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A PLANT JOURNEY IN REAL TIME
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7 Signs Your Plant Is Hungry & The Best Fertilizer for Each Problem
Just like people, plants need a steady supply of nutrients to grow, produce healthy leaves, and stay resilient. Over time, the nutrients in potting soil become depleted, leaving your plant with little to fuel new growth. The good news? Your plant usually gives you clues before its health starts to decline. Signs To Look Out For 1. Growth Has Slowed What it could mean: Your plant has used up the nutrients in its soil. Best fertilizer: For a plant that needs a boost on ALL its'
hjarvistravel
2 days ago2 min read


My Houseplant Collection: Every Plant I Own and How I Care for Them - Part 1
Hi, I'm Haylee, and a few years ago I started my journey into collecting plants. My love for plants actually began long before that. I’ve always enjoyed spending time in the garden and connecting with nature since I was little. However, as life got busier and responsibilities piled up, that passion took a back seat. After stepping away from an overwhelming job and creating more space in my life, I found my way back to plants. This time, though, it felt different. I was in a
hjarvistravel
Jul 205 min read


What I’m Growing on My South-Facing Patio to Create a Healthier Lifestyle
Baby white strawberry growing on a vine in a container garden. Over the past year, I’ve become more interested in not only filling my home with beautiful plants, but also growing things that nourish my body. There is something so rewarding about stepping outside, harvesting something I grew myself, and knowing exactly where my food came from and how it will benefit my health. Since I have a south-facing patio that receives plenty of sunlight throughout the day, I wanted to ta
hjarvistravel
Jul 134 min read


Growing Elephant Ears Indoors: My Experience Digging Up and Re-potting a Rhizome
Elephant ears A couple of months ago, I dug up a tiny baby elephant ear rhizome and brought it home with the hope of growing it indoors. I wasn't sure how it would adapt to life as a houseplant, but I was excited to give it a try. I thought it would be fun to document the entire journey. From its first signs of growth to every new leaf it puts out, I wanted to share it with you along the way. I grew up surrounded by tropical plants in my parents' garden, and elephant ears wer
hjarvistravel
Jul 63 min read


10 Beginner Monstera Tips That Will Help Your Plant Thrive
Monstera Deliciosa in a white pot. I highly recommend a Monstera deliciosa if you're looking for a beginner-friendly houseplant. They're relatively easy to care for and can thrive indoors with the right conditions. That said, there are a few important care tips you won't want to overlook if you want your Monstera to grow healthy, produce larger leaves, and develop those beautiful fenestrations. Check out these 10 tips to help your Monstera thrive. Monsteras needs more light t
hjarvistravel
Jun 306 min read


8 Best Herbs to Grow From Seed in June and July
8 herb packets. If you have a sunny patio, balcony, or even just a bright window, you can absolutely grow your own herbs. These are eight herbs I'm currently growing from seed, and they've all been doing really well in my little apartment garden. If you've been thinking about starting an herb garden this summer, hopefully this inspires you to give it a try! Chives Purple Chive bloom. Chives are one of my favorite herbs to grow from seed because they're incredibly easy and don
hjarvistravel
Jun 223 min read


5 Beginner-Friendly Houseplants That Are Easy to Grow
Potted houseplants with lights strung across the top. Starting a plant collection can be exciting, but it can also be frustrating when your newest plant doesn't thrive. I certainly had a few plants that tested my patience in the beginning. Luckily, these 10 beginner-friendly houseplants were easy to care for, rewarding to grow, and helped turn me into the plant lover I am today. 1. Ficus Rubber Plant Variegated Rubber Plant. The Ficus Rubber Plant was one of the first plants
hjarvistravel
Jun 157 min read


