Plants & Succulents

[RCWRTR]

Having worked on my family's farm while growing up, I never had much interest in gardening as an adult. As such, my family and friends find it amusing that I recently developed an interest in houseplants and succulents.

Since moving into my new home recently, I have acquired a total of 9 houseplants (English ivy, Dieffenbachia and Dracaena) and succulents (Sempervivum, Echeveria pulidonis, Jade 'Ruby', etc.) to date. I am enjoying them immensely. I even transplanted some of them into pretty pots and I check on them daily.

Since my partner can purchase an organic garden plot in the community garden at his church and we are surrounded by organic produce farms, organic dairy farms and a variety of Amish and Mennonite farms, we are not planning to have a garden at our new home. We did, however, plant 4 Liriope muscari 'Variegata' plants in our front flower bed, which look very pretty with our bone-colored siding, classic black front door and shutters and the native stone on the front of our new home.

Is anyone else here on SLN into houseplants and succulents?

[Tussiemussies]

Succulents are the *in* plant right now. Was thinking about some of them for a terrium but think I have three plants and that is my allotment for now. My mother is very much into house plants and everything she grows is lush and full. She is particularly good at African violets! Chris

Good luck with your plants and garden!

[RCWRTR]

Succulents are the *in* plant right now. Was thinking about some of them for a terrium but think I have three plants and that is my allotment for now. My mother is very much into house plants and everything she grows is lush and full. She is particularly good at African violets! Chris

Good luck with your plants and garden!

Thanks, Chris! I had no idea that succulents were the *in* plant right now, but I suppose it makes sense as they seem to be pretty low maintenance.

[Tussiemussies]

Thanks, Chris! I had no idea that succulents were the *in* plant right now, but I suppose it makes sense as they seem to be pretty low maintenance.


Yes they are very popular and I see them all over the pages I visit. Some of the gardens I have seen were made with succulents and were beautiful. As soon as I see some I will post them so you too can see them... Nice plant!

[razz]

Houseplants can be very satisfying in the home adding a sense of vitality especially in winter. I found that I need to be able to focus on their care as neglect is not an option except for those who need a very dry medium:|(

[RCWRTR]

Yes they are very popular and I see them all over the pages I visit. Some of the gardens I have seen were made with succulents and were beautiful. As soon as I see some I will post them so you too can see them... Nice plant!

Thanks! I bought this at The Farmers' Market at Elverson, which happens on Saturdays in the park directly across from my neighborhood, from Succulents, Etc., which is owned by two young entrepreneurial women from the area.

[RCWRTR]

Houseplants can be very satisfying in the home adding a sense of vitality especially in winter. I found that I need to be able to focus on their care as neglect is not an option except for those who need a very dry medium:|(

I have a large watering can I use to water our Liriope muscari 'Variegata' outdoors and an antique copper English watering can (which I won't dare use to water houseplants or anything else!). I have been looking at local thrift shops, auctions, yard sales, etc. to get a small watering can for houseplants. I haven't found one, so I gave in and sent my partner to Lowe's this morning to purchase one, as I believe a few of our new houseplant friends may be a little thirsty and I'd rather lift a small watering can than the heavier pots each time I water them.

[Gardenarian]

Yes! I love houseplants. I have corn plant, philodendron, spider plants, inch plant, little avocado trees (I'll have a forest someday) and my favorite, chestnut vine.
I also have lots of succulents outdoors. They do well in the dry but foggy weather in SF.

Right now I have some kind of fruit fly or gnat in my corn plant - going to have to quarantine that one.

[RCWRTR]

I was unfamiliar with the name inch plant, but immediately recognized it, when I saw a photo of it online. I really like those. Chestnut vine is interesting. I'm not sure if I've ever seen one here in PA, Gardnerian.

[Gardenarian]

Chestnut vine (Tetrastigma) is my all-time favorite. Hard to kill, doesn't need any fussing. Easy to propagate from cuttings, too. It's got a lot of character, with big leaves and twisty thick branches.

You can leave it outside to zone 10 (or grow it outside and bring it in when the temperature drops. Turns black in frost.) It's actually invasive in the south.

[Tussiemussies]

Hi again, saw this succulent on Facebook in bloom and thought of you. It is called String of Pearls. Here are some pictures and a site:

http://www.joyusgarden.com/how-to-care-for-propagate-a-string-of-pearls-plant/

[RCWRTR]

Thanks for the information, Gardenerian. I live in USDA zone 6b. We definitely have lower temperatures and frost here in PA.

[RCWRTR]

I love String of Pearls, Tussiemussies. Thanks for sharing this!

[pinkytoe]

DD has a thing for succulents and took me to this place in our city - an amazing greenhouse full of every succulent you can imagine. Lots of good info here too:
http://www.eastaustinsucculents.com/

[rosarugosa]

I love houseplants, but one of my cats is a plant-eater, so that limits what I can grow. I'm very fond of succulents but have heard they are prone to rot in terrariums. I do grow some outdoors. I have a few terrariums that are doing well with non-succulent plants. I started them primarily as a way to have houseplants that would be safe from hungry felines.

[catherine]

I'm in the market for plants that cleanse the air, because DH is a smoker. Although he's only "permitted" to smoke in his home office, the smell permeates the house, and I'd like to try to mitigate that with houseplants.

Any suggestions?

[Tussiemussies]

I'm in the market for plants that cleanse the air, because DH is a smoker. Although he's only "permitted" to smoke in his home office, the smell permeates the house, and I'd like to try to mitigate that with houseplants.

Any suggestions?

Hi Catherine, have seen lists of this on the Internet. One I remember is the peace plant, which grows pretty flowers. Here is a detailed list from Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_air-filtering_plants