Tips for growing great indoor pot plants
If you want to place your Christmas tree or flowering pot plant into another container for decorating indoors, do not repot them as this could disturb the roots and result in flower or leaf drop. Rather leave the plants in their pots or nursery bags, place them into the container and fill in the space with soil, bark or other materials.
To ensure potted plants grow well indoors, selecting the right lighting for each plant is vital. If your lighting is bad indoors, investing in some grow lamps would allow you to grow plants you never could have considered before.
Poinsettia Christmas Tree. Image by Michelle Maria from PixabayCorrect watering for each plant is also most important as most pot plants are killed by incorrect watering. Make sure you know how much water each one requires, and to take the guesswork out of watering, invest in a water meter. Feeding with a liquid pot plant food as recommended will keep your plants looking at their best.
Many indoor pot plants originate from humid tropical and subtropical regions and grow much better indoors when humidity is higher. Investing in a small room humidifier for your plant collection could make a huge difference to the health of many indoor pot plants.
Increasing humidity can be as simple as placing the pot on a drip tray filled with gravel and water. The gravel lifts the pot above the water line to prevent root rot, and as the water in the tray slowly evaporates it creates humidity around the leaves of the plant. Grouping several potted plants together like this will even create a small microclimate. Misting down the leaves occasionally with a fine spray of tepid water also helps with humidity and will also keep your plants clean.
Choose a living tree this festive season
Living Christmas trees add a whole new ambiance to a room, and if you purchase and decorate your favourite small ones to gift to friends and family, they will be delighted to know that their little tree can be planted out later into the garden or in a pot which can be moved out onto the patio and brought indoors next season.
Artificial Christmas trees are most definitely not environmentally friendly as they cannot be recycled in any way and do not biodegrade over time. These synthetic trees are also a fire hazard, and because they are often imported, they have a high carbon footprint.
There is a lovely selection of both exotic and indigenous trees that are popular to use as Christmas Trees in South Africa, so get creative and pot a living tree to decorate.
Some of the options below are for more traditional looking Christmas trees and others are daring and different.
Spekboom (Portulacaria )Spekboom, Porkbush, iNtelezi, isiDondwane, iGqwanitsha, Tshilepwete (Portulacaria afra)
A daring indigenous and water-wise option is our world famous spekboom. It has a growing reputation for saving the planet and recent research has dubbed it an "excellent carbon sponge" because of its ability to absorb more free carbon from the atmosphere than most other plants. Studies have shown that when planted in large plantations this amazing succulent can store more than four tons of carbon per hectare, creating what is called a "carbon sink", making it one of the best plants to grow in order to combat warming of the earth's atmosphere. In fact, this beautiful yet unassuming succulent has become so famous it even has its own Facebook page!
For an effect that’s sure to draw attention pop a potted spekboom into a hessian bag or rustic pot and decorate with baubles, angel hair and fairy lights. After Christmas your little tree can be kept indoors or planted in the garden or a pot.
To grow a spekboom indoors, place it in a warm, bright spot with indirect sunlight, even full morning sun would be perfect. The spekboom can be transplanted into another pot without any adverse effects. Use a sandy, well-draining soil mix like a cactus or succulent blend, and water only when the soil is completely dry, as overwatering can lead to root rot.
Members can click here to read more about growing Spekboom
Afrocarpus henkeliiYellowwoods (Afrocarpus)
For a more traditional look try yellowwoods, they make luscious Christmas trees and grow well in large pots which can be moved outdoors until next season. Overseas our majestic yellowwoods are grown as indoor pot plants for the elegance and texture they bring to any indoor space with their lush, glossy green foliage and great form.
Because Yellowwoods are slow growers, they are perfect for smaller spaces, lending an attractive vertical element without overwhelming their surroundings. Over time, these lovely trees will develop their own unique character and their slow growth and sturdy branches make them a favourite for bonsai enthusiasts.
With a love for bright, filtered light, and even some direct sunlight, the Yellowwood is ideal for a sunny indoor area, balcony or patio that needs a touch of green. However, too much direct unfiltered sunlight through glass windows can cause browning on the leaf edges or tips. If your tree is not receiving too much sun, the cause is probably due to inconsistent watering.
Allow the soil to almost dry out completely, but then water immediately. Never leave the soil dry for long periods of time. Yellowing leaves are often the result of overwatering. Check the soil moisture before watering, and for large trees investing in a water meter would be a great help.
