Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images At The Spruce, we love all thingsindoor plants. Unfortunately with plants come the opportunity for pests to feed off of them. Here are some popular house plants thatmay have you second-guessingyour next nursey trip due to theirpest-attracting qualities. Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images However, they do attract bugs, specifically fungus gnat especially if you are overwatering it. For your precious aloe vera plants, stick to leaving the soil dry andgnat-free....

You’ll probably find most will walk on by. Try instead:A better alternative is food-grade diatomaceous earth. Carpenter says it’s safe, environmentally friendly, easy to use, and works. The Spruce / Meg MacDonald Spread as a thin even layer of dust in areas of pest activity or potential entry points. Some critters will also get used to the fragrance, making any efforts frustratingly unsuccessful. Both these two DIYs are better defenses against these annoying pests....

Heres what they had to say. Kuthy explains how hydrangeas often don’t bloom and are actually challenging to look after. If youre interested in large flowers, try starting with a more accessibleflowering plant such as peonies. Vladislav Zolotov / Getty Images Elizabeth Fernandez / Getty Images Roses Similarly, Kuthy says that she cant stand growing roses either. “Don’t get me started on pruning, either.” Kuthy often needs to wear a thick denim hazmat suit to properly prune her rose bushes every year....

Below, you’ll find their insights regarding summertime watering, fertilizing, propagating, and much more. We guarantee you’ll learn something new that will help you become the best plant parent possible. There are other ways to provide your indoor plants with more humidity. @leafandlolo/ Instagram it’s possible for you to even purchase a humidifierand place that near your plants, she adds. Tip Go ahead and take your humidifier out of the closet....

Below, three interior designers chime in with their top tips for integrating fake plants into the home. Need to make your plant appear a bit taller in the pot? There’s a hack for that, too, according to designerLiad Schwartz. Alexis Warren Designs/ Photo byAnna Routh Barzin When choosing a pot, consider going the vintage route for extra personality, Schwartz says. Design bySarah Lyon/ Photo byAllie Provost Want more design inspiration?...

We’re sharing the five best tips for choosing the right wood stain for your project. Since walnut is dark, it will only stain very dark unless bleached. The same goes for a wood deck thats exposed to direct sunlight or frequently shaded by trees. Erin Williamson Design And thats where one can blur the line between interior and exterior. In the southeast, theres more southern yellow pine while in the Pacific northwest, theres more redwood....

The heat can dry up foliage far quicker than the soil and plant roots. Placing a humidifier near parched plantsis one way to raise humidity and keep plant leaves from becoming crispy. Cahillane explains that the humidity around houseplants rises as the water in humidity trays evaporates. Yulia Naumenko / Getty Images Want more gardening tips? To avoid issues, double-check to water plants more sparingly in winter and skip the fertilizer entirely....

It’s difficult to sort through the noise and figure out what you actually need sometimes. Meet the Expert Will This Bring Me Joy in the Long-Term? We often buy things because it will bring us joybut that’s not necessarily long-lasting. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida “Joy is lasting, but dopamine is fleeting,” Shields says. “If the excitement fades the moment you buy it, thats a red flag. Try waiting 24 hours and see if the ‘spark’ is still there....

Read on to get ready and motivated for your upcoming home refresh. Meet the Expert What Spots Havent Been Cleaned in a While? Deep cleaning isnt just scrubbing; its about resetting neglected areas, Brown says. BakiBG / Getty Images Polish door handles and light switches with a microfiber cloththeyre high-touch areas that are rarely clean, Brown says. Dont forget your furniture, too. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? The Spruce / Jason Donnelly...

Luckily, regular cleaning and the right products can keep mold buildup at bay. Want more cleaning and organizing tips? Just adding a cleaning product without scrubbing the mold is not going to work, Avery says. ArLawKa AungTun / Getty Images Use a toilet brush to reach the rim and scrub at mold spots. Tip Dont forget toclean the toilet tankin addition to the toilet bowl! Mold often forms first in the tank before appearing in the bowl....

Beyond that, however, there are some surprising benefits to making your bed each day. Fun Fact Your bed-making habits reveal a lot about your personality. According to a poll commissioned by Sleepopolis, who make their beds aremorning people. The Spruce / Marty Baldwin If you don’t like to make your bed, you’re likely a night owl. In a2014 commencement speechat the University of Texas at Austin, Admiral McRaven shared his thoughts on the matter....

What Is Hydrogen Peroxide? Hydrogen peroxide is a chemical compound that is used as an antiseptic and bleach. Around the house, it can be used for everything from eliminating odors tocleaning bathroomstobrightening laundry. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly Tip you might also use hydrogen peroxide to disinfect the water of a hydroponic plant. Add two and a half teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide to one liter of water. This will help keep the plant’s environment healthy....

Here are some reasons for why your hydrangeas are wilting and how to fix them. Lack of Water It does not take a heat wave or drought for hydrangeas to wilt. Insufficient water is the most common cause for the leaves, flowers, and stems of hydrangeas to wilt. Nicola Ricci / Getty Images The name Hydrangea, stems from the Greek word hydros which means water. When its fibrous roots dont find enough water to take up, the hydrangea loses its turgidity....