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Coconut oil has become increasingly popular in recent years, which claims that it may help with anything from weight loss to skin and hair related issues. It is made from the flesh of coconuts and available in every other shop in both virgin and refined form. Coconut oil is found in a variety of goods, which includes desserts, shampoos, coffee, moisturizers, and other cosmetic products. Coconut oil has a number of benefits to be derived however, to have the best results one should always buy it in virgin form and not refined. Following are some of the benefits of coconut oil.

Coconut Oil for Hair

Hair that is healthy starts at the root. For healthy hair, it is important that you keep your scalp healthy so that your hair may grow faster. Scalp problems for example dandruff or other fungal infections of the scalp can be treated with coconut oil. By getting rid of dandruff and fungal infections, you can also be prevented from other problems caused by these issues for example irritation, flaking and itching. Other than that, when coconut oil absorbs in the hair it prevents hair from breaking and split ends. It is noted that when you apply coconut oil on a regular basis, this might make your hair grow faster without any damage. It makes your hair shinier and also saves them from the damage caused by the sun. Coconut oil also treats issues like dryness and brittleness of the hair and makes them soft and smooth.

Coconut oil for the skin

Coconut oil can aid in the treatment of skin related issues such as eczema by acting as an anti-inflammatory. Not only will this keep the skin free of germs and fungus but the antioxidants in the coconut oil will hasten the haling properties. It also reduces the discomfort, irritation and itching caused by the skin diseases. Coconut oil has the potential to function as an antibacterial and antifungal agent, making it useful for treating wounds and burns.

Coconut oil for treating acne

Acne is caused when the hair follicles are blocked with bacteria which causes infection and later acne.  Acne outbreaks need antimicrobial treatment, which is found in coconut oil. Lauric acid, a core ingredient found in coconut oil has a number of antimicrobial effects. This acid has several positive effects such as anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammation. Just apply coconut oil before going to bed and you will observe optimistic and satisfactory results and may get rid of acne with just a few uses.

Coconut oil for moisturizing the skin

Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids which help your skin to retain moisture by hydrating your skin. It forms a protective barrier on your skin to protect it from toxins, dust, and other impurities. Coconut oil not just moisturizes the skin but also makes it smooth and soft and improves the texture of the skin.  

Coconut oil also reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines

Coconut oil has been found in studies to have antioxidants that can help prevent wrinkles and it also reduces the fine lines and basically slow down the ageing process. Coconut oil is so light weighted that it absorbs in the skin and makes the wrinkles appear less obvious.

Coconut oil for lips

Coconut oil is well known for its hydrating properties. It is a really good product for treating chapped lips. Because the skin of the lips is thin and more exposed to the environment than other parts of the human body therefore are more vulnerable to moisture loss and becoming dry. Apply coconut oil on your lips to make them look more radiant and moister and for treating dry and chapped lips.

The bottom line is, coconut oil has a lot of advantages when it comes to skin, hair or even health. It hydrates, mends, protects, and does some amazing wonders to your skin.

What is the big deal about eating fish? The first thing to consider is what is fish providing you with? Human beings can gain a variety of good fish advantages by including fish in their diet.  To begin, it is packed with a wide range of nutrients, vitamins, proteins, and minerals. Protein is an essential part in the diet of every person. Human beings require high protein intake in order to maintain a healthy and strong immune system. It is very important to take care of the immune system since it has to fight against different bacteria and viruses in order to protect our body. Moreover, proteins also aid in the nourishment of brain which results in the improvement of learning and memorizing capacities.

Other than protein, fish is an excellent source of iodine which is a necessary nutrient in the diet of human beings. Iodine is a very important component of the thyrotrophic hormone which effects the development of human brain. And the deficiency of iodine is the most common and avoidable cause of cognitive illness in the world. The iodine deficiency impacts several structures of the brain which results in illness. One of the most important nutrients, perhaps, that fish brings in the diet of human beings is Omega-3. DHA or docosahexaenoic acid, a well-known omega-3 lipid in fish usually present in salmon or tuna, helps in the development of the brain cells and it is also the major competent of brain cell membranes, and that communication between brain cells is dependent on the integrity of these membranes. These fatty acids are also called the building blocks of human brain. Like iodine, Omega-3 also helps in the improvement of brain memory and development preserving the brain from mental illness.

 It has been widely observed that brain function slightly begins to deteriorate with the passage of time. While it is perfectly understood that individuals begin to forget things with the passage of time as they grow old. However, it may also culminate in severe cognitive illness such as Alzheimer’s. In this disease, the portion of brain that regulates memory and thinking is affected resulting in memory loss of that person. Luckily, eating fish strengthen the grey matter of the brain which is in charge of memory and learning. Actually, there is some experimental data to indicate a connection between fish intake and brain development. There was a research conducted on the MRI brain scans of 270 people in their 60s with normal mental function to check for variations related with fish consumption as indicated by dietary surveys. Subjects who kept fish in their regular diet on a weekly basis had greater grey matter sizes in region of the brain important for memory and cognition resulting in low chances of developing Alzheimer. Fish also helps in keeping the body at its best condition for a longer period of time.

And this is not the only study that demonstrates that eating fish is beneficial to cognitive development; there are a lot of studies that show comparable results. To sum it all up, fish is indeed good source of Omega-3 fatty acid making it a brain food. Other benefits of eating fish include, reducing the ageing of the skin, improving the sleep cycle, improving the eyesight, nourishing the hair and development of bones. The bottom line is that fish is a healthy, tasty, and cheaper way to add proteins and fatty acids such as omega-3 to your diet instead of consuming supplements for them. 