Leaf drop is often a sign of stress, either from under-watering, sudden temperature changes, or low humidity. Keep the plant away from cool drafts and sudden temperature shifts.
Outeniqua Yellowwood, Outeniekwageelhout, umkhoba, umgeya, mogôbagôba, umsonti (Afrocarpus falcatus)
The Outeniqua Yellowwood is majestic and fast-growing, and with its elegant shape it’s certainly a tree for all seasons and all gardens. It is an excellent container plant and a popular indoor Christmas tree.
Henkel's Yellowwood, Henkel-se-Geelhout, Umsonti (Afrocarpus henkelii)
Henkel's Yellowwood is also a popular Christmas tree and is grown ornamentally in gardens for its strikingly neat conical shape and its elegant, drooping foliage.
Members can click here to read more about growing Yellowwoods
Fever Tree Picture courtesy Random Harvest NurseryFever Tree, Koorsboom, mooka-kwena , umHlosinga , nkelenga , munzhelenga (Vachellia xanthophloea)
If you want to be daring and different, decorate a fever tree. The beautiful form of this striking indigenous tree with its unusual sulphur-yellow bark makes it easily identifiable, and if you can find reasonably established trees with a good shape this tree makes a magical Christmas tree with its small feathery green leaflets and small, straight white thorns.
To keep you fever tree healthy indoors during the festive season, place it in a warm, bright spot with indirect sunlight, even full morning sun would be perfect. Water only when the soil is completely dry, as overwatering can lead to root rot, but avoid leaving the soil dry for too long.
If you have a large garden, plant your tree out in January, you won’t regret it. The fever tree is a medium to large growing tree, varying in height and spread, depending on where it is grown, and under optimal conditions it can reach 10 to 15m tall with a 10m spread. It loses its leaves in winter and makes a beautiful silhouette during the winter months. Sweetly-scented bright yellow flower balls appear from September to November, followed by flat, bean-like brown pods in late summer.
Members can click here to find out more about growing the Fever Tree
Mountain Cedar, Bergsipres (Widdringtonia nodiflora)
Our indigenous mountain cedar is closest in appearance to a traditional Christmas tree in its juvenile stage with its slender and upright form, and its needle-like leaves are similar to most conifers. In the wild it is a small tree or bushy shrub with a columnar crown, attaining a height of 5 to7m. It makes a good ornamental tree, and a superb potted plant which can be moved indoors every season. When it becomes too big for the pot, plant it in your garden.
Click here to see Google Images of the Mountain Cedar
The tree grows well in a cool or temperate climate with good rainfall and is relatively frost resistant. As it eventually matures, you can actually prune some of the lower branches during the festive period to be used as a Christmas tree.
With a love for bright, filtered light, and even some direct sunlight, the mountain cedar is ideal for a sunny indoor area, balcony or patio that needs a touch of green. However, too much direct unfiltered sunlight through glass windows can cause browning of the foliage. Allow the soil to dry out before watering, but then water immediately. Never leave the soil dry for long periods of time.
Cupressus macrocarpa 'Wilma' Cyprus (Cupressus)
You might recognize both Cupressus ‘Gold Crest’ and ‘Wilma’ as the potted evergreens that show up in many garden centres and retail stores before Christmas for their festive looks. Their lovely shape and the fresh fragrance of their bright foliage makes them perfect to decorate as a focal point in the home, and smaller specimens make striking table decorations and gifts.
To keep them happy indoors for the month, place in a bright, well-lit position. Don't put them in a north facing window with direct sun for most of the day, or you risk burning the foliage. Keep the trees well away from draughts and air conditioners, and ensure there is sufficient humidity by mist spraying the foliage lightly with water every couple of days, or placing a small humidifier nearby. In hot weather, a thorough weekly watering should suffice. Allow the soil to dry before watering again, but ensure that it is never dry for too long.
If you purchased one to decorate and don’t know what to do with it after Christmas, you could consider planting it in the garden or in a pot on the patio.
Members can click here to read more about growing ‘Gold Crest’ and ‘Wilma’
Festive Flowers and Foliage
Hydrangea mixed colours. Image by Adriana Knop from PixabayHydrangeas
One of the most beloved of the Christmas flowers is the Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) affectionately called the “Christmas Rose” because that’s when it’s at its most beautiful in our gardens and so abundant we can pick the stems freely for indoor decorations.
