Choosing indoor plants

As a preliminary to choosing and growing indoor plants, it is important to spend a little time considering the different types of plants that are available. Firstly, house plants can be described as those plants that give a permanent display throughout the year. They are always green and do not have a resting period like many other plants. Some house plants are attractive because of the beautiful colour and form of their foliage, while others, fewer in number, add to this loveliness by flowering. It might be usefully mentioned that although quite a number of them have common names, many are offered by florists under their somewhat frightening botanical names. Do not, however, be put off by this, because they are quite easy to learn. In fact, it is often safer to use the Latin description because, in some instances, the common names are duplicated.

The second category of indoor plants that feature nowadays quite prominently, includes what are known as 'flowering pot plants', which are characterized by the fact that they have resting periods, during which, in most cases, they become quite uninteresting. Popular examples of this group are Indian azaleas, astilbe, calceolaria, chrysanthemums, cineraria, cyclamen, Cape heaths, hydrangeas and primulas.

Other very attractive plants grown indoors are cacti, succulents, ferns and palms, and those from bulbs. In addition, there are the fascinating and often beautiful miniature and bonsai trees. These can very attractively supplement the decor of a room and for the garden minded, raising and training them is an intriguing hobby.

When buying for indoors, the three most important considerations are (i) the conditions under which they are to grow, (2) the purpose to which they are to be put and (3) the experience of the owner and the amount of time that can be devoted to their proper upkeep. There can be little doubt that many casualties among house plants have occurred because gift plants, given all in good faith, have not had these factors taken into account.

There are quite a number of things to be considered, such as the amount of light in the room, whether it is centrally or permanently heated, whether there are periods when it is cold, whether a plant is required for a permanently cold place, possibly a hall, or for a continuously sunny spot, and so on. Equally important is the purpose for which it is needed. A plant for a small table or an office desk must be compact and bushy, whereas a climber is needed for a room divider. Does a house plant that flowers or a foliage plant with coloured or variegated leaves serve the purpose best? It could be that, for some reason, possibly connected with the decor or the immediate view from the window of the room, colour changes are needed from season to season, in which case it is possible that bulbs and flowering pot plants are more appropriate. Lastly, there are several foliage plants that can easily spare some of their leaves. These might be invaluable to flower arrangers at a time when suitable foliage is scarce out of doors.

The choice of a house plant might be materially influenced by the circumstances of its owner. If a beginner, easy-to-grow plants are recommended until some knowledge has been gained. The more experienced could undoubtedly be more venturesome and grow the delicate and difficult plants, and perhaps ultimately turn a hand to propagation. Much must depend, even with the most expert, on the amount of time that can be devoted to the maintenance of house plants. A busy business woman might easily find that she must limit her choice to the easy-to-grow and more hardy varieties. If there are periodical absences from home, it might be that cacti are the best choice. Providing they have plenty of sunshine and are not exposed to frost, they will exist quite happily at a temperature of 45-50^ (7~io°C) and with comparatively little water from late summer to spring.

There is one rather more unusual form of indoor plant which is mentioned at this point, because logically it does not fit anywhere else in this book. This is a miniature water-lily, growing in a large bowl, at least twelve inches in diameter. An excellent variety for this purpose is Pygmaea helvola, which is a very beautiful bright yellow. If it is planted in a box made from a piece of pretty, small-mesh plastic or metal netting, filled with good garden soil, which preferably contains a little clay rather than one on the sandy side, it will flourish with very little attention, particularly if it is put on a sunny window-sill.

Finally, when buying always go to a reputable nurseryman or florist, if possible in your district, so that there is little risk of damage when you transport plants home. A good grower will always harden off his plants, which have been raised in the warm, humid environment of his greenhouse, before he sells them to a flower shop or to a retail customer. An efficient florist will, in turn, look after the plants that have been delivered, they will be watered and kept out of draughts and they certainly will not be exposed to hot sunshine or cold winds out of doors.

It is always advisable to buy house plants, particularly the more delicate ones, in the summer, autumn or during a mild spell, so that they do not suffer any shock on being carried home on a cold, windy day. You should at any time make sure that any house plant is well wrapped to protect it on its homeward journey. You can be sure that a good florist or nurseryman will know exactly how to do this.

When making a choice, you should always pick out a plant with firm, brightly coloured foliage and without any pests, since these will not only damage this plant, but will also infest any that you have already at home. Particularly see that there is no damaged foliage, especially with those plants that depend upon their leaves for their beauty, such as Ficus elastica 'Decora', Fatsia japonica and Monstera deliciosa.

After it has been brought home, any house plant should be treated very kindly for the first week or so. It should be watered with luke-warm water, but only if necessary, and put into a warm place, out of draughts and full sun, to dry. Be careful you do not give it too much heat or water. After about a week it can be placed in its permanent quarters and treated normally, but it should be watched for another four weeks until there are signs that it is happy, which it usually signifies by some growth.
In the appendix there is an At-A-Glance Guide that will assist in the selection of house plants for several different conditions. These plants are described on pages 33-73.