Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not GREAT!!
Review: 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!!
Rating:
Summary: Good, but not GREAT!!
Review: 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!!
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding !
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: A Must-Have
Review: I found this book to be very helpful, especially when cross-referenced with others like the houseplant expert. My only qualm, and it isn't even a real one, is not compiled by a fellow American. It is not nationalism that is the problem, it is that 'common' names change country to country. As with others I have bought recently, although it rarely causes a problem especially when you know the latin, sometimes it does create confusion. An absolutely beautiful book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent--"plain speak" good advice
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Love It
Review: I just love this book it tells you all you need to know
Rating:
Summary: Pet Owners Need This Book
Review: The one indispensible item this book provides that I have not found elsewhere, is a listing of which plants are poinsonous to pets and people, and which are not. I always review this book when I am considering bringing a new plant into my house. If it says they're not poisonous to my pets, I bring it on home. If it is poisonous, I avoid it. I have not found as comprehensive a list any place else.
Rating:
Summary: Very comprehensive!!
Review: This is a wonderful book. Having only recently discovered the joys of houseplants, I was looking for a thorough and comprehensive book that would help me identify my plants, and properly take care of them. This book does both and more. There is a section devoted to the conditions and care required for a wide range of houseplant species, plus great sections on diseases, pests, and common mistakes. After each in depth section is an "at a glance section" for quick reference. Another very important and often overlooked feature is that it has a list of poisonous plants, so that we can make sure we place plants that can be dangerous out of reach of our pets and children (or better yet, avoid buying them all together). I am also a big fan of its construction. Sturdy hard cover binding and glossy pages make it easy to wipe off all of the potting soil that gets dropped on it. :-) Great book! Worthy investment!
Rating:
Summary: Very comprehensive!!
Review: This is a wonderful book. Having only recently discovered the joys of houseplants, I was looking for a thorough and comprehensive book that would help me identify my plants, and properly take care of them. This book does both and more. There is a section devoted to the conditions and care required for a wide range of houseplant species, plus great sections on diseases, pests, and common mistakes. After each in depth section is an "at a glance section" for quick reference. Another very important and often overlooked feature is that it has a list of poisonous plants, so that we can make sure we place plants that can be dangerous out of reach of our pets and children (or better yet, avoid buying them all together). I am also a big fan of its construction. Sturdy hard cover binding and glossy pages make it easy to wipe off all of the potting soil that gets dropped on it. :-) Great book! Worthy investment!
Rating:
Summary: A fine source for a house plant hobbyist
Review: This is the greatest book for a house plant hobbyist I have been able to find! All the most common (and many not so common) house plants are included, with good instructions - I have some 80 different house plants, and all of them are there!
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