Its large pom-pom shaped balls of flowers come in an amazing range of colours. On the older varieties the blossoms can be white, or shades of pink, blue, or purple, depending on a pH-dependent mobilization and uptake of aluminium from the soil into the plants. Newer cultivars have stable colours ranging from cool blues and purples, pinks, sultry rose and shimmering reds, to crisp white varieties which are often delightfully tinged with green or pink.
These hydrangeas are also grown for their luxuriant foliage and are known as “Bigleaf Hydrangeas”. There are two beautiful forms, the “mophead hydrangea”, and the “lacecap hydrangea”. Lacecaps are identical to mopheads in every way except for the shape of their blooms which are more flattened.
Potted mopheads and lacecaps are popular for indoor decorations and are also used outdoors to liven-up patios and entrances during the festive season. They are also great to give as flowering gifts which can be transplanted into the garden in January.
Here are a few tips to keep your potted hydrangea thriving indoors. Firstly ensure that they never dry out completely and wilt from lack of water. They are generally potted into soil amended with a very light mixture of peat and coir, which can dry out rapidly, so ensure that the soil remains evenly moist but not continually soggy either. If a plant does start to wilt, rehydrate it immediately by immersing the entire pot in water for a couple of hours.
Ensure that the light is bright and a little sunlight will not harm, but too much direct sunlight could scorch the leaves. Feeding with a liquid flowering pot plant food as recommended will keep your plant looking its best. Once the flowers fade, prune them off and plant into larger pots or garden beds in a semi-shaded area.
Members can click here to read more about growing Hydrangeas
Boston FernBoston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
The tropical Boston fern is one of the most popular indoor ferns in the world with its long, drooping fronds of plain or frilly bright green leaves. Gardeners love to adorn their decks and patios with them during the warm summer months, and in frosty regions the plants are brought indoors to overwinter. Boston ferns are a wonderful addition to the home, adding an elegant charm and classic beauty unlike any other houseplant. Adding a lot of green and also white to your festive displays will just make all the other colours ‘pop’.
Outdoors they thrive in sheltered, semi-shaded areas of the garden, and indoors they like a warm (not hot) position with good light but no direct sunshine. Humidity is essential for these tropical beauties, 50% is ideal, which the average home does not provide. Misting the leaves down regularly with tepid water will help a lot, as would a room humidifier. Keep your fern well away draughts, air conditioners and heaters.
Boston Ferns must receive an adequate amount of water to flourish, and rainwater or filtered water is best. In summer, keep the soil evenly moist but not saturated, never allowing the soil to dry out totally. In winter, allow the surface of the soil to become a little dry before watering, and when the new fronds appear in spring, start watering more often. During spring, summer and autumn feed your fern every two weeks with a water soluble fertiliser for foliage plants, but dilute it to half the recommended strength.
Members can click here to read more about growing the Boston Fern
Flaming KatyFlaming Katy, Christmas Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe blossfeldiana)
Kalanchoes are tropical flowering succulents, and all are popular plants for the garden, but the little ones, appropriately called “Flaming Katy” have become one of the most popular flowering succulents in South Africa and the world. In 1971 flaming Katy was one of the first plants to be sent into space on a resupply to the Soviet Salyut 1 space station – quite a feat for such a little plant!
Their popularity never seems to wane, and just like Poinsettias, Flaming Katy is forced to bloom all year round by the flower industry. People love to use them for instant colour, both indoors and indoors, as they are inexpensive and can be discarded once they’ve finished blooming. Frugal gardeners transplant them into the garden or outdoor pots, knowing that if cared for correctly, they will return and flower again every winter and spring.
Flaming Katy hybrids produce large, scalloped, emerald green leaves, but remain compact and bushy, growing between 30 and 45cm tall. They bloom for at least eight weeks and are available in a good array of colours and fit effortlessly into various styles of interior design, from classic to modern. Today a wonderful selection is available and their profusion of single or double blooms come in many shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, white, and cream, making these little gems cheerful and inexpensive gifts. They are adorable potted together in clumps, or mixed with other water-wise plants and succulents.
Indoors it is very easy to grow and does best in bright filtered light. To promote flowering, potted specimens, as well as those growing in beds, can be fed two to three times during the growing season with a liquid or foliar fertiliser for flowers. Like all succulents, flaming Katy does not need to be watered a lot. Water thoroughly when the soil in the pot or garden bed is totally dry, and do not leave pots sitting in a drip tray full of water, or root rot will occur.
