Daily Dose Blogger Bios
Gardening Within
Remember the fab containers I got at Pot-ted? To start my Inner Jungle? Well, the plant I chose to occupy them is....Sanseveria 'Grey Lady'! Okay, I know alot of people hate Sanseveria because it reminds them of ... whatever - Aunt Penny, the dentist, the vice principal who smelled wierd... in the seventies, everybody had this in a basket in a corner. But there are so many cool varieties of Sanseveria, and this is one of them.
I think the grey cast to the leaves makes this plant perfect in my celadon pots - and I love strappy, upright leaves. I know they aren't exactly Jungle-y, but it's a start ... next I'm going to get a big plant to put in the corner in back of the couch ...maybe a palm!
Look, my minions feel right at home with the new addition... What do you think?
Hey, speaking of houseplants, Alison sent in the following question:
"I live in a city apartment that gets limited sunlight and can be drafty and cold in the winter. Consequently, the plants I have brought into my apartment quickly lose their color and become droopy. What type of plants would do best in my apartment?"
You can read my answer, 'after the jump' as they say...
Well, Alison could find a bunch of houseplants that would do well in her apartment's low light levels, but add the drafy cold, and you've got some sad plants. Alison has to address the drafts before she brings in any plants. Heavier curtains on windows would help some... if there is a fireplace, the damper needs to be closed when not in use. For those of you fighting the draft, check out EnergyStar;Home Solutions,Drafty Rooms, which tells you how to deal with this cold wind blowing through your home, possibly killing your plants. Once the drafty-ness is abated, the following plants will flourish in low light conditions, but you gotta love green, because in order for leaves to develop colors like red and purple, they need bright light.
Sanseveria trifasciata and hybrid (Mother in Law's Tongue... really, that's the common name) - come on, take the plunge with me!
Aglaonema commutatum (Chinese evergreen) - it's a champ in the darkest corners
Dizygotheca elegantissima (Finger Plant) -It looks like pot! Super cool, and legal to grow... but I wouldn't smoke it.
Nephrolepsis exaltata (Sword Fern) - You want a lush look, this is your baby.
Ficus lyrata (Fiddleleaf Fern) - Large, dramatic leaves with prominent veins, this is a real looker.
Peperomia caperrata - Pretty, pretty plant ... looks like a dark and sexy version of spinach.
Rhaphis excelsa (Lady Palm) - Easy to grow, likes low light... gives a room an oriental look.
Ditto on the mother in law's tongue. They are tough plants. I have one in my windowless office growing very well. And it looks great! Like them very much in your house.
... and it also gives us an opportunity to say things like - "Could you put that over there by the pot of Mother in Law's Tongue?" or "My Mother in Law's Tongue is getting really big, I think I need to divide it and give away some of the pieces..."
I love that you have put Mother-in-law's tongue in your house. You have recuperated this humble 70s standby into respectability. I am going to go out and get a big one (the bigger the better so it doesn't get lost in a room and look sort of sad) and put in a planter that's been empty since a succession of palms died from inhaling renovation dust. Thanks!
They look fantastic. I sometimes wonder if it's because you live in California. Would they work in NY?
Right on, Heightsho! I'm so glad you're doing the Mother in Law's Tongue ...and I agree with you on size - the bigger the better. This baby won't be bothered by renovation dust!
Hi Cath... I totally see your point, this plant does have California indoor/out vibe, but it can work beautifully in any motif ...well, except really romantic, shabby chic-ish sorts of rooms. For example, imagine it in it's more common form, with yellow leaf margins ... now think of it in a shiny copper cachepot, topdressed with sand dollars- that would be perfect in an Oscar Wilde inspired room!