Set in Southern California, my HO scale layout includes a Southern Pacific train order office surrounded by a desert scene. Although this arid landscape has sparse vegetation, my scene needed two ...

A large cactus can be an interesting, low-maintenance houseplant. They come in all shapes and sizes and introducing one into your living space as a statement piece can add spice, flair, and style to ...

Mary, Mary quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With dregs from eggs and tins of beer, bourbon and cans of coke. Mother Goose might not approve of this jazzed-up version of the classic nursery ...

As the holiday season comes upon us you may want to decorate your home with some lovely colorful flowering plants. Besides poinsettias, there are holiday cacti that have flowers that may be white, ...

Proper timing is the key to getting the best blooms.

Discover why you shouldn't fertilize a holiday cactus in January and when to do it instead. Getting the timing wrong can ...

Pencil cactus is a fitting common name for Euphorbia tirucalli, even though the plant would be useless for writing and is not really a cactus. A single plant looks like many slender, green pencils, ...

Here in the high desert, where the water is scarce and the air is dry, cactus and succulents are nature’s decorations and favored houseplants and landscaping features. Our trend has gone national.

The Christmas cactus is one of the most beautiful plants we use to decorate for the holidays. And, yes, even though these plants don’t possess spines, they are true cactuses. With proper care, they ...