To me, spider plants add a tropical vibe to indoor living spaces. But, are they really drought-tolerant plants that thrive with only a little water? So, here are my thoughts: are spider plants drought-tolerant? Spider plant care guidelines But first, let’s look at the guidelines to care for spider plants. Then, we should have our […]
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One day, I noticed that my Opuntia cactus had a few pads covered with a white, sticky substance. To me, it looked like a fungus. In reality, though, the white substance was harboring an infestation of the cochineal bug (Dactylopius coccus). If you’ve had this problem, read more to find out how to eliminate cochineal
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I used to have four golden barrel cacti (Echinocactus grusonii) in front of my house—they were over 40 years old. They were healthy and beautiful specimens. Imagine my horror, though, when I saw the formerly green flesh of one of my favorite barrel cactus turning yellow. I had no idea that Pythium root rot had
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While other plants are wilting under the hot southwestern summer sun, my red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) is looking its most vibrant. The hotter it gets, the greener this hardy plant seems to get, and its flowers become even more flamboyantly showy. But, there must be some drawbacks! Read about the red bird of
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The saguaro cactus (Carnegiea gigantea) epitomizes the Old West. It gets big, it’s tough, and it can take the heat. In fact, the saguaro cactus not only looks majestic in its natural habitat, but it can also make a big statement in your landscape. Read about the saguaro cactus pros and cons, and see if
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I only have one Mexican Blue Palm (Brahea armata) in my landscape, but I wish I had more. They are a beautiful, exotic-looking palm tree that loves the desert heat, just like I do. However, would this palm tree work in your landscape? Read about the Mexican blue palm pros and cons, and then decide
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Ten years ago, I bought an eight-inch organ pipe cactus (Stenocereus thurberi). Today, it is over 10-feet tall and has multiple arms. Since then, I have bought more eight-inchers, and made multiple cuttings. This cactus seems like a perfect fit for my xeriscape, but is it right for you? Read about the organ pipe cactus
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The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is a versatile, hardy, and drought-tolerant plant that is perfect for your drought-tolerant landscape or inside your home. However, despite being called a palm, this plant is actually a succulent! It has a unique, tropical appearance, and can eventually become an attractive focal point in your design. So, here are
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The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is one of the easiest, most hardy houseplants to grow. And if you live in USDA growing zones 9b-to-11, you can also grow this unique-looking plant outdoors! That all sounds good, but there must be a catch! Let’s discuss the ponytail palm pros and cons, and then you can decide
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I think the trailing lantana (Lantana montevidensis) looks great in my drought-tolerant, southwestern landscape. The purple-blue flowers contrast nicely with other taller plants, and the plant is able to survive extremely hot summer temps! Here are my trailing lantana pros and cons—check them out before you buy! My experiences with trailing lantana… This is one
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