Plant Care Guides¶
A collection of practical plant care and propagation guides, focusing on low-maintenance houseplants and succulents.
Succulent Care¶
Succulent Propagation and Care Cheat Sheet¶
Concise guide for Jade, Haworthia, and ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) propagation and care.
- Propagation methods for leaves, stems, offsets and rhizomes
- Soil mix recipes using coir, perlite and vermiculite
- Watering schedules and fertiliser guidance
- Timeline expectations and common pitfalls
Key principle: Dry → soak → drain → ignore
Caring for Fasciated Haworthia¶
Detailed care guide for cristata and monstrose forms of Haworthia.
- Light requirements (bright, indirect preferred)
- Watering protocol for slow-growing mutations
- Soil composition and pot selection
- Temperature management through UK winter
- Propagation possibilities
Focus: Stability over forcing growth
How to Propagate Opuntia microdasys¶
Step-by-step propagation guide for Bunny Ears Cactus during UK winter.
- Taking healthy pad cuttings safely (beware glochids!)
- Callusing period (7–14 days)
- Potting in free-draining cactus soil
- Using grow lamps for winter propagation
- Watering schedule and timeline to establishment
Timeline: 6–12 weeks to rooting
General Gardening¶
Garden Plants Guide¶
Comprehensive list of outdoor garden plants, organised by location (back garden, front garden, allotment).
Includes native and ornamental species such as: - Trees and shrubs - Herbs and vegetables - Flowering perennials - Ground cover plants
Gardening in Pots and Raised Beds¶
Practical advice for container and raised bed gardening.
Growing in pots: - Mint, basil, oregano, rosemary - Broad beans, peppers, tomatoes - Blackcurrant
Watering tip: If the top surface looks dark, it doesn't need watering. Otherwise, stick your finger in the soil.
Soil guidance: 50:50 soil and compost mix, fork every few days to aerate
Quick Reference¶
| Plant Type | Water Frequency | Light | Soil Drainage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jade | When dry | Bright to full sun | Fast |
| Haworthia | Minimal | Bright indirect | Very fast |
| ZZ Plant | Rarely | Low to bright | Fast |
| Opuntia | Minimal | Full sun | Very fast |
| Herbs (pots) | Regular | Full sun | Good |
| Vegetables (pots) | Daily in summer | Full sun | Good |
Core Principles¶
- Underwater rather than overwater – most houseplants die from too much water, not too little
- Drainage is critical – pots must have holes, soil must be free-draining
- Callus before planting – succulent and cactus cuttings need time to seal the wound
- Patience pays off – propagation takes weeks to months, not days
- Light matters – match the plant's natural habitat (desert vs forest floor)