Members can click here to read more about growing Kalanchoes
Polka Dot Plant Mixed ColoursPolka Dot Plant (Hypoestes phyllostachya)
Extremely popular as a pot plant in the 80’s, the polka dot plant fell out of fashion for a while, but as with most plants it made a comeback, becoming all the rage among avid plant collectors on social media. Their brightly spotted leaves stand out in the crowd and new garden cultivars are very compact and bushy, growing to a height of about 20cm and spreading 15cm, but what they may lack in stature they sure make up for in colour. There are several spotted or mottled varieties available in shades of blush, pink, rose, red, and white, and in summer the bushes may produce tiny, solitary pink or purple flowers at the nodes.
Polka dot plants grow just as easily in bright light indoors as they do outdoors. In subtropical regions the plant is a spreading perennial, which may become quite rampant. In cold and frosty regions it is grown outdoors as a summer annual, and is planted out once all danger of frost is over.
In the garden, plant in a protected spot where they will receive filtered bright light, but not too much direct sunlight which can burn the leaves. Indoors, a warm windowsill that gets a couple of hours of bright indirect light a day is ideal for keeping the colours vibrant. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, but on the other hand in too little light the colours may disappear altogether, so move your pots around until you find the perfect place. Indoor temperatures around 18 to 20°C are ideal. Avoid cold drafts and direct airflow from fans or heaters.
Polka dot plants adapt to most fertile soils with good drainage, and once established will grow fairly quickly and easily as long as they are given sufficient water. Water the plants regularly in hot weather; try to keep the plant slightly moist but not soggy. Average household humidity is acceptable, but your plant will thrive with higher humidity levels indoors, so boost humidity with frequent misting. Feed every month throughout the summer growing season with a general purpose liquid fertiliser, diluted to half the recommended strength. The plants tend to get leggy, so cut or pinch back the top two leaves on the stems regularly, and to extend the growing season it's best to also clip the flowers off.
Members can click here to read more about growing Polka Dot Plant
PoinsettiaPoinsettias, Karlienblom (Euphorbia pulcherrima)
Poinsettias are arguably the most iconic plant of the holiday season, and renowned for their bright red and green foliage that mimics the colours of Christmas. They also come in a variety of other colours, including bright pink and creamy white. In South Africa, they remain a popular choice for decorating homes, offices, and even outdoor spaces during the holidays, and are also a great gift idea.
When selecting your potted poinsettia, make sure that the plant is full with a balanced shape and has dark green leaves right down to the soil line. To check its maturity look at the true little yellow flowers located at the base of the coloured bracts; if the flowers are green or red-tipped and fresh looking the bloom will “hold” longer than if yellow pollen is covering the flowers. Be careful when transporting poinsettias from the shop to your home because the branches break easily.
they thrive in warm, bright light but no direct sun, and ensure that the spot you have chosen is not too hot because high temperatures will shorten the life of the bracts. Poinsettias also don’t like drafts, so keep them away from fans and air conditioners.
The most common mistake is to overwater them indoors which results in the leaves turning yellow and dropping. Allow the soil to dry out between watering, but examine the soil every day because under watering will cause the plant to wilt, and the lower leaves will drop. Always water enough to soak the soil to the bottom of the pot but it is very important to discard the excess water from the drip tray or your plant will rot. If you keep your plant for several months indoors, apply a soluble high potassium houseplant fertiliser once a month. In warm frost free regions poinsettias can be planted into the garden once the festive season is over.
Members can click here to read more about growing Poinsettias
Euphorbia white and blush Picture courtesy Ball StraathofEuphorbia, Garden Spurge (Euphorbia hypericifolia)
Euphorbias make great houseplants if you can provide good light, and their popularity is increasing. For Christmas they bring a dainty soft texture to your plantings and décor. Combine them in containers with poinsettias to create the illusion of red poinsettias nesting in a bed of snow!
They are also popular with florists as filler plants and are perfect for Christmas arrangements. Before using the cut flowers, dip the cut stems into boiling water, or hold over a flame for a few seconds, before plunging into cold water. This will help prevent sap bleed.
Euphorbia resembles the annual plant called “baby's breath” (Gypsophila paniculata), and can be used in the garden in much the same way, and these wispy plants with their abundance of frothy drifts of small white flowers, interspersed amongst their olive green leaves, belie their delicate looks with their hardy temperaments.
