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Jade Plant Care Guide: How to Grow and Maintain This Resilient Succulent

The jade plant (Crassula ovata), also known as the lucky plant or money tree, is a stunning and easy-to-care-for succulent that can thrive indoors and outdoors. With its thick, glossy green leaves and woody stems, this plant is not only a favorite for gardeners but is also said to bring good luck and prosperity!

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned plant enthusiast, here’s everything you need to know about planting and caring for a jade plant.

How to Plant a Jade Succulent

1. Choosing the Right Pot

Jade plants require a pot with good drainage to prevent root rot. A terra-cotta or ceramic pot with drainage holes works best since it allows the soil to dry out between waterings.

2. Selecting the Best Soil

Well-draining soil is key! Use a succulent or cactus mix, or make your own by mixing regular potting soil with sand or perlite to improve drainage.

3. Planting the Jade

Fill the pot halfway with soil.
Place the jade plant in the center and gently spread out the roots.
Add more soil around the plant, leaving about an inch of space at the top.
Lightly pat down the soil and water it sparingly.

Jade Plant Care Instructions

Watering

Jade plants store water in their thick leaves, so they don’t need frequent watering. Follow the “soak and dry” method:

Water deeply, allowing excess water to drain out.
Let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
In summer, water every 2-3 weeks. In winter, water once a month or less.
Avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.

Light Requirements

Jade plants love bright light!

Place your jade plant in bright, indirect light or a south-facing window indoors.
If growing outdoors, give it morning sun and afternoon shade to prevent sunburn.
If leaves turn red or yellow, the plant may be getting too much direct sunlight.

Best Soil for Jade Plants

Jade plants thrive in well-draining, sandy soil. A good mix includes:
✔ 2 parts cactus soil
✔ 1 part perlite or sand
✔ Optional: A handful of pumice for extra drainage

Additional Care Tips

✔ Fertilizing – Feed your jade plant with a diluted succulent fertilizer once a month in spring and summer. Avoid fertilizing in winter.
✔ Pruning – Trim leggy growth to encourage a fuller shape. You can propagate cuttings by letting them dry for a day and planting them in soil.
✔ Repotting – Jade plants grow slowly and only need repotting every 2-3 years or when they outgrow their pot.

Final Thoughts

Jade plants are one of the easiest succulents to grow, making them perfect for beginner gardeners. With the right care, your jade plant can live for decades, becoming a beautiful and rewarding addition to your home or garden.

Do you have a jade plant? Share your care tips in the comments below! 🌿✨

What to Plant in March: Flowers, Herbs & a Fun DIY Garden Project

March is the perfect time to shake off the winter chill and get your hands in the dirt! With the arrival of warmer days and longer sunlight hours, your garden is ready for fresh flowers, flavorful herbs, and a simple DIY project to bring new life to your space. Whether you’re working with garden beds, containers, or a balcony setup, here’s what you should be planting this month.

Flowers to Plant in March

March is prime time for cool-season flowers and early spring blooms. Here are a few that thrive when planted now:

🌸 Pansies & Violas – These cheerful blooms are cold-hardy and add a pop of color to your garden beds and pots.

🌼 Daffodils & Tulips – If you missed the fall planting window for bulbs, you can still grab pre-sprouted ones from garden centers for a quick burst of spring color.

🌿 Snapdragons – These tall, vibrant flowers attract pollinators and thrive in early spring temperatures.

🌺 Sweet Peas – Climbing sweet peas love the cool weather and will reward you with fragrant blossoms if planted now.

🌻 Calendula – A bright, sunshine-colored flower that’s not only beautiful but also has skin-soothing properties!

Herbs to Plant in March

Fresh herbs are a must-have for any spring garden! March is the perfect time to start these flavorful additions:

🌿 Cilantro – Loves cool weather and grows quickly. Harvest frequently for the best flavor.

🌿 Parsley – A slow grower, but well worth planting now for fresh garnishes all season long.

🌿 Chives – A hardy perennial herb that comes back year after year. Snip fresh chives for soups, eggs, and salads.

🌿 Thyme – Thrives in both garden beds and containers. Great for seasoning meats, veggies, and sauces.

🌿 Mint – A fast-growing herb that’s perfect for tea, mojitos, and fresh salads (but keep it contained as it can spread aggressively).

