Q How can I grow healthy houseplants?
A To propagate airplane plants, simply snip off one of the "babies" — or miniature versions of the parent plant — with scissors. Then simply root the smaller plant in a pot containing potting soil. Water the new plant and place it near a window where it can get ample sunlight. Within a couple of weeks, the baby will form roots. Within a couple of years, it will be producing babies of its own.
For overgrown plants that have begun to show brown vegetation, it may be necessary to give the plant a "haircut." Use scissors to trim back the trailing vegetation around the sides, leaving just the healthy foliage at the top of the pot. Trimming away the unhealthy foliage will likely result in healthy new growth.
To avoid over-watering houseplants, rely on the finger test. Stick your finger down into the soil in the pot, then pull it out. If soil clings to your finger, the plant doesn't need to be watered. Only water the plant when the soil becomes dry.