Winter can be a season of discontent for those of us who love gardening. Other than looking out at the garden and planning for the next season of planting outdoors, what’s a plant-lover to do?
The answer is: grow lots of greenery indoors. From herbs on the windowsill to salad greens and other treats in hydroponic planters, from brilliant orchids and African violets to spectacular foliage plants, there are almost endless choices for the indoor gardener. Even if you don’t have the best windows for plants, there are many products to help indoor gardeners get the best out of our plants. There is no need to suffer without living flowers and foliage during the winter months.
For a few years, it seemed like houseplants were almost out of fashion. Then came a renaissance of sorts with succulents and cacti, as plant breeders began creating new species and hybrids that look like colourful art. (There are even botanical Lego kits now, including succulents, bonsai, and the elegant Bird of Paradise plant). And now that resurgence in popularity has come to all house plants.
Some say it’s because millennials are embracing “plant parenthood.” (Yes, they call it that). Some say social media feeds the passion for houseplants. Stores that cater to houseplant enthusiasts are booming regardless of the season, and there are thriving communities of plant buyers and sellers online. Whatever the reasons, houseplant lovers are in their glory.
People will often say they have no luck growing houseplants, but growing conditions are frequently the culprit. Sometimes they haven’t cared for their leafy friends properly, not feeding or watering the way the plant requires. And sometimes you can do everything right and a plant will die anyway, due to a pest or disease that you might not have noticed. It happens to the best of us — just consign the plant that’s gone to sleep to the compost and try again.
Right place, right plant
Frequently we’re in the grocery or department store and a brightly-coloured flowering plant catches our eye. Before we know it, we’re taking it home (possibly in frigid weather) to nurture it in our living spaces. Unsurprisingly, often these plants don’t thrive, which can be a result of improper transportation and storage at the store, plus the wrong growing conditions at home. Plants that require high light and warmth won’t do well in a dark, cool basement flat, while shade-loving plants don’t want to roast in a south-facing window.
Too often, the information on a houseplant tag lacks detail — and even the correct identity of the plant. “Leafy houseplant” or “fern” isn’t enough detail to properly care for a new foliage friend. This is where buying plants at a proper plant shop or nursery is a huge help. The folks who operate and work in these stores know their plants and can guide you in the right direction.
Plants and pets: a caveat
Cats and dogs will often bother houseplants, either chewing on them, knocking them over, or (in the case of cats, particularly) digging the soil out of the pots and using the plant as a bathroom. There are also many plant species that are toxic and, just to add to the challenges, what might be toxic to a cat might not be to a dog (and vice versa). Check out the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Toxic and Nontoxic plant list at aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants. The website contains thorough lists of toxic species for cats and dogs, so you can quickly check to make sure you aren’t planning to bring home a problem plant.
An amazing and geometric succulent. These tender plants can enjoy summer outside then winter indoors.
Designer plants and collectors
Most of us know the ubiquitous Philodendron, recognizable for its glossy, heart-shaped dark green leaves and its trailing tendency, which makes it an excellent plant for hanging containers. There are now dozens of varieties of philodendrons on the market, some costing hundreds of dollars, and these are a far cry from those tough but predictable standards. There are those with foliage spangled in pink, white, or yellow. Some are clumpers rather than vining, including ‘Prince of Orange’, which has massive leaves shaded with orange and burgundy on new growth. There are varieties with incandescent lime green and gold foliage, and many others. I have a dozen or so varieties in my house, along with probably an equal number of related pothos (devil’s ivy) varieties.
The good news is that a lot of the formerly expensive varieties are much more reasonable in price because they are more readily available. They tend to be easy care plants that don’t require a lot of direct light and are usually untroubled by pests. Look for ‘Brasil,’ a green and yellow striped variety; ‘Pink Princess,’ with deep green leaves splashed in pink; ‘White Wizard’ and ‘White Knight,’ both of which have striking white markings; ‘Silver Sword,’ a silvery-grey trailer; ‘Birkin,’ a clumper with white veined foliage; and ‘Lemon Lime,’ a climbing variety with brilliant yellow-green foliage.
Another formerly clichéd houseplant is the Sansevieria, also known as mother-in-law’s tongue and snake plant. These elegant plants have several different forms, some of which have sword shaped leaves, and others that are smaller and often referred to as birds nest forms. Some even have striking tubular foliage, but all tend to be variegated with green, yellow, and white. You’ll find them in a wide range of sizes and prices, but one of the most appealing things about them is their tough nature. They don’t demand a lot of light, and they don’t like overwatering.
My personal favourite houseplants boast variegated foliage, including one I coveted from the moment I laid eyes on it about five years ago: a variegated string of hearts. They came way down in price so I have two of them, along with five other types of string of hearts (Ceropegia species) and they hang around the windows looking happy and making me happy. And isn’t that why we grow houseplants?
The (guilt-free) disposables
In winter, it can be hard to find flowering plants beyond the poinsettias and Christmas cactus from the holiday season. However, there are some stalwart and fairly available flowering houseplants that crop up in plant shops, floral departments and dedicated greenhouses, including the much loved (or much hated) African violets, with their jewel-like colours and fuzzy leaves; moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) which are tough and long flowering, dependable in low-light situations. As winter wears on, you’ll also find what I call the fast-food plants. Flowering varieties such as grocery store primulas, cineraria, kalanchoe, gerbera daisies and cyclamen, some of which are easy to grow and others that are a little more demanding.
Of these tougher plants, I tell people not to worry—enjoy them until they start looking straggly or stop blooming, and then if necessary, compost them, guilt free. There are always more houseplants out there