Florida Garden Planting Guide: Perennials for North, South, East, West Exposures

Paula in Zone 10 planted 70 perennials around her mothers home. Plants on north side thrive; south and west sides wilt in afternoon heat. She lists all plants by exposure. Expert Feedback Nick praises her selections (ros

Removing a Fruiting Banana Tree: Separating Pups from Mother Plant

A neighbor in Charlotte County wants to remove a banana clump with three trunks, one currently fruiting. The asker wants to know digging depth/width and if fruit will be harmed. Advice Nick suggests the mother plant with

Transplanting a Large Dracaena Marginata: Pot Size, Soil, and Root Care

Marcy is replacing a 10-foot diseased dracaena with a 7-foot nursery plant (from Florida) in a 14-inch industrial pot. She asks about pot size, soil amendments, and whether to also transplant the old root-bound plant. Ne

Separating Multiple Dracaena Marginata Plants in One Pot

Marcy has a 7-foot Dracaena marginata in a 14-inch pot with 4-5 plants. She wants to separate the tall trunks from the smaller filler plants before repotting. Expert Confirmation Nick says the smaller plants are separate

Moving Tropical Plants from Michigan to Florida: Packing and Transport Tips

Jacie is moving to Florida in October with potted Mandevilla, Brugmansia, Datura, hibiscus, and Martha Washington geraniums. She wants to save space during travel. Transport Method Nick recommends pruning plants back har

Waterlogged Garden Plants After Heavy Rain: Solutions for Poor Drainage

Paula planted 70 plants around her mothers Florida home. After heavy rains, some look waterlogged. She considers digging them up and adding pebbles. Root Cause Nick asks if heavy potting soil was used—it holds too much w

Jasmine Plant Leaf Drop After Indoor Move and Sevin Spray

Patty brought a jasmine indoors when nights hit the 50s, sprayed it with Sevin, and within two weeks nearly all leaves dropped. Mistakes and Recovery Nick identifies two errors: (1) Plants should be acclimated gradually

Dividing and Transplanting a Large Areca Palm

A 6-foot areca palm is being gifted; the recipients want to split the root ball in half. The palm has been outdoors in semi-shade, recently moved to a cooler north side. Division Advice Nick confirms arecas are vigorous

Mealybugs on Porch Palms: Proper Treatment with Horticultural Oil

Paulas screen porch palms have mealybugs. She tried alcohol-water mix, which caused yellow/black leaves. She also asks about caterpillars on oleander and mandevilla, and wilting night jasmines after heavy rain. Mealybug

Dracaena Marginata Yellowing Leaves: Natural Aging or Problem?

Three 6-foot Dracaena marginata plants have had yellowing lower leaves for six months. Reducing water didnt help, but plants otherwise look healthy. Expert Insight Nick reassures that lower leaf yellowing and drop is nor

Coffee Plant Transplant Shock: Recovery Steps for a Droopy Kona Coffee

A 6-month-old Kona coffee plant became very droopy after repotting into a larger container. Diagnosis and Recovery Nick suspects transplant shock from disturbed roots or insufficient watering after the move. Recommendati

Pruning Dwarf Sago Palms: Removing Lower Fronds and Watching for Scale

A homeowner asks if they can trim back two large dwarf sago palms in their front landscaping without ruining their appearance. Pruning Advice Nick says only the lower fronds can be removed to expose more trunk. Thats the

Overwintering Tropical Hibiscus in Upstate New York

A gardener in upstate New York wants to bring two tropical hibiscus shrubs indoors for winter. Indoor Care Guide Place near a south-facing window for maximum sun. Mist leaves frequently to prevent spider mites. Keep soi

Bougainvillea Scale Infestation: Treatment with Horticultural Oil

Dougs four young bougainvilleas are covered in small white cottony bugs, losing leaves. He suspects mealybugs. Identification and Treatment Nick identifies the pest as scale insects, not mealybugs. He recommends spraying

When to Harvest Bananas in Georgia: Ripening Tips and Frost Protection

A Savannah, Georgia gardener has a banana plant with two bunches of fruit about 6 inches long. They want to know when the fruit is ready to eat. Harvest Timeline Nick advises that bananas take about 3 months to plump up

Sea Grape Not Fruiting: Patience Is Key for This Native Plant

A South Florida gardener has a healthy, well-established sea grape that flowered and fruited only once in over a decade. They asked how to encourage more blooms and fruit. Expert Advice Nick explains that sea grapes (Coc

Propagating Alamanda, Lakeview Jasmine, Jatropha, and Thryallis from Cuttings

A gardener asked whether they could start new plants from cuttings of Alamanda, Lakeview Jasmine, Jatropha, and Thryallis, and whether to use water or moist soil. They also noticed black seeds on Thryallis. Best Propagat

Bangalow Palms Turning Brown: Overwatering and Root Rot in New Plantings

Merv in Australia planted several Bangalow palms, but within weeks the fronds browned despite regular watering. A local nursery blamed wind, but expert Nick suspected a different cause. Diagnosis: Too Much Water Nick exp

Majesty Palm Fungal Spots: Treatment and Prevention

Indoor Majesty Palm (Ravenea rivularis) Brown Spots: Fungus House palm with brown spots on top leaves, dull foliage: common fungal leaf spot. Treatment Broad-spectrum fungicide (copper or chlorothalonil) per label Wait

Root Rot vs. Fungal Leaf Spots on Schefflera

Diagnosing Brown Spots on 6-Year Hawaiian Schefflera Schefflera with wipe-able brown spots on leaves/stems that return: likely fungal leaf spot, not root rot. Root Rot Definition Roots sit in saturated soil → suffocate