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Enjoying Moss Rose in Your Garden

Portulaca grandiflora, or moss rose, is a member of the purslane) Portulacaceae family. This small family contains less than 100 species, including the edible purslane weed, which is a prolific self-seeder. Moss rose plants are beautiful when used in pots and container gardens and also make an excellent ground cover. Don’t let this plant’s small stature fool you; portulacas are sturdy and beautiful at the same time. They are a great option for hot and dry climates and have a short and sweet spreading habit.

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Make Your Very Own Living Picture with Succulents (Here’s How)

There’s no conversation piece quite as great as a living succulent frame. Your guests will be raving about your DIY craft project, and it will provide a stunning element for your interior decor. Even though it may seem trickly, putting together a succulent frame is incredibly easy if you follow these 8 simple steps.

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How to Throw the Perfect Succulent Planting Party

Succulents are all the rage these days and with good reason. They are cute, colorful, and full of interesting texture. They are easy to work with and make the perfect live addition to any indoor or outdoor space. Their versatility means that they can be incorporated into any style from rustic to modern and dressed up or dressed down. If you have not had the opportunity to host a succulent party for friends and family, now is a great time. Here are some tips to ensure that your planting party is a huge success!

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This Radiant Skin Remedy is Easy to Grow

Aloe vera is one of those intriguing plants that checks all the boxes. It is drought resistant and incredibly tolerant of forgetful waterers. It is useful for health and beauty. And it looks absolutely stunning in your home or garden. This succulent is a great place to start if you have no experience with plants but is also an excellent addition to the extensive collection of any avid gardener. Here are just a few reasons everyone show have an aloe plant in their home and how to grow this hardy succulent.

Treats sunburn

Even if you’ve never grown an aloe plant, you are probably well aware of the soothing and healing properties it has on a nasty sunburn. When you break off a piece of the plant and squeeze out the clear gel onto your battle scars from a day in the sun, it works to heal the skin at a cellular level. It also protects the skin from future burns and keeps it from drying out and peeling by locking in moisture.

Fights aging

Wrinkles and fine lines are an inevitable part of aging. However, aloe vera is a natural way to increase skin elasticity and fight off those tell-tale signs for a few more years. This plant is loaded with antioxidants and vitamins such as beta carotene, and vitamin C and E that restore your skins natural firmness and keep it hydrated

Improves acne

Acne is a frustrating and irritating skin condition that doesn’t always go away once you escape the throes of puberty. Adult acne sufferers often deal with oily skin, clogged pores, and massive pimples that linger for days. Thankfully, aloe contains salicylic acid, which is an exfoliant that helps unclog pores, and it works as an anti-inflammatory on the oil glands that cause acne.  Whip up an aloe vera face mask or simply use it as an overnight spot treatment for problem areas and rinse it off in the morning.

Remember: Aloe vera is a great topical solution but should not be taken orally as it can cause indigestion and nausea. Make sure to keep your plants out of reach of dogs and cats since it is toxic to pets if ingested.

How to grow aloe vera:

All these amazing skin benefits and more are just a few steps away. Read on to find out how to grow your own aloe vera plant today.

Place it in indirect sunlight

Most gardeners choose to keep aloe vera as a houseplant since it only thrives outdoors in very warm climates and will not survive a frost. It is possible to keep your aloe outside in containers over the summer but be sure to move them into your house over the cold winter.

Keep your aloe plants in bright-indirect sunlight. Too much direct light (such as extended time in a windowsill) can actually cause your aloe to dry out and cause the leaves to turn yellow.

Choose the right pot

Porous pots such as terra cotta work best for the aloe plant since it is a succulent and prefers dry soil. You can use glazed or plastic containers, but they tend to hold more moisture so you will have to be careful not to overwater. Be sure that the pot has at least one hole in the bottom to allow excess water to drain out.

Meet soil requirements

Choose a light, well-draining potting mix such as one specifically designed for succulents and cacti. The mix should contain lava rock, coarse sand, perlite, or a combination of all three. Do not use regular garden soil as it is too heavy and does not allow water to drain, which could lead to rotting and wilting.

Water deeply

When you do water your aloe plant, (about once every three weeks or when the soil is completely dry about 2 inches down) be sure to water it thoroughly. Water until the excess comes out of the drainage hole. Remember, overwatering is the most common reason that many people struggle with growing aloe plants. They thrive on neglect so don’t baby this hardy houseplant.

Have you ever grown an aloe vera plant? What are your favorite uses for aloe in your beauty routine? Let us know in the comments below!

-Taylor Ramsey

 

7 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Succulents

I would bet that if you have any houseplants as living decor in your home, you have at least one succulent taking up residency on a bookshelf, coffee table, or resting in a sunny windowsill. And this is with good reason! Succulents are super cute, easy to care for, and incredibly popular right now which makes them a no-brainer addition to your collection. But did you know that succulents can also be grown outside, even if you don’t live in the desert? Here are a few other facts you probably didn’t know about your favorite plants.

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