Guides
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Houseplant Care: Everything Every Plant Owner Should Know
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice on houseplant care. Water once a week. Mist every day. Never put a plant in direct sun. Always feed in spring. Repot every year. The truth is much simpler. Plants have been growing successfully for millions of years without instruction manuals. The secret to keeping healthy houseplants…
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Which Houseplants are Poisonous for Pets?
Poisonous houseplants are more common than many people realise. Understanding which plants are potentially harmful, recognising the symptoms of poisoning, and knowing which alternatives are considered pet safe can help you enjoy a home full of greenery with greater peace of mind. The good news is that most common houseplants are not highly poisonous, and…
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Mushrooms in My Potting Soil – Are They Safe?
You’ve gone to water your favourite houseplant and noticed mushrooms poking out of the compost. Your first thought might be that something has gone terribly wrong. Is the soil contaminated? Is your plant sick? Should you throw the whole pot out? The good news is that mushrooms growing in houseplant soil are usually a sign…
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Can You Use Houseplant Potting Mix Outside?
If you’ve ever repotted a houseplant and found yourself with half a bag of potting mix left over, you’ve probably wondered whether it’s safe to use in your outdoor pots. The good news is that, in most cases, the answer is yes. What matters is whether the potting mix suits the needs of the plant…
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Fungus Gnats, Those Little Black Flies in Houseplant Soil
If you’ve noticed tiny black flies hovering around your houseplants, congratulations! fungus gnats are a milestone in your houseplant journey. At some point, almost everyone who keeps houseplants ends up sharing their home with a few of these tiny insects. Let’s talk about what fungus gnats are, why they appear, and what you can realistically…
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Everything You Need to Know About Keeping Olive Trees Indoors
Olive trees are Mediterranean evergreen trees native to warm, dry regions across Southern Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East. In nature…
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Should I Be Feeding Olive Tree Houseplants?
They aren’t particularly hungry plants, but regularly feeding an olive tree can make a noticeable difference to their growth, foliage colour, and overall health. In their natural Mediterranean habitat, olive trees often grow in relatively poor, rocky soils. They aren’t adapted to receiving huge amounts of nutrients all at once. Instead, they benefit from a…
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Repotting Houseplants: An Easy Step-by-Step Guide
Repotting houseplants is the best way to give them a boost when they’re struggling, and support their long-term growth. Use this simple repotting guide as a handy reference to make sure you’re keeping the process as stress-free as possible. Step 1: Choose the Right Soil Every houseplant has different needs, and matching your plant to…
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Do Olive Trees Need a Drainage Layer For Repotting?
Adding stones or gravel to the bottom of a plant pot for a drainage layer is one of the most common pieces of gardening advice people hear when repotting an olive tree. It sounds logical — if olive trees need excellent drainage, surely a layer of rocks at the bottom of the pot must help…
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Am I Watering My Olive Trees Properly?
Watering an olive tree can be a little bit tricky. Most problems people run into with olive trees indoors don’t come from pests or pruning mistakes — they come from watering incorrectly. Olive trees are naturally adapted to hot, dry Mediterranean climates where the soil drains quickly and roots are exposed to plenty of air.…
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Olive Tree Placement Made Easy
Finding the right spot for an indoor olive tree can make the difference between a thriving Mediterranean centrepiece and a slow, struggling plant that constantly drops leaves. Good olive tree placement gives your plant a great chance at thriving. Olive trees have adapted to being under intense Mediterranean sun, and most problems people have with…
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When Should I Repot My Olive Tree?
Repotting an olive tree at the right time can make a huge difference to how well it recovers, grows, and settles into its new soil. Olive trees are tough plants, but they still respond much better when repotting is timed properly. Because indoor olive trees are generally quite forgiving, as long as you use a…
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Supporting Monstera With Training and Pruning
Properly supporting monstera growth is the most specialised skill you’ll need to get to grips with. If you’re not lending your plant a hand, monstera will reach, stretch, and lean, often ending up in shapes that are unruly and difficult to manage indoors. Monstera are climbing plants by nature and, for me, learning how to…
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Should I Be Feeding My Monstera?
Feeding your monstera is essential because, unlike plants in the ground, it relies entirely on the limited nutrients available in the pot, which are gradually depleted through watering and growth. Regular fertilisation supports healthy growth, but getting it wrong can quickly cause problems. Underfeeding and overfeeding can both cause a mess of problems. Striking the…
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Where Should I Keep My Monstera?
Light is the single biggest factor affecting monstera growth. It decides the size and shape of leaves, how quickly the plant grows, and how impressively the leaves fenestrate (split). If your monstera isn’t thriving, light is almost always the first thing I’d check. Ideal Lighting Conditions Monsteras thrive in bright indirect light that closely mimics…
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How to Repot a Monstera (Step-by-Step Guide)
Repotting a monstera is one of the most important parts of keeping it healthy long-term. It gives the roots more space, refreshes the soil, and lets you add a support pole without any risk of damaging the roots or compressing the soil. Taking a bit of time here to properly repot your monstera makes everything…
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How Often Should I Water Monstera?
Overwatering is the most common mistake that beginners make. It’s easy to assume more water equals a healthier plant, but monstera suffer far more from too much attention than too little. Getting the perfect balance of moisture and a solid understanding of when to water will keep your monstera strong and healthy, and avoid that…
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Should I Mist My Monstera?
Misting a monstera with a spray bottle adds a light layer of moisture to the surface of the leaves. Since monstera come from humid tropical environments, there is some sense in recreating that moisture, even in a small way. That said, I don’t rely on misting for anything long-term. The water evaporates quickly, and whatever…
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Everything You Need to Know About Keeping Monstera
Monsteras are incredibly rewarding plants, and easily one of my favourites. When given bright light, airy soil, and something to climb, they respond with impressive leaves and fast growth.
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What are the Best Ingredients for Houseplant Soil Mixes?
At Allgood Farm, every ingredient we use is carefully chosen to create the perfect balance of drainage, aeration, and nutrition. Each of our sustainable soil blends is designed to keep your houseplants thriving, and we mix them carefully in small batches to ensure even distribution. If you’ve ever wondered what makes the best soil mix…