So, how long has it been since you last ate fish?

Onions are one part of the Allium family. They are considered one of the easiest plants to grow on cold days. In other words, they are a kind of cold season crop. There are many types of onions, from red to yellow onions or sweet onions that can tolerate colder temperatures when growing and developing. But how to plant onions at home? How to care for onions? And what are some common diseases and pests when growing onions? Keep reading to get your answers. 

When to Plant Onions

It is best to grow onions in cool weather. If you live in a cold climate, then you should grow onions while the ground is still alive (when the soil can be leveled), which could be your last spring months. If you live in temperate climates, you can grow onions in late fall, winter tolerant and ready for early spring harvest.

How to Plant Onions at Home

Since planting onions from seed can take longer, it’s better to germinate your onion seeds indoors first. And here are the basic, simple, and practical ways on how to plant onions at home:

Prepare: First, you need to pour moist soil into a planter tray or other suitable pot and dig a trench around half an inch deep for your seedlings. Then, cover softly with soil. Remember to keep the temperature warm, which is around 60 to 70 degrees F.

Transplant: After your onion seedlings start to sprout (within a period of days to weeks), it’s time to transplant them into your garden. Next, you should dig holes about 2 inches deep and 4 to 5 inches apart for your onion transplants, and they should be 12 to 18 inches apart in rows.

Companion plant: Some good plants to grow with your onions are leeks, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, and some types of herbs, such as mint, parsley, etc.

Add mulch: You can spread mulch or other organic matter between your onion rows to help clear weeds and maintain moisture in your soil (you will not need to water onions too frequently).

Besides planting onions from seeds, you can completely plant them using onion sets. They are small onions that can be grown and thrived well into large bulbs after several months. If you want to plant onion sets, you can bury them an inch in the ground in your vegetable garden, spaced two to six inches apart. Make sure that you do not compact the soil around your onions; just cover it lightly.

How To Care For Onions

After you know how to plant onions at home, either from seeds or onion sets, it’s very important to learn how to care for onions so that you can keep your plants healthy. 

Light

It is basically for onions that the more sunlight, the better they grow. This is because onions need at least size hours a day of full sun to thrive in the right way. 

Soil

When planting onions, you need to keep the soil well-drained. But it also needs a lot of degradable organic matter in it. It’s best to grow your onions in soil with a pH between a little bit acidic to neutral – 6.0 to 7.0.

Temperature and Humidity

Ideal conditions for onions to grow well are 68 to 77 degrees F, which will result in fast and full growth of the edible onion bulbs.

Water

To support the swelling of onion bulbs, you should water your onions regularly. Let’s say one inch of water a day is enough. Make sure that you don’t overwater them or let the bulbs sit in waterlogged soil. This way, your onion bulbs will rot. 

Fertilizer

It’s recommended to fertilize onions every several weeks with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. By doing this, you can help the leaves to grow faster, and bulbs will develop larger. Stop feeding when your onions start to push the soil away.

When to Harvest Onions

Late summer is considered the ideal time to harvest onions. In fact, onions can grow relatively well in colder conditions, but as they mature, they are more susceptible to spoilage. The tops of onions will turn yellow and start to fall over as they reach the end of ripening.

How to Harvest Onions

When you are harvesting your onions, look for brown onions that poke their heads through the soil – you can pull these directly out of the ground. It’s best to keep your onions in a cool, dry place. Onions with flower stalks are ripe onions, and need to be plucked and used right away.

Common Pests and Diseases in Onions

It’s not about learning how to plant onions, but you also need to know some common pests and diseases in onions to keep your onions healthy and grow well. 

Rot: Your onions can get neck, bulb, or stem rot when grown in wet soil. You can avoid this by ensuring there is well-draining soil and good air circulation. 

Splitting: Your onion bulbs can split or double if you leave the soil dry while the bulbs are forming.

Thrips: Curling and twisting in your onions can be caused by small, yellow-brown flying insects. They also feed your onion leaves. In this situation, you can grow resistant varieties to avoid this. Besides, don’t plant your onions near cereal crops. You can also use insecticidal soaps or neem to control these insects, but keep in mind that’s just the temporary solution. 

Onion root maggots: This is mainly caused by the larvae hatch from eggs that are laid by brown flies near the base of onions. Maggots will burrow into onion trunks, eat the plants below ground, and ultimately kill your onions. You can avoid this disease by rotating onion plants annually. To prevent eggs from being laid, you can cover your new onion seedlings. Another effective way is to use diatomaceous earth.

Conclusion 

So, that’s how to plant onions at home, both from seeds and onion sets, and all other necessary information to care for onions, and keep them away from common diseases and pets. If you are still confused about anything related to planting onions, just leave your questions in the comment box, and I’ll answer them as soon as possible.

If you’ve been looking to add a little color and vibrant life to your living space, then you’ve come to the right place. Houseplants are usually simple to grow and care for. They are also colorful, pretty, and even considered great at helping decrease stress. So, in this article, I will give you 20 easy indoor plants to grow so that you can choose suitable low-maintenance indoor plants to keep alive in your area.

1. Aloe vera

Aloe vera is considered one of the easiest indoor plants to keep alive. It is a type of succulent plant, has distinctively elongated, vase-shaped leaves that extend from the central base. For beginners, you can try smaller varieties and put them in a sunny space in your house, such as the kitchen window. In fact, Aloe can live well in dish gardens and at room temperatures. They even look more beautiful with Southwest decor. 

