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CHAPTER 1
Several steps up
Stepladders are a simple and stylish way to display plants, and the taller they are the more plants you can show off. Make use of the different heights by placing a range of textures and leaf shapes where they can be grown best. Position the softer-leaved, friendlier plants such as ferns, asparagus fern and spider plants where they can be touched and where it does not matter if they are gently brushed against. Place more fragile or spikier specimens higher up.
PLANTS FOR THE LOWER SHELVES
Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus)
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Button fern (Pellaea rotundifolia)
Cretan brake fern (Pteris cretica)
Delta maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum)
Foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum')
PLANTS FOR THE TOP SHELVES
Barbados aloe (Aloe vera)
Black aeonium (Aeonium 'Zwartkop')
Bunny-ears cactus (Opuntia microdasys)
Golden barrel cactus (Echinocactus grusonii)
Old man cactus (Cephalocereus senilis)
Pincushion cactus (Mammillaria)
Pineapple (Ananas comosus)
FOLIAGE
Amazonian elephant's ear
Alocasia x amazonica aka African mask, jewel alocasia
An exotic showstopper with huge, arrow-shaped leaves that are glossy, wavy and heavily marked along the veins and margins in white. These are real head-turners, but they are trickier to grow than many other house plants, demanding constant warmth, humidity and moisture.
Family Araceae
Temperature 18–25°C/65–77°F
Light Bright but indirect light
Water Keep the compost moist in growing season
Height and spread 1.2x1m/4x3ft
WHERE TO GROW
Amazonian elephant's ear prefers indirect light but not shade – if in too dark a spot, plants can become elongated and floppy. A warm, light kitchen or steamy bathroom would be ideal. Keep out of draughts and away from radiators.
HOW TO GROW
Mist leaves every day to keep humidity levels up. The rhizome will rot if kept too wet so water lightly, using rain- or filtered water, every couple of days from spring to autumn. In winter, allow the compost to dry out completely between watering. Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every few weeks from spring to autumn. Repot every couple of years.
GROWING TIP
Wipe the foliage regularly to keep it dust-free and glossy (see also Natural air fresheners).
SUCCULENT
Barbados aloe
Aloe vera aka Curaçao aloe
Barbados aloes are tough plants, making them brilliantly undemanding and easy to look after. Their rosettes of spiky, fleshy leaves provide architectural interest and, if growing well, striking flower spikes of yellow blooms are borne in summer. Their plump leaves contain a translucent gel that soothes sore, irritated or burnt skin; to access it, just snip off a leaf (see here). Partridge breast aloe (A. variegata) is lovely, too, with blotchy, stripy leaves.
Family Aloeceae
Temperature 8–27°C/46–80°F
Light Bright, sunny, indirect light
Water Sparingly
Height and spread 60x60cm/24x24in
WHERE TO GROW
The fleshy leaves are used to arid conditions so a warm, sunny, even south-facing windowsill above a radiator suits Barbados aloe well.
HOW TO GROW
Grow in a free-draining, 50:50 mix of potting compost and grit, perlite or sand. Water well and then allow the compost to almost dry out before watering again. Over winter, reduce watering to just once a month. Feed a couple of times in the growing season.
GROWING TIP
Move plants outside in summer. The fresh air will give them a boost.
BROMELIAD
Pineapple
Ananas comosus
This knock-out feature plant has dense rosettes of prickly edged, strappy leaves. After yellow and purple flowers it will produce your very own pineapple fruit from the centre, although this is purely ornamental and inedible with a bitter taste. Ananas comosus var. variegatus has yellow-and-green-striped leaves.
Family Bromeliaceae
Temperature 16–29°C/61–84°F
Light Sunny
Water Moist
Height and spread 60x90cm/24x36in
WHERE TO GROW
The floor or a tabletop in a warm, bright room would make a better home than a shelf, which might cramp the arching leaves.
HOW TO GROW
Grow in a 50:50 mix of orchid compost and multipurpose compost. Plants need high humidity to fruit so mist every day or grow on a tray of wet pebbles. Water well in spring and summer and then reduce to keeping the compost just moist in winter. Give a liquid feed every two weeks in the growing season. Baby offsets at the base can be removed and grown on into new plants (see here).
GROWING TIP
If your plant is getting too large, restrict its size by growing it in a heavy stone pot 15cm/6in in diameter.
FOLIAGE
Tail flower
Anthurium andraeanum aka flamingo flower, lace leaf, oil cloth
Tail flowers are popular, stylish plants with dark, shiny leaves and dramatic flowers that can last year-round. This species has a bright red spathe with a white spadix covered in tiny, yellow flowers, but there are also stylish white, pink and darker burgundy forms such as A. Pink Champion and A. Black Queen. All are easy-going and quite simple to grow.
