houseplants Archives | Diana's Designs Austin

Best little plant in the house and in the garden…

Don’t you love the delicately textured, scalloped leaves of this variegated Swedish ivy? No surprise considering the oddities of botanical nomenclature, but it’s not an ivy and it’s not from Sweden, either. The botanical name is Plectranthus verticillatus, and it’s in the same And the scent is a heavenly citrus.

I’m always looking for beautiful variegated plants to add just one more pop of interest into my landscape beds. Swedish ivy is a tried and true favorite, along with Cuban oregano.

They’re slow and low growers in my garden, zone 8b, so I sprinkle them along bed borders for interest. They like a good bit of shade, and they have moderate water needs.

I planted some late last summer, then realized as we were facing the first cold snap that I didn’t want to lose them to the cold weather.

So, I bought two plastic dish pans from the a dollar store and drilled holes in the bottom.

Well, to be honest, I didn’t actually drill the holes, Jeff did. Thank you, honey. You could also just poke the holes with a screwdriver or some other sharp object.

That’s actually what I was in the process of doing when Jeff saw me and said, very politely, “uhmmmm, why don’t you let me do that?” Ok, ok. So it wasn’t the most sophisticated approach, but I was getting the job done – really! (I could write a book on all of my “necessity is the mother of invention” approaches to problems.)

Then I used coffee filters to prevent soil from spilling out right away. Ultimately they would be draining into the floor of pea gravel from a shelf in the greenhouse. Once they started to re-root, it wasn’t an issue any more.

I dug up the plants from the garden when the temperature dipped below 50 at night, getting as many roots as possible.

Then I placed 2 clumps in each plastic container, allowing a little room for some winter growth.

To make it a little easier to separate them the next spring, I placed a paper towel tube between them. It didn’t separate them 100%, but it did help to contain them. It also made it a little bit easier to pull them apart without destroying the rootball or losing too much of the soil. They also produce small, white flowers which you can see on the photo below.

They lived in the greenhouse through the winter where they thrived. What? No greenhouse you say? No problem. Around the world they are a popular houseplant, native to Australia and the Pacific islands. They look great trailing out of a hanging basket. So, plant them up in a pretty pot. They like bright indoor light, so find a special spot for them near a window.

If digging and replanting with the seasons isn’t your jam, just take a few cuttings and you can propagate them in a water glass like you did in high school.

I’ve watched them grow full and lush since spring, and will be pulling them up and overwintering them in the greenhouse again. I’ll probably bring a few into the house this year, too.

Now, don’t you want to grow this in your garden or in your house?

By Diana C. Kirby|2018-09-18T11:29:24-05:00September 18th, 2018|shade plants, shades of green, Sharing Nature's Garden, variegated Swedish ivy, variegation|1 Comment

Garden and indoor décor gifts sure to please

As the holiday season kicks into full swing, the challenge of finding the perfect gift grows greater as the days pass. If you’re trying to find something for the gardener or nature lover in your life, today’s trends include a long list of great choices.

Even the most experienced gardener with a shed full of tools will always appreciate new gloves, clogs, tub trugs or top-of-the-line pruners and other hand tools like Felcos, Fiskars or Coronas. Built to last, gardeners don’t always buy these high quality tools for themselves, so they make great gifts. If you’ve got even more to spend, consider giving a garden cart, tiller, bird bath, or small fountain. And, if you’re sure you won’t offend with a utilitarian gift, a lightweight, battery-operated blower makes taking care of leaves a breeze.

Today’s home décor trends bring the outdoors in. Plants make wonderful gifts, especially indoor plants that perk up a house during winter. Easy-care plants like bromeliads, dracaenas, pothos ivy, peperomia, ponytail palms and tillandsias (also known as air plants), grow well indoors.

An intriguing way to display plants, glass terrariums come in every shape and size. Add a few pieces of ephemera, like seashells you collected from the beach, pretty pebbles or colored glass, a few acorns, or chips of bark. Whether you purchase one ready-made or put together a do-it-yourself kit for your gift recipient, these creative containers are sure to please. Last year, I was given such a kit, along with the book, Terrariums: Gardens Under Glass, by Maria Colletti, and I relished building my little glass piece of paradise. Other great books about creative indoor plant style include Indoor Plant Décor: The Design Stylebook for Houseplants by Kylee Baumle and Jenny Peterson, and Rooted in Design by Tara Heibel and Tassy de Give.

Finding homes for Tillandsias is even easier – they don’t need a pot or soil, just a periodic mist of water from a spray bottle. Pretty glass plates, pieces of driftwood, shells, and stylish ceramic bowls all make wonderful vessels for Tillandsias that will match any décor. Drop a plant, a container and a small spray bottle into a gift bag, and voila – instant gift.

Cloches are another clever display option for indoor plants. French for “bell,” cloches are glass bell-shaped jars that were used in 19th century France to place over plants during cool weather, acting as miniature greenhouses for individual plants. Grouped together or arranged with other bottles or jars, plants inside cloches add a touch of style to coffee tables and shelves.

Other home décor items reflect today’s nature craze, too. Home accessory shops are filled with vases, ceramic plates and bowls, wooden boxes, and trays made from natural products reflecting elements of nature. Botanical prints and nature photographs fill the wall art departments.