Size: Up to 3 feet wide and 3 feet high 

Growing conditions: Reasonably dry soil, bright light; 65 – 75°F

2. Anthurium

Anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum, also called flamingos) usually have bright colors for around eight weeks or more per year. Flowers are usually red, but you can also find hybrids in pink, white, lavender, and even green. Anthuriums are great cut flowers because they stay fresh for a long period. However, their beautiful and heart-shaped leaves might have toxic sap, so make sure you put them away from the reach of your kids and pets.

Size: Up to 2 feet wide and 2 – 3 feet high

Growing conditions: Evenly humid soil (wet only in fall and winter), medium to bright light; indirect sunlight; 65 – 80°F

3. Arrowhead vine

Arrowhead vine is one of the great indoor plants for beginners with flush foliage. Their leaves have a characteristic dark green color marked with white along their veins. They can thrive even in low-light conditions. You can use small plants in mixed pots and with other leafy garden plants on the countertop. Besides, you can train your arrowhead vines to stand upright using moss stakes. Another interesting fact is that these houseplants can grow well in artificial light.

Size: Up to 6 – 36 inches wide and 6 – 36 inches high

Growing conditions: Evenly humid soil, low to medium light; 60 – 75°F

4. Asparagus fern

The stems of the asparagus fern (also known as asparagus densiflorus) usually point upward and outward, making it a great hanging basket plant. First, their flowers are small and white, then they will turn into bright red berries. But these can be toxic, so keep them away from your pets and kids. 

Size: Up to 12 – 36 inches wide and 18 – 36 inches high

Growing conditions: Evenly moist soil, medium to bright light; 60 – 75°F

5. Cast-iron plant

Living up to their name, cast-iron plants are nearly indestructible, tolerant of neglect, low light, low moisture, and lots of heat, making them ideal for growing in dark corners. It’s better to start with large plants because they grow slowly.

Size: Up to 1-2 feet wide and 1-2 feet high 

Growing conditions: Evenly moist soil (humid only in fall and winter), low light; 45 – 85°F

6. Chinese evergreen

For those who don’t know, Chinese evergreen (also known as aglaonema commutatum) can live up to 10 years or more. Its distinguishing features: the leaves are arc-shaped, lanceolate, often variegated with silver, gray or green hues. Place a small plant on your living room table or group larger plants with other low-light plants.

Size: Up to 1 – 3 feet wide and 1 – 3 feet high

Growing conditions: Evenly humid soil, low to medium light; 60 – 75°F

7. Christmas cactus

Christmas cactus is one of many easy indoor plants to grow. They usually have a gracefully curved shape, with long segmented stems and inflorescences that are mauve, dark pink, salmon, white, or orange-red. The plant often flowers from mid to late December. Once their blooming is finished, you can prune them by pinching to cut off some segments. By doing this, you encourage them to branch, creating fuller plants with more flowers.

Size: Up to 6 – 18 inches wide and 8 – 12 inches high

Growing conditions: Reasonably dry, well-drained soil, bright light; 70 – 80°F (55°F in the fall season)

8. Dieffenbachia

Dieffenbachia is another one of various easy indoor plants to grow. They usually have curved, pointed leaves, up to 12 inches long. In addition, they are often marbled with cream or white, and grow from a stalk resembling a sugar cane. The large leaves of these plants highlight the tropical architecture. Besides, they can combine well into a mixed group of leaves. One of the common names for these plants is dumb cane, which comes from a poisonous resin in the stems and leaves that triggers tongue numbness and swelling when people or pets chew.

Size: Up to 1 – 3 feet wide and 1 – 6 feet high

Growing conditions: Evenly damp soil, low to medium light; 65 – 80°F

9. Dracaena

Dracaena is one of many easy indoor plants to grow in the group of common foliage plants. They often have long, stringy leaves that alternate with cream, white, or red. You can start with saplings on the countertop. You will need to provide enough floor space if you want to grow larger plants. Besides, it’s better to keep your plants under 6 feet tall by cutting off the top of them. Within a few weeks, a new pair of buds should appear just below the cut.

Size: Up to  1 – 3 feet wide and 1 – 10 feet high

Growing conditions: Moderately moist soil, medium to bright light; 65 – 75°F

10. English ivy

The elegant look of this versatile foliage plant is perfect for hanging baskets or containers or pots. It is one of the best and easiest indoor plants for beginners to train plant forms or use as a groundcover underneath larger indoor plants. Put English ivy (or Hedera helix) on a stand so that the stem can droop. The stems can grow slightly long but you can easily control them by pruning.

Size: Up to  6 – 72 inches wide and 6 – 12 inches high, trailing

Growing conditions: Average to high moisture; evenly humid soil, medium to bright light; 55 – 70°F

11. Ficus

The glossy green leaves extend from an upright woody plant in the form of a monocotyledon or shrub. Depending on its size, you can grow Ficus (Ficus spp.) as a tabletop or floor plant. Just remember to place your ficus where it won’t have to move all winter, as it doesn’t like changing environmental conditions.

Size: Up to 1 – 10 feet wide and 1 – 12 feet high 

Growing conditions: Moderately moist soil, medium to bright light; 65 – 75°F

12. Hoya

Hoya is one of many easy indoor plants to grow with fast-growing ability. It often has both glossy foliage and white or pink flowers with red centers. The flowers have a sweet fragrance, also known as wax flowers. You can put these plants in hanging baskets or train them to grow upside down into a trellis. To make a wreath, you can try to wrap their long vines around a form. The small leaves can be trained into seedlings. One of the easiest plants to keep alive in Hoya gran is Hoya carnosa.

