|
Issue Date: September 20, 2009
Everything you need to know about houseplants
More than just decoration, they improve your health and shape your style.
By Fran Sorin
If you're one of those people who still think of houseplants as spider plants in macramé hangers, it's time to update your thinking. Houseplants are back in not only for decorating, but also because green plants give off oxygen and absorb toxins, and they are thought to reduce headaches and sore throats.
Today's houseplants come in a variety of shapes and heights, with or without blooms and scents. When used correctly, plants can represent your lifestyle and help shape the style of a room. Want something architectural or sculptural? Not a problem. How about something modern, romantic, fussy, funky or tropical? You've got it. Examples of all of these and more are available at your local garden center, through mail-order catalogs and online.
Assess your space
Walk around your house and note areas where some plants could add atmosphere. Consider empty spaces in the living room, on the mantel, on a windowsill or bedside table or in the foyer.
For each location, make a note about how much light the spot receives each day. A true southern exposure (six or more hours of direct sunlight) is great for sun-loving plants; eastern or western exposures (three to six hours of sunlight) work well for plants that thrive in partial shade and sun; a northern exposure is good for shade-loving plants.
If you want some smaller plants on a little side table or on a windowsill, know the exact dimensions before purchasing. With larger plants, find out how big they'll be at maturity so you can take into account how much space will be needed.
Purchase the plants
Browse the selection at the store before making any decisions. Do the plants look healthy, with lots of new growth at the top and no yellow, brown or damaged leaves?
Read the label to check the conditions under which it will thrive so you can see if it will fit into one of the areas for which you're shopping. Also, take the style of the room into account. Will the new plant add some panache to the décor or warm up the room a bit?
Care for your plants
Once home, position your plants according to their sun or shade needs, and place a saucer under each for drainage. Keep plants away from drafts or heating sources, but remember that they'll need air circulation, so keep a fan nearby and use it every few days.
Water the plant according to the instructions that came with it. Some plants like to be bone dry before being watered; others do better when kept moist. A general rule of thumb is to stick your finger 1 inch into the soil; if it's dry, then it needs to be watered. Pouring water into the saucer is an efficient way to give roots the moisture they need.
If a plant loses a few leaves, don't worry. But if the problem persists, check the top and bottom of the leaves for insects or fungus. If the plant is infected, isolate it from other plants and spray with an organic insecticide or fungicide.
Read Fran Sorin's gardening blog online at gardeninggonewild.com.
Go to top
Houseplants organized by styles
Tropical: chenille plant, datura, cigar plant, spiral ginger, goldfish plant, coleus, bromeliads (scarlet star, blue-flowered torch, bird's nest, flaming sword, pineapple), lipstick vine, flowering maple, boat lily
Architectural: dieffenbachia, dracaena, ficus, palm (windmill, European, Chinese fan, sago, Burmese fishtail), philodendron, umbrella tree, yucca, cactus, fiddle leaf, Bengal and rubber plant, fig, banana, heliconia
Blooming: bouvardia longiflora (scented), golden trumpet, gardenia (scented), fuchsia, heliotrope, variegated wax plant, hydrangea, impatiens, king's crown, jasmine (some with scent), flaming Katy, oleander, orchid, geranium, passionflower (scented), black-eyed Susan
Unusual: rex begonia, pilea moon valley, ornamental pepper, pencil euphorbia, angel wing
Romantic/Sweet: begonia, geranium (rose, lemon mint), orchid, passiflora, primrose and cape primrose
Succulents: agave, aeonium, cactus, aloe (lace, hedgehog, partridge-breasted), jade plant, silver crown, echeveria (blue, red, firecracker, painted lady), ox tongue, pearl plant
|
