Root Beer Plant Is So Easy to Grow, Anyone Can Do It—Here's How

It can be grown outdoors or indoors and is valued for its large, fuzzy, heart-shaped leaves. Foliage gives rise to the common name ‘root beer plant’ for fragrance released from crushed leaves. They infuse a peppery, anise flavor into Mexican and South American dishes. John Benedictus / Getty Images Small spikes covered with multiple, tiny, white flowers are lightly scented and attract pollinators. Safrole has a low toxicity level when used in high doses....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 589 words · Andrew Green DVM

Rose of Sharon: Plant Care & Growing Guide

But it also can grow in partial shade. However, too much shade can minimize flowering and contribute to diseases, such as fungal issues. Soil Rose of Sharon prefers a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutralsoil pH. The Spruce / Autumn Wood Water Rose of Sharon grows best in moist soil, but mature shrubs can tolerate some drought. It won’t thrive extremes: very dry or very wet conditions....

May 4, 2025 · 3 min · 575 words · Natasha Sanders

Rosemary Needs Special Care in The Winter—What You Should Do Right Now For Happy Herbs

Rosemary adds a woodsy, energizing aroma and savory, herbaceous flavor to any dish. But this Mediterranean plant requires protection and special care to make it through the winter in very cold climates. Gardeners in colder zones that regularly experience temperatures below 10oF in winter mustbring plants indoorsor seek out cold-hardy cultivars. janaph / Getty Images With a little maintenance and the right conditions, yourrosemary plantwill survive the winter to thrive next season....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 315 words · Brett Hunter

Roses Need Special Winter Care—How to Protect Them from Frost

Learn some of the top ways to give your roses the winter protection they need. That’s why sheltering the crown is the main focus ofwinter rose protection. Want more gardening tips? The Spruce / David Beaulieu Be sure to remove the blanket in the morning. Tying the canes together after pruning will also make the plant more wind-resistant. These pests are usually larvae of sawflies, bees, or wasps. Getty Images...

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 221 words · James Brown

Rugs Can Make or Break a Space—10 Types You Need to Know to Upgrade Your Floors

The Spruce / Jason Donnelly The right rug can finish off a room make over perfectly. While color, pattern and size are major considerations, dont underestimate the importance ofrug material typeand weave. Braided Braided rugs are made by tyingstrips of fabrictogether. The Spruce / Jason Donnelly This weaving process allows you to reverse the rug when one side gets dirty. Textural and eco-friendly braided jute or sisal rugs are popular in modern homes....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 339 words · Sandra Harding

Rust Fungus: Identification and Control on Plants

Severe outbreaks of rust fungus can turn leaves yellow and cause leaf drop. What Is Rust Fungus? Rust Fungus Identification Rust fungus is found on the surfaces of plant leaves in speckled masses. The Spruce / Xiaojie Liu Many types of rust fungus disease affect specific annual and perennial flowering plants. The spores are spread by wind or water to infect healthy plants. Different fungi will attack different plants and it can also attack turfgrass....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 290 words · Jeremy Williams

Rustic Interior Design: The Ultimate Guide

It can look like a lovelyshabby chicfarmhouse, a remote cabin in the woods, or anything in between. Achieve a rustic interior by emphasizing natural and organic elements such as reclaimed wood and an earthy color palette. Learn to spot this incredibly approachable and relaxed style and how to incorporaterustic decorinto your home. The Spruce / Christopher Lee Foto What Is Rustic Interior Design? Rustic interior design is characterized by natural, aged, organic, and distressed elements....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 241 words · Scott Stokes

Rusty Water Laundry Problems and Solutions

Evidence of rusty or red water problems is usually due to two sources. Water from rusty water heaters, pipes or water storage containers causes staining to be more sporadic. Warning The important ingredient in rust remover compounds is an acid-usually oxalic or hydrofluoric acid. The Spruce / Ulyana Verbytska Any acid remaining in the fibers will deteriorate the fabrics. Never use chlorine bleach to remove the stains because chlorine bleach will set rust stains permanently....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 286 words · Kimberly Wise

Safe Plants for Cats and Dogs

Giving zinnias a full day of sunshine and adequate spacing alsoreduces mildew outbreaks. Ruffled flowers and picotee blossoms appear on plants that appreciate the same temperatures we do. The fuzzy leaves don’t produce any harmful substances known to harm cats or dogs. The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong Both leaves and flowers are non-toxic to cats and dogs. Camellias live for decades, so choose their planting site carefully. They like a sheltered spot with afternoon shade, good garden loam, and moderate moisture....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 316 words · Carla Morris

Saltwater For Pools vs. Chlorinated Water

Should you convert your chlorinated pool to a saltwater one? Instead, a salt chlorine generator machine converts sodium chloride, or ordinary salt, into chlorine. So, in essence, a saltwater pool does have chlorine. Getty Images Salt is added directly to the swimming pool water. The pool water is drawn into the generator and passes through the salt cell. In the cell, metal blades coated in ruthenium or iridium are charged by electricity....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 360 words · John Frey

Sam's Club Is Already Seeing Summer, Dropping 10 New Outdoor Products

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation. Sams Club, on the other hand, isnt approaching seasons quite like the rest of us are. The membership warehouse is already dropping some incredible summer finds, from outdoor furniture to accessories. Sam’s Club Its mildew- and fade-resistant and durable enough to handle heat, cold, rain, and snow. It has an ever-trendy handwoven rattan weave design thats weather-resistant and durable. The two-pack also includes a set-and-forget-it timer, giving you six hours on and 18 hours off....

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 137 words · Kevin Barnes DDS

Sam's Club Is Selling a 24-Piece Stoneware Dinner Set That Looks Twice the Price

If you select links we provide, we may receive compensation. And one of those wins we recently discovered is theMembers Mark 24-Piece Modern Stoneware Dinnerware Set. New year, new you, new dinnerware with this incredible Sam’s Club set. Sam’s Club A subtle reactive glaze gives the Modern Dinnerware its artisanal look and stone-smooth feel. Almost all of the reviews are a version of love it, well made, and beautiful. Huge oversized dinner plates and heavy quality!...

May 4, 2025 · 1 min · 143 words · David Jackson

Samsung Washing Machine Error Codes and What to Do About Them

But what does each code meanand more importantly, how can you fix the issue? Start by unplugging the washer, and forcing launch the door. Check the wiring connections to the door lock and switch, and tighten if needed. The Spruce / Ellen Lindner Use the machine’s diagnostic test mode to check the status of the door lock and switch assembly. If the test shoes shows the lock is defective, replace it....

May 4, 2025 · 2 min · 306 words · Jennifer Roy