Size: Up to 48 inches wide and 6 – 12 inches high, trailing

Growing conditions: Moderately dry soil, medium (foliage only) to bright light (for flowers); 55 – 75°

13. Parlor palm

The exquisite, upright parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans) has been one of the most common and easy indoor plants to grow since Victorian times. The thread-like green leaflets on the hairy leaves are 9 to 24 inches long. They are beautiful plants to fill an empty corner and can get lower light than other types of palms. Younger ones will grow nicely in the terrarium at an early age.

Size: Up to 1 – 3 feet wide and 1 – 8 feet high 

Growing conditions: Evenly humid soil, medium to low light; 55 – 75°F

14. Peace lily

Peace lily is another one among various easy houseplants for beginners. They can withstand low moisture and low light. Their leaves are lanceolate, glossy, with domed spines surrounding the central flower spikes. They also give spoon-shaped flowers that usually appear in the summer. However, many varieties bloom intermittently throughout the year. The dark leaves look very attractive in a smooth pot with a glossy surface.

Size: Up to 1 – 5 feet wide and 1 – 6 feet high 

Growing Conditions: Evenly humid soil, low to bright light; 60 – 85°F

15. Peperomia

The most interesting feature of Peperomia is its leaves that are different in shape (from heart-shaped to narrow), texture (from wax to waffle-like) and color (reddish, green, or silver-gray). They can produce slender flowers, which resemble a rat’s tail, from time to time. You can place them on countertops or use them as a garden companion for dishes and mixing baskets. This plant can also withstand the low light of a northern windowsill and is small enough to be placed on a desk or used in a terrarium.

Size: Up to 6 – 12 inches wide and 6 – 12 inches high

Growing conditions: Evenly dry soil, low to medium light; 60 – 75°F

16. Philodendron

Philodendron is one of the easy indoor plants to grow with durable foliages. It has long been the key element of indoor gardening. The common heart-leaf philodendron usually has slender stems with leaves up to 4 inches in length. This plant is very easy to grow, propagate, and adapts well to almost any indoor environment.  You can start with small specimens in the dish garden and mixed baskets. The plant is tolerant to low light. Therefore, it is a great ideal for bookshelves and for covering the sides of a large piece of your furniture. Unfortunately, their leaves can be toxic to humans and pets if ingested in large amounts.

Size: Up to 1 – 6 feet wide and 1 – 10 feet high

Growing conditions: Reasonably dry to evenly humid soil, low to bright light; 60 – 80°F

17. Snake plant

Snake plants are a kind of tough succulent plant that can grow almost anywhere. It can withstand abandonment but yes, responds well to good care. The leaves are sword-shaped, skin-colored, with a white or yellow border. Snake plants are one of many easy houseplants for beginners, but lots of indoor plant growers also love them because of their impressive upright shape. When planted in a bright place, it will produce tall plants with fragrant blue flowers. Dwarf petunia makes a very beautiful ornamental or desktop plant.

Size: Up to 6 – 36 inches wide and 6 – 48 inches high

Growing Conditions: Reasonably dry soil, low to bright light; 60 – 85° 

18. Spider plant

The spider plant (also known as Chlorophytum comosum) looks great in hanging baskets or on pedestals, with its “children” filling the pot. Most spider plants are the genus of ‘Vittatum’, having a white stripe in the middle of each leaf. Although sometimes there are all-green plants. Brown leaf tips, which are popular in spider plants, are caused by contaminated water, often from fluoride, or over-fertilization, low moisture, or dry soil conditions. In this case, you can use scissors to prune damaged leaves. Besides, you can try to use distilled water or rainwater in case your tap water is fluoridated.

Size: Up to 6 – 24 inches wide and 6 – 12 inches high

Growing conditions: Evenly humid soil, medium to bright light; 65 – 75°F

19. Swedish ivy

Despite its name, Swedish ivy (also known as Plectranthus verticillatus), is one of the most popular plants in the plectranthus family. It is native to Australia and South Africa, and is a close relative of mint.

The cascading stems with glossy scalloped leaves make it mainly a leafy plant. Nevertheless, it usually blooms in late spring or early summer with clusters of tiny pale or white flowers on short spikes. Its small drapes make it an ideal option for hanging baskets.

Size: Up to 6 – 36 inches wide and 6 – 18 inches high

Growing conditions: Barely humid soil, medium light; 50 – 65°F

20. Tradescantia

Tradescantias usually have trailing stems that will change direction a little bit at each node, giving them a beautiful zigzag look. You can plant them in mixed and hanging baskets or as a groundcover under bigger houseplants. Their leaves are purple and patchy that need bright light to keep color. The old plants will become thin and shriveled, replacing them with new plants from rooted cuttings.

Size: Up to 12 – 24 inches wide and 4 – 12 inches high, trailing

Growing conditions: Reasonably dry soil, medium to bright light; 55 – 75°F

In general, succulents are not really demanding on light and water. They can grow well indoors with minimum effort. However, if you want your succulents to thrive, you need to remember some important things. And here’s how to care for succulents indoors.

Where To Place Succulent Indoors To Get Enough Sunlight

Besides water, soil, and temperature, sunlight is another essential element for your succulent to grow in indoor conditions. In fact, almost all succulents need at least 3 hours of full light exposure per day. 