Because of the popularity of this plant, it seems exciting new introductions are being brought out every year, all of which have a low, mounding and spreading growth habit. Euphorbia 'Euphoric White' and 'Glitz' are ideal for containers, hanging baskets and borders. 'Marginata' grows 90cm tall and has white on green foliage. 'Diamond Frost' has slender green leaves and white flowers, and 'Diamond Fizz’ produces copious floral bracts, creating the illusion of double flowers. 'Breathless' produces stocky plants covered in a mist of white or pink tinged flowers, and 'Breathless Blush' is the first dark-foliaged euphorbia with red-flushed leaves and pink-flushed flowers. 'Breathless White' is a sturdy plant and shows off masses of crystal white blooms.
These low maintenance and drought tolerant plants are sensitive to overwatering and are sold in moderately fertile but sharply drained soils. Water regularly until the plant is acclimatised to its new home, but after that, allow the plant to dry out before watering again.
In mild winter climates they can be planted out into the garden after your Christmas party where they will bloom almost all year-round in full sun or light shade. In cold, frosty regions they are grown as a summer annuals.
Members can click here to read more about Euphorbia
Anthurium Red Flamingo Flower (Anthurium Andreanum)
Instead of poinsettias try flamingo flowers. They were incredibly popular in the 70’s because they enabled one to emulate the classic holiday colours of green and red with a tropical flair. In recent years they made another impressive comeback, shooting to the top of most popular houseplant lists.
Characterized by their deep green foliage and colourful spathes, modern flamingo flowers are available in many sizzling colours like bright red, pink, purple, orange, and white. And, in spite of their exotic appearance they are not hard to care for as long as you understand their needs. A well-cared for plant, whether it is in your garden or home, will reward you with wonderful, long lasting flowers for many years, and just a single plant will give a room a more tropical feel.
Indoors they require consistently warm temperatures, and an area free of draughts, and whether you are growing flamingo flowers indoors or outdoors, it is prudent to bear in mind that they grow best in bright, indirect light and cannot tolerate much direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves.
Abundant water isn’t an issue for these rain forest specimens, but in their jungle habitat they occur naturally in the tree canopy, so although their environment may be damp or wet for six to nine months of the year, the drainage is perfect and they are never found standing in water. To match their natural habitat, the roots must be able to ‘breathe’ and for this reason, bought specimens are already potted in soil with perfect drainage. No matter where your flamingo flowers are growing, water only when the soil is dry to the touch, but when you do water, water deeply, and if they are in pots, ensure that the water drips through the bottom of the pot, but never leave it standing in the water.
Flamingo flowers revel in the high humidity found in tropical jungles, where levels often approach 100 percent. The humidity in most homes does not come anywhere near this, so you will have to mist the plant daily with tepid water in a spray bottle to try to simulate this type of microclimate. If time is limited, invest in a room humidifier, they are healthy and always come in handy anyway.
Fertilise with care as too much fertiliser will produce lush foliage but no flowers, so feed your flamingo flower sparingly once a month, using a liquid fertiliser for flowering plants, but mix the solution at 20 percent of the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Members can click here to read more about growing Flamingo Flowers
Asplenium nidus Image by Brian Clark from PixabayBird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Bird’s nest ferns are attractive, whimsical and enchanting, and in the warm subtropical regions of South Africa this fern is fantastic to use in the garden, but in cold and frosty regions they are prized indoor plants. In their natural environment birds nest ferns thrive in warm, moist, humid forests growing under the forest canopy where they are sheltered from the harsh sun, so if you are growing these ferns at home, be it indoors or outdoors, the best results are achieved if you can try to mimic the tropical conditions they love. An added bonus is that the birds nest fern is highly efficient at converting Carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen, and cleaning the air.
Indoors, bird’s nest ferns need high humidity levels and will take medium to lower light conditions. However, they don’t like it too cold, so ensure that the temperature indoors never drops below 10°C. If provision is taken for a little extra humidity, they are also perfectly happy if placed on a table top or shelf in any living area or office. In autumn, gradually start to water less, and during winter you may only need to water every couple of weeks. However, if they’re in a room which gets very warm because of heaters etc. be fastidious about checking the soil as it will dry out quicker.
