Infolific » Indoor Gardening

Kitchens

Alice Lee — Sun, 01 Apr 2012 10:01:51 +0000

Every gardener will want to include plants in the kitchen. The preparation and presentation of food are enhanced by the addition of a few fresh leaves, so a selection of herbs on the windowsill is an obvious choice. However, there are also decorative indoor plants that will add interest to [...]

White and Cream Colored House Plants

Alice Lee — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:23:51 +0000

Fresh and crisp in spring, cool and refreshing in summer, and ethereal and mystical in winter, whites and creams provide year-round promise. White and cream flowers look wonderful in any style of room, and need only the simplest of containers to show them at their loveliest. Glass, white ceramic, steel [...]

Repotting House Plants

Alice Lee — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 23:04:57 +0000

Most plants bought at nurseries and garden centers come in small plastic pots with the roots already trying to escape through the bottom. At some stage after you buy them, they will need to be potted on into a larger pot with fresh potting mix. Carefully check all new plants [...]

Light Levels for House Plants

Alice Lee — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:06:10 +0000

Before buying a plant, think carefully about where you will put it because light level requirements vary from plant to plant. Good garden centers and nurseries will advise you on your choice, which will help prevent expensive errors. Read the plant labels and follow the notes on care, particularly on [...]

Cacti and Succulents

Alice Lee — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 06:30:14 +0000

Part of the appeal of cacti and succulents is that they remind us of ourselves: fat ladies dancing or plump babies playing, or, in the case of cacti, old men with beards. Available in all kinds of shapes and sizes, they are great indoor plants, enjoying warm dry conditions and [...]

Growing Fruit Bearing Plants Indoors

Alice Lee — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 09:10:42 +0000

It is possible to grow many fruiting plants indoors, ideally in a conservatory, but you can also grow them with care on a sunny windowsill. The joys of dwarf tomatoes, chilli and bell peppers, and aubergines (eggplant), as well as a wealth of colorful citrus fruits, all await the indoor [...]

The Texture and Pattern of Indoor Plants

Alice Lee — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:52:42 +0000

Indoor plants, particularly foliage plants, can add a richness of texture and pattern to the overall design of a room. The glorious intricacy of some leaves, stems and tendrils is a natural foil to the limited palette of colors and range of materials that is often found in the modern [...]

Pruning House Plants

Alice Lee — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 16:20:27 +0000

Shaping is probably a better word than pruning to describe the needs of most houseplants, but some vigorous plants do need catting back. Pinching Out You can encourage some plants to bush out by pinching out the leading growth lower down the stem. Tomato and pepper plants respond well in [...]

Temperature and Humidity for House Plants

Alice Lee — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:31:02 +0000

Many houseplants prefer a daytime temperature of 64-70°F (18-20°C). This is often referred to as average warmth. Some plants require a cooler temperature during their dormant phase in late autumn and winter. Centrally heated homes can be too hot and dry for plants, with radiators below windowsills making this area [...]

Problems, Pests and Diseases

Alice Lee — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:59:37 +0000

Most problems are due to lighting levels, over- or under-watering, or wrong temperatures. Plants under stress become more susceptible to pests and diseases. Common Problems Prevention is always better than cure, so be vigilant and spot signs of distress early on. Upper Leaves Turn Yellow Often the result of watering [...]

Shades of Green

Alice Lee — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 23:16:13 +0000

Green promises new hope: green grass after a drought, new leaf buds on bare branches after winter, and green shoots through the soil after a period of cold. In general, plants that lose their green coloring are In poor health, lacking minerals, light or water. We bring greenery into our [...]

Spring House Plants

Alice Lee — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 10:36:51 +0000

Indoor bulbs can be a wonderful antidote to short days in spring when it is too chilly outdoors. The miracle of beauty emerging from an unprepossessing bulb is always a delight. Each autumn, you can have a great run visiting a specialist bulb supplier, and, armed with a collection of [...]

Winter House Plants

Alice Lee — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:12:15 +0000

When the garden is largely dormant, indoor plants can bring color to our homes. Centrally heated homes with chilly windowsills, and maybe a drafty hall, are disaster areas for all but the most stoical of plants. This is a time when the truly tried-and-tested, evergreen houseplants come into their own. [...]

The Perfect Style and Placement of Indoor Plants

Alice Lee — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 04:52:09 +0000

Most rooms tell a unique story about the lives of their owners: cool, modern, international jet-setter; eclectic, foreign traveler; young, urban professional; or comfortable country-dweller. Developing a design statement extends not only to the choice of furnishings and furniture, but also to the type of indoor plants. The designer's skill [...]

Indoor Plants with Bold and Brilliant Colors

Alice Lee — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 02:43:18 +0000

We all have preferences when it comes to the colors we use in the design of our interiors The colors of our own indoor plants, as well as those of the walls, floors and soft furnishings, can also be used as an expression of own unique personal style. Most people [...]

Home Offices

Alice Lee — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:46:24 +0000

With the advent of modern communications, many people do some of their work from home, and most homes need an area for filing documents and using a computer. Where space is at a premium, the living room may have an area dedicated to these tasks. If you incorporate an office [...]

Color and Scent of Indoor Plants

Alice Lee — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 01:46:23 +0000

Two of the best attributes that plants can bring to an interior are those of color and scent. A burst of color in a neutral design scheme can change the whole balance of the room and create a real focal point. Match it with a hue in a painting or [...]

Sunrooms and Conservatories

Alice Lee — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:26:24 +0000

In a cooler climate, the ultimate space for the indoor gardener is the conservatory (sunroom). Plants that would not survive in darker rooms indoors will thrive here, enjoying the higher light levels. You can control the conditions to provide just the right environment for your plants. A visit to a [...]

Tools and Accessories for Indoor Gardening

Alice Lee — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:32:59 +0000

Once the pleasures of indoor gardening have taken hold, you will need an assortment of tools and accessories to help you keep the arrangements in pristine condition. Using the smartest implements, you will soon find that tending your plants is as rewarding as admiring them. One of the most important [...]

Architectural Plants

Alice Lee — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 22:11:46 +0000

If plants are to make a positive addition to an interior, they should be compatible with the space in terms of size and shape. Plants with a strong form and shape can make a dramatic impact on a room, becoming a piece of sculpture in their own right. Modern architecture [...]