It’s ideal for putting your succulents near windows and in a corner where they can get lots of morning light and little afternoon sun. The afternoon sun is not recommended for succulents because it is stronger and more prone to sunburn, typically during hot weather in zones 9-11. Also, monitor your plants to see how they are adapting to their existing position in your house. Usually, sunny South-facing windowsills are best for your indoor succulents.

If your succulents do not get enough sunlight, they tend to stretch out to reach the light source. If you see your succulents grow taller while the leaves are starting to fall, it might be a sign of stretching. They are not growing, but etiolation, and you might need to put them in another place. In addition, they will lose their vibrant color and turn back into green color.

On the other hand, if your succulents receive too much sunlight or harmful rays, you might notice that their leaves begin to dry and wilt. They will turn yellow and look dull. In some cases, you can even see some sunburn scars on their leaves. 

Just remember to rotate your succulents once every several days. This is more important for indoor succulents because light usually comes from only one direction. Thus, rotating your succulents will help distribute sunlight more evenly, keeping your succulents from stretching or growing unbalanced.

How To Take Care Of Succulents Indoors

Succulents adapted to grow well even in severe environments with very water needed. However, they don’t seem to be as easy to grow as some people think. Follow these steps to know how to take care of succulents indoors.

1. Give them breathing room

While there are some types of succulents that thrive indoors, such as kalanchoe, aloe, etc., almost all of them are tolerant of warm, arid climates and depend a lot on good ventilation to breathe. So, make sure you place your succulents in a space that has enough air circulation for them to breathe.

2. Provide them with some shade

Although widely believed, almost all types of succulents do not grow well if blown in the hottest temperatures and exposed to full sun. While they like much light, most varieties of succulents need protection from the sun, typically if the temperature reaches 90 degrees, or if they are still young. Succulents that are pale, solid green, or striped are most at risk of sunburn. And here’s a tip to take care of succulents indoors: If you’re going to grow succulents in the brightest sun place indoors, choose plants that are gray, red, blue, or covered with lots of spines.

3. Start with proper soil

It’s best to use a quick-draining succulent mix. In case you’re the DIY type, modify the traditional potting soil with coarse perlite, pumice, or crushed lava. Ideally, use one part modified and four parts potting mix.

4. Succulents also need water

If you overwater your succulents, you might kill them due to rot. However, you might get the hang of the memo, working hard at dehydrating your succulents and just asking yourself why they’re dying. Well, it might be that they need some water. Succulents prefer water when the soil dries out before being watered. That means you’ll be okay if, during dry-out times, you water the small container about once per week and the large container about twice a week.

5. Provide good drainage

You need to remember that succulent roots don’t like excessive water. So, make sure there is drainage in your pot. Sometimes we make pretty centers in pots with no drainage. But listen – you have to be typically gentle with these parts. And it’s important to follow all the other rules.

6. Succulents also need food

Succulents usually thrive in low-nutrient environments. However, fertilizer is still important when it comes to how to take care of succulents indoors. 

*Pro tip: Feeding your succulents only once a year is enough. You can use any well-balanced organic fertilizer, halve the dose and feed them early in the growing season for best results.

7. Rethink propagation

Although you may be used to plucking the stems of geraniums, houseplants, or rosemary and soaking them in water to see the roots develop, it will not work for succulent propagation. In fact, you can take the exact opposite approach. Once you get your favorite succulents, pluck the branches and dry them in the shade for at least 3 days. This process, also called healing, will help to form calluses and avoid rot. Then put your new stem in the soil mix as said above, and you’re ready to go with new succulents.

8. Beware of frost

Even though some varieties of succulents, including some types of Sempervivum and Sedum, can stand up to freezing temperatures, most types cannot. So, be careful when anticipating cold weather – as succulents are mostly water, their cell walls can break easily, leaving their leaves mushy. If you are not sure about this, just assume that any drop below freezing will cause damage or death to your succulents. The simplest solution to frost protection is to keep your succulents in well-lit containers to move around indoors or under awnings in case of cold weather. Besides, unlike the rest of your garden plants, succulents really have a better chance of survival if they get dry from the cold rather than wet.

Frequently Asked Questions

This part will give you some answers to several frequently asked questions about how to take care of succulents indoors.

How often should I water succulents?

Three times a week

Succulents suck water out of the soil at an incredible rate when they produce new stems, roots, leaves, and blooms. Usually, you can water succulents around three times a week, depending on conditions, such as temperature and light. During cold winter days, succulents hibernate. They will stop growing, so you only need to water them 1 or 2 times for the whole season.

How long can succulents stay alive?

Approx. 3-4 years

The main succulents only live about 3 or 4 years, but produce many branches throughout their lives. You might not even notice the death of the main succulent due to lots of offsets occupying their places.

Why do my succulents keep dying?

Because watering is a common cause of plant rot, you should decide if your succulents have been watered more or less. If the stem is rotting or mushy, it might be waterlogged. In case their leaves are mushy, they might need more water. Don’t worry if you find drying or dying leaves at the base.

Are succulents good for the bedroom?

Yes, succulents are good for your bedroom. They continue to produce oxygen during the night. So, let them in your bedroom to create a more refreshing atmosphere while you sleep, helping you have a better night’s sleep.

Can I grow succulents in small pots?

Small succulents can completely stay in small pots for weeks to months, or even years. When they grow, simply remove it from the pot and repot it in a larger container. If you don’t want to repot the whole succulent, you can prune it to keep it small and take small pieces to propagate and plant elsewhere.