Family Araceae
Temperature 16–24°C/61–75°F
Light Bright, indirect light
Water Keep moist but not soggy
Height and spread 45x30cm/18x12in
WHERE TO GROW
Tail flower requires warmth, high humidity and protection from direct sunlight so a bright bathroom is perfect.
HOW TO GROW
Water lightly every day if growing in a warm room and mist plants daily to keep the humidity levels high. Feed with a liquid fertilizer every other week in the growing season. When repotting, ensure the top of the root ball sits just above the surface of the compost; then cover with a layer of mulch so that it does not dry out.
GROWING TIP
Make sure your pot has good holes in the base so that water can drain away freely.
FOLIAGE
Asparagus fern
Asparagus setaceus aka feathery fern
Despite its common name, asparagus fern is not a true fern but a member of the lily family and close relative of the edible asparagus. This elegant plant has delicate, lacy foliage and a bushy habit that starts to climb with the help of spines on the stem as the plant matures. Foxtail fern (A. densiflorus) bears dense, feathery, bottlebrush-like 'fronds' and is lovely in a hanging basket or tall planter or on shelving.
Family Asparagaceae
Temperature 10–25°C/50–77°F
Light Semi-shade or dappled sunlight
Water Keep moist in growing season
Height and spread 3x3m/10x10ft
WHERE TO GROW
A light kitchen is a good choice because direct light scorches the leaves, but too little light makes the foliage fade to a jaundiced yellow. Plants can be trained up supports or left to scramble downwards from a shelf.
HOW TO GROW
Feed every month in spring and summer. Reduce watering in winter, allowing the top of the compost to dry out before watering again. When plants are root-bound, repot into a new pot just one size larger.
GROWING TIP
Keep plants looking their best by misting occasionally, particularly in winter when the central heating is on.
FOLIAGE
Cast-iron plant
Aspidistra elatior aka bar room plant
Tough as old boots, this stately plant is aptly named and has long been a household favourite for good reason – it thrives in dry shade. It bears strappy, dark green leaves and looks good when grown in groups. Look out for cultivars with interesting variegation in the form of striping or splashes, such as A. elatior 'Asahi'.
Family Asparagaceae
Temperature 5–20°C/41–68°F
Light Shade, semi-shade
Water Wait for the top 2cm/3/4in of compost to dry out between watering
Height and spread 60x60cm/24x24in
WHERE TO GROW
These are forgiving plants that can cope with both warm or cold temperatures so grow them where more fussy plants will fail. Variegated plants need a lighter spot than plain-leaved species, if markings are not to fade.
HOW TO GROW
Cast-iron plant tolerates pretty much anything but overwatering, so make sure its pot and compost are free-draining and do not leave it sitting in water. Feed monthly in spring and summer.
GROWING TIP
Wipe leaves weekly with a damp cloth, to keep them dust-free (see Natural air fresheners).
FERN
Bird's nest fern
Asplenium nidus aka shield fern
Handsome rosettes of shiny, strappy fronds form an upright shuttlecock with new baby fronds curled up in the base. The fronds of A. nidus 'Crispy Wave' are attractively crinkled and ruffled along the edges.
Family Aspleniaceae
Temperature 12–25°C/54–77°F
Light Semi-shade, dappled light
Water Moist
Height and spread 60x40cm/24x16in
WHERE TO GROW
A north- or east-facing window is ideal, provided that this easy-to-grow plant is out of draughts and bright light. Its need for humidity makes the bathroom the perfect choice.
HOW TO GROW
Mist plants every day, particularly in winter, or place each on a saucer of wet pebbles. Feed every other week from spring to early autumn. Wipe the fronds regularly to keep them shiny and free from dust (see Natural air fresheners). Repot in spring every couple of years.
GROWING TIP
Water the edge of the compost rather than over the fronds, which can cause the rosette to rot.
PALM
Ponytail palm
Beaucarnea recurvata aka elephant's foot
Ponytail palm is a truly star plant with its distinctive bulbous stem, or caudex, and shock of narrow leaves. At home in the arid deserts of Mexico, the swollen caudex is an adaptation for storing water during drought, so this easy-to-grow plant will forgive a long holiday or missed watering.
Family Asparagaceae
Temperature 15–25°C/59–77°F
Light Bright, sunny, direct light
Water Allow to dry out between watering
Height and spread 2x1m/7x3ft
WHERE TO GROW
Give the ponytail palm a bright, sunny spot.
HOW TO GROW
Grow in a free-draining compost with an equal quantity of perlite or grit mixed in. Water plants once a week in the growing season. Allow plants to dry out completely over winter. Being slow-growing – it can live for hundreds of years in the wild – ponytail palm does not need repotting very often.
GROWING TIP
This plant likes a snug home in a pot only slightly bigger than the width of its stem.
CHAPTER 2
Making a decorative screen
Windowsills are a predictable place to grow house plants, but why not use these plants as a screen to provide privacy or to mask an unsightly view? Such a green barrier is particularly useful in bathrooms and bedrooms, or any room that is overlooked, and it will instill a feeling of calm.