Water is like lifeblood to these ferns, and they need a fair amount of it, but be careful not to overwater your plants as they don’t do well in soggy soil. Try to water so the growing medium is evenly moist, or whenever the top 2.5cm of soil is dry. In nature water and debris collects in the crowns of these ferns, but when growing them at home, its best to avoid watering directly into the centre of the plant, as too much water in the crown can encourage mould and rot in the dense nest.
To get them to grow luxuriantly with healthy, shiny leaves, spray the plants regularly with a fine mist of water, or rainwater. Do not use leaf shine products on your bird’s nest ferns, as they’re very sensitive to chemicals. If your plant is looking a little dusty, wash it off with tepid water. Because bird’s nest ferns are epiphytic plants they are wonderful to mount on an attractive piece of driftwood, bark, or cork. To keep their roots moist, mounted specimens will need frequent misting, and an occasional a good soaking in a basin of water.
Members can click here to read more about growing Birds Nest Ferns
AmaryllisAmaryllis
Amaryllis bulbs normally bloom in the spring, but they are cultivated as indoor plants and tricked into blooming in time for Christmas. Amaryllis must be one of the easiest bulbs to grow, and they remain popular for their festive oversized flowers which demand attention as they stand proudly facing outwards, atop tall thick stems. Amaryllis comes in fabulous shades of pink and magenta to salmon, orange, red, and white.
Varieties include single and double flowers, and those with stripes or contrasting edges. New hybrids can produce two flowering stems and a single stem will produce 4 huge flowers up to 22cm. The latest Sonatini hybrids are true miniatures with blooms between 6 and 12cm across. Although this may not sound small, for Amaryllis flowers it is, and what these miniatures lack in stature they more than make up for in generosity, with each bulb giving as many as 3 flower spikes, crowned with up to 6 delightful blooms each!
Indoors they will require very good, bright light, and although they don’t need sun, a little sunlight won’t harm them either. To prevent root rot, water sparingly until the flower stem appears, but when it starts to grow, increase the amount of water you give, and check your plants regularly, because flowering plants are thirsty.
Like hyacinths, amaryllis bulbs can be grown on water. Place the bulbs on top of pebbles or marbles in a glass container and fill with water until just beneath the bulb, and the roots will grow into the water. Amaryllis bulbs grown this way should be discarded once they have finished blooming.
Good amaryllis care will ensure that you enjoy beautiful blooms year after year.
Members can click here to read more about growing Amaryllis
Begonia 'elatior' Image by Jürgen Köditz from PixabayBegonia ‘Elatior’
Potted Begonia ‘Elatior’ hybrids are sold in full bloom throughout the year and look amazing as a coffee table centrepiece, or clustered together with tropical-looking leafy plants. They are perfect to give as gifts and will brighten up rooms and gardens during the festive season.
Elatior begonias are native to, and thrive in tropical and subtropical climates where they are treated as perennials that flower repeatedly. Outside the tropics tuberous begonias are best treated as indoor pot plants or as summer annuals which are discarded when flowering has finished.
The compact plants will grow around 30 to 40cm tall, producing fleshy, heart-shaped, green leaves, above which the spectacular richly coloured clusters of flowers appear. The flowers can be single or double and come in a wide range of colours from brilliant reds and oranges through to the gentler shades of yellow, pink, and white.
When selecting Elatior begonias to buy, choose a vigorous and healthy looking plant that is compact and not too tall, as this is a sign of excessively rapid growth. Also check the plant for any signs of powdery mildew on the leaves before buying.
Remember, these plants are not fans of the extremes, and they thrive in a comfort zone between 15 to 26°C outdoors and indoors, so if you’re comfortable in your home your begonia will also be happy. They do best in medium to bright light indoors, and do not enjoy direct sunlight, which makes them perfect for many indoor spaces. Try to avoid drying air-conditioning if you can, as this dries the air. Watering correctly is most important, and the soil should remain moist, but not soggy. Allow the top 2 to 3cm of soil to dry out before watering again. Potted plants growing indoors should be watered from below in order to keep the foliage dry.
Although the plants do not like to stand in draughts, they do enjoy good air circulation around their leaves. Good ventilation and correct watering helps to prevent powdery mildew, leaf spot and the possibility of fungal diseases on the flowers. if provision is taken for a little extra humidity Fertilise every week or two in summer with a balanced liquid fertiliser for flowering plants, diluted at half the recommended strength.