Why do my succulent leaves fall off?

One of the most popular reasons for this is watering problems. Too much water can make succulent leaves swell, become mushy and soft, and finally fall off. For those who don’t know, succulents usually respond to intense drought or heat by shedding their leaves to help maintain energy and water supply.

Conclusion 

So now you know how to take care of succulents indoors. Don’t forget to share with me your experience in growing and taking care of your beautiful succulents in the comment box!

Are you looking for large leaf houseplants that will create a focal point in your house and home decor? Here are the top 13 houseplants with big leaves that will bring a lot of joy and be a great addition to your home decor collection. 

African Mask Plant (Alocasia amazonica)

African mask plants are one of the most striking houseplants with big leaves popular among lots of people. They have large dark green leaves accented by dark white or light green veins. The leaf shapes are usually heart or arrowhead, and the underside of the leaves is often dark purple.

Similar to some houseplants, this plant is also toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Basic information for growing and caring for:

• Light: Indirect and bright
• Water: Keep the soil humid but not soggy
• Soil: Nutrient-rich, well-drained

Banana Tree Plant (Musa)

Although banana tree plants are more popularly grown outdoors, they can also be great houseplants with big leaves when you grow them in a sunny and bright spot. When they grow up, their leaves can be 9 feet in length and 2 feet in width. 

Another huge plus is that this plant is non-toxic for your pets. 

• Light: Full sunlight
• Water: Keep soil humid but not soggy
• Soil: Nutrient-rich, well-drained

Bird of Paradise (Strelitzia)

Bird of paradise, also known as the strelitzia, is a type of tropical plant that has become famous for its outstanding flower, which looks like a bird in flight. These houseplants with big leaves usually grow in a forward-facing habit. In other words, their foliages will grow in layers from the central stem.

When mature, the bird of paradise can grow up to 4 feet in width and 7 feet in height. However, be aware that these houseplants are really toxic to your pets. So keep them away from your cats and dogs. Basic information:

• Light: Bright direct or indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil is dry out 
• Soil: Well-drained, humus, and nutrient-rich soil

Calathea orbifolia

For those who don’t know, calathea orbifolia is a kind of prayer plant characterized by its big globe-shaped leaves. The good news is that this houseplant is non-toxic to humans and pets.

• Light: Indirect and bright
• Water: Keep soil evenly humid
• Soil: Nutrient-rich, well-drained

Elephant Ear Plant (Calocasia)

Elephant ear plants are popularly planted outdoors. However, they are great for growing indoors too. They have leaves that can grow up to 3 feet in length, depending on different varieties. 

However, you need to keep these houseplants away from your kids and pets since they can be toxic when they eat them. Here is some basic information about light, water, and conditions to grow elephant ear plants:

• Light: Indirect and bright light
• Water: Keep the soil humid
• Soil: Peat-rich and well-drained soil

Fiddle Leaf Fig (Ficus lyrata)

Fiddle leaf fig is one of the greatest houseplants with big leaves that makes a splash in any room. They are usually distinguished by big, waxy, and spokes-shaped leaves that can be pruned into different shapes. 

Even though these plants are very popular, they are quite difficult to grow and care for. Nevertheless, they will thrive and their leaves can grow to their full sizes if you care for them properly. 

When planted indoors, their size is often limited due to being potted and carefully pruned. Be aware that their leaves are really toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Basic information to grow: 

• Light: Bright and indirect light
• Water: Water when the soil is dry out
• Soil: Nutrient-rich and well-draining

Majesty Palm (Ravenna rivularis)

Majesty palm is one of the most common and attractive houseplants with big leaves that can reach up to 10 feet in height. However, it grows slightly slow. The great advantage of this plant is that it is safe for humans and pets.

• Light: Indirect and bright
• Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy
• Soil: Succulent soil mix

Monstera Deliciosa

Monstera deliciosa is one of the best houseplants with big leaves and also Instagram favorite plants. It is a large ornamental plant with big vibrant yellow leaves that immediately add a tropical feel to your room. They can grow up to 10 feet in height, with leaves up to 3 to 4 feet in length when you grow them indoors.

Unfortunately, this houseplant is a little bit toxic to humans and pets if ingested. Basic information to grow this plant:

• Light: Indirect light, from medium to bright
• Water: Water when the soil is dry out
• Soil: Well-draining and nutrient-rich

Philodendron Gloriosum

Philodendron gloriosum is a beautiful large-leaved philodendron, characterized by velvety dark green leaves with white veins. This houseplant is slightly rare and you probably won’t find it at your local garden center and you might even need to order it from a collector or online. Philodendron gloriosum is also toxic to pets and humans when ingested.

• Light: Indirect and bright 
• Water: Water when the topsoil 1-2 inches is dry out
• Soil: Nutrient-rich, well-drained

Philodendron Xanadu

Philodendron Xanadu usually comes in large, outstanding, lobed, and leathery leaves. When they grow up, their leaves can reach up to 30 cm in width and 40 cm in length with the number of lobes around 10-15.  

Unfortunately, this houseplant is also toxic to pets and humans when ingested. So, just keeping them out of your pets and kids is okay. The basic information to grow this plant:

• Light: Indirect light, from medium to bright
• Water: Water when the soil is dry out
• Soil: Well-drained

Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica)

Rubber trees are one of the most popular houseplants with big leaves that can be found in a variety of shapes and colors. They usually have large and waxy leaves which can reach up to 50 feet tall when mature. Unfortunately, their shape and size can be a little smaller due to growing indoors. 