Plants that have an upright habit but will not block out too much light are key to a successful decorative screen, so opt for plants such as snake plant, cast-iron plant, fern arum and asparagus fern – choosing your plants according to the light levels at your window.
Traditional window boxes work well – just be sure to block off any drainage holes with silica gel to stop water leaking out, or else line your sill with plants in individual pots. If using a trough as a cover pot, drop your plants into it, staggering them so they make a dense screen.
FOLIAGE
Painted-leaf begonia
Begonia species
Very different beasts to their brash bedding plant cousins these are beautiful foliage plants with bold spots and swirls, stripes and splashes. There are hundreds of forms to choose from, many hybrids of B. rex, but there are also cane-stemmed types, which are taller and have larger flowers.
Family Begoniaceae
Temperature 15–22°C/59–72°F
Light Bright shade, indirect light
Water Moist but not wet in growing season
Height and spread Up to 90x50cm/36x20in
WHERE TO GROW
These are plants that need to be seen close up, so grow them in a prominent spot on a table or sideboard that is away from draughts and the drying heat of a radiator, particularly in winter.
HOW TO GROW
Raise humidity around plants by placing each on a saucer of pebbles and water rather than misting the leaves, which are susceptible to powdery mildew. Feed every couple of weeks in the growing season with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer, switching to a high-potash one when buds appear on forms grown for their flowers. Allow the compost to dry out between watering in winter.
GROWING TIP
Cane-stemmed types may need staking to stop plants flopping over.
CACTUS
Old man cactus
Cephalocereus senilis aka monkey cactus, old man's head
This woolly cactus with its white, old man's beard is a favourite among house plant growers, thanks to its striking, columnar looks. The hairs insulate it against frost and extreme heat, and may also conceal formidable spines.
Family Cactaceae
Temperature 10–32°C/50–90°F
Light Bright, sunny
Water Allow to dry out completely before watering
Height and spread 30x10cm/12x4in
WHERE TO GROW
Give this a sunny windowsill – the brighter the spot the more the hairs (which protect it from the heat) will grow, but shield it from the intense heat of the sun through the glass in summer.
HOW TO GROW
Use a coarse, free-draining compost mix (see Compost mixes). Water from the bottom to protect old man cactus from rotting, and in winter water only every few weeks. Repot plants every other year, in spring.
GROWING TIP
Too little light causes the stem to elongate and grow thin so keep it in a bright spot, especially in winter.
SUCCULENT AND FOLIAGE
String of hearts
Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii aka hearts on a string, rosary plant, sweetheart vine
This is a lovely-looking, trailing vine with delicate, cotton-like stems and heart-shaped leaves. It is surprisingly tough, easy to grow and very drought-tolerant thanks to the root tubers it develops to store water as it matures. If happy, string of hearts will flower in late summer, producing little, pink, tubular blooms.
Family Apocynaceae
Temperature 8–24°C/46–75°F
Light Bright, sunny
Water Let top of compost dry out before watering in growing season
Height and spread 10x90cm/4x36in
WHERE TO GROW
Give this plant pride of place on a shelf or in a basket, where it can tumble down and show off. It is happy in a humid spot so a bathroom would suit it well. Although string of hearts prefers a bright spot, it copes with shade but its lacy leaves may lose some of their pretty colouring. It also tolerates temperature change.
HOW TO GROW
Grow in a free-draining mix of 50:50 potting compost and perlite. Feed every couple of weeks in spring and summer. In winter, water only when the compost is almost completely dry. Repot when the plant is root-bound.
GROWING TIP
Snip off stems and pot up (see Propagation by stem cuttings); such cuttings root easily.
PALM
Parlour palm
Chamaedorea elegans aka dwarf mountain palm
A favourite in the parlours of the Victorians and popular ever since thanks to its easy-going nature and tolerance of low light levels, this is one of the easiest feature plants you can grow. It bears feathery fronds and develops a compact, slender habit. If it is happy, tiny, yellow sprays of flowers will appear once it is mature.
Family Arecaceae
Temperature 10–27°C/50–80°F
Light Semi-shade
Water Allow the top of the compost to dry out between watering
Height and spread 1.2x0.6m/4x2ft
WHERE TO GROW
This slow-growing palm is perfect for a shady spot in any room – too harsh a spot will turn the leaves yellow. It likes humidity so keep it away from the drying heat of radiators, particularly in winter.
HOW TO GROW
Mist the leaves regularly, particularly in winter when the air will be dry. Feed monthly in the growing season. In winter, reduce watering so that the compost is almost dry. Cut out any brown fronds at their bases.
GROWING TIP
Wash dust from the fronds by standing the plant under a tepid shower or outside in summer rain during the warmer months.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "The Kew Gardener's Guide to Growing House Plants"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Kay Maguire.
Excerpted by permission of The Quarto Group.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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