The Essential Guide to Perfect Houseplants

Describes the care requirements for more than two hundred of the most popular houseplants, discusses watering, feeding, pruning, repotting, common pests, and propogation, and gives tips on decorating with plants

This work opens with the general basics of plant care (feeding, pruning, pests, etc.). Next, more than 100 pages of text and color photos are devoted to basic cultural information on popular houseplants. To aid in selection, this information is grouped according to whether the plants require cool rooms or warm. Another section gives tips for growing plants outdoors in window boxes, on decks, and the like. A final section, by Elizabeth Dickson ( The Laura Ashley Book of Home Decorating ), illustrates decorating ideas. A worthwhile purchase for public libraries, the Guide gives more detailed information on seasonal care of individual plants than does the Good Housekeeping Encyclopedia of House Plants ( LJ 1/85). However, Rodale's Encyclopedia of Indoor Gardening ( LJ 10/1/80), edited by Anne M. Halpin, remains a superior source of information overall. Dale Luchsinger, formerly with Agnes Scott Coll. Lib., Athens, Ga.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.