They are also a little bit toxic to humans, dogs, and cats when ingested. But you can completely avoid this by putting them away from the reach of your kids and pets. Basic information needed for the growth:

• Light: Direct light
• Water: Keep the soil humid
• Soil: Well-drained 

Ruffled Fan Palm (Licuala grandis)

Ruffle fan palm is one of the unique varieties of palm plants with big and pleated leaves that look like hand fans. This plant is great to grow indoors because it is safe for humans and pets.

• Light: Indirect, bright to medium
• Water: Average water
• Soil: Well-drained

Tropic Snow Dumb Cane (Dieffenbachia seguine)

This is one of the biggest varieties of dumb cane, and it can reach up to 10 feet in height when grown indoors. Its large, patchy leaves and ease of care make it one of the most common houseplants with big leaves. Unfortunately, it can be toxic to you and your pets. 

• Light: Bright to low 
• Water: Water when the soil is dry out
• Soil: Well-drained, but not picky about soil.

Conclusion 

So, those are some of the greatest houseplants with big leaves you can try to grow indoors. They are not only beautiful, but also a great addition to your home decor, making you feel better. Just keep in mind that some plants are toxic to you and your pets. So, keep them away from their reach. 

The prayer plant is one of the most beautiful houseplants you will find among various types of plants native to the tropical forest of Brazil. When your prayer plants are spreading wide and low, it’s ideal to hang them in baskets as decoration indoors. Let’s learn how to care for a prayer plant indoors with these instructions. 

Prayer Plant Overview

Prayer plants usually have broad, oval, dark green leaves with light green white running along the leaf’s spine. Sometimes, you can see the veins running on the leaves have a red color. For those who don’t know, prayer plants are named for their unique habit of lifting their leaves upright at night. Besides, their leaves often fold together like your hands while praying.

Before delving into how to care for a prayer plant, let’s take a look at the overview of prayer plants.

Common name	Prayer plant
Botanical name	Maranta leuconeura
Family	Marantaceae
Plant type	Herbaceous perennial
Native area	Central America, South America, West Indies
Mature size	6–12 in. tall, 6–12 in. wide
Light	Bright, indirect sun
Water	Average
Temperature	60-85°F
Humidity	High
Soil	Moist but well-drained
Fertilizer	Average
Propagation	Stems or cutting
Pests	Spider mites, mealy bugs, aphids
Hardiness zones	11, 12 (USDA)
Companion planting	Begonia, orchid, monstera, pilea, sansevieria, philodendron, spider plant.

How To Care For A Prayer Plant

You can refer to these instructions to understand the process of how to care for a prayer plant. Here you will learn how to water a prayer plant, what light, humidity, and temperature is considered good for prayer plants.

Water & Humidity

To ensure your prayer plants grow well, be aware that they don’t like to dry out. So, always maintain the soil evenly moist, but do not allow the roots to stagnate. When you water your prayer plants, it’s best to use room-temperature water, if not relatively warm.

During the cold days, you should decrease the frequency of watering because the dry and cold weather will make prayer plants inactive. Hence, they will need less water to thrive.  

Light and Temperature

Prayer plants tend to thrive better with indirect sunlight. In general, they can grow even when in poorly light areas as long as there is good airflow there. What’s more, they can die if you expose them to direct sunlight. 

Soil

You can use all-purpose indoor potting soil to grow prayer plants, as long as it has good drainage. In case your soil doesn’t provide good drainage, you can add coarse sand or perlite to the soil mix. 

Here are some things you’ll need to mix the soil for your prayer plants:

• Garden soil
• Coarse sand or perlite
• Coir or peat moss
• A little bit of lime dust

You can add gravel or rocks to the container’s bottom to enhance drainage. And, of course, make sure it has drainage holes to avoid waterlogging.

Fertilizer

You will need to feed your prayer plants every two weeks during the growing seasons from spring to fall. It is recommended to use high-quality water-soluble eggplant feed. Furthermore, during cold weather, less fertilizer should be applied because conditions are not conducive to the growth of prayer plants.

Repotting

There is no need to frequently repot or replant your prayer plants. Nevertheless, once they take root in a pot, they will grow very slowly.

If you choose to repot your prayer plants, it’s recommended to go for the one that’s around 1-2 inches wider than the current pot. All you need to do is take it off from the existing pot and place it in a new pot with a slightly added soil mixture. What’s more, remember to water well so that your prayer plants will grow fast. 

Pruning​

In case you want your prayer plants to grow more strongly, you can prune them. You just need to use your garden scissors and cut the prayer plant stems just above a leaf node. Make sure you sterilize your scissors before clipping. 

Your prayer plants will then react by producing new buds just below the cut region, creating denser and bushier prayer plants. 

Propagation

Once you care for your prayer plants, they will become really easy to propagate. Simply dip the cut in a rooting stimulant solution and put it in a cup of water. In addition, don’t forget to change the cut around every two days or twice a week.

Besides, you can put the cut directly into the potting soil. But the important thing to keep in mind is to maintain the soil moist and spray them once in a while.

You might also love: How To Grow Basil From Seed Indoors: Easy Steps for Beginners

Common Problems For Prayer Plants

so, now you know how to care for a prayer plant indoors. However, during the growth of a prayer plant, it can encounter some diseases, and here are some common issues for prayer plants and how to solve them. 

