Helping Your Aloe Thrive Through Fall & Winter

Aloe vera is one of those wonderfully easygoing plants that doesn’t ask for much—but as the seasons change, your aloe’s care routine should change, too. 🍂☀️

As fall arrives and daylight hours become shorter, aloe vera naturally slows its growth. During winter, it may enter a period of dormancy, meaning it uses less water and grows very little. This is completely normal! The biggest mistake we can make during this quiet season is treating our aloe like it is still actively growing in summer.

Here are a few simple ways to help your aloe stay healthy and happy until spring.

🍂 Fall: Start Slowing Down

In the fall, begin reducing how often you water your aloe. Cooler temperatures and shorter days mean the soil takes longer to dry, so your plant doesn’t need water as frequently.

If your aloe has been growing outdoors, bring it inside before temperatures get too chilly. Aloe vera is sensitive to cold and should be protected from frost; Missouri Botanical Garden recommends bringing outdoor plants indoors before nighttime temperatures drop below about 50°F.

Fall is also a good time to move your aloe to the brightest location in your home.

☀️ Give Your Aloe Plenty of Light

Aloe loves bright light year-round. A south- or west-facing window is an excellent location indoors, although a bright east-facing window can work as well.

Because winter days are shorter, your aloe may not receive as much light as it did during summer. Watch for leaves becoming pale, stretched, or unusually floppy—these can be signs that your plant needs more light.

Garden tip: Rotate your aloe every week or two so all sides of the plant receive good exposure and it grows more evenly.

If your home doesn’t get enough natural light, a grow light can help supplement what your aloe is missing.

💧 How to Water Aloe in Fall & Winter

This is where a little restraint goes a long way!

Aloe vera is a succulent, so its thick leaves store water. Overwatering is much more dangerous than underwatering, particularly during the cooler months.

Before watering, check the soil with your finger. Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. When it is time to water, give the plant a good, thorough drink and allow excess water to drain completely through the drainage holes.

Then—and this is important—don’t leave your aloe sitting in water.

During fall and winter, you may find that watering every 3–4 weeks or even less frequently is enough, depending on the temperature, light, pot size, and how quickly the soil dries. There isn’t a perfect calendar schedule; the soil itself is your best guide.

🌱 A Simple Aloe Watering Rule

If the soil is still damp → wait.

If the soil has dried thoroughly → water deeply, then let it drain.

If you’re ever unsure whether it’s time to water, waiting a few extra days is usually safer than adding more water.

❄️ Winter Aloe Care

Think of winter as your aloe’s slow season.

Your plant may barely grow, produce fewer—or no—new leaves, and generally look like it is taking a little vacation. That’s okay!

During winter:

Keep your aloe in the brightest spot possible.
Water much less frequently than you would during summer.
Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings.
Never allow the pot to sit in standing water.
Keep it away from cold drafts and freezing temperatures.
Skip heavy feeding while the plant is dormant.

Aloe tolerates dry indoor air quite well, so you don’t need to mist it or add extra humidity.

🪴 Don’t Forget the Pot!

Good drainage is one of the secrets to keeping aloe happy. Choose a pot with drainage holes and use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix. This allows excess moisture to escape instead of lingering around the roots.

Aloe really doesn’t want “wet feet.” Too much moisture around the roots can lead to root rot, especially when growth has slowed down.

🌸 Let Your Aloe Rest

One of the best things you can do for your aloe this fall and winter is leave it alone a little more.

We often think a plant needs more attention when it isn’t growing, but with aloe, the opposite is often true. Give it bright light, well-draining soil, occasional deep watering when the soil is dry, and protection from cold.

Then, when spring arrives and the days become longer, you’ll likely see your aloe wake back up with fresh growth. 🌱

Remember: Aloe doesn’t need to be pampered—it needs the right conditions. Less water, plenty of light, and a little seasonal patience can help your aloe thrive year after year.

🌿 Garden Question

Do you have an aloe vera plant at home?

DIY Vintage Crochet Ghost Floral Wall Art

If you love vintage cottage décor, thrifted treasures, lace, and a little spooky-season charm, this project is such a fun one! This adorable ghost combines an old-fashioned crochet/doily look with soft pink and white flowers for a Halloween decoration that feels more whimsical and romantic than scary.

The best part? You can customize the flowers and use thrifted materials to make your ghost completely one-of-a-kind.

