For the love of houseplants!

In this crazy out-of-our-control year, let’s talk about something that adds joy to our lives just by existing. Houseplants! Okay maybe it’s just me, but there is something about growing things that keeps me grounded (pun intended) and reminds me that some parts of life aren’t cancelled. Like spring, summer, fall and winter. For three seasons, I love my big cut flower garden, but in winter it’s my houseplants that make me happy. I am a firm believer that armed with good information anyone can keep a houseplant alive and thriving. So here is everything you need to know!

Peperomia

First things first! What plant to buy? It all depends on your available light. Decide what room the plant will live in, and check the light. Big south window? Office with no window? North or east window with low light? Make sure you research which plants work best in that space. This little Peperomia sits on my office desk and only gets light when I turn the light on. It’s doing okay but a Sansevieria would be a better choice for no natural light.

Another consideration is size. In order, these are Bird of Paradise, Ponytail Palm, Kimberly Queen fern, and Norfolk Pine. They are all BIG, which is fine in the summer when they spend their days on my covered porch. But before first frost I’m scrambling to rearrange my house and find a helper to help me lug them inside. Still love them! If you are looking for a plant that can totally be ignored, it’s the Norfolk Pine. That one is probably 10-12 years old, has only grown about 6 inches and requires very little water. I know this because I constantly forget to water it and it always looks fine!

Phalaenopsis orchid

This is one of several Phalaenopsis orchids that I have. They also spend their summers outside, no special attention at all, watered with the garden hose. The key to re-blooming is never cutting off the bloom stem- it will produce new buds. This is my favorite flowering houseplant.

Lemon Tree

See where the grasshopper ate those leaves? This is how you know my plants are on the porch right now. See those bring green fruits? This is my lemon tree! I have absolutely no advice for you on how to successfully grow lemons or limes. I have had both trees for about 10 years and they only bloom and bear fruit when they feel like it. It’s been three years since I’ve had a single lemon.

Pilea

This little guy is Pilea or Coin Plant, or Pancake Plant. It’s the newest addition to my collection and so far has been easy to grow. If you are just getting started, start small. The real keys to success for any potted plant is to grow them in a pot with a hole for drainage (a must), fertilize in the summer/don’t fertilize in winter, repot in late winter/early spring and then let them spend their summers in the fresh air, somewhere protected from direct sun. They can not tolerate frost (because houseplants are all considered tropical) so don’t put them out until danger of last frost is over and bring them in before freezing weather in the fall. In Kansas, the average dates for first and last frost are October 15 and April 15.

Even though I am an Extension Master Gardener in Kansas, most of my houseplant knowledge came from trial and error, and I have had to tell myself many times that it’s okay to throw away a plant that’s on it’s last leg even though they all feel like children to me.

Here’s a link from K-State Extension that has all the best information on growing your own houseplants, but the key is to just dive in!

Basic Care of Houseplants

Where the magic begins....

Have you ever considered the idea that wedding flowers are a crop? They are grown in huge fields all over the world just for your bouquet. Holland, Ecuador, California, Japan, Alaska, Colombia and Kansas. Even in my backyard! As I have mentioned here before I love the idea of adding something I’ve grown to every bouquet, just a little blessing from me to you for a happy life. 

This year adding my own flowers has become a big challenge. I moved last fall from my house with very established cut flower gardens and a beautiful variety of shrubs for unique greenery. My new house sadly has no flowers! (I know right?) So this spring on days when it was warm enough, I started planting all the things I love and miss. Hopefully at this time next year my yard will be filled with blooms. 

Here are a few of my favorites things and a couple of surprises:

Eucalyptus- favorite wedding varieties are seeded, silver dollar or Gunni

Eucalyptus- favorite wedding varieties are seeded, silver dollar or Gunni

Citronella- Not only does it smell like lemons, I love the cut-leaf foliage

Citronella- Not only does it smell like lemons, I love the cut-leaf foliage

Scabiosa or pincushion flower- it comes in so many great sizes and colors

Scabiosa or pincushion flower- it comes in so many great sizes and colors

Astilbe- there are two tiny little buds showing. This is a fluffy filler that comes in white, pale pink and red

Astilbe- there are two tiny little buds showing. This is a fluffy filler that comes in white, pale pink and red

Zebra Mallow- just another sweet little purple flower

Zebra Mallow- just another sweet little purple flower

Dusty Miller- who doesn't love pale gray fuzzy foliage?

Dusty Miller- who doesn't love pale gray fuzzy foliage?

Heuchera- a foliage plant in many beautiful colors with dark veins

Heuchera- a foliage plant in many beautiful colors with dark veins

A skink- not what I wanted to see but I've been told they eat bugs. So I guess we'll be friends.

A skink- not what I wanted to see but I've been told they eat bugs. So I guess we'll be friends.

Tree Frog- my other friend

Tree Frog- my other friend

Nora's first day as a freelance gardener/florist. Not a bad start- she only ate one leaf!

Nora's first day as a freelance gardener/florist. Not a bad start- she only ate one leaf!

So wish me luck, sunny skies and weekly rain! I can't wait to have blooming flowers at my fingertips when it's time to work on your beautiful wedding.