DIY Garden Project: Make a Charming Spring Bee Bath

Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs are essential for a thriving garden. A simple way to welcome them is by creating a bee bath—a shallow water source where they can safely drink and rest. You can create this with your supplies or purchase a watering pollinator station at the link: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1871174519/watering-bee-station-wildflower-seed-kit?ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1&logging_key=93f8593349bb019865d8291fa7e86f520866ccb6%3A1871174519

What You’ll Need:

A shallow dish (ceramic plant saucer, small bowl, or old pie tin)
Small stones or pebbles
Water
A sunny spot in your garden

How to Make It:

Find a spot – Choose a sunny, sheltered location in your garden.
Add pebbles – Fill the dish with small stones or pebbles. This gives bees a safe place to land while drinking.
Fill with water – Pour in just enough water so the tops of the pebbles remain exposed (bees can’t swim and need dry spots to perch).
Maintain – Refill with fresh water regularly to keep your bee bath clean and inviting.

This quick and easy project helps support local pollinators and adds a charming touch to your garden. Plus, it pairs perfectly with your spring-planted flowers and herbs!

Are you starting your garden this March? Let me know what you’re planting! 🌱💛 Happy gardening!

Best Air Plants to Give as Gifts – Easy-Care Varieties for Beginners

Looking for a unique, low-maintenance plant gift? Air plants (Tillandsia) make the perfect present for plant lovers and beginners alike! These fascinating plants don’t need soil, are easy to care for, and can be displayed in countless creative ways. Whether you’re gifting to a friend, a teacher, or a fellow plant enthusiast, here are some of the best easy-care air plants that will thrive in any home.

🌱 1. Tillandsia Ionantha – The Classic Choice

Why It’s Great: One of the most popular air plants, the Ionantha is small, hardy, and adaptable. It has beautiful green leaves that blush red or pink before blooming, making it a visually exciting gift.

Care Tips:

Likes bright, indirect light.
Water 1–2 times a week with a good soak.
Prefers good air circulation, so don’t keep it in a closed terrarium for too long.

🌿 2. Tillandsia Stricta – Low-Maintenance and Fast-Growing

Why It’s Great: Stricta is an excellent beginner plant because it’s forgiving and grows quickly. It has soft, grassy leaves and produces gorgeous pink or purple blooms.

Care Tips:

Does well in both humid and dry environments.
Requires only occasional misting in high humidity or soaking in dry conditions.
Thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade.

💜 3. Tillandsia Medusa (Caput-Medusae) – The Statement Piece

Why It’s Great: With its wild, curling leaves that resemble Medusa’s hair, this air plant makes a bold and unique gift! It’s drought-tolerant and easygoing, making it a great pick for busy plant owners.

Care Tips:

Enjoys bright, filtered light.
Soak every 7–10 days, letting it dry completely.
Loves a bit of airflow—perfect for placing near a window.

🌾 4. Tillandsia Brachycaulos – A Colorful Surprise

Why It’s Great: This plant transforms into a stunning red or pink color when getting ready to bloom. It’s an excellent gift for anyone who loves a bit of drama in their plants!

Care Tips:

Water by misting regularly or soaking once a week.
Keep in bright, indirect sunlight for the best color.
Avoid placing in a completely enclosed terrarium—it loves fresh air!

🌊 5. Tillandsia Bulbosa – The Fun & Quirky Pick

Why It’s Great: Bulbosa’s wavy, tentacle-like leaves give it a whimsical, alien-like appearance. It’s an eye-catching air plant that thrives with minimal care.

Care Tips:

Prefers bright, indirect light but tolerates some shade.
Soak once a week for best results.
Its unique shape makes it perfect for hanging displays or driftwood mounts.

🎁 How to Gift an Air Plant

Pair your air plant gift with a fun display idea! Try:
✨ A small glass terrarium with decorative sand or pebbles
✨ Attaching the plant to a piece of driftwood for a natural touch
✨ Placing it inside a seashell or cute ceramic holder
✨ Wrapping it in a gift box with a care card

Air plants are a thoughtful, easy-to-care-for gift that brings a little piece of nature into any space. Whether for a birthday, holiday, or just because, these beginner-friendly varieties are sure to impress!

🌿 Want to start gifting air plants today? Check out my shop for unique air plant planters and live air plants!

📖 New to air plants? Read my Air Plant Care Guide to learn everything you need to keep them thriving!

Which air plant is your favorite to gift? Let me know in the comments! 🌿💚

Grow Your Own Tomatoes: A Fun Gardening Project for Kids!