🌸 What You’ll Need

For the Background

1 oval wooden plaque or vintage-style wooden frame
Black or very dark charcoal acrylic paint
Paintbrush or foam brush
Sandpaper, optional
Clear matte sealer, optional

For the Ghost

1 large white crochet doily, lace table runner, or crocheted piece
White or cream fabric, optional, for adding fullness behind the crochet
2 pieces of black felt or black fabric for the eyes
Fabric scissors
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Floral wire or thin craft wire

For the Flowers

Choose artificial flowers in a soft vintage palette:

Pink peonies or roses
White or blush hydrangeas
Small pink pom-pom flowers or alliums
Small white flowers
Green artificial leaves
Optional: tiny baby’s breath

Tip: Look for flowers with slightly muted or dusty colors rather than bright, modern colors. They’ll give the project that beautiful vintage cottage feel.

Helpful Tools

Wire cutters
Scissors
Pencil
Ruler
Optional: staple gun
Optional: small decorative easel or wall hanger

👻 Step 1: Prepare Your Wooden Plaque

Start with an oval wooden plaque. You can find unfinished plaques at craft stores, or keep an eye out at thrift stores for old wooden frames and plaques.

Lightly sand the surface if needed.

Paint the entire front of the plaque black or deep charcoal.

You may need 2–3 coats for good coverage. Allow each coat to dry before applying the next.

For a vintage look:

Once the paint is completely dry, lightly sand around the outer edges to reveal a little of the wood underneath.

This gives the piece an aged, antique appearance.

🕸️ Step 2: Create Your Ghost

Now comes the fun part!

Find a large white crochet doily or vintage crocheted piece. A piece with an open, lacy pattern works beautifully because the dark background will show through the holes and make the ghost shape stand out.

Lay the crochet piece over the wooden plaque.

Arrange it so the center hangs down longer, creating the body of the ghost.

You want the bottom to have an uneven, flowing shape rather than a perfectly straight edge.

Don’t worry about perfection!

The slightly uneven folds are actually what make this project charming.

👻 Step 3: Give Your Ghost Some Shape

If your crochet material is very flat, you can add a lightweight piece of white fabric underneath it.

This will give the ghost more volume and make it easier to see against the black background.

Gather the crochet slightly around the upper portion and let the fabric drape naturally.

Use small dots of hot glue on the back of the crochet only to secure it to the wooden plaque.

Another option is to use tiny staples along the back edge of the plaque if your plaque is thick enough.

Important: Don’t glue every section down. Leaving some areas loose creates the beautiful flowing, ghostly appearance.

👀 Step 4: Add the Ghost’s Eyes

Cut two simple oval shapes from black felt.

You can make them:

Large and spooky
Small and sweet
Slightly uneven for a whimsical handmade appearance

Place them near the upper center of the ghost.

Once you’re happy with the placement, secure them with hot glue.

Cute variation:

Instead of black felt, try using black buttons, small pieces of black lace, or painted wooden shapes.

🌷 Step 5: Prepare Your Flowers

Using your wire cutters, separate your artificial flowers from their stems.

Create several small flower groupings before attaching anything to your ghost.

For the look in the inspiration photo, create two floral sprays:

Left side

1–2 large pink flowers
White hydrangea
Small pink pom-pom flowers
Smaller white flowers
Several green leaves

Right side

Repeat the same general combination.

They don’t have to be identical. In fact, a little asymmetry makes the arrangement look more natural.

🌿 Step 6: Arrange the Flowers Around the Ghost

Start with your largest flowers.

Place them toward the lower sides of the ghost.

Then add the hydrangeas and smaller flowers above and around them.

Finally, tuck in your greenery.

The flowers should frame the ghost rather than cover it.

Think of the arrangement as creating a floral wreath that is open in the middle, with the ghost peeking through.

A good design trick:

Keep the flowers heavier toward the lower half and gradually make the arrangement smaller as it moves upward.

This helps draw the eye toward the ghost’s face.

🔥 Step 7: Secure Everything

Once you love the arrangement, start attaching the flowers.

You can use:

Hot glue
Floral wire
A combination of both

For heavier artificial flowers, I recommend using floral wire first and hot glue second.

The wire provides support while the glue keeps everything in place.

Attach flowers directly to the wooden plaque or carefully secure them to the crochet depending on your design.

