How to Grow Plants

Having trouble with your green thumb? We'll help you get started with growing your own plants. Welcome to the world of growing plants. Hometalk has the top projects to inspire you, the video tutorials to teach you, and the discussion boards to enrich your understanding of plant gardening. Join us and watch your garden grow!

Moving a Leafed Out Hosta With the Help of a Belt and Some Tape

How to Grow Plants

Identify your plants: Different plant varieties have different needs. Some grow better in the sun and others prefer shade.
Know how to spot a problem: Plants that are yellowing and soft are over-watered. Plants that look stretched are deprived of sunlight.
Fertilize your plants: Like people, plants require food. Purchase a general-purpose fertilizer and follow the instructions to ensure your plants are well fed.
Apply pest control: Use insecticide or find a natural alternative, like soapy water or citronella mixtures.
Deadhead flowers: Stimulate the plant to produce more flowers. Deadhead by removing old and withered flowers.

More growing categories

Top Projects for Growing Plants

Looking for some ideas to get you started? Check out our top plant projects here.

Moving a Leafed Out Hosta With the Help of a Belt and Some Tape

Denial-that is what I am in every time I plant a Hosta. I know it is going to grow and get big I just don't believe it at the time. This is probably because I usually purchase bare root Hosta from online retailers and they usually have only a few leaves and 1 or 2 eyes (eyes are what growers call a Hosta division). They seem so small that when I go to plant them I lose all sense and end up putting them where I will eventually have to move them.

Rhonda B

Epsom Salt for Your Plants - Inside and Out

Did you know you could use Epsom salt for your outdoor plants and your houseplants? It says so right on the label!!

Alicia W

Got Hosta Questions? I've Got Hosta Answers.

Hosta. It's one of the most popular perennials. They grow in any zone, in sun or shade and are easy to take care of.

Alicia W

Native, Drought Tolerant Plants for Your Yard

Given our current drought situation in Southern California, THIS was the best year to take out our front lawn and put in native, drought tolerant plants. My city offered us $1 per square foot of lawn that we took out and replaced with native, drought tolerant plants, so we jumped on board with that. I don't even miss that green lawn - it was full of weeds and expensive to keep it green in the summer. We landscaped it so that there is plenty of room for these plants to grow and fill in over the next few years. I have listed all the plants we used, along with where they are planted. Again, several of them are going to grow and get much bigger, so it wouldn't be wise to plant too many or there would be too many and be a big mess in a year. Once they fill in, there will be a lot less of the "concrete" look and a much softer look. Maintenance will continue to decrease. For specific names of plants, please click on link after all the pictures.

Organizing Made Fun-Becky Barnfather

Cheap & Safe Homemade Lawn Food

I am excited to share this post with you today! This is a cheap, easy and very effective homemade lawn food that you can use in place of fertilizer.One of our most viewed posts last year was this homemade plant food recipe (click the blog post for link).What readers enjoyed most, was the science backed aspect of how it worked!I love hearing all of your success stories on it too! In fact, my father in law uses this exclusively in his garden now.First, let’s talk about this recipe, then we will share with you the amazing chemistry behind why this works so well! And if the ingredients seem crazy to you, don't worry! We explain everything in detail! We have also talked with lawn care professionals to make sure you are getting the best solutions.

Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

How to Build an Inexpensive Blueberry Bush Cover

Our blueberry bush is growing like crazy this year. It has the potential of a great harvest - I'm already dreaming of homemade blueberry muffins and pies. But that's if I can get to it before the birds and squirrels! Time to create a cover and stop those critters from getting to the birds before I do!This blueberry bush cover DIY project is fairly easy and requires just a handful of supplies.

Jen Osterhout

You Can Save That Hosta!

Okay, it is that time of the year and you walk out into your garden and you see your hosta has fallen over and you pick it up to discover that the roots have been eaten. What do you do? Do not throw it out! Have you tried to separate your hosta clump and you broke one of the leaves off and it has no roots... can you save it? Most likely the answer is YES! I have have saved hostas for years that have been attacked by voles and other critters and even ones that I have harmed in my quest to divide them. It is so easy to do and only requires (rain) water and a glass jar, vase, or other container. Voles love the roots of hostas. With this information I know that I have to walk the gardens and pay close attention to any size of distress on any of my plants. If I notice a high activity of moles tunnels (the dogs digging trenches is a sure sign) then I am extra vigilant about walking around checking out my hostas as well as my other plants. Rooting the hostas takes anywhere from 6-8 weeks so be patient and make sure the water level stays constant in the jar/vase. After it has rooted, then either plant it in a pot or move it back to the ground. So do not panic if you find a plant distress do not just throw it out! Happy gardening everyone! and check out my blog!

