Did you know that people aged 18-24 years are said to be those who buy the greatest number of houseplants? In the UK, this amounts to an average spend of over £25 per month. In the last ten years, spending on houseplants has doubled. Surveys have shown that young adults firmly believe that as well as adding attractive decorative interior design touches, houseplants also improve the mood of occupants by bringing nature into the home. Indoor greenery is also said to improve air quality and increase the feeling of good health.
These new additions are not without problems, however. Over half the number of people enjoying houseplants at home have admitted to accidentally killing at least five! Overwatering is a widespread problem, together with light levels that are too low. We often kill our plants with kindness, lavishing them with too much attention, including water and feed. Most houseplants prefer compost that is on the dry side and minimal feeding, whilst occupying a light-filled situation out of direct sunlight.
There’s no better time to turn your attention to indoor gardening. Once the festive season has passed and the garden is mainly at rest, you can enjoy the long nights indoors and concentrate on making the most of houseplants.
TAKING CARE
• Christmas cactus plants (Schlumbergera) are not typical of most cacti. They are native to Brazil and grow naturally on trees and in rock crevices, shaded from direct sunlight. They inhabit pockets of dampness and enjoy high humidity. Don’t deny this lovely plant a timely drink, and keep it away from a south-facing windowsill. Pot it up in humus-rich compost but allow it to become slightly pot-bound, as it would if it were living in the crook of a tree.
• The red or pink attraction of poinsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) comes from leafy bracts rather than actual flowers. These plants can’t abide draughts, so don’t be tempted to position them in the hall or by a door that opens frequently. They like brightness but not burning sun through windows and appreciate regular spray misting. When the show is over for the season, prune them back quite hard and repot them during early spring. If you want them to produce their colourful display next Christmas, you will need to put them in darkness for 12 hours every day during November to mimic short daylight hours.
• If you find yourself with an amaryllis gift box, the bulb should be planted in a pot around 5cm wider than the bulb itself. One-third to one-half of it should be visible above the compost, and they enjoy a brightly lit position. Water sparingly until the foliage develops, then gradually increase the amount of water, taking care not to drown the bulb and make it rot. Your amaryllis might need support as they can reach up to 80cm high. After flowering, allow the plant to die down, stop watering when everything looks dead and store the dry bulb ready for next year.
• If you were lucky enough to be gifted prepared hyacinth bulbs, these can be hardened off once they have finished flowering. Gradually acclimatise them to the outdoor air and plant them in the garden when the soil is frost-free. They should flower outdoors during spring every year.
• Christmas cyclamen can be enjoyed in a bright spot indoors, but keep them away from radiators. Remove their spent flowers and stalks to prevent grey mould. Gradually reduce watering as the foliage turns yellow, then allow the plant to become dormant for the summer. You can plant them in a shady spot in the garden or give them some new compost and start watering regularly once new growth appears.
• Indoor azaleas are another popular gift, but are they the same plant as those that live outdoors? Unfortunately, not all azaleas are hardy, and those intended to be houseplants won’t generally survive low temperatures. The vibrant winter flowers will last longest when kept out of direct sunlight and away from a heat source. Indoor azaleas need cool conditions, and a north or east-facing windowsill is ideal. These plants are ericaceous, so they prefer rainwater or deionised water to thrive. After flowering, you can repot using ericaceous compost, then feed with a high potash feed. Keep them outdoors in a shady, damp spot for the summer and bring them back indoors before the first frosts.
By Caroline Knight
