Houseplant Haven
Wondering what to do with some of your tender perennials when the winter weather draws in? You can provide them a haven indoors.
In the UK some of our tender border plants can be overwintered indoors and make interesting house plants.
For example, Pelargoniums, also known as Geraniums, and Solenostemon, also known as Coleus, are tender plants that need to be protected from winter frosts. One way to do this is to bring them inside into a cool, light room and reduce watering appropriately.
There are several things to consider when housing plants indoors. Temperature range which will vary from a sunny windowsill through well heated rooms to cold conservatories. Light levels - a sunny windowsill may not be the best place for your plant even though it will provide good light levels. Humidity levels - central heating, especially as radiators are often positioned underneath window ledges can cause excessive heat and dryness. Avoiding direct heat sources and still placing your plant to get enough light can therefore be a challenge. Humidity levels can be increased by misting the plants or having a water pebble bath underneath and this treatment may help avoid overwatering.
If you are short of space one option is to take cuttings. These are easy to root in a glass of water or moist compost. Once rooted, pot up and continue to overwinter inside until the risk of frost has passed.
Winter Indoor Bulbs
I have memories of scented Hyacinths drooping their heavy heads that brought my mum pleasure in the dark months of January and February, or her delight in a bright and elegant Amaryllis shooting a slender stem up before the unfurling of the delicate, full bloom appeared.
Plant now and over the next couple of months for a show of Daffodils, Crocus and Hyacinths which can all be grown for early indoor flowering. They need a cool dark place to start them off and once they have roots and a shoot showing then bring them out into the light. When I’m given these I enjoy the brightness or scent they bring during the gloomy winter days and then the opportunity of planting them out in the garden for a second bloom the following year.
Amaryllis
This popular Christmas gift comes in a variety of colours which we sell as prepacked kits. There are many colours and varieties. If you have the space and inclination these bulbs can be kept for the following year by feeding and putting them outside in a sheltered spot where they don’t get waterlogged or slugged and then brought in before the first frost.
Each year I have often acquired a new variety. I now have a windowsill of amaryllis along with the repotted offsets all unfortunately without labels which means colour display is somewhat pot luck! Quite a few of the mature bulbs have flowered in subsequent years but I’m still waiting for the offsets to mature. The second flowering may be nearer Easter but it’s a welcome surprise when it happens.
If you want to get bulbs to flower for Christmas then some, like Daffodils need to be started in late September or October. However if they are started off later they will flower in the months after Christmas.
Propagation
If you are looking for a challenge then growing houseplants from seed may be for you. There are a few varieties we stock such as Coffee seeds, Asparagus plumosus nana, Mimosa pudica (Sensitive plant). Cacti and succulents, such as Lithops are also available. If you have a larger space, such as in a conservatory, then a Callistemon, better known as Bottlebrush, or a Cordyline australis may be suitable for the space and will be a feature once they mature.
If growing bulbs from seed e.g. Tulipa sprengeri, be aware it is a slow process which will require several years from germination before the bulbs are large enough to flower.
In the case of Amaryllis these can be propagated both by seed and offsets - tiny bulblets that separate from the main bulb which can be potted up and grown on.
Whether you want a splash of colour, something to nurture or to sustain or multiply tender plants for next year now is a great time to do so.