Members can click here to read more about growing Elatior Begonias
Peace Lilly Peace Lily, Spathe Flower (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
The dark-green, glossy leaves of peace lilies are strongly veined and arch away from the plant's base, making it an attractive foliage plant even when it’s not in bloom, but when in bloom, it is truly lovely. What we call its flowers are actually pale green spathes, which turn white as they open.
Peace lilies in full bloom are sold in garden centres virtually all year round because growers use a chemical known as gibberellic acid to induce the plants to bloom, regardless of the season. A number of cultivars, are commercially available, all of which are essentially quite similar. Apart from one peace lily which produces a green flower and another that has variegated leaves, they all produce large green leaves and white flowers. Some have smaller leaves and an abundance of small flowers, while others produce large, glossier leaves and fewer, but much larger flowers.
Peace lilies are used extensively as potted plants in homes, shopping malls and offices, and are renowned for improving air quality indoors. They are also sold by florists and make excellent gifts. In frost free regions of the country they can be planted out into the garden or into pots. Indoors, they are a decorators dream because their lush green foliage compliments most styles, adding freshness to almost any spot in the home, and the striking white flowers will liven up any colour scheme.
Of all the indoor flowering plants, peace lilies are one of the easiest to care for, because they tolerate average indoor conditions better than many house plants. Although they are known to survive in darker spots in the home and do not like direct sunlight, they will bloom better if given bright, filtered light. Their fertiliser requirements are quite low, but in order to encourage blooms they must be fed with weakened solutions of liquid fertiliser every four to six weeks in summer. Although peace lilies growing in the wild love water, when potted they prefer an evenly moist soil which drains well, and which is never allowed to dry out completely. These tropical plants love humidity, so if you live in a dry climate, creating a humid environment is beneficial to the plant.
Members can click here to read more about growing Peace Lilies
Gerbera Mixed ColoursBarberton Daisy, Gerbera daisy, Rooigousblom (Gerbera jamesonii)
Barberton daisies are one of the most popular ornamental flowers in the world, and are grown for their stunning cut flowers on long stalks. In the garden flowering occurs in spring and autumn, but for the florist’s trade and pot plant industry these beauties are cultivated year round. They are available as singles or doubles, and come in an amazing array of colours, from red to orange, and pink, yellow and white. Barberton daisies are wonderful to brighten up your garden and home during the festive season and will be welcomed as gifts.
Plant them outdoors in garden beds in full sun to semi-shade, or in pots. Indoors they thrive in warm, brightly lit locations. Place them near a sunny window where they will receive bright, indirect sunlight. Strong sunlight filtered through lace curtains is good – the brighter the light, the more blooms you'll get. However, too much intense, direct sunlight may burn your plant.
Fungus gnats and fungal diseases can be a problem with gerberas, so it is essential that they have good air circulation around their leaves. To avoid overwatering, wait until the top 2cm of soil is dry before watering again. The plants will produce more flowers if you deadhead and feed them regularly, and you can use any good fertiliser for flowering plants. Just be sure to follow the directions and don’t overfeed!
Hybrid gerberas are regarded as an upmarket cut flower that can be used as a single stem, or added to bouquets and arrangements to make a classy yet economical statement as they use up lots of space in the arrangement. Because the flowers tend to close up the night after they are cut, they should be cut a day or two before they are to be displayed. To make the flowers last longer you should dip the ends of the stems into boiling water after cutting, before plunging them in deep, cold water.
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Rose 'White Christmas'Roses
Well-cared for roses in the garden should have their second flush of summer blooms around Christmas time and can be picked for indoor decoration and perfume. Everyone loves roses and giving the gift of a rose bush is a long lasting and meaningful gift. Select your friends favourite colour, or roses with special names like ‘Forever Friends’, ‘My Granny’, ‘Peace’ and many, many more.
Ensuring a supply of rose blooms for the garden and home decoration is the main incentive for gardeners to plant roses. For the best Christmas blooms, ensure that your roses are watered and fed regularly and keep a look-out for any signs of pests and diseases and spray accordingly with an organic product.
Blooms can be picked at any time of the day but many florists recommend cutting during the coolest time of the day. The stage at which the bud is picked depends both on the variety and on personal preference. Most Hybrid Tea Roses open their long, slender buds relatively quickly and should be cut when the outer petals are just starting to unfold.