🕯️ Step 8: Add the Finishing Touches

Now stand back and look at your ghost from a few feet away.

Ask yourself:

Does the ghost still stand out?

If the flowers are overwhelming the face, remove a few.

If the sides look too bare, add a few small flowers or leaves.

You can also add a tiny amount of:

Spanish moss
Mini faux vines
Small white berries
Tiny black flowers
Vintage lace ribbon

For an extra spooky touch, add a little black or gray dry-brushed paint around the outer edge of the wooden plaque.

🦇 Step 9: Display Your Ghost

Your finished piece can be displayed on a tabletop easel, shelf, mantel, entryway table, or hung on the wall.

I especially love the idea of placing it among:

Vintage books
Candlesticks
Small pumpkins
Dried flowers
Antique frames
Brass décor
Other cottage-style Halloween decorations

The combination of black, white, blush pink, crochet, and flowers gives it that wonderfully unexpected vintage Halloween look.

🎃 Make It Your Own!

One of the best things about this DIY is that you don’t have to copy the original exactly.

Try different color combinations:

Romantic Ghost:
Blush pink + cream + dusty rose

Classic Halloween:
Orange + black + cream

Gothic Garden Ghost:
Deep burgundy + black + dark greenery

Winter Ghost:
White + silver + pale blue

Vintage Cottage Ghost:
Dusty pink + ivory + sage green

💡 Budget-Friendly Tip

Before buying your supplies, check your local thrift stores for crocheted doilies, lace runners, old wooden plaques, picture frames, and artificial flowers.

You can often transform pieces that would otherwise be overlooked into something completely new.

And don’t be afraid to mix different crochet patterns. The little imperfections are what give this project its vintage character.

🍎🌿 August Garden Newsletter

Back to School & Back to the Garden!

Hello, Garden Friends! 🌻

August always feels like a little transition. Summer is still hanging on, but we’re beginning to think about cooler days, fall gardens, and—of course—back to school!

For teachers, a new school year is a wonderful opportunity to bring a little bit of nature into the classroom. Plants can brighten up a room, give students something living to care for, and create a beautiful connection between the classroom and the natural world.

So grab your gardening gloves and let’s dig into August!

🍎🌱 1. Classroom Plants: Bring a Little Garden to School

If you’re a teacher looking for an easy-care plant for your classroom, there are plenty of wonderful choices. The key is choosing plants that can handle indoor conditions and don’t require constant attention.

🌿 Snake Plant

One of my favorite classroom choices!

Snake plants are incredibly forgiving and can tolerate lower light and periods of dryness. They also have an upright shape that doesn’t take up much desk space.

Classroom tip: Let students take turns checking the soil and learning when the plant actually needs water.

🌱 Pothos

Pothos is another fantastic classroom plant because it’s fast-growing and easy to care for.

Its trailing vines can be placed on a shelf where students can watch the plant grow throughout the school year.

Fun lesson: Have students measure the vines each month and keep a growth chart!

🌿 Spider Plant

Spider plants are fun because they produce little baby plants, called plantlets, that hang from the mother plant.

This gives students a chance to learn about how plants reproduce and even propagate their own little spider plants.

🌵 A Small Succulent

A small succulent can make a great student desk plant.

They need bright light and don’t need frequent watering, making them a good choice for a classroom where everyone occasionally forgets the watering schedule. 😉

Teacher Tip: Consider creating a small “Classroom Garden Corner” where students can observe, sketch, measure, and learn about the plants throughout the year.

🌿 2. Two Herbs You Can Grow in Containers in August

Don’t put those porch pots away just yet! August is a great time to continue growing herbs in containers.

🌿 Mint

Mint is one of the easiest herbs to grow in a container.

It enjoys bright light and regular watering and grows quickly once established.

Container tip: Always grow mint in its own pot. In the garden, it can spread enthusiastically and become a little too comfortable!

Use fresh mint in iced tea, lemonade, fruit salads, or summer desserts.

🌿 Cilantro

Cilantro is a wonderful herb to start in late summer as temperatures begin to moderate.

Give it:

☀️ Bright light
💧 Consistent moisture
🪴 A container with good drainage
🌱 Succession planting every few weeks for a continuous harvest

Cilantro grows quickly, making it especially rewarding for beginner gardeners.

Garden tip: Once plants begin flowering and producing seeds, allow some seeds to mature. You can collect them to use as coriander!