Presenting someone with outdoor garden design books in the middle of winter is sure to inspire sweet garden dreams and plans for the spring. A few of my favorites include Plant Driven Design by Scott Ogden and Lauren Springer Ogden, The Layered Garden by David Culp and Rob Cardillo, and Garden Up by Susan Morrison and Rebecca Sweet. I’d love to curl up on a cold day with a cup of hot chocolate and these books and imagine what the spring will bring.

Whether you’re looking for something functional, decorative, or inspirational, the wide array of available choices this season will make shopping easier than ever.

By Diana C. Kirby|2019-01-08T17:12:11-06:00November 26th, 2016|Articles|0 Comments

July Tip: Container Plants

Potato Bag Container Garden

Many would-be vegetable gardeners are thwarted by a lack of space, impenetrable rocky soil or clay, or a shortage of sunshine. Alternative growing containers are the latest trend, making vegetable gardening easier than ever, even for those who have been limited in the past. Patio gardens and garden container alternatives can be grown with just 5 or 6 hours of sun each day. Don’t forget about vertical spaces, too. Hanging baskets can be used for lightweight greens and herbs and some fruits or vegetables will even grow in upside-down hanging planters. Check out some of the more popular options here.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:14-06:00July 27th, 2013|Tips|0 Comments

Try a few houseplants to bring the outdoors inside

You won’t find local gardeners complaining about the recent rainy spell. Every drop is a welcome relief after what may well have been the driest summer on record.

What surprises me at this time of year is how quickly I find myself missing the sun and the sea of green and color in my garden. Cloudy, gray days make me long for happy, healthy plants.

So, I surround myself with houseplants. Not only do indoor plants brighten up a room, they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, helping to clean the air.

All houseplants need three basic elements to thrive – light, water and nutrients.

Light

Plants depend on sunlight for photosynthesis. Because the specific needs for each plant will vary, it’s important to survey your indoor space to evaluate the amount of light available where you’d like to add plants. Make sure you consider both the duration and the intensity of the light. You can fill your windows with full-sun plants and save less well-lit spaces for plants that don’t need full light. While it’s never a substitute for the sun, fluorescent lighting can also help to supplement natural light.

Most plants at nurseries are tagged with some growing information like whether they need low, medium or high light. If they aren’t, check with sales staff or research your plants online to make sure what you choose will be a good fit for your space.

If your plant begins to lean significantly toward the light, it should be moved, as this is a sign that it’s not getting enough sun. You should also turn your plants regularly so each side gets equal sun exposure.

Water

The two most common causes of houseplant death are over- and under-watering. Many sources recommend watering plants once a week, but that’s just a guideline. To really gauge your plant’s water needs, you should use your finger to test the moisture of the soil just below the surface. If it’s still moist, don’t water it yet. For most plants, the best plan is to saturate the soil, then let it dry out before watering again. After a few cycles, your plants will let you know how long to go between waterings. If the plant is droopy or wilting, water less frequently.

Nutrients

Unlike the plants in your landscape, the correct houseplant potting medium is potting soil, which is typically a mix of peat, perlite, and vermiculite. Natural soils typically do not drain well, and so are not well suited to potted plants. Many of today’s potting soil mixes even come with additional nutrients to get you off to a good start.

Over time, those initial nutrients will leach out of the soil and will need to be replenished. An occasional fertilizer feeding will be necessary to keep plants healthy. Many good premixed houseplant fertilizers are available – just remember – it’s better to under-fertilize than to over-fertilize. Over-fertilizing can burn plants.

Temperature

Most common houseplants are native to climates similar to the temperature and conditions inside our homes. They do best at 65 to 75 degrees during the day and slightly cooler nighttime temperatures. Don’t place plants directly in the line of a heater, fan or air conditioner.

Pots and containers

Choosing the correct sized pot can be key to your plant’s health. A pot that is too small will limit plant growth and an over-sized pot can cause root rot when too much water is retained in the pot. Adequate drainage is critical.

You will periodically need to repot your plants. If the roots are straining out of the bottom of the pot, it’s time to move to a larger container. Generally, a new pot should just be a few inches bigger than the old one.

Air Root Plant – Also called Mother of Thousands, the babies form along the outer edges of the leaves of the mother plant. It likes full sun light.

Aloe – This full-sun-loving classic succulent has a sap that can help heal burns.

False Aralia – This wispy, upright plant is typically a floor plant as it gets four to eight feet tall. They like high humidity and moist soil with moderate light.

Begonia – This beautiful and colorful plant likes diffused light and a little extra moisture.

Dracaena – Also called Corn Plant, this is a simple plant to grow and likes strong or full sunlight. It can grow well over six feet tall.

Weeping Fig – This is an evergreen tree with a strong growth habit. This plant hates to be moved. Even a few inches to the right or left and it will drop its leaves

Philodendron – This is an easy plant to grow. The heart-shaped leaves are tough and adaptable.

Pothos Ivy – A great starter houseplant, pothos ivy is nearly impossible to kill. The plant can be started from cuttings placed in soil or water and can be left in water for long periods of time.

Rubber Tree – This traditional and simple plant requires little fuss and has pretty, glossy leaves that are striking. It has average water needs.

Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law Tongue – This is a very traditional houseplant. It seems to thrive on neglect.

Spider Plant – This delicate plant that grows new plantlets from shoots off the sides. It is great in hanging baskets. It likes diffused light and moist soil.

Wandering Jew – A fast growing vine that is perfect for hanging baskets. Do not let the soil get soggy.

By Diana C. Kirby|2017-11-29T23:27:19-06:00December 24th, 2011|Articles|0 Comments

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