Plants
How to Grow and Care for the Gardenia Flower in Containers
Intro: The large white gardenia flower has a strong, sweet scent. Gardenia flowers come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are always white. Gardenia plant leaves are dark green and waxy. Flowers start to bloom mid-spring and extend into the summer. For a container garden, choose a gardenia variety that will grow well in plant containers (smaller varieties grow to about 2 feet tall), and provide acidic soil between 5.0 and 6.0. Potting soils have been developed especially for gardenias.
How to Grow and Care For Lemongrass in Containers
Intro: Lemongrass is a great plant for an edible garden or a kitchen garden. It grows well in plant containers and can be used fresh or dried in teas or in culinary dishes (it is popular in Asian cuisine). The stalk is used for cooking, and the leaves are used for teas. Lemongrass tea can be calming and soothe stomachs. A popular tea blend is “Sleepy Time Tea,” which is a mixture of lemongrass, lavender and German chamomile flowers. These fast-growing large plants can grow up to 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide, so make room for it in your small balcony garden.
The Best Plants to Grow Hydroponically
While almost any terrestrial plant will grow well hydroponically, not all are suitable for a hydroponic growing aquarium or for an AeroGarden. There are a few container plants that will do really well in a 10-gallon aquarium by a window or underneath a grow light.
How to Grow and Care for Geraniums in Containers
Intro: The common geranium flower blooms from mid-spring to early fall. Its 4- to 5-inch-wide flower clusters come in many colors – pink, purple, red or white. This gorgeous flower is a staple in balcony gardens and grows well in plant containers.
How to Grow and Care for the Chrysanthemum Flower in Containers
Intro: Chrysanthemum flowers, also called mums or chrysanths, come in many varieties and colors that are suitable for a balcony container garden. The two main chrysanthemum variety types are hardy and florist chrysanthemums. Hardy chrysanthemum flowers (aka garden hardy) do well in cooler weather and can be overwintered outside in the container garden. Florist (aka exhibition) chrysanthemums do well in mild need more attention (i.e., staking, overwintering indoors) and are more delicate, but they produce some of the most beautiful flower blooms. The late-blooming chrysanthemum flowers give gardens color throughout the fall season and are often the last flowers to bloom before winter.
