With St. Patrick’s Day arriving soon, we thought we’d turn our attention to what’s often called the Shamrock houseplant – but in truth is the wood sorrel known as Oxalis.

Boasting hundreds of varieties, you’ll usually see oxalis with green or purple clover-like leaves.

They are also a relatively easy houseplant to cultivate. There is one very important thing to keep in mind however: these plants tend to go into dormancy during the summer. Don’t throw them out! They’re resting, not dead.

Caring for Your Oxalis

Soil/Watering: Your Oxalis would like lightly moist soil and make sure to let it dry out between waterings.

Light/Temperature: Room temperature and good air circulation are perfect for the oxalis. It likes bright, but not direct light. (Except when it’s resting, as we’ll explain below.)

Food: Fertilize with a balanced houseplant food every few months.

I’m not dead, I’m resting: In late spring or early summer, the leaves will begin to die, but the plant is still okay. It’s just going into its period of dormancy to rest. Move the plant to a cooler, darker location, away from direct light and leave it alone – no water or fertilizer.  Just check on your plant every couple of weeks; dormancy can last from several weeks up to about three months, depending on the plant and external conditions.

When you see new shoots, your oxalis has woken up and would love it if you moved it back into the light and resumed regular care.

Showy, beautiful and easy to care for, Dieffenbachia can make a super indoor plant. The Amy variety features green leaves with bold splotches of yellow and white.

Its tolerance for low light and numerous varieties make it a favorite houseplant for homes and offices. 

One word of caution, however. If you have small kids or pets, you’ll probably want to make sure you place this plant out of reach. Diffenbachia’s milky sap is a mild irritant and should be kept from bare skin. The sap can even result in temporary loss of speech if ingested by causing swelling of the tongue and throat! That’s how Dieffenbachia came by it’s other name, “dumb cane.”

Caring for Your Dieffenbachia

• Light: It likes bright but filtered light, particularly in the spring, when it’s tender new leaves can get easily burned. Make sure to rotate your dieffenbachia so they don’t pull to one side of the planter.
• Water: Keep your Dieffenbachia moist, but be careful not to overwater.
• Fertilizer: Feed every couple of weeks with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to encourage growth.

Our houseplant of the week goes by many, many names. Technically, it is Sansevieria, but you might know it as the Snake Plant, Mother-in-Law’s Tongue or even Viper’s Bowstring Hemp, as the plant’s strong fibers were once used for making bowstrings for hunting in its native Africa.

Whatever you call it, this bold and beautiful plant with its long, slender leaves typically edged in a lighter green-gray color, is quite a stunner. And quite forgiving. It’s really hard to kill a Snake Plant – basically overwatering is all you have to worry about.

CARING FOR YOUR SANSEVIERIA

• Allow soil to dry between watering and be careful to not overwater.
• Try to avoid getting leaves wet when you water.
• While they prefer indirect light, these plants are tolerant of a variety of light conditions – including florescent-only lighting!

The Alocasia Baginda ‘Silver Dragon’ is a show-stopping houseplant that earns its name from its stunning, silvery-green leaves with dark veins, reminiscent of dragon scales. Native to Southeast Asia, it’s winning raves from plant enthusiasts thanks to its unique foliage and manageable size.

If you’re ready to care for your own ‘Silver Dragon,’ follow these tips to keep it happy and thriving

• Indirect sunlight. Filtered light is key so those gorgeous leaves don’t get scorched. Rotate your plant periodically to promote even growth.
• Planting soil. A loose potting mix to promote drainage and avoid root rot is ideal. You can include coco coir, perlite, or orchid barks in your mix.
• Watering. Don’t let your Alocasia dry out completely, but let the first two inches of potting mix dry out before watering. (And don’t panic if you miss a watering; silver dragon is more tolerant of dry conditions than other types of alocasia.)
• Keep it away from heating or cooling vents in your house, which could dry it out.
• Feed me, Seymour! Silver dragons have a hearty appetite, so plan on feeding this variety every couple of weeks during the spring and summer.

