A member of the geranium family, mosquito plant carries the fragrance of citronella in its foliage. When a leaf is crushed and rubbed on the skin, it smells wonderful and helps naturally repel mosquitoes. (The plant itself does not act as a deterrent to the pests.) Though growing mosquito plant is not as effective as using bottled repellents, mosquito plant works gently, and when you grow it in your garden, it is always on hand. Plants owe their medium green texture to the lacy leaves. Growing upright to 2 to 3 feet in height, they can be used as a summer border or one of several contrasting textures in a garden composition or a large mixed container. Plant in spring after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed, about the same time you plant tomatoes. Select a location with a little afternoon shade, and space plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Though mosquito plants are tolerant of a wide range of well-drained soils, moderately rich, moist soil will produce the best growth.

Good news for gardeners in drought-prone areas: Mosquito plant is relatively tolerant of summer stress. An evergreen perennial in zones 9 to 11, mosquito plant will be a cold tender annual where freezing temperatures occur. In addition, the stems can become quite woody by summer’s end. If you want to overwinter your plant, propagate a new one during the late summer months by layering. Second Hand Furniture Sale In KolkataSet a pot filled with potting soil beside your big plant. Corner Toilet Tank OnlyBend a stem (still attached to the big plant) gently toward the pot, being careful not to break it. Outdoor Furniture In Toronto OntarioBury the stem sideways at a point at which a leaf is attached, keeping the growing tip uncovered.

Place a rock or piece of brick over the buried stem to hold it in place. After a few weeks, roots will emerge from the stem and grow into the potting soil. At the end of the season (and before frost), cut the stem free from the mother plant and move the new, young plant indoors for the winter. You will know if a plant does not have enough light, as it will stretch and fall over. Make a mental note to give it more sun next year, then cut back long, lanky branches to bring it back into shape. Plants respond well to pruning, so don’t be afraid to cut branches for inclusion in summer bouquets, especially if you are dining outdoors. The fragrance will be a welcome addition, blending with more floral scents. In addition, the way the leaves are attached to the stem means that one branch of mosquito plant will help hold other flowers in place in the vase. Download our How to Grow Herbs instructions. They are in .Get gardening info on the go with our free app, HOMEGROWN with Bonnie Plants.

Find out more, or download it now for iPhone or Android. Are there any culinary uses of mosquito plant, like other scented geraniums? Do you have suggestions for what to plant with mosquito plant? What is the best way to keep my plant alive through the winter?We hear it all: too much water, not enough water, too much light, not enough light. it’s difficult to decipher the needs of plants. We’re letting you in on a little secret: you can look like you have a green thumb by simply choosing plants that refuse to die. Here you have it from the pros—our list of 10 plants you can’t kill, no matter how hard you try! Not only are they uniquely cool looking, air plants don’t even need soil to grow! “These are pretty simple to keep alive,” Shannon Fleming-Barnhardt, ProPlants Merchandise Product Manager, explains. “Simply soak them at least once every two weeks and keep them indoors in indirect light.” Water every two weeks? Sounds perfect for all you forgetful waterers out there.

The bright red, heart-shaped blooms on anthuriums pretty much last forever with very little effort required. They do best in bright, indirect light and don’t like continually moist soil. “You should really only water these plants when the soil looks dry, which ends up being approximately once a week (if that),” says Fleming-Barnhardt. “You really couldn’t ask for anything easier than bamboo,” says Fleming-Barnhardt. “Just put bamboo in water and make sure you replace it with clean water every once in a while.” Lucky bamboo also requires very little light, making it a perfect indoor houseplant or office plant. Plus, it helps up your Feng Shui game—who doesn’t want that? “These are really cool plants,” says Fleming-Barnhardt. “You actually don’t water the soil; you just water inside the top of the plant and let the water pool there.” The drought-tolerant bromeliad only needs to be watered when the top two inches of soil feel dry. These beauties make great indoor or outdoor plants.

These robust plants with bright, cheery (and long-lasting) flowers require very little maintenance—in fact overwatering is actually its number-one killer. Kalanchoes thrive in partial sun and grow well when repotted. “I potted these at my house without a drainage system in place and they continuously bloom over and over with little to no water,” Fleming-Barnhardt explains.  Like the sound of it already? You’ll like it even more when you see how easy money trees are to maintain. “These trees do best in full and partial sunlight and should stay indoors,” suggests Fleming-Barnhardt. “They don’t like continually moist soil, so that means you shouldn’t water it until the soil looks dry, which ends up being around once a week (if that).” We know…you’re cringing right now. Fleming-Barnhardt says, “Now I know a lot of people have issues with orchids, but they’re super easy if you just simply ignore them.” She continues, “I typically soak my orchids once every two weeks and keep them in indirect sunlight.

That does the trick!” You can also try a simple ice cube trick once a week for watering. Orchid blooms last 8 to 10 weeks on average when treated right. These plants are almost impossible to kill, and they add such lush, vibrant greenery to the home. “They literally tell you when they are hungry by drooping,” says Fleming-Barnhardt. Many peace lily owners will simply wait until the plant’s leaves droop before watering, which actually works really well to prevent over-watering. “So just pay attention and you can’t really kill this sucker,” she explains. You really can’t go wrong with this houseplant. Pothos plants aren’t picky about where they live indoors (just don’t put them out in direct sunlight all the time). “They can live in dry soil if you neglect them, and in wet soil if you over water,” Fleming-Barnhardt says. Sounds like a dream come true! Wildly popular these days for their diverse beauty, and also for their drought-resistant qualities, succulents are a must-have for just about everyone.