Houseplant Soil Aeration

One critical task for houseplant care that is often overlooked is soil aeration. Aeration is creating space in the soil where air can reach the roots. All potted indoor plants need their soil aerated regularly. It's like a breath of fresh air for them and they will thank you for it. 

• Use a thin stick (chopsticks work great) and poke a few holes in the soil and wiggle a tiny bit. Nothing too thick or it might crush precious roots. 
• Aerate right before a watering to help moisten the soil evenly

Most importantly, be attentive and responsive to your living plant. Most plants will tell you what they need if you just observe and listen to them. 

Tillandsias

I've killed more air plants than any other plant. They require a fair amount of attention and care than I thought. So here's what I learned.

• let them live right next to a window without direct sun (no less than 2 ft away) 
• give them a quick dip in water once a week
•  gently but vigorously shake ALL excess water off and leave them upside down to drip dry (or they will rot) 
• return to window when dry

SPREAD TILLY LOVE 

The Friendship Plant

Pilea peperomioides (PIE-LEAH) (PEPPER-O-ME-OY-DEES) is a very unique and popular houseplant. Naturally, when I bought mine all I wanted to do was give it lots of attention and love everyday. I didn't want to mess up my $48 houseplant!  But Pileas like their space. I treat mine like a semi-succulent. I give it lots of bright indirect light and let it dry out a bit between waterings. My pilea is finally growing some babies from the stem in the soil! yay! When they're about 2 inches tall, I'll cut them off, plant them in fluffy soil, give them about a month or two to really establish a root system, and then give them to my plant friends. BECAUSE SPREAD PLANT LOVE!