Indoor plants come into their own during the festive season. It’s a lovely way to say ‘thank you’ when invited out and will look good for a lot longer than a bunch of flowers.
For instant festive décor there’s poinsettia, orchids, Christmas roses, Cupressus Gold Crest and other colourful foliage plants for splashes of colour indoors and out. They keep on going well after the festive season as patio or garden plants.
Plant lovers can be treated to the romantic ‘String of Hearts’ or the ‘Mistletoe Cactus’, the drop dead gorgeous Stromanthe Triostar, or the easy to care for Guzmania ‘Scarlet Star’, a member of the bromeliad family. Who wouldn’t appreciate the Chinese Money Plant that’s a symbol of wealth and good luck, believed to bring prosperity and business success?
String of hearts (Ceropegia)
This mini vine is indigenous to South Africa and is best enjoyed trailing out of a hanging basket, down a shelf or trained up an indoor trellis. The purple-black -white flowers are a bonus. Although it looks delicate, this plant is hardy and water wise, tolerant of neglect. Great for a beginner plant enthusiast.
Make sure it receives plenty of bright light, even some filtered sunlight and water when the soil in the top half of the pot is dry. It should never sit in water. Feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength once a month or every two months in spring and summer.
The Stars of Christmas
You’ll notice that at Christmas, stars seem to occupy a special space. In the Christmas narrative, the Wise Men followed the star to Bethlehem, and that is why a star is placed at the top of the Christmas tree.
In all its forms, the star also resonates as a symbol of hope for humanity, and one such beauty is Guzmania lingulata ‘Scarlet Star’. This bromeliad needs medium indirect light and a warm room with good humidity. Keep water in the central cup; that’s the space where the leaves meet and form a cup (or tank) toward the base of the plant. The flowers (which are actually flower bracts) last for two months or more. Don’t worry when the plant dies, it leaves behind new plants called pups that can be planted out.
Although It is not star shaped, Stromanthe ‘Triostar’ is one of the most beautiful indoor plants with variegated green, cream and pink leaves, and a dramatic dark pink under leaf.
It likes warmth and humidity and can receive some morning filtered sunlight. Water when the top 10cm of soil feels dry and mist its leaves to add to the humidity. It grows relatively slowly and stays compact making it easy to show off almost anywhere.
Golden Glow
Gold is also associated with Christmas, symbolic of royalty as gold, frankincense, and myrrh were traditionally presented to honour a king in ancient times. Gold represents value, hence the saying, ‘worth its weight in gold’ and this golden phalaenopsis is not only an unusual shade but is bound to be valued by its recipient. Surprisingly phalaenopsis need only the minimum of care; bright indirect light and a little bit of water once a week.
Getting the best from Poinsettia
For many of us, poinsettia is an annual plant purchase, almost a tradition. Not surprising that it is THE festive plant.
When buying yours choose a plant with dark green foliage down to the soil line. Also check the plant’s maturity. The true flowers are located at the base of the coloured bracts. If the flowers are green or red-tipped and fresh looking the bloom will “hold” longer than if yellow pollen is covering the flowers.
Once at home, place in a position that receives bright, indirect light (no sunlight). Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Christmas Rose
Only in South Africa is the hydrangea known as the Christmas Rose, because that’s when it takes its cue to flower. Pot hydrangeas are instant flower arrangements and there are new longer flowering hybrids where the flowers change colour as they age. . As an indoor plant hydrangeas need bright, indirect light, a cool room and consistently moist soil. Feed with a liquid fertiliser once a month. If you decide to plant it out, choose a position with semi-shade and plant in composted soil that drains well.
Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides (Chinese money plant) is believed to bring good luck and good fortune to its owner, mainly because its large, bright green nasturtium-like leaves look like coins.
It is a fuss-free houseplant that grows quickly upright to about 30cm, with the stems arching gracefully as it grows.
Plants need medium to bright indirect light (but not direct sunlight), high humidity and constant temperatures. The soil should not dry out completely or become waterlogged. Rotate the plant once a week to keep its growth even. New plants are created continuously from the base of the plant.
For more information visit LVG Plant.
TEXT: Alice Coetzee
