The Houseplant Encyclopedia [Paperback]

Ingrid Jantra (Author), Ursula Kruger (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 11, 2006

Step by step to success with more than 1,000 indoor plant varieties.

This highly regarded encyclopedia contains all the expert advice the indoor gardener needs, from purchase and placement to controlling pests and diseases. Any indoor gardener can achieve success, even with exotic plants and rare varieties, by using this book.

At the book's core is a 250-page A-Z listing by botanical name of 1,000 houseplants for the home, from interior rooms to the balcony, patio, and sunroom. Each entry includes a full-color photo of the plant, a detailed description, and straightforward advice on placement, care, and propagation. Cleverly designed at-a-glance symbols indicate the plant's light, watering, and feeding needs.

Frequent boxed features and sidebars provide additional data about the particular care requirements of a wide range of plants. Hundreds of helpful hints and tips offer sound advice on getting the most from indoor plants. A tiny sampling of the many items discussed includes:

• The most common mistakes
• Watering during vacations
• When a plant gets too big
• Aromatic plants
• Pruning and training
• Why to avoid peat moss.

With an extensive glossary, a practical index, and a list of useful addresses for ordering plants and tools, The Houseplant Encyclopedia has something for everyone -- from the casual windowsill gardener to the expert horticulturist alike.

(2008)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book is somewhat misleadingly titled, as the first 155 pages are narrative, covering many different short topics on container gardening. Sections include room locations for plants, botanical information, plant care and propagation, pests and diseases, and garden types such as miniature and desert. The glossary included in this section is misplaced for optimum use. The two-part encyclopedia section, which lists house plants alphabetically, covers the plant family name, native habitat, flowering time, care directions, propagation, pests and diseases, and uses and also provides a color photo. (The many excellent color photos are an attractive feature.) The first section of the encyclopedia includes better-known container plants, while the second section covers specialized plants, including orchids and cacti, that are difficult to grow in home situations because of their unique requirements. The authors are experts in gardening and plant care, and their text is a translation from a European publication. Recommended for the circulating collections of larger public libraries.?Dale Luchsinger, Milwaukee Area Technical Coll. Lib, Wis.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

This reference book has something for everyone -- from the casual windowsill gardener to the expert. (Michigan Gardener 200712)

Inspiration and advice... The encyclopedia's 1,000 illustrated entries provide a profusion of choices. (Jane Gadd Globe and Mail 20060908)

Use this manual to choose wisely; it also helps with trouble-shooting and care advice... should be on your reference shelf. (Valerie Easton Seattle Times 20060830)

Useful and thorough... my favorite part of the book recommended plants to complement particular furnishing styles. (Jarrett Smith Minneapolis Star Tribune 20061213)

Easy to navigate and obviously well thought out... excellent photographs take the guesswork out. (Patty Jessome Edmonton Sun 20060924)

It is an absolute given that you are going to love and cherish this engaging new book... sane and practical. (Larry Cox King Features Syndicate 20060619)

Handsomely illustrated... comprehensive... The section on general houseplant care is particularly enlightening, full of valuable tips for the indoor gardener. (National Garden Clubs 200610)

This step-by-step guide to more than 1,000 houseplants is intended to make the task easier... goes beyond basic upkeep. (Science News 20060805)

A reference of 1,000 illustrated entries. Information on each plant includes optimal heat, light and humidity... a comprehensive book. (David Hobson Kitchener-Waterloo Record 20060610)

This wonderfully detailed book will provide enough information and winter projects to keep even the most avid of gardeners busy. (Nicole Vaive Calgary Sun 20061118)

Unexcelled in its thoroughness and expert advise, both written and illustrative... exquisite photography and the range of topics it covers. (Ken Smith London Free Press 20011207)

The Houseplant Encyclopedia should satisfy any indoor gardener. (Mary Fran McQuade Vaughan Today 20070503)

If you or someone you know really enjoys gardening indoors, you must have this book. (Mary Cameron Frey Chicago Sun-Times )

Should be one of the first books you buy if you're serious about collecting houseplants. (Dallas Morning News )

Every once in a while a books come along that you just have to buy ... [This] is that book. (Knight-Ridder News Service )

Clean, simple text lays out the basics ... Supplemental charts and diagrams make the information easy to absorb. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel )

Well organized and particularly strong with technique. (Hartford Courant )

STARRED REVIEW: Beautiful color photos complement exhaustive plant care advice including tips and boxed sidebars. (Library Journal )

The [houseplant book] I use the most. (Robert Stiffler Lancaster New Era )

Any indoor gardener can achieve success, even with exotic plants and rare varieties, by using this book. (I Can Garden.com )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (May 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554071402
• ISBN-13: 978-1554071401
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #268,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #47 in Books > Education & Reference > Encyclopedias > Gardening

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding !, April 15, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The House Plant Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

I checked all my local bookstores for the right book to give to a friend who is always asking me for "horticultural advice" on his collection of houseplants. I grew up in a family of wholesale flower growers, and have 30 years of experience with my own houseplants. This book is the best I've seen. It has a very complete (about 125 pages) section on cultivation, light, water, placement in the house, patio, or balcony, containers, re-potting, nutrients, overwintering. It's wonderful for neophyte houseplant enthusiasts, and has much to teach me as well. I especially liked the extensive pests & problems section, which had actually recognizable pictures of plant symptoms, and charts of how to solve the problem. A unique addition are very useful non-chemical alternatives, including herbal concoctions, to getting rid of pests & diseases, (essential for pet lovers like me who love their animals as much as their plants). After all of this, there are the photographs! Not just the usual plants for beginners, but also a separate section of 150 "Specialties & Rarities". Each picture has info on flowering time, placement, care, propagation, pests, & uses. Throughout the book are prominently placed concise "TIPS" for quick & easy reading both in the general info section and amongst all the photos. Now that I've got one for my friend, I need a copy for myself. An incredible book for the price!

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but not GREAT!!, March 11, 2004

By 

"deanysak" (Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The House Plant Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

Although the book is comprehensive and has many tips on house plants, I only found 3 out of 25 plants in my house in this book. The photo section of this book is lovely, but it is titled "The most beautiful plants from A to Z" and does nothing for people like me with mostly all green house plants. Most of these plants they reference are blooming and floral. Make sure you know what you're looking for before you purchase this book!!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent--"plain speak" good advice, July 7, 2003

By 

Kathleen Wilson (Trophy Club, TX United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The House Plant Encyclopedia (Hardcover)

I have a huge assortment of plant/gardening books, and often do alot of cross-referencing w/my hobby. This book is one of the first that I always pick up. It's "plain speak" approach (i.e. author will say, "I have always found..." etc.) is just terrific; I often find myself wondering how "Ingrid can help me with this?!" The tips are a wonderful "sidebar" feature, both highly informative, and just interesting! The descriptions the author provides of each plant is a true DESCRIPTION....detailed, and geared to educate the reader. They're not just a bullet-point listing of a few of the essentials on the plant, with questions left unanswered.

I went to my library over and over again, consulting this book on a number of plants questions and issues, until finally, I got my own precious copy!!

100% worth the investment of time and money for your gardening needs, both indoors and (gosh, what a bonus!) outdoors as well.