By following these care tips, your Alocasia Baginda ‘Silver Dragon’ will reward you with its striking foliage and continued growth. With a bit of attention and love, this plant will undoubtedly become a centerpiece in your indoor garden.

Maidenhair Ferns are one of the many subspecies of the genus Adiantum, which means “unwetted,” a reference to the plant’s delicate, fan-like leaves, which naturally repel water.

It’s kind of ironic, however, because if Maidenhair Ferns love anything, it’s their moisture.  They thrive when they have moist (but not soggy) soil, moist air and a high level of humidity in their space.

So how to keep a Maidenhair Fern happy in high and dry northern Arizona? 

• First of all, keep it in a spot with indirect sunlight. Naturally, these plants are found in forests, where they are covered by a canopy of trees. Direct sunlight will fry those delicate leaves. 
• Also keep it away from heating or cooling vents in your house, which could dry it out.
• Check on it every day or every other day to make sure the soil is moist. You do not want it to dry out. In fact, you might want to incorporate something like moss into the soil to help it retain water.
• If daily misting is something you can’t do, consider setting your plant on a water-filled pebble tray.

You’ll be rewarded with a plant that is beautiful in all stages with its grey-green leaves providing a graceful addition to your home.

Some other things to keep in mind is that this is a slow-growing plant; most don’t reach full maturity until two or three years. Also, don’t panic when your plant’s fronds die. New ones will emerge to take their place – it’s a normal part of the process.

This week’s houseplant feature is a little harder to grow than many of the other ones we’ve shared with you – but it is so beautiful, we think it’s worth the effort.

These gorgeous guys are known by their pointy deep green glossy leaves shot through with silvery veins, giving them their iconic striped appearance.

And in the late summer or early autumn, these plants flower – tall, elegant flowers that last up to six weeks and are very striking.

But you need to pay attention to what your zebra wants – and he wants bright light, high humidity and plenty of water. Never allow the soil to dry out. You might want to use lukewarm water to keep the soil temperature up; and you don’t want house temps to fall below 60 degrees for smaller plants. Larger plants actually would prefer the temps to be above 70 degrees – greenhouse or conservatory conditions, truly.

But you can raise these lovelies in your home, if you are willing to keep the heat on and keep them well watered. For your effort, you’ll get a healthy plant that annually produces some show-stopping blooms as a bonus.

The Lemon Button Fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia ‘Duffii’) is a charming and compact variety of fern that has gained popularity among plant enthusiasts for its delicate appearance and easy care requirements. Its small, rounded fronds and fresh lemony scent (when brushed or crushed) make it a delightful addition to indoor gardens and terrariums. Here’s everything you need to know about this lush, vibrant plant:

Growing Your Lemon Button Fern!

Light – The Lemon Button Fern thrives in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch its delicate fronds, while low light may slow its growth. A spot near an east- or north-facing window is ideal. If grown under artificial lighting, fluorescent or LED lights work well.

Watering – These ferns prefer consistently moist soil, but avoid waterlogging. Allow the top inch of soil to dry slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause fronds to turn brown and crispy.

Humidity – As a tropical plant, the Lemon Button Fern loves high humidity. If grown indoors, consider placing it in a bathroom, using a humidity tray, or misting it regularly. A humidity level of 50% or higher is ideal.

Temperature – The fern thrives in temperatures between 60-75°F (15-24°C). Avoid exposing it to drafts or extreme temperature changes.

Soil – Well-draining, rich soil is essential. A mix of potting soil with peat moss or coconut coir works well. Adding perlite or sand ensures proper drainage.

Fertilizer – Feed the fern with a diluted liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during its growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing in the fall and winter when growth naturally slows.

Pruning and Maintenance – Remove yellowing or dead fronds to keep the plant healthy and encourage new growth. Its compact size requires little pruning overall.