🌸 3. Start Thinking About Fall Color!

Don’t wait until September to think about your fall flower garden. August is a great time to start planning—and in some areas, planting—flowers that will carry your garden beautifully into autumn.

🧡 1. Marigolds

Marigolds are little garden sunshine machines!

Choose golden yellow, orange, or deep red varieties for a beautiful fall-inspired color palette.

Tip: Keep deadheading spent flowers and your marigolds can continue blooming well into fall.

💜 2. Chrysanthemums

No fall garden feels complete without chrysanthemums!

Look for mums in shades of:

Burgundy
Deep purple
Golden yellow
Orange
Rust
Red

Tip: When buying mums, choose plants covered in unopened buds rather than plants already in full bloom. You’ll get to enjoy the flowers for much longer.

❤️ 3. Celosia

Want something a little different?

Add celosia! Their unusual, feathery or crested blooms bring fantastic texture to fall containers and garden beds.

Look for fiery shades of red, orange, yellow, and burgundy.

Tip: Celosia loves warmth and sunshine, making it a wonderful choice for extending your summer garden into the first weeks of fall.

🌻 A Little Garden Inspiration for August

August reminds us that gardening isn’t just about growing beautiful flowers and delicious herbs. It’s also about learning, slowing down, and connecting with nature.

For teachers, a classroom plant can become a science experiment.

For kids, a tiny seed can become a lesson in patience.

And for all of us, a few colorful flowers on the porch can bring a little joy at the end of a long summer day.

🌿 Until next time, keep growing!

What plant would you love to have in your classroom or workspace this year? I’d love to hear what you’re growing!

Happy Gardening! 🌱💚

🌻 Motivational Monday: Be Like the Sunflower

There’s something special about a sunflower.

It doesn’t bloom because every day is perfect. It grows through storms, stretches toward the light, and keeps reaching higher even after days of heat, wind, and rain.

And maybe that’s a little reminder we all need on a Monday.

🌻 You don’t have to have everything figured out to keep growing.

Some seasons of life feel like sunshine, while others feel more like a garden after a storm. But just like a sunflower, we can choose to keep turning toward the light.

Growth can be slow.
Progress can be messy.
And sometimes, simply showing up is enough.

So this Monday, give yourself permission to grow at your own pace. Tend to the things that bring you joy, let go of what no longer serves you, and keep reaching toward your own little patch of sunshine.

Your garden doesn’t bloom all at once—and neither do you. 🌻

🌱 Monday Garden Question:

What is one thing you’re choosing to grow—either in your garden or in your life—this week?

🌿 The Easiest Air Plants to Grow: Harrisii & Xerographica Care Guide

If you’re new to air plants, you may be wondering, “Which air plant is easiest to care for?” 🌱

Around here, one of our favorite answers is Tillandsia harrisii. This beautiful little air plant is hardy, forgiving, and a wonderful choice for beginners. In fact, with the exception of the impressive Tillandsia xerographica, Harrisii is one of the hardiest air plants you can grow.

Both of these plants are members of the Tillandsia family and have adapted to life without traditional soil. Instead of growing their roots in the ground to absorb water and nutrients, they use their leaves to take in moisture and nutrients from the air.

Tillandsia harrisii is a striking air plant with silvery-green leaves covered in tiny scales called trichomes. These trichomes help the plant absorb moisture and reflect sunlight, making Harrisii especially well adapted to drier conditions.

One of the things I love most about Harrisii is its forgiving nature. It doesn’t need constant attention, making it a fantastic choice for someone who loves plants but occasionally forgets to water them.

☀️ Harrisii Light

Harrisii enjoys bright, indirect light.

An area near a bright window is perfect, but avoid placing it directly against a hot, sunny window for extended periods. Too much intense afternoon sun can cause the plant to become stressed or develop brown, crispy areas.

A few hours of gentle morning sunlight can be beneficial.

Tip: If your Harrisii is green rather than silvery, don’t assume it needs more water. The amount of visible silver comes from its trichomes and can change depending on how hydrated the plant is.

💦 How to Water Harrisii

Harrisii is fairly forgiving when it comes to watering, but proper drying is extremely important.

The soak method:

Fill a bowl with room-temperature water.
Completely submerge the air plant.
Let it soak for approximately 20–30 minutes.
Remove the plant and gently shake off excess water.
Place it upside down or on its side in a well-ventilated area.
Allow it to dry completely before returning it to its display.