The Garden Frog with C Renee

Saving Baby Spider Plants

Spider plants are a great beginner plant for people who want real plants but mayne are not so great at keeping them alive! They're drought tolerant and produce babies readily. Read on to find out how to save these babies to increase your collection or give as gifts!

Plastic What You Preach

How to Repot Plants and Signs It's Time to Do So

Like all living things, plants need a healthy home and plenty of space to grow. Most houseplants will need to be repotted at least once in their lifetime. But if you don’t have the greenest thumb, you may be unsure if or when your plant has outgrown its home or needs new soil at the very least. But we can assure you, it is not as tricky as it sounds to repot a plant.In this guide, we’ll tell you how to know when it’s time to repot a plant, how to choose the right soil and container, and how to care for repotted plants to help them flourish in their new digs.

Stacey

8 Simple Steps to Your Very Own Beautiful Flourishing Garden

Nothing can quite compare to the taste or aesthetic of fresh produce.Picture this: You’re perusing the local farmers market, eyeing up piles of lettuce, carrots, radishes, potatoes, and flowers, gradually filling up your tote with fresh goods straight from the farm. There’s something about supporting and getting to know your community’s local producers, but what if you were able to grow your own abundance of blooms, fruits, and veggies right at home?Well, the good news is that you can. Gardening is a commitment, though, and one that requires the right research, tools, crops, tedious care, and patience. If you’re ready to get your hands dirty and stick to it, then keep reading.Here’s how to start your own garden at home in a few steps.

Hannah Twietmeyer

Moving a Leafed Out Hosta With the Help of a Belt and Some Tape

Rhonda B

Epsom Salt for Your Plants - Inside and Out

Did you know you could use Epsom salt for your outdoor plants and your houseplants? It says so right on the label!!

Alicia W

Got Hosta Questions? I've Got Hosta Answers.

Hosta. It's one of the most popular perennials. They grow in any zone, in sun or shade and are easy to take care of.

Alicia W

Native, Drought Tolerant Plants for Your Yard

Organizing Made Fun-Becky Barnfather

Cheap & Safe Homemade Lawn Food

Alexis @ Chemistry Cachet

How to Build an Inexpensive Blueberry Bush Cover

Jen Osterhout

You Can Save That Hosta!

The Garden Frog with C Renee

Saving Baby Spider Plants

Plastic What You Preach

How to Repot Plants and Signs It's Time to Do So

Stacey

8 Simple Steps to Your Very Own Beautiful Flourishing Garden

Hannah Twietmeyer

Plant growing slideshows with ideas for you to use in your very own garden.

DIY Plant Growing Videos

Here you'll find DIY video tutorials on growing plants yourself. Take a look around!

Planting Hosta Bulbs: How To Plant Bare-Root Hostas in Spring or Fall

Hostas are an easy-to-grow, low-maintenance perennial plant perfect for shade gardens and low-light areas in your landscape. While you can buy them as potted plants, they’re often much more affordable to buy as bare-root plants, sold alongside flowering bulbs. Here’s everything you need to know about planting hosta bulbs!How To Plant Hosta Bulbs Here are the basic steps for planting hosta bulbs (bare root hostas) in the garden:Find a nice shady spot, preferably with soil that drains well.Soak bulbs/roots for 1 hour if the roots are dry or soft.Dig a wide hole, about 4 inches deep (not too deep).Place the hosta bulb in the center of the hole with the roots at the bottom.Spread the roots outwards (like the rays of a sun).Gently hold the crown just below surface level.Carefully backfill the hole with soil, trying not to leave too many air pockets.Check that the crown of the plant (where the roots meet the stems) is at ground level.Water after planting to moisten surrounding soil and help it settle around the hosta roots.Add a thin mulch of homemade compost on soil surface to keep the roots moist and cool.Hosta bulbs can be planted in early spring or in the fall (up to a month before the ground freezes for winter). Mail-order hostas are often shipped in the fall, while in-store hosta bulbs are generally stocked at garden centers in early spring (alongside spring-planted flowering bulbs).

Home for the Harvest | Mary Jane Duford

Plant Propagation Station From Pallet Boards

An easy way to re-use an old pallet to make a beautiful art piece that serves as a station for propagating plants in water!

