How to Grow and Care for Cardinal Flower

Cardinal flower is normally planted from potted nursery starts in the spring, or by seeds sown in fall. It is a fairly fast-growing plant that requires full to partial sun. In hotter climates, it will do best with afternoon shade to provide shelter from the intense heat. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault To help retain soil moisture, try adding a layer of mulch around your plants. Amending soil with heavy amounts of compost can also improve soil moisture levels....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 444 words · Ruth Kelly

How to Grow and Care for Carolina Allspice

The Carolina allspice shrub is easy to grow and hardy in a wide range of growing zones. Their intoxicating fruity perfume will let you know the shrub is in bloom. The leaves are also fragrant if crushed, and the bark has a distinctly camphor or juniper-like scent. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova All parts of the plant were traditionally placed in drawers and closets to keep linens and clothing smelling fresh....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 372 words · Nicole Pena

How to Grow and Care for Carrots

Carrot foliage is finely dissected with fern-like compound leaves. Carrot flowers have five petals and sepals and are born in compound umbels. Carrots are best known for long, orange roots, but they actually come in several colors and shapes. The Spruce / K. Dave Plant carrots in the springand seeds will germinate in 10 to 21 days. From seed to harvest typically takes 50 to 75 days. How to Plant Carrots When to Plant Carrots grow well in cool weather....

May 4, 2025 · 4 min · 653 words · Mrs. Courtney Brown

How to Grow and Care for Cassava

Mostly grown for its edible roots, this perennial is an attractive ornamental. The tuberous root is a popular starchy carbohydrate food source in South Africa and Southeast Asia. In its uncooked state, the roots of cassava are toxic to humans and pets. The Spruce / Gyscha Rendy The plant needs at least eight months of warm weather to produce a crop. Selecting a Planting Site Give cassava a location withfull sunand deep, fertile, and moist soil....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 601 words · Kristy Henderson

How to Grow and Care for Cast Iron Plant

It also grows well outdoors in its growing zones and is a popular choice for containers and shade gardens. Here’s everything you should probably know about how to grow and care for the hardy cast iron plant. Be sure to keep cast iron plants away from direct sunlight, which can bleach and burn the leaves. The Spruce / Kara Riley When growing cast iron plants outdoors, place them in a shady area with indirect sunlight....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 445 words · Ashley Barrera

How to Grow and Care for Castor Bean

However, castor bean plants are highly toxic to people and pets. Avoid putting the plant below anytowering trees, which can impact the amount of light it can get. Soil Soil that is rich and moist will produce the best results for your castor bean plant. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova The mixture should be nutrient-dense and hold moisture well, but should not be boggy or easily waterlogged. Generally, the plant likes around 1 inch of water per week, either from rainfall or manual watering....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 268 words · Carolyn Ramos

How to Grow and Care for Cat Palm Indoors

Can You Grow Cat Palm Inside? As a tropical plant, cat palm grows well inside, as they appreciate typical indoor temperatures and humidity. The right lighting is crucial, as cat palms need bright, indirect light. The Spruce / Adrienne Legault Direct morning sunlight from an east-facing window is generally okay, but harsh direct sun can burn the leaves. Rotate your plant periodically to give all the foliage enough light exposure....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 348 words · Amy Long

How to Grow and Care for Cat Whiskers Plant

Found along the edges of forests and thickets, it prefers full sun and warm temperatures. The plant is hardy inUSDA hardiness zones9-12 and is considered tropical. Cat whiskers should be planted in an area offull sunin well-draining soil. I love Photo and Apple./ Moment/ Getty Images The flower spikes offer a good source of nectar for hummingbirds and butterflies in apollinator garden. It is an easy-care plant requiring moderate water levels and feeding....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 370 words · Susan Prince

How to Grow and Care for Catalpa

The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Thecatalpa tree(Catalpa spp. Light The catalpa does best with at least four hours of direct sunlight per day. Itprefers full sunto really thrive. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Good drainage is always preferred, but catalpa trees can survive both flooding and extended periods of drought. It’s not overly bothered by high humidity or dryness. The Chinese catalpa is a somewhat different species with yellow flowers, also known as yellow catalpa....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 213 words · Melissa White

How to Grow and Care for Catawba Rhododendron

This slow-growing shrub loves shade. It is anideal plant for woodland gardens, particularly those with excessive shade. Do note, though, that all parts of this rhododendron shrub are toxic to humans and pets. The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova Catawba Rhododendron Care Here are the main care requirements for the Catawba rhododendron. Light Give Catawba rhododendron a little morning sun at the northern end of its range. At the southern end of its range, give it full shade....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 452 words · Bobby Huber

How to Grow and Care for Catmint

These easy-to-grow plants have slightly aromatic gray-green foliage with a delicate, lacy appearance. Their billowing foliage is topped with spikes of white, pink, or lavender-blue flowers. There are many different catmint cultivars and new ones are being introduced regularly. The Spruce / K. Dave The plant is hardy in USDA Zones 4-8. Catmint is long-blooming, starting in early summer and repeatedly blooming throughout the season. Like many scented, gray-foliage plants, catmint is deer-resistant....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 597 words · Lori Coleman

How to Grow and Care for Cattleya Orchids

These orchids are epiphytic, meaning they naturally grow attached to other plants, such as tree branches. When grown as a houseplant, an east- or west-facing window that gets a lot of light is ideal. However, any harsh midday sun that comes through the window should be diffused with a sheer curtain. The Spruce / Letícia Almeida Similarly, the orchids like outdoor sunlight in the morning but should be protected from the strong afternoon sun....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 626 words · Johnathan Myers

How to Grow and Care for Cauliflower

It has thick, oval leaves with pronounced midribs and veins. The leaves and stem of cauliflower are both edible. Cauliflower has a very distinct nuttiness and is similar to broccoli in flavor. The Spruce / K. Dave Plant cauliflower in early spring for an early summer harvest or in midsummer for a fall harvest. double-check toharden off your transplantsbefore setting them out in the garden. Blanching Cauliflower Cauliflower needs to be blanched to avoid discoloration, especially white varieties....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 613 words · Christopher Mcgrath