Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Search Smarty Plants
| topic | question | |
| Trimmng and fertilizing yucca September 07, 2007 Should I cut the stalks of the Yucca that have already bloomed or wait until they dry? How often should I fertilize? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Century plant dying after bloom August 12, 2007 My century plant is so tall that it is up to the top of the telephone pole top lines that carry our streets electric. I was wanting to know if you knew if I cut the stock off would it save the plant ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of July 23, 2007 I'm trying to identify a plant and I'm having trouble doing so. The plant was called moss by my mother,but it looks like a succulent. It grows on the ground and looks like small vines with pink stem... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Propagation of Agave americana by seed July 11, 2007 Dear Mr Smarty Pants, My Century Plant is fulfilling its one wish and blooming flowers from its massive stalk. Although I am very sad to see it go, it is certainly a sight to behold. This plant, ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Crown rot in Agave americana June 13, 2007 My Century Plant's leaves get soft toward the base and eventually fall over and I have to cut them off. What causes this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Care for century plant June 06, 2007 What is the best way to care for a Century Plant? We were given one as a gift and don't know what to do with it. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Care of Spanish Dagger (Yucca treculeana) after blooming May 27, 2007 I live in Austin and have a 5 ft spanish dagger in my backyard. Now that it has bloomed and the flowers have withered in May, should I cut off the center stalk or will it bloom again from the same st... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Ravaged by snails May 23, 2007 Our Prickly Pear Cactus is being completely ravaged by snails. Is there something in my yard that could be attracting them? Is there something I can do to keep them off the plant? Also is is safe to... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Semelparous: plant that dies after reproduces. Agave and bamboo. May 15, 2007 There is a term for a plant who lives its life (usually more than 2 years) sends up a spectacular flowering structure, and then dies. what is that term? a certain plant that falls into that category... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Root depth of opuntia May 15, 2007 What can you tell me about the depth of roots of the opuntia? Does it vary with different varieties or is there formula to estimate the depth according to the mature size or to the culture - garden ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| 20 years to bloom May 02, 2007 My girlfriend and i have come up with an interesting question, we were wondering if there is a plant in existance that takes over 20 years to bloom, and how many different kinds (if any) there are? We... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Eliminating prickly pear March 24, 2007 What is best practice for eliminating 100+ acres of dense prickly pear? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Soil for Agave americana March 20, 2007 Can you give me some information on soil admendments for growing Agave (Century Plant)? I kept it in a pot during the winter and now I am ready to plant it in my beds View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | | |
| Selenicereus anthonyanus, Rickrack or Fishbone Cactus February 28, 2007 A friend of mine gave me a plant he said was a rick rack plant. I have tried to research it on line with no luck and I don't know the scientific name...any help? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Boundary plants to control cats June 06, 2006 Is there a plant especially ANNOYING to cats that I could plant along my fence line to keep him away from the street beyond? It would have to be hardy enough for hot temps & full sun. Thanks! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native plants for full sun and low maintenance May 13, 2006 I have volunteered to plant flowers/bushes around a sign at my church. I want to plant indigenous plants so the maintenance is low but I also want attractive plants. The soil is clay and the locatio... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Century plant dying after bloom April 06, 2006 Help!! I want to save my Century Plant from dying. I have already lost one and I don't want to lose this one. Can cutting the stalk before it gets too big save this beautiful plant? Please, pleas... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Projected longevity of Opuntia fragilis (Fragile Prickly Pear) November 25, 2005 How long does Opuntia fragilis live? Thank you. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plants to accompany cactus and agave October 09, 2005 What plants would look well with cactus and agave to soften the look of spikiness? Also, a homeowner in our association wants the association to plant a pyracantha at the corner of the street to preve... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Landscaping with native plants in Austin October 06, 2005 I'm expanding a flower bed in front of my house and would like to keep it all natives. 1) How do I find out what type of soil I should add? (I live near Hyde Park, Austin and haven't had a soil te... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Monocarpic plants for Indiana October 06, 2005 We were in Hawaii this summer and became acquainted with the Silversword. This plant (according to what we were told) blooms only once in it's lifetime (of 50-70 years). Are you aware of any other pl... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Smarty Plants on bio-security June 11, 2005 Hello, My friend and I are summer interns at the Bryan Mound Strategic Petroleum Reserve Site in Freeport, Texas. Our jobs as the interns is to find a plant that is friendly to the animals around our... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Tropical-looking landscape in Austin, TX March 24, 2005 I'd like to have a tropical-looking landscape in my front yard. What plants would you recommend for Austin, Texas? I would prefer plants that can stay outside year-round, but will take suggestions on... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| How do cacti stay in ground February 25, 2005 How do cacti stay in ground? I know that flowers stay in the ground by their roots but what about cacti? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native perennial winter plants for Waco, TX November 03, 2004 I live in the Waco area, and would like to know winter plants that I could use that would come back each year, flowering or otherwise. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| topic | question | |