Katie Huckabee - The Huckabee Home

ORGANIZING IDEAS DIY | Plant Tag Hacks!

The organizing ideas diy that you won’t regret! Do you ever regret getting rid of a plant tag and later on you can’t remember the details of the specific plant? This can happen with both indoor or outdoor plants. You can see more Cozy Creations here!I have a great organizing ideas diy for you plant tags. This post will show you how to organize plant information to use throughout the seasons; Why to start using this organizing method, organization inspiration with reasons to keep nursery plant tags you have not thought about, information provided that is so useful, organizing type options and step by step tutorial for organizing your plant tags.

COCOON RAW

BEST SEED STARTING STATION DIY | Seed Starting

What is the best way to set up a seed starting station? Include an area for each function; Seed sorting / planting station, grow rack, hydroponic station, soil area with table and pots. Make it functional and welcoming so you will want to be there every day.For more gardening ideas visit my blog at https://cocoonraw.com/

COCOON RAW

Hometalkers' Favorite DIY Plant Growing Projects

We've gathered the best DIY plant growing projects on Hometalk. Check them out!

Arrowhead Plant Propagation & Planting

Syngoniums grow fast and at some point will need a bit of pruning. Arrowhead Plant propagation by stem cuttings is easy!

Joy Us garden

Holes In Hosta Leaves-It Might Not Be Who You Think!

So, you walk by your prized Hosta one afternoon on a stroll and it looks like this:

Rhonda B

Best Plants You Can Grow Without Sun

There are plants that grow without sunlight, they need indirect exposure, some even thrive in fluorescent light and here in this article we've listed Best Plants to Grow Indoors. Also Read: Aloe Plant Care http://balconygardenweb.com/how-to-care-for-an-aloe-plant/

Balconygardenweb

How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs

Wildflower Seed Bombs are a fun and easy project for the whole family. They’re a great way to get started in gardening even without a green thumb.Looking for a fun and easy project to do? Why not try making wildflower seed bombs! These little bundles of flowery goodness are a great way to get started in gardening, and they make for a fun afternoon project.These little pockets of beauty are packed with flower seeds and can be thrown anywhere to help grow new flowers.

Reesa

Building a Recycled Greenhouse

Amazing greenhouse constructed from recycled materials.

Little_princess

How to Care for Air Plants (Plus Tips on Styling Them!)

At first glance, air plants appear surreal. It seems odd to think that a funky-shaped species of fauna can possibly hang, drape, or rest nearly anywhere without being confined to a pot filled with soil. But that’s exactly what these trendy, cool plants can do!This guide will teach you everything you need to know about these unique plants and how to care for them.

Alexa

Arrowhead Plant Propagation & Planting

Syngoniums grow fast and at some point will need a bit of pruning. Arrowhead Plant propagation by stem cuttings is easy!

Joy Us garden

Holes In Hosta Leaves-It Might Not Be Who You Think!

So, you walk by your prized Hosta one afternoon on a stroll and it looks like this:

Rhonda B

Best Plants You Can Grow Without Sun

Balconygardenweb

How to Make Wildflower Seed Bombs

Reesa

Building a Recycled Greenhouse

Amazing greenhouse constructed from recycled materials.

Little_princess

How to Care for Air Plants (Plus Tips on Styling Them!)

Alexa

Popular Plant Growing Discussions

Visit our discussion board on growing plants and put in your two cents.

Help me identify this green stuff on my trees

/> Jeff C

This green mold/algae looking stuff is all over my Japanese maple. I've discovered it on the bark of some other trees as well. Does anyone know who I would take a piece of tree bark to in order to identify what it is?

Help me identify this green stuff on my trees

View discussion

Yellowing Leaves and Brown Spots on Cucumber Plants

/> Renee F

I'm sure this question has been asked before but I cannot seem to find it. I've searched the gardening sites and I'm totally confused about what this could be. The same thing happened to our cucumbers last year and I would really hate to lose this year's crop and I would most certainly like to halt this if it's in the soil. I use Garden Tone and Fish Emulsion as fertilizer. We use drip irrigation but haven't had to use It much this year with all the rain we've received. The plants are still producing beautiful cukes but really worried because last year's plants became so ugly that I ended up pulling them up. I'm stumped! Thanks in advance

Yellowing Leaves and Brown Spots on Cucumber Plants

View discussion

My aloe plant broke off how do I save it or transplant

/> Nicole Lauzon

My aloe plant broke off how do I save it or transplant

View discussion

New Plant Growing Projects

Need new plant project ideas? Try some of these and refresh your garden.

