House Plants

Archive for March, 2010

House Plants can bring an incredible amount of joy into one’s life, the reasons for having an indoor garden can be many-fold, but, for the most – it’s just nice to have something vibrant and alive inside.

Not only decorative, but good for your health, too. For instance, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air and also, remove many poisonous toxins and pollutants as well, such as from office areas.

Be mindful, however, you cannot just plonk any old plant into a pot and expect it to survive indoors. That is why we have specific varieties of ‘house-plants’ and ‘indoor plants’!

If you really like the look of, say, a pine tree, eucalyptus, or for that matter a Sequoia – terrific! Do not think for a moment that it’s going to become a house-plant.

Trees, as such, need a lot of room, sunlight, water and nutriment – plant them outside, in your yard. Unless, of course, you are looking at ultimately – removing the roof and walls, digging up the floor; and living for another hundred years. Well then, go for it.
Personally, I think that’s what forests are for.

Indoor-plants are generally smallish, soft and shiny – and need care. This does not mean that you have to be constantly hovering over them, fiddling and fussing, as this will often kill them. Too much kindness will do more damage than good.

When choosing plants for indoors, make sure the plants are adaptable and relatively hardy. I would advise that they are purchased from a reputable dealer of ‘house-plants’, rather that straight from the supermarket.

Supermarket plants are already on the back-foot, generally neglected, having flouro-light rather than sunlight – more like as not they will cark it two days after you get them home. Still, if budget is a prime concern; and you have lots of time, these plants can be revived and made to feel welcome.

Light.
How much natural light does your home offer? If, indeed you live somewhere with no windows, ‘grow-lights’ can be purchased to substitute for sunlight. Not a perfect solution, but will work. Natural reflected light, or sunlight, is always best.

This is not to advise you to stick your plant in the window and forget about it, as direct sunlight through glass will in effect, cook or burn the plant. If you have purchased from a supermarket, you can guarantee this result. Filtered light is your best option.

How big?
Well, how much do you want to spend? You can buy a Boston, or fish-tail fern, in a two inch pot, for about $1. It will have three leaves and probably look a little silly, too – but it will grow. Or, you can buy the same type of fern, about the size of an armchair – and pay accordingly.

Living Space.
Keep in mind the limitations of the area you will be placing the plant into. Palms look fantastic and are well suited to indoor growing, but if it is ten feet tall – how high are your ceilings? These plants do not grow sideways and if it is hitting the ceiling, it will become damaged.

As can be seen house plants are a little more than just a plant in a pot.

Next in this series about Indoor Plants: Watering Your Indoor Plants