big does rex begonia get? It has an upright growth habit, and may grow up to 1 ft (30 cm) tall, depending on the variety.

Rex begonia can be difficult to grow because of its need for high humidity. Dry, brittle leaves are a symptom of dry air. A terrarium, Wardian case or glass cloche may be just the solution for your humidity-loving rex begonias.

Begonia Rex Varieties

There are 100s of hybrids to choose from. Some are upright, but most are low-growing. Choose the one you like...they're all spectacular.

Some of the many popular named varieties include: 'Merry Christmas' in red and green... 'Fireworks' is stunning with silvery green, black and purple markings... 'Escargot' (shown at bottom) is popular for its snail-like spiral-shaped leaves.

Dwarf types are ideal for dish gardens and terrariums.

Rex Begonia Problems and Solutions

Dropped leaves? Fancy-leafed begonias sometimes drop their leaves and become dormant in the winter. If this happens, cut off the withered leaves, stop watering, and enclose the plant in a plastic bag. Keep it at 60°F/16°C until new growth appears, in approximately 6-10 weeks. Then continue with normal care.

Dry, crispy leaves may be a symptom of dry soil, dry air or direct sunlight. Keep rex begonia in bright, indirect light and boost the humidity around it.

Yellow leaves are caused by overwatering. It's a good idea to use a small pot with drainage holes. Water thoroughly, then empty drainage tray. If you want to use a cachepot (a pot without drainage holes), slip a plain nursery pot into the cachepot. Put pebbles in the bottom of the cachepot to keep the inner pot above the drainage water.

Spots on leaves are typically fungal-related. Spots with yellow halos are bacterial leaf spot. Tan spots are a symptom of botrytis fungus that attacks plants in cool, wet conditions. Cut off affected leaves and increase air circulation around your plant. Warm sunshine will help prevent fungus.

Something bugging your begonia? Check your plant for aphids (they're attracted to soft, new growth) and fungus gnats (that are drawn to wet, peaty potting mixes). Treat any infestation right away. Don't use an insecticide spray on rex begonias because it will damage them.

Is rex begonia poisonous? Yes -- it contains calcium oxalate that is extremely toxic to cats and dogs. It's not a good choice for a home with curious pets that may play with or chew on plants.

Image credit: Tamara Kulikova / istockphoto

Rex Begonia Care Tips

Light: Bright light, but no direct midday sun in summer, which can scorch the leaves. Thrives under fluorescent light, which will help these fancy-leafed begonias keep their color and variegation.

Water: Keep soil evenly moist at all times, but be careful not to overwater because the rhizomes are prone to rot in soggy soil. Avoid getting water on leaves because water may cause bacterial leaf spot. Yellow leaves are a symptom of soggy soil.

Humidity: High humidity is a must. If the relative humidity drops below 50%, stand the pot on a tray of wet pebbles, or use a small humidifier. Do not mist because water can cause spots to form on leaves. Dry air can cause dry, brittle leaves.

Temperature: Average room temperatures (65-75°F/18-24°C) all year-round.

Soil: Use a peat-moss based mix with added perlite and/or vermiculite for fast draining, such as African violet potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with a balanced (such as 10-10-10 NPK) water-soluble fertilizer at half the recommended rate on the package. Stop fertilizing dormant plants.

Propagation: Take leaf cuttings in spring or summer. Cut a healthy, medium-sized leaf with 1-2 in (2.5-5 cm) stem. Poke stem at a 45° angle in moist half-and-half mixture of peat moss and perlite. Enclose the whole thing in a plastic bag to hold in humidity. Keep the cutting in a warm spot (75-80°F/24-27°C) in indirect light. Leaf cuttings usually root in about 3-4 weeks, but it takes about another 4 weeks for plantlets to form. Pot up each plantlet when it has 3 leaves, and cut away the parent leaf.

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