Carry a bucket half filled with water with you while pruning, and plunge the cut stems immediately into the water. The reasoning behind this is sound, as from the moment the cut is made air is sucked into the stem instead of water. Trapped air in stems and leaves causes wilting even after the stem is placed in water. When you have finished picking, top up the bucket with water and place it in a dark, cool place to stand for a few hours, or overnight. When saturated the blooms are ready for arranging and they will stay fresh even whilst out of water when you are arranging them.
For an extended vase life, add a satchel of Chrysal, or 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of vinegar, or 1 teaspoon of bleach to about 1 litre of water. Vinegar or bleach prevents formation of algae, making it unnecessary to replace the water every day. Sugar dissolves well in hot water and strengthens the petals and, to a limited extent, serves as a plant food.
If you receive a bunch of roses as a gift and they look like they are already starting to wilt prior to arranging them, use the recipe above to extend their vase life, but arrange them in hot water (about 40ºC). Hot water contains less air than cold water and as it is absorbed through the cut stem, it drives out any trapped air. If you have a glass vase and look carefully you will see the bubbles escaping from the cut.
Zantedeschia 'Red'Arum Lily, Kleinvarkoor, mohalalitoe, magapule, intebe, ihlukwe, ilabatheka-elimhlophe, ilabatheka-omhlophe (Zantedeschia)
Today a new generation of Zantedeschia hybrids have been bred, not only for their fashionable colours in all shades of pink, yellow, white, cream, apricot, peach, orange, purple (almost black) and red; but also for their sheer flower power.
These popular varieties are grown in the garden for the production of magnificent cut flowers for the vase, and they can also be planted into pots. They need at least 6 hours sun a day making them sheer magic in your summer entertainment areas on patios, decks, and beside the pool where they can be admired.
These colourful arum lilies are sold in full bloom and make stunning gifts for gardeners. If you are using them for a short period indoors to decorate tables etc. ensure that they are placed in bright light, never allow the soil to dry out completely, and feed regularly with a liquid fertiliser.
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Fuchsia Fuchsia
Fuchsias remain one of the most popular shrubs to add interest, and a little tropical flair to cooler spots in the garden, or on the patio. In South Africa, the flowering season starts in earnest in mid-October and continues to March and April. The plants are generally in full bloom around Christmas time and are wonderful to plant as decorations in the garden and to give as gifts to friends and family. The drooping heads of these pretty two-toned ballerinas also create beautiful hanging basket displays for balconies and patios.
The enormous array of cultivars available at specialist fuchsia nurseries, in all sizes, shapes, and colour combinations, will leave you spoilt for choice, and you may just come home with many more than you planned on, but never fear, their versatility makes them perfect in many garden situations. With over 8000 recorded cultivars of fuchsia; from large, upright varieties, to those with a lovely trailing habit, there’s bound to be the perfect one for your garden or small balcony.
The flowers vary greatly in size, and can be single, double, or semi-double. They are usually bi-coloured with white, and lovely combinations and hues of pink, purple, lavender-blue, violet, coral, salmon-orange, crimson and scarlet. The flowers are followed by small, dark reddish-green, deep red, or deep purple berries, containing numerous, very small seeds. The fruit is edible and has been described as having a subtle grape flavour, spiced with black pepper.
Fuchsias are so versatile, mixing effortlessly with other semi-tropical plants and bedding plants for semi-shade. They add some magic to woodland and cottage gardens, but look just as good in a modern setting, perhaps combined with grasses and pebbles. They are also a favourite with bonsai growers, and reward with quick growth and lots of blooms.
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Agapanthus 'Little Diamond'Agapanthus, Agapant, Isicakathi, Ubani, Ugebeleweni, Leta-laphofu, Hlakahla (Agapanthus)
Agapanthus should also be in full bloom in December, and plants in their nursery bags can be used for decorating both indoors and outdoors; just cover the bags with some cloth or hessian, and when the festive season is over they can be planted into the garden. They also make great gifts at this time of the year. As cut flowers they make stunning arrangements for festive occasions as the flowers will last for up to 10 days in a vase. The darker coloured varieties tend to fade when brought indoors.
If you want long-flowering perennials which are water-wise, can take the heat, and grow in full sun or semi-shade, Agapanthus is your plant. In the garden they are most effective if planted in massed displays, and the larger growing cultivars are wonderful if planted towards the back of the perennial flower border. The dwarf varieties make excellent container plants, and beautiful ground covers, rockery and border plants. All are most effective in stabilising the soil on banks, and will thrive on the banks of rivers and dams, and next to water features.
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