INDOOR PLANTS
Minter shares a few tips
The growing demand for new and unique indoor plants is unprecedented. Driven by social media influencers and passionate plant lovers, the breadth and range of new plants is something the green industry has never seen before. North American growers are having a difficult time just keeping up.
With the Christmas season on the horizon, giving plant lovers a rare or unique indoor plant might be equivalent to giving them a most treasured gift. Finding these special plants, however, can be quite a challenge because even the plant stores that do carry them, sell out quickly.
Knowing what to look for helps, so here's my take on some remarkable newer plants.
In the succulent world, mangaves have been a hot item for some time. This intergeneric hybrid is a cross between the well-known agave and the lesser-known manfreda. Mangaves have distinctive colouring from the deepest purples and rich dark blues to vibrant silvers, and many have speckled foliage. Unlike the tougher, more heavily armoured agaves, they have softer leaves with few sharp spikes.
Mangaves make ideal container plants. Rated as a zone
8 to zone 11 plant, they can go out on a summer patio to `wow' visitors. During cooler seasons, they need to be situated indoors by a bright, sunny window. Even though they are more moisture tolerant than their parents, mangaves appreciate being planted in well-draining succulent soil and being kept on the drier side, especially over winter.
I love the fact that they are fast growing and can become magnificent specimens in just one season.
Trailing succulents have exploded in popularity, partly because of their easy care, but mostly for the many new varieties arriving on the scene. The `Burro's Tail' sedum (Sedum morganianum) thrives in good light and will tolerate some neglect.
Even more popular are the `String of Beads' or `String of Pearls' (Senecio rowleyanus).
The most notable addition is the `String of Dolphins' which has leaves that resemble dolphins. Because of local propagation, they are more widely available now. There are also `String of Beans', `String of Cucumbers', `String of Bananas', `String of Fishhooks' and so many more. Each one is unique in its own way, and all are easy care and fun.
Ceropegia woodii or `String of Hearts' are hugely popular. Similar to the rosary vine, thin, wire-like stems produce grey, heart-shaped leaves in abundance. The latest one has a pink, variegated, heart-shaped leaf that looks stunning.
Just over a year ago, while in Essen, Germany at the IPM Show — the world's largest horticultural exhibition — I saw a new tradescantia that was garnering a lot of attention. Its rather large leaves were beautifully coloured in shades of white, cream and pink, and their undersides were a deep purple. Named `Nanouk', its rich pinks and purples glow when accented with a little sunlight.
It took about a year and a half to find its way to Canada but wow, did it make an instant impression. Even our larger commercial growers have had to limit sales to one flat per wholesale customer because of the demand. Great as an indoor windowsill plant over the winter, its potential as a basket plant out on the patio next summer is unlimited. Keep an eye out for this one.
Zamioculcas are incredibly popular, and now that “black is where it's at,” the rare `Black Raven' variety is much coveted. Its small elliptical leaves are truly black in colour. An easy, slow growing plant, it needs good light, especially at this time of year.
Our grandmothers all had them, and now we're seeing quite a twist on the old-fashioned snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), also known as `Motherin-law's Tongue'. An easy-care plant, sansevierias need a location near a window. Their long, flat, spiky leaves come in a wide range of colours and bicolours, from very dark blackish-green (Black Coral) and vibrant green/ yellow striped foliage to pure silver varieties. There's even a compact nesting form coming soon in a wide range of colours and patterns.
The selection today is amazing. The cylindrical forms have really
gained attention because of their sleek, long stems which can radiate out in various patterns. When grown in warmer climates, they are often braided together for interesting presentations.
They can be hard to find, but the most unique sansevieria is the `Whale Fin' variety with its very large, wide, flat form. Growing up to three feet tall, it truly makes a statement.
With shorter days and the continuing deterioration of our indoor growing conditions, philodendrons are one of the few plants that will do well. The split-leaf P. `Monstera' and P. `Monstera Swiss Cheese' are outrageously popular. There are many varying forms of philodendrons, but they all look intriguing and all do well at this time of year. More compact varieties, such as `Shangri-la' and `Super Atom', have also been taking centre stage. Both are Philodendron selloum types that are easy to grow and have a beautiful, compact appearance.
Dracaenas, too, have taken a big leap forward with many new varieties. The new `Lemon Lime' and the twisted `Warneckiis' are standouts; both are a far cry from the standard varieties.
Plant hunting is exciting, and now, every week seems to offer new `toys'. Having a rare or truly unique tropical or succulent brings with it bragging rights. So, the question is … what's coming next?