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What They Look Like Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied insects that may be black, green, or red. They are pear-shaped and have long legs. Some have wings and others are wingless. Where to Find Them They typically attack new growth of plants. You may find them on growing tips and flower buds, where they suck plant juices leaving sticky deposits of plant sap. These plant-sucking insects cause distorted leaves and buds. Some types feed on roots. How to Get Rid of Aphids Home remedies sometimes do the trick. Try water or soapy water first, before resorting to harsh chemicals. Wipe off plant leaves -- top and bottom -- with a damp cloth. This will remove insects and their eggs. If you have a large infestation, spray the plant with water several times to dislodge the pests from the plant. Clean heavily infested plants with a cloth or sponge dipped in soapy water. Use mild dishwashing liquid that doesn't contain fragrance or other additives. Squirt 2 teaspoonfuls into 1 gallon

No house plant is indestructible. However, there are a feisty few that can't be beat for their tolerance of light, water, and humidity. If you want easy success with house plants, I recommend these power players: Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens) One of my favorites. Also known as the Sweetheart Plant, this is the most popular of the philodendrons because this one stays small and it is so easygoing. It's drought-tolerant. I don't recommend letting it go too long without a drink, but it will recover nicely. Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) Put this one in a bright location and it will reward you with carefree beauty. The Dragon Tree doesn't like its feet wet, so I recommend good drainage. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) Jade Plant gets more beautiful with age. Tolerates room temperatures year-round. A succulent foliage plant, it's happy with indirect sun and little water. Cactus (Cactaceae family) You knew this one would make the list, didn'

Poisonous house plants should be handled with caution. Some can cause illness if eaten, and others can cause skin irritation. Children are unlikely to eat house plants, but some brightly colored fruit may seem tempting. Call your physician immediately if your child has eaten any plant and shows signs of illness. Cats, especially, and some dogs may play with or chew on plants. The toxic sap in poisonous house plants tastes extremely bitter and can cause a burning sensation in the mouth, so a pet is unlikely to play with them long. If your pet has eaten any of these plants and shows signs of illness such as vomiting, drooling, tremors, or any other abnormal behavior, contact your veterinarian immediately. It's a good idea to keep your hands away from your eyes and mouth while pruning or repotting these poisonous house plants, and to wash your hands thoroughly afterward. If your skin is sensitive, I recommend wearing gloves while handling them. Here's a round-up of the us

If you've enjoyed indoor houseplants for any length of time, you’ve probably lost a plant or two. Insufficient and excessive watering are among many reasons a plant might fail despite what seem like pampered conditions. In some cases, pampering may be precisely the problem. Water serves as an important transport medium, allowing nutrients to travel from soil to plant cell. But too much water in the soil layer forces air from the root zone, reducing the plant’s oxygen supply. Unfortunately, there is no simple rule dictating how often houseplants should be watered. Some plants, adapted to bog or swamp life, enjoy soaking wet conditions. Other plants--the succulent family, for example--have adapted to long periods of dryness between heavy watering. Soil medium and pot type influence how efficiently a container holds moisture. How to evaluate soil moisture? Know the conditions you’ve given your plant to thrive in. Plants can be grown in almost any container, but some contain