I Found Thousands of Aphids on a Dahlia and Lost the Battle
Green Aphid on a leaf. What are Aphids? Aphids are tiny sap-sucking insects that feed on new plant growth. While a single aphid may not seem like a big deal, these pests reproduce incredibly quickly and can turn into a full-blown infestation before you know it. Most aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that cluster together on tender stems, flower buds, and the undersides of leaves. They come in a variety of colors, including green, black, yellow, white, and even pink. Aphid
hjarvistravel
Jun 93 min read


Deadheading Roses: The Secret to Continuous Blooms
Pink rose bloom. Roses are my favorite flower to grow, especially on my south-facing patio where they thrive in the sunshine. But there was a period when my rose bushes stopped blooming, and I couldn't figure out why. I thought I was deadheading correctly by making a 45-degree cut above a leaf node. What I didn't realize was that proper deadheading involves a lot more than a quick snip. The location of your cut, the health of the stem, and even the time of year can all affect
hjarvistravel
Jun 12 min read


Natural Pest Control for Houseplants and Patio Gardens
So it was my birthday last Saturday and, of course, I received quite a few plants. One of them was a beautiful Mandevilla for my patio garden. I was so excited to watch it climb up its trellis and add a bright pop of color to my apartment patio… until I noticed some tiny hitchhikers on the leaves. Naturally, I panicked. The last thing I want is for pests to spread through my patio garden and potentially make their way into my indoor houseplant collection. So I immediately sta
hjarvistravel
May 253 min read


How to Propagate Pothos: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Growing More Plants
Healthy Golden Pothos If there’s one plant I think every beginner plant lover should own, it’s a Pothos. They’re resilient, fast-growing, beautiful trailing plants, and honestly, one of the easiest houseplants to propagate. They can handle a little neglect, grow happily in water, and adapt to almost any lighting situation. Bright indirect light? They love it. Lower light corner? They’ll usually still keep growing. One healthy Pothos can quickly turn into multiple plants with
hjarvistravel
May 183 min read


How to Grow Strawberries in Containers: A Beginner-Friendly Patio Garden Guide 🍓
Terracotta pot with Albion Strawberries One of my biggest dreams is to someday make homemade jam using fruit I grew myself. Since apartment living doesn’t exactly come with a backyard farm, I’m starting small by growing strawberries in containers on my patio. Why Strawberries Thrive in Containers Container-grown strawberries are perfect for small-space gardeners because they: Take up very little room Grow beautifully in pots, hanging baskets, and railing planters Produce quic
hjarvistravel
May 133 min read


How to Propagate a Fiddle Leaf Fig: Step-by-Step for Beginners
Fiddle Leaf Fig About a year ago, I decided to fully take over the care of my parents’ two fiddle leaf fig trees. One was dealing with pests, the other had been a bit neglected, and both needed some attention. With time, patience, and a lot of trial and error, they’ve grown into healthy, thriving plants. Now that they’re finally in a good place, I wanted to propagate them and create new growth from something I've already brought back to life. Here’s how I did it. Step 1: Wher
hjarvistravel
Apr 143 min read


Essential Tips for Syngonium Care and Maintenance
Syngonium plants are popular houseplants known for their attractive arrow-shaped leaves and easy-going nature. They add a touch of greenery and elegance to any indoor space. However, to keep your Syngonium thriving and looking its best, you need to understand its specific care requirements. This guide covers everything you need to know about Syngonium care, from watering and lighting to pruning and pest control. Healthy Syngonium plant with vibrant leaves Choosing the Right L
hjarvistravel
Feb 23 min read


Ultimate Guide to Deep Cleaning Fiddle Leaf Figs and Effective Pest Control Strategies
Fiddle leaf figs are popular houseplants known for their large, glossy leaves and striking appearance. However, keeping them healthy requires more than just watering and sunlight. These plants can attract pests and accumulate dust, which affects their growth and beauty. This guide explains how to deep clean your fiddle leaf figs and control pests effectively, ensuring your plants stay vibrant and thriving. Dust and pests on fiddle leaf fig leaf Why Deep Cleaning Your Fiddle L
hjarvistravel
Nov 17, 20253 min read
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