General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 2. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 3. Protect Protect from frost.

  February 1. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 2. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 3. Protect Protect from frost.

  March 1. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 2. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 3. Prune Cut back plants to keep them bushy and force new growth. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate.

  April 1. Buy Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. 2. Plant Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. 3. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 4. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 5. Prune Cut back plants to keep them bushy and force new growth. 6. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 7. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. 8. Propagate Propagate by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from the current year\'s new growth.

  May 1. Buy Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. 2. Plant Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. 3. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 4. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. 7. Propagate Propagate by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from the current year\'s new growth.

  June 1. Buy Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. 2. Plant Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. 3. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 4. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. 7. Propagate Propagate by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from the current year\'s new growth.

  July 1. Buy Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. 2. Plant Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. 3. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 4. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate.

  August 1. Buy Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. 2. Plant Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. 3. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 4. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate.

  September 1. Buy Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. 2. Plant Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. 3. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 4. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate.

  October 1. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 2. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 3. Pest/Disease Inspection Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. 4. Treat for Pest/Disease Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate.

  November 1. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 2. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 3. Protect Protect from frost.

  December 1. Fertilize Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. 2. Water Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. 3. Protect Protect from frost.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! April Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. May Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. June Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. July Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. August Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source. September Buy in containers from nurseries, or order by mail from a reputable source.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? April Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. May Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. June Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. July Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. August Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material. September Plant in partial to full shade, either in a container or (in the most frost-free climates) in the ground. Choose a warm, humid location that is protected from stong winds and frost, and use a rich, fast-draining soil mix that contains plenty of organic material.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? January Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. February Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. March Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. April Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. May Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. June Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. July Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. August Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. September Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. October Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. November Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food. December Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid plant food.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? January Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. February Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. March Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. April Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. May Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. June Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. July Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. August Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. September Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. October Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. November Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm. December Water regularly, especially when the weather is warm.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? February Cut back plants to keep them bushy and force new growth. March Cut back plants to keep them bushy and force new growth. April Cut back plants to keep them bushy and force new growth.

  Protect When and how should you protect this plant from birds, deer, rabbits? Does this plant need be covered, or wrapped or painted or moved? January Protect from frost. February Protect from frost. November Protect from frost. December Protect from frost.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? March Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. April Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. May Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. June Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. July Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. August Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. September Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs. October Watch for mealybugs and aphids, especially in locations with poor air circulation. Watch for snails and slugs.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? March Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. April Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. May Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. June Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. July Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. August Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. September Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate. October Wash off foliage pests with a strong jet of water. If snails and slugs are a problem, bait with a product containing iron phosphate.

  Propagate When's a good time to divide, take cuttings, layer or propagate this plant. Any special requirements? April Propagate by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from the current year\'s new growth. May Propagate by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from the current year\'s new growth. June Propagate by taking 6-inch stem cuttings from the current year\'s new growth.