Everything You Need to Know About Growing Strawberries in Pots

By Hannah TwietmeyerFrom apples and pears to lemons to limes, growing your own fruit is a fun and rewarding way to lower your grocery bill and have the same produce you enjoy fresh on hand. If strawberries are among the crops you want to tackle next growing season, you may want to stock up on some plant containers to make the process a little easier.Yes—you can actually grow strawberry plants in pots. Whether you already have a garden and want to save some space, or you’re a gardening novice with minimal experience and materials, growing strawberries in or containers is a simple solution. The best part? You’re still left with juicy, decadent red fruit.

Hannah Twietmeyer

How to Make a Moss Pole to Support Your Vining Plants

By Hannah TwietmeyerIf your tropical houseplant is looking a little overgrown — even after a trim — it may be time to add a moss pole to its pot. Plants that grow large and lush make for eye-catching decor but can turn into eyesores quickly if they’re weighed down by heavy leaves and branches. If this is a look you’re familiar with, your plant might need a little extra support every now and then, and a moss pole can do just that.By following this guide, you’ll not only learn how to make a moss pole but what exactly a moss pole is used for along with some plants that grow around these supports fairly well.

How-To Guides

How to Grow Blueberries for a Harvest That's Worth the Wait

By Judy SchumerHaving one of the tastiest superfoods in your own yard is a great reason for you to learn how to grow blueberries. Blueberries are antioxidant- and vitamin-packed delights that can be eaten fresh off the bush or in a variety of ways, from breakfast to dessert. Fresh blueberry pancakes and homemade blueberry buckle are winning ways to get a nutrient boost from your favorite treats.As long as you have the right soil, sunlight, and provide the care that blueberries need to produce a bountiful harvest, these fruits are pretty easy to grow. They’re also a great way to add pretty landscaping that bears fruit. The leaves of blueberry bushes turn a beautiful scarlet color in the fall while producing delicate bell-shaped flowers in the spring.Read on to learn where and how to grow blueberries, how to care for blueberries as they grow and mature, and how to harvest the fruits of your labor.

How-To Guides

How to Grow Cilantro Indoors for Fresh Flavor Year-Round

By Judy SchumerGrowing cilantro indoors is easy to do, and it's not much different than growing cilantro in your garden. You'll use containers to plant the cilantro indoors, but the care requirements are pretty much the same.While you can transplant cilantro from a garden to an indoor container, gardeners tend to have better success starting the herb from seeds. Cilantro plants, also known as Chinese parsley, make for a lovely kitchen windowsill garden, and having them in the kitchen makes the herb more accessible for when you're ready to use it in your favorite recipe. On top of that, cilantro packs numerous health benefits that you’ll have ready at your fingertips.This guide will walk you through how to grow cilantro indoors, whether you’re planting from seed or seedlings (also known as transplants), and how to care for cilantro so you’ll have a great-tasting and fruitful herb when all is said and done.

Judy Schumer

How to Care for Pampas Grass and Style It in Your Home

By Alexa EricksonFluffy pampas grass is a whimsical addition to the home, both inside and out. The playful plumes add laid-back texture to the yard as they flutter in the breeze. Cut and styled in large vases within the home, the grass adds a natural element that provokes a cozy-earthy environment.You’ve likely seen pampas grass trending all over social media and beyond, and are intrigued by its allure. Read on to find out how you can incorporate it into your lifestyle by learning how to plant and care for pampas grass, and then how to harvest it and style it in your home.

Alexa

A Complete Guide on How to Care for Aloe Vera Plants

By Alexa EricksonFor thousands of years, aloe vera has been revered for its medicinal properties. When applied topically, the juice from its leaves can be used to relieve pain from burns, scrapes, and mild open wounds. The familiarity you have with aloe might only reach the formulated drugstore gels that you reach for when you're sunburnt on spring break.The aloe vera plant, a succulent, is recognizable by its stemless or very short-stemmed leaves and each leaf features a thick, fleshy body with a light green color and serrated edges.What’s even better is that these amazing plants can be grown right in your own home—and caring for them is easy, so long as you’re vigilant in giving them the supervision that they need to thrive. Here’s what you need to know about how to care for aloe vera plants, how to propagate aloe, and how to repot aloe when it gets home from the nursery.

Alexa