Gardening is a great way to bond with your kids while teaching them patience, responsibility, and a love for nature! One of the easiest and most rewarding plants to grow is the humble tomato. In this blog, we’ll share a simple way to grow tomatoes with your kids using a DIY plastic cup greenhouse and two easy planting methods. Let’s get started!

DIY Plastic Cup Greenhouse for Tomato Seeds

Creating a mini greenhouse using plastic cups is a fun way to help your kids understand how seeds grow while keeping the seeds warm and moist for faster germination.

Materials Needed:

2 clear plastic cups (per plant)
A push pin or small nail (for drainage holes)
Potting soil
Tomato seeds (from a seed packet or a fresh tomato slice)
Water
A sunny windowsill

How to Make the Greenhouse:

Prepare the Cups – Take one plastic cup and use a push pin or small nail to poke a few drainage holes in the bottom.
Add Soil – Fill the cup about three-quarters full with potting soil.
Plant the Seeds –
- If using store-bought seeds, place 2-3 seeds on top of the soil, then lightly cover them with about ¼ inch of soil.
- If using a fresh tomato slice, cut a thin slice from a ripe tomato and place it directly on top of the soil, then cover it lightly with a thin layer of soil.
Water Gently – Use a spray bottle or gently pour water over the soil to moisten it.
Create the Greenhouse Effect – Place the second plastic cup upside down over the top to form a dome. This helps keep warmth and moisture inside for better germination.
Set in a Sunny Spot – Put the greenhouse in a warm, sunny windowsill and watch the magic happen!

Caring for Your Growing Tomatoes

Check Daily – Kids will love checking their mini greenhouses each day! Keep the soil moist but not too wet.
Sprout Time – In about 7-14 days, little seedlings will start to appear.
Remove the Cover – Once the seedlings grow about an inch tall, remove the top cup and let them grow in the open air.
Transplant – After 4-6 weeks, when the plants are stronger, they can be moved to a bigger pot or directly into the garden.

Why This Project is Perfect for Kids

Hands-On Fun – Kids love digging in the soil and seeing plants grow from their efforts.
Easy Science Lesson – It’s a great way to teach kids about plant life cycles.
Encourages Healthy Eating – When kids grow their own food, they’re more likely to eat it!

Encourage your little gardeners to check on their plants daily, water when needed, and watch their tomato plants grow! Before you know it, they’ll be picking their own juicy tomatoes right from the vine. Happy planting!

The Culinary Kitchen Herb Seed Collection Has Arrived!

Exciting news, gardeners and food lovers! My Culinary Kitchen Herb Seed Collection has officially arrived at my shop as of yesterday, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share it with you. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, this collection is perfect for growing fresh, flavorful herbs right in your own kitchen, patio, or garden bed.

What’s Inside the Collection?

This special seed collection includes eight essential culinary herbs, carefully selected to elevate your home cooking with vibrant flavors and aromas:

🌱 Basil – A classic favorite for pesto, pasta, and fresh salads.
🌱 Chives – Perfect for adding a mild onion flavor to soups, eggs, and baked potatoes.
🌱 Cilantro – A staple in Mexican and Asian cuisine, great for salsas and curries.
🌱 Dill – Adds a fresh, tangy taste to pickles, seafood, and dips.
🌱 Oregano – A must-have for Italian dishes, pizzas, and roasted vegetables.
🌱 Parsley – A versatile garnish that’s packed with nutrients and flavor.
🌱 Rosemary – Infuses depth into roasted meats, potatoes, and homemade bread.
🌱 Thyme – A fragrant herb that enhances soups, stews, and poultry dishes.

All seeds are high-quality, non-GMO, and easy to grow, making them perfect for home gardeners of all levels.

Join Me for a Live Gardening Session!

To help you get started, I’ll be going LIVE on my Printhousedesign1.0 Facebook page in March to talk about this collection and share my best tips for sowing and growing these herbs successfully. This will be a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and get inspired to start your own herb garden!

Get Your Seed Collection Today!

Ready to grow your own fresh culinary herbs? You can grab your Culinary Kitchen Herb Seed Collection now in my Etsy shop:
👉 Shop here

I can’t wait to see what you grow! Stay tuned for more gardening tips, and be sure to follow me on Facebook so you don’t miss my live session in March. Happy planting! 🌿✨ ( https://www.facebook.com/printhousedesign1.0