Winter warming
The lush, flaming red bracts supported by full green leaves echo Christmas colors. No wonder the poinsettia is the quintessential holiday plant.
However, if you’re looking for greenery to brighten your home now and through winter, you have plenty of options to choose from. Here are some ideas from the garden pros.
Orchids, which thrive in hot weather, can warm up your surroundings. What’s more, the beautiful blooms aren’t challenging to cultivate, according to garden expert Rick Hotchkiss. “Keep the plants in a well-lit environment with more humidity, such as a kitchen or bathroom,” says Hotchkiss, a manager at The Greenery Nursery and Garden Shop, Turlock, Calif. To enjoy orchids through the winter, water and fertilize the plant after blooming time, Hotchkiss says.
Rosemary, another plant that evokes balmy climates, is very popular now, according to Eva Monheim, a lecturer at Temple University.
“Rosemary plants are great for a shorter time. If you want them to have a longer life, set them in a cooler room,” says Monheim, Glenside, Penn.
You may think of roses as a summer outdoor plant, but you’ll find new lines of indoor table roses available in garden shops. Monheim likes table roses because the plants do well in a sunny window and can tolerate an overheated home. “Even if they wane after a few weeks, they lifts peoples’ spirits,” says Monheim.
DisplayAds (’Middle’);Scent and color your surroundings with paperwhites (Narcissus) says Hotchkiss. You can buy the tall-stemmed plant with a heady perfume when it’s in bloom or as bulbs to force. For forcing, place paperwhite bulbs nose-up in the bottom of a bowl (without drainage holes) lined with marbles or small stones. The marbles should hold the bulbs in place but not cover them. Add water just below, though not touching the bulbs. Set the bulbs in a dark closet for five to seven days. The plant will be white but turn green as it grows. By starting the bulbs in the dark the plant is stronger, according to Hotchkiss.
With effort and luck your plant may flourish well enough to add to your outdoor garden in the spring. But don’t assume your plant will survive, says Hotchkiss. He suggests adjusting your expectations so you get pleasure from your holiday plant this winter and anticipate a new variety next year.
Tips:
Don’t be tempted by greenery that’s better if grown outdoors, say gardening experts.
Avoid bonsai, which isn’t meant to be an indoor plant, according to Rick Hotchkiss. Ivy can tolerate indoor living for only a few days, and then if kept in a cool, moist area, Hotchkiss says.
Take a pass on small spruce trees as well. “These don’t last long because they can’t tolerate indoors. They suffer in 70- to 80-degree rooms,” says Monheim.
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