Search - Articles

These tiny, sap-sucking pests may be only 0.5mm long but they can wreak havoc in a greenhouse or on houseplants indoors. For most of the year they are a pale green colour with two dark spots on their back; it's only in autumn and winter

they need to be brought indoors when the weather turns cold. The rest of the plants can remain outside in the pot.AdamPosition the pot in full sun, somewhere the plants will be brushed against so their leaves will release their aromatic oils.More information

.MayJune - September20 minutesGazania plants x3Sanvitalia plants x2Lantana plants x2Large potCrocksCompostGlovesFind a sun-soaked spot for this container and get out your gardening gloves, as lantana can irritate sensitive skin. Add crocks to the bottom of the pot

.AdamMany of these plants can be raised from seed. Sow them into fibre pots in spring and you can transplant them into the container without disturbing their roots.Take cuttings of the osteospermum in summer and overwinter them indoors in case you lose plants during a cold

In the heat of summer, this showy pot will bring a taste of the tropics to your garden. The huge, red-tinged banana leaves flounce above a frothy skirt of blue-grey parrot's beak and honey bush, and fiery begonias. April - JuneJune - September30

in a cool, lightly shaded spot.AdamWhen it's flowered, cut back the begonia and move it indoors. The ferns can be repotted or enjoyed in the garden.More planting combinations for shadeGrowing shade-loving acer and ajuga.Grow plants for shade

.Water the pot well to fully soak the water-retaining gel. Keep the container looking fresh by deadheading the pelargoniums regularly to encourage more flowers.AdamBefore the first frosts, remove the begonia and pelargonium plants and pot them up for use indoors

If you're short of sun in your garden but want an interesting summer display, try this rich blend of foliage plants. Both the plectranthus and begonias perform well in shade.April - JuneJuly - September20 minutesBegonia rex x2Purple

, including African violets, cane-stemmed begonias, coleus, cyperus, impatiens, ivy, rubber plants and verbena.More on growing and caring for house plantsTaking stem cuttings from dracaena house plantsGrowing cactus plants from seedGrowing indoor amarylis

will dry out. Water is only taken up through the tree in the layers just below the bark.Choose a cool spot indoors away from radiators.Choose low-heat fairy lights if you're buying new ones and always turn your lights off at night.Thin densely branched