Staying Alive: The Go-to Guide for Houseplants

Melrose and Normandeau follow up The Prairie Gardener’s Go-to Guide for Grasses with a hit-or-miss manual on sprucing up one’s home with plants. Following a q&a format, the authors weigh in on such topics as deterring pests, choosing where to place plants, and ensuring they’re watered properly. The authors affirmatively answer the question “Can I mix different houseplants together in a container?” with the caveat that readers should only group plants with similar humidity, soil, and water needs. Discussing how to protect flora from harmful insects, Melrose and Normandeau recommend preventing fungus gnats from laying eggs in the pots of moisture-loving plants by covering the soil with a layer of sand. There are plenty of useful tips, as when the authors suggest that “watering from the bottom” (leaving a potted plant in a water-filled saucer to absorb moisture through the container’s drainage holes) decreases the risk of root rot. Unfortunately, other guidance is overly broad. For instance, a section purporting to answer “How do I know which types of indoor plants are suitable for my home?” does little more than restate the question, suggesting readers buy plants that thrive at the average temperature and humidity levels in one’s abode. Additionally, the amateurish quality of the photographs disappoints. Readers would be better off with A People’s Guide to Houseplants. (Apr.)