Sempervivum, commonly known as Hen and Chicks, gets its name from the way the plant reproduces. The “hen” is the main plant in the center, and the “chicks” are the smaller offshoots surrounding it. The Northern Lights variety is especially striking due to its vibrant color palette, which ranges from deep greens to hues of pink, red, and purple, depending on the amount of sunlight it receives.

This plant thrives in environments that mimic its native mountainous terrain. Its natural ability to survive in tough conditions makes it an excellent choice for those who may not have a green thumb but still want a showy and resilient plant.

One of the best features of the Northern Lights Hen and Chicks is how easy it is to propagate. When the “chicks” form around the main “hen,” you can gently remove them and replant them in new pots. These offshoots root quickly and can be shared with friends or used to expand your succulent collection.

Caring for Your Hen & Chicks

Light: These plants thrive in bright, indirect light. A sunny windowsill or well-lit spot in your home would be perfect.

Temperature: They are pretty tolerant of lower temps, but make sure to keep them in an area where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate drastically.

Watering: Unsurprising for a succulent, Hen & Chicks are drought-tolerant, and it’s best to let them dry out between waterings. Make sure your pot has good drainage as overwatering can lead to root rot.

Food: While these plants benefit from a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer about once a month during the spring and summer, they don’t require heavy feeding.

The Christmas Cactus, part of the genus Schlumbergera (which we think is just a fun word to say), is a staple of the holidays with its festive color popping during the season. The plant comes in pink, white, a rusty orange/red, yellow and purple.

There’s only a few species within this group of colorful cacti, and they all  are native to the coastal mountains of southeastern Brazil. Fun fact: while the Christmas Cactus blooms around the winter holidays in the U.S., it is known as the “May Flower” in Brazil, because that’s when it blossoms in the southern hemisphere.

Christmas Cacti are different from other succulents because they are looking for humidity as opposed to their desert counterparts.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, Schlumbergera comes from Frederick Schlumberg, an enthusiast for the plant, who had a collection of them in his home in France in the 1800s.

Caring for Your Christmas Cactus

Water: While it is blooming, keep it evenly moist and mist frequently (remember, this plant loves humidity). You might also want to place a tray of pebbles filled with water beneath your plant container to introduce more humidity. That being said, you never want to water it so heavily that its roots become water logged.

Food: Once buds appear, give it some high-potassium fertilizer every couple of weeks.

Light: While the Christmas Cactus will tolerate lower light, it really prefers bright sunshine and even a little direct sunlight (but not too much; you don’t want to burn the leaves). This will encourage it to bloom.

Temperature: About 65 degrees is perfect for your Christmas Cactus.

Encouraging More Blooms

Your Christmas Cactus might have several blooming cycles during the year, but will usually stop flowering by fall. At that point, you should encourage its brief dormancy cycle by reducing water, light and temperature. About six to eight weeks before you want to see it bloom again, make sure the plant gets 12 to 14 hours of darkness in temperatures around 55 degrees.

Once you start seeing buds again on the plant start reintroducing it into warmer temperatures and watering it more frequently. You’ll see blooms again in about six weeks.

A perfect hostess gift for the holiday parties on your calendar, the rosemary cone plant adds festive cheer (and an amazing fragrance) to any Christmas decor.

Rosemary is a perennial herb with fragrant needle-like leaves that’s easy to grow. But it’s also super useful as a herb with its flavorful silvery gray-green leaves.

You can arrange rosemary cone trees for table centerpieces or in your foyer. You can also have it in containers by the front door.

Caring for your Rosemary plant:

• During the winter, place your rosemary in a sunny spot, like a bright window. Remember to turn the plant periodically so it gets sun on all sides.
• Water your rosemary every other day – you want to make sure the soil never dries out.
• The soil in the pot needs to be well draining, but you can have water remain in the saucer to provide humidity for the plant.