Growing Issues

When you notice the tip of your prayer plants’ leaves start to curl up or turn brown, that might be the sign of excess light. In addition, chlorine in tap water can also be a common cause of brown leaves. If yes, you should use filtered water instead of tap water. Or you can also leave tap water for around 24 hours before watering your prayer plants.

Diseases

If you see water spots on your prayer plant’s leaves, it might be a sign of leaf spot disease. Your prayer plants might be destroyed by this disease if you don’t control it. And the simplest way to deal with it is to avoid over-watering your prayer plant, and stop getting the leaves too damp. In case you notice an outbreak, neem oil can be an effective way to solve it.

Pests

In fact, almost all popular indoor pests can cause unhealthy prayer plants, but the most common ones might be spider mites. Moreover, you should note that prayer plants love high moisture, while spiders hate it! So you can prevent them from infesting your plants by keeping them highly humid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here you will find several commonly asked questions about how to care for a prayer plant indoors. 

Why are the leaves on my prayer plant turning brown?

There are different reasons for the brown leaves of prayer plants, such as too much sun, wrong watering, low moisture, or excess fertilizer. Rememebr to check if you do anything wrong and fix it.  

How often should I water my prayer plant?

Since prayer plants don’t grow well if they are dry, you will need to water them when you notice there are just one or two inches of the soil dries out. During hot weather or summer, they should be watered every 3-5days, depending on different factors, such as moisture, temperature, and light in your area. 

How to make my prayer plant bushier?

If you want to make your prayer plants thrive more, pruning is a great way to encourage their growth. Cut branches just above a leaf node using sterilized garden shears. Your prayer plants will produce new sprouts just under the cut region, making them look bushier.

Why do my prayer plants’ leaves curl up?

That might be a sign of excess light during the day. You can try to put them in another spot with less light, and check the root area for moderate moisture in the soil.

When should I repot my prayer plants?

If you see your prayer plants’ roots growing out of the drainage holes, that’s when you should repot them. When the plants are inactive in cold weather, you should let the soil dry a little bit between waterings. 

Why aren’t my prayer plants closing?

If you put your prayer plants near a lamp or other light sources during the nighttime, it might not be dark enough for them to close. So, you can consider moving them into a new place away from the light.

Conclusion 

While prayer plants may not be the most carefree houseplants, with their wonderful leaf patterns and daily lifting and lowering of leaves, they are among the most interesting plants to grow indoors. Some important things to remember are to provide them with well-draining soil, added moisture but not waterlogged, and under indirect light. That’s all you need to know about how to care for a prayer plant indoors. 

Early life of Aristotle

Aristotle was known to be the most influential philosopher ever. He was born in the Ancient Greece around 385 BC. After a few years, Aristotle was just thirteen or fourteen years old when his parents died and while he turned seventeen, he left for Athens where he started to work with Plato and taught by him. For almost a few years he lived in Athen until the death of his teacher Plato, the responsibilities of the academy of Plato were later given to his nephew and Aristotle didn’t like his teaching methods, so he left Athens. Later he taught Alexender the Great for almost 3 to 4 years. After that he came back to Athens and lived his life as a philosopher, writer, and teacher. We wrote a number of books where he covered various topics like metaphysics, physics, zoology, politics, botany, generations of animals, poetry, rhetoric, psychology, government and a few more to be named. His various studies and research are set against the backdrop of his emphasis on excellent reasoning because his natural philosophy was solely based on reasoning and observation to establish broad, casual assertions. For example, Aristotle utilizes the notion of species to make factual statements about the activities of different creatures in the world in his biology.

The discoveries of Aristotle

Aristotle was always curious to know about whatever happened in his surroundings. How a tree can stand so tall, how an egg can carry a chick inside how a person can stay happy etc. In one of his books, he has described the difference between a happy and successful and unhappy and unsuccessful person. According to Aristotle, the former person has some attributes which makes him different from the latter therefore, if an unsuccessful and unhappy person develops the similar attributes, he too will become happy and successful in life. Many of the philosophies of Aristotle are now used as a reference in today’s world. Despite the fact that many of his findings were incorrect, his theories yet dominated the Western scientific though for many years. Not just Western scientist, but Muslim scientists also acknowledged the philosophy of Aristotle. Indeed, he was a remarkable man. 

Aristotle certain beliefs

With all the knowledge he pursued, it was never enough for him. He believed that only experience is the foundation of knowledge a man possesses. Observations were not enough but, the explanations generated with those observations were valid. To put it another way, Aristotle believed that hypothesis should always begin with facts as he always believed in reasoning. As we all know, this is the concept of the scientific process as well. Unlike other philosophers, Aristotle used scientific reasoning to give explanations for various things. For example, his best contribution to science was when he did an experiment to discover how a chick hatches from an egg. He did use scientific reasoning and not just philosophy to justify this discovery.

The death of Aristotle and his legacy

The last days of Aristotle’s life were very hard on him. Anti-Macedonian prejudice prompted against Aristotle after the death of Alexender the Great. He was charged with atheism; the similar charge was also put on Socrates (where he was sentenced to death) by a few people who did not like their work or philosophies. As a result, Aristotle then departed Athens and was later diagnosed with a stomach ailment. He died with that issue at the age of 63 and his will was to be buried next to his wife who had died before him a few years previously. Aristotle work might did not get the praise at that time, however, later he was known and acknowledge by many western scholars. He is regarded is the most phenomenal philosopher and thinker. He was influential because he gave rational and common-sense explanations for everyday events. These he articulated so authoritatively and eloquently that it was simpler for generations of followers to accept Aristotle than to put his ideas to the test.