Depending on the humidity in your home, Harrisii may need watering approximately once a week.

During very dry or hot weather, it may appreciate watering more frequently.

🚨 The most important rule:

Never leave water trapped inside the center of the plant.

Air plants don’t like sitting wet for long periods. Poor air circulation combined with trapped moisture can lead to rot.

When in doubt, remember:

Soak → Shake → Dry → Display!

🌿 Meet Tillandsia Xerographica

If Harrisii is the easy-going member of the family, Xerographica is the dramatic showstopper. 🤍

Tillandsia xerographica is one of the largest and most spectacular air plants commonly grown by collectors. Its broad, silvery leaves curl and twist into a beautiful rosette.

The name xerographica comes from the Greek words associated with dryness, which is fitting because this plant is exceptionally well adapted to dry conditions.

Its thick, silvery leaves and abundant trichomes help it conserve moisture.

And here’s the great news:

Xerographica is remarkably hardy.

In fact, it often does better with less water than many other air plants.

☀️ Xerographica Light

Xerographica loves bright light.

Place it near a bright window where it receives plenty of indirect sunlight. It can tolerate more direct light than many greener Tillandsias, especially gentle morning sun.

However, intense afternoon sunlight through glass can become surprisingly hot and may scorch the leaves.

A bright room with good air circulation is ideal.

💦 How to Water Xerographica

Xerographica doesn’t need to be soaked as frequently as many other air plants.

A good starting point is approximately every 1–2 weeks, depending on your home’s humidity, temperature, and airflow.

When watering:

Give the plant a thorough soak.
Gently shake out excess water.
Turn it upside down or position it so water can drain away.
Allow it to dry completely.
Return it to its display once completely dry.

Because Xerographica has thick leaves and a dense center, drying is especially important.

If your home is humid, you may need to water less often.

🌬️ Airflow Is Just as Important as Water

Here’s a little air plant secret:

Air plants don’t just need water—they need to dry afterward.

Good air circulation helps prevent moisture from becoming trapped between the leaves.

This is particularly important for Xerographica because of its large, tightly curled leaves.

A ceiling fan, small room fan, or simply placing your plant somewhere with natural airflow can help.

Avoid displaying your air plant in a sealed terrarium unless the container provides plenty of ventilation.

🌡️ Temperature & Humidity

Both Harrisii and Xerographica prefer comfortable household temperatures.

A general range of approximately 50–90°F works well, although they should be protected from extreme temperatures.

Keep them away from:

❌ Heating vents
❌ Air-conditioning vents
❌ Freezing temperatures
❌ Extremely hot windows
❌ Areas where water cannot evaporate

They can tolerate lower humidity because of their trichomes, but extremely dry indoor environments may require more frequent watering.

🌱 Do Air Plants Need Fertilizer?

They can benefit from occasional fertilizer, but don’t overdo it.

Use a fertilizer specifically formulated for air plants or bromeliads and dilute it according to the product directions.

Fertilizing approximately once a month during active growth is generally plenty.

Too much fertilizer can damage the plant, so when it comes to feeding air plants, less is more.

🌿 Harrisii vs. Xerographica: Which Is Easier?

Both are excellent choices, but they have slightly different personalities.

Care	Harrisii	Xerographica
Beginner Friendly	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Light	Bright, indirect	Bright, indirect to gentle direct
Water	About weekly	About every 1–2 weeks
Drying	Very important	Extremely important
Humidity	Moderate	Low to moderate
Airflow	Important	Very important
Difficulty	Easy	Easy
Appearance	Silvery, upright leaves	Large, curly, dramatic leaves

If you’re buying your first air plant, Harrisii is a wonderful place to start.

If you want a statement plant that looks like a piece of botanical sculpture, Xerographica is hard to beat!

🌿 Ready to Try an Air Plant?

If you’ve been nervous about growing air plants, Harrisii is a fantastic beginner plant. It’s hardy, beautiful, and forgiving enough to survive a few beginner mistakes.

And when you’re ready to add a showstopper to your collection, bring home a Xerographica and let those gorgeous silver curls take center stage.

The best part?

No soil. No messy pots. Just a little water, light, airflow—and a whole lot of personality. 🌿✨

Happy growing!