Spread the love with plants
INDOORS: A WIDE VARIETY, FROM CHRYSANTHEMUMS TO CACTI, WILL BRIGHTEN UP ROOMS
Flowers will bring homes alive with colours and fragrances.
So, this is the month of love! But if feelings of romance are wearing thin, especially after yet another spell of home lockdown, there are other ways to lighten, or light, the home fires.
Instead of chocolates and champagne), bring in flowers (which are inherently romantic) to spread the love around by beautifying the home for everyone there.
There is a huge range of indoor flowering plants, from the spectacular to the simple, and each can be used to its best advantage.
Mass appeal
Don’t despise the humble chrysanthemum, kalanchoe, anthurium or even the pot rose. Displayed creatively, they can be as spectacular, but more affordable, than a single large moth orchid.
One little pot won’t do it. Aim for excess and buy six or eight plants in flower. Find the most gorgeous, or quirky containers and display them with panache.
There is something very appealing about massing flowers of one type. It works in the garden, and equally it works in the home.
Chrysanthemums are almost year-round plants that provide fresh flowers for many weeks at a time. Find a spot that gets lots of bright light, near windows, on the patio, or in a sunny room.
Keep the soil moist. Should you forget to water them, and the soil dries out, place the pot in a bucket or basin with a few centimetres of water in it and let the plant absorb the water.
Removing dead blooms, stems and leaves keeps the plant looking neat and fresh and lets newer buds and stems flourish, which extends the flowering.
Less is more
At the other end of the spectrum there are plants, like the Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) or Curcuma, also known as Siamese tulip, that stand out as single specimens.
Orchids are the go-to flower among interior designers because of their array of bright or subtle colours and sculptural silhouettes.
They make a statement wherthey are placed, adding light and colour to a room.
With the minimum of care and bright light (but no sun), they flower for up to three months. Drop two ice-cubes on the top of the plant once a week to supply enough water.
Curcuma is a tall, elegant tropical plant that produces spires of pink, white or purple flowers. It will flower throughout summer if kept in a warm, bright room and moist soil.
For prickly pairs
At first glance, a cactus or grouping of cactus may not seem romantic but there is no denying their appeal.
They are quirky, contemporary with appealing shapes and spikes. What’s more, they are difficult to kill, ideal for the household with ever out green thumbs. These low maintenance indoor plants just need sunlight or bright light, and minimal water to thrive.
One of the nicest ways to display cactus is in a bowl as a centrepiece for the dining table (indoors or outdoors) or coffee table. Because their roots are shallow, any shallow dish or container will work.
Cacti like good drainage but if the bowl doesn’t have drainage holes, put a layer or two of small rocks or gravel on the bottom. This will help drain water away from the roots and stop the roots rotting.
Plant the succulents using your fingers and gently firm the soil around them. For very prickly characters, use a facecloth or towel to hold the cactus by the top when planting.
Cover the soil with a layer of coarse gravel or small river rocks. This helps keep moisture away from the base of the plants, which might cause them to rot. Water lightly and keep your dish garden near a sunny window.