Indoor Gardening (3 page)

This plant got its name from the fact that it flowers around Christmas; and the flower is a heart-stopping beautiful pinkish-red. This is one of the most unpretentious plants you can grow indoors. It thrives in cool and dry conditions and does not need too much watering either. It can live well in low light conditions, though it needs bright light for a little part of the day. Too much light will burn the cactus leaves; hence, during bright summer days, it will require shading.

T
EMPERATURE:

The Christmas cactus likes a temperature range of 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. It should not be exposed to direct heat sources (fireplace), vents or the like.

W
ATER:

The Christmas cactus does not require too much water. However, you need to ensure that the soil is always moist. It is best to keep the pot on a pebble-tray; as the pebbles will absorb water, the plant will get the moisture it requires.

S
OIL:

This is one plant that will thrive in any type of soil. Use a good quality potting soil that drains well. For best results you should apply a weak solution of liquid houseplant fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

P
ROPAGATION:

Take Y-shaped cuttings from the stem tips and root them for propagation. Mix equal amounts of moist peat and perlite or sand and keep it moist – not wet; wet would rot the cuttings. As soon as the cuttings are rooted, place them in a very loose mixture of good potting soil.

4.
A
LOE
V
ERA (
A
LOE BARBADENSIS
)

These plants are easy to care for, beautiful, and slow growing. They look great in a container and they offer a long list of health benefits as well. Because they are excellent for soothing burns – they are also called popularly ‘the burn plants’. Aloe vera is an excellent antiseptic as well and the inside clear flesh can be made into healthy smoothies (just avoid eating the outer green skin because it’s a strong diarrhetic).

T
EMPERATURE:

Aloe vera requires a temperature range of 50-65 degrees Fahrenheit. It should not be exposed to direct heat sources (fireplace), vents or the like. It requires plenty of sunlight, but not direct sunlight.

W
ATER:

Water the plant just enough for the soil to remain moist. Allow the top soil dry (1-2 inches). Do not allow the water to sit because the roots of this plant rot easily; water even less during winter months.

S
OIL:

Use a well-draining potting mix which is especially used for all types of cacti. It is important that the soil does not waterlog or the roots of the plant will rot. \

P
ROPAGATION:

You can obtain leaf cuttings for propagation. Cut about 3 inches of the top part of the leaf and allow it to rest for a few days; when the callus is formed at the place of the cut, remove it. Dip it in rooting hormone and bury the cut side in a cacti potting mix. Maintain the soil moist – not wet. The new plants will get roots in 2-3 weeks.

5.
G
REEN
D
RACAENA (
D
RACAENA DEREMENSIS)

This is a very beautiful plant with large, long green leaves with white stripes. These plants are unassuming and though they thrive in medium to bright light, they seem just as happy in low light conditions. This is an excellent choice if you are looking for an indoor plant that adds beauty to your home. It can grow 3-10 feet tall with luxuriant upright foliage (most won’t exceed 2-3 feet in height).

Be aware that this plant’s leaves are poisonous if chewed by children or pets. Hence, if you have either, ensure that they do not have ready access to the plant.

T
EMPERATURE:

The Green Dracaena is happiest if the temperature is maintained at 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit. It does not tolerate cold or dry heat.

W
ATER:

This is a plant that does not require too much watering. Allow the top soil to dry between watering. Water once every 2 to 3 days. Ensure that water never saturates the soil or the leaves will wilt and roots will rot.

S
OIL:

Use a well-draining humus-peat-loose soil that does not hold water. Earthworms are excellent helpers in the soil of this plant. Top with fertilizer every 2-3 months. You will need to repot this plant every 2 years. Keep the soil’s pH between 6.0 and 6.5.

P
ROPAGATION:

This plant can be propagated by stem/ tip cutting, air layering or by potting root basal shoots during spring, and/or later summer.

6.
G
ERANIUM (
G
ERANIUM DISSECTUM)

These are wonderful flowering plants that come in blue, pink, red and purple with long term continuous flowering. These flowers will grow happily in any soil as long as you do not flood it with too much water. For indoor planting the dwarf variety are the best choices. The plant lives for about 18 months and for the majority of this time they bear lovely flowers.

Geraniums love the sun and hence, require plenty of direct sunlight. This is why these plants thrive best if they are placed on the sill of the window. The plant will start flowering somewhere during mid-summer and will continue flowering until the first winter days. To ensure that it continues to bloom, cut the old blooms as soon as they die.

T
EMPERATURE:

For best results, keep the temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit for this plant. They can resist the cold very well, but not too much humidity or heat. Keep it away from any direct vents of heat.

W
ATER:

Geraniums do not like too much water. Keep the soil just a little moist, never soaked. Use pebbles to ensure that the soil drains well. You could water the plant once 2-3 days.

S
OIL:

Use compost rich soil if you want the flowers to be happy and flowering throughout the year. Add fertilizer once in a month or two. Geraniums will tolerate poor soil, but in such a case it would not flower as long. For best growth and flowering tenure the plant should feel happy.

P
ROPAGATION:

For propagation, cut off 3-4 inches of the old plant and bury the cut ends into moist soil. Do not keep the soil wet or in 1-2 weeks the cuttings will root. Transplant the plants in a container during spring.

7.
B
ONSAI
P
LANTS

Growing bonsai plants is a very satisfying and rewarding hobby. Literally translated as “tray planted” this is an ancient Chinese art, which was perfected by the Japanese. It involves efforts that patiently dwarfs trees and trains them to grow and bear fruit in a tray. You can literally engineer the way the tree grows and looks in the tree, which makes this hobby attractive, relaxing and extremely rewarding. The dwarf trees will bear dwarf fruits over years of training, which would fill your heart with joy to see. This is not a quick way to grow plants – but extremely rewarding. It takes 3-15 years to grow a bonsai in the desired shape.

T
EMPERATURE:

The optimal temperature required by bonsai trees depends from tree to tree. However, the best bet is to keep them in an environment that is between 55-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Bonsai plants love sunlight, so it is best to place them where they get sunlight for the better part of the day. If you cannot offer it enough natural light, use a sunlight lamp.

W
ATER:

The bonsai trees require everything in minimal quantities; even water. Since they are planted in a tray, you need to take care not to flood them. The soil needs to be mixed with pebbles to ensure proper drainage.

S
OIL:

Less is more in this case. The Bonsai trees are systematically dwarfed by cutting roots, and fertilizing it less often than regular indoor plants. Apply fertilizer lightly every 2-3 months. The plant requires pruning and trimming at regular intervals.

P
ROPAGATION:

The method of propagation depends from tree to tree. Some would propagate from seeds; while some other would propagate from cuttings and/or rootings.

8.
S
PIDER
P
LANT (
C
HLOROPHYTUM COMOSUM)