We’ve previously talked about peat moss and the impact that peat harvesting is having on the environment, but is coconut coir bad too? The long and the short answer to that is no. Coconut coir is actually a very good potting medium component, especially when used to replace peat moss. As plant hobbyists it is our duty to try and help sustain our world so that plants and ecosystems in the wild thrive and aren’t depleted. So, let us get into the pros, and few cons, of using coconut coir.   https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kangaroo_grass_seedlings_(3083748113).jpg   What is Coco ..read more

I’ll admit, I’ve been an advocate for adding peat to your potting mix for years. I was raised with the idea that using peat in your potting soil was both beneficial and benign. Photo credit: spodzone on VisualHunt What I didn’t know — and have since learned — was the environmental impact of extracting peat. I’ve previously written that peat can and should be added to a multitude of mixes, and today I want to correct that advice. File:Peat Bog on Yockenthwaite Moor - geograph.org.uk - 4636343.jpg - Wikimedia Commons Peat has been a traditional source of fuel in Ireland and the UK, and is a ..read more

If you’re like me you live in a region with distinct summers and winters, and when winter is over you like to send your plants to “summer camp” on an outdoor porch or patio. They love the fresh air, rain water, and sunshine. But what’s the best method for acclimating your plants to their new summer abode? Here are a few tips for getting your plants ready to go outside:   Temperature You need to be certain that your overnight lows will not be too low for tropical plants. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and when in doubt, begin by taking your plants out to a shady area during the warm ..read more

In this series we will be explaining various scientific studies that prove why houseplants are good for you. We all know that they make us feel good, but why not have some scientific proof to back it up? The first thing we will delve into is is explaining what the biophilia hypothesis actually means.  Biophilia Means “love of life” and comes from the Greek words for “love or affection” and “life.” In other words it relates to the human instinct to naturally connect to other living things, including plants. The biophilia hypothesis shows how having no plants in your environment negatively ..read more

Credit Potato bugs, rollie pollies, pillbugs, woodlouse, etc. whatever you colloquially call them, they’re all the same thing - isopods! Juliet says it best in William Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet. Act-II, Scene-II of Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose / By Any Other Name would smell as sweet.” — Romeo and Juliet  Armadillidium vulgare "T-negative albino"   When most people see something scurrying about their plant pots, or underneath their plant pots, stones, etc., they worry that it is a pest, but have no fear! Isopod ..read more

Growing your own produce is really rewarding, but did you know you can easily eat from your flower garden as well? Today we’re looking at some of our favourite uncommon edible plants that make great gardening garnishes for the kitchen!   Before eating any plant or flower from your garden, be sure you’re certain of its identification. Always pick flowers at full bloom, and always rinse them before eating. Keep in mind that often it’s only the petals which are edible, so be sure to double check if you’re not certain.   Credit Allium They make a wonderful fireworks display for the gard ..read more

This North American native may seem like a plant from another planet, but the Venus Flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) only grows along the coast of North and South Carolina. These carnivores thrive in boggy and brackish water environments seeking insects for nutrients that they can’t get from the soil. If you want personalized tips and tricks for your Venus Flytrap, be sure to join us on Mesh or in our Facebook group. Now, on to care tips…. Credit: Citron / CC-BY-SA-3.0   When the plant’s traps are triggered by tiny hairs (trichomes), they close to digest the unfortunate insect. Each trap can ..read more

Neomortonia rosea isn’t the most common name to hear in the houseplant world, nor is it one that you can find much in the way of care information about. It is in the Gesneriaceae family, which consists of other plants such as Saintpaulia, Streptocarpus, and Sinningia. This specific little flowering, vining gesneriad ranges from Costa Rica to Ecuador, but it can also be found in Colombia and Panama.     I’ll be honest, I bought one from Ecuagenera on a whim because I thought that it would add more color to my vivariums. I tried to do research beforehand, but found that it was severel ..read more

Aroids have always been one of the most beloved types of houseplants. Who doesn’t love their wide range of colors, sizes, leaf shapes, stem shapes, etc.? I know that we have all become suckers for a gorgeous Aroid here at HPH. The vast majority of them are fairly expensive as well, which we all know is a huge downfall of theirs for the houseplant enthusiast. While you can find some for cheaper if you buy an unrooted cutting, this can be quite the daunting task for most people. If you have a healthy cutting that you want to try to root, or if you’re just wanting to propagate, (aka chop and prop ..read more

Avocados: Good on toast, great as guac, and as it turns out one of the easiest foods to turn into a houseplant! Your avocado (sometimes known as “alligator pear” because of the tough skin) is actually a berry containing one large seed (or pit) perfect for propagating. The process is simple and rewarding, although you may not be able to look forward to actually getting any guac out of it — but you never know! If you want personalized tips and advice for your own avocado tree, be sure to join us on Mesh Communities or our Facebook Group.   The avocado we know and love is actually a member o ..read more