The Household Garden Blog

Pests on potted plants: how to spot them and what actually works

How to identify the seven pests that turn up on potted plants in South Africa, and the gentle fixes that work before you reach for a spray.

Which lawn grass suits your South African garden: kikuyu, LM, buffalo and more

A straight comparison of the lawn grasses sold in South Africa, with mowing heights, water needs and advice on when to top dress.

How to plant a shade container that looks full and stays healthy

How to read the shade you actually have and plant a container that fills out and lasts, using clivia, ferns, plectranthus and streptocarpus.

Common garden plants that are poisonous to dogs and cats in South Africa

A plant by plant look at the garden and houseplant species most likely to poison a dog or cat in South Africa, with the symptoms to watch for and safer alternatives.

What is mulch, and how to use it in pots and beds in South Africa

A practical guide to what mulch is, which type to use where, how deep to lay it, and why a pebble layer earns its place on a container.

Planting for bees in South Africa: a pot garden the bees will actually visit

How to plant a few pots that bees genuinely use, with indigenous choices for every season and the water detail most gardeners get wrong.

Watering outdoor potted plants: What you need to know

Potted outdoor plants add that special something to a garden, while they look equally magnificent on a veranda. But although many people choose to include potted plants in their landscaping and as ...

How to plant a concrete pot so it drains well and lasts

How to plant a concrete pot so it drains well and never sits in water, with the evidence on drainage layers, pot feet and the right potting mix.