PlantsWise

Now, my little muffins, I want you all to pour yourselves a nice warm cup of tea (or your beverage of choice) and sink into someplace comfy. Pull that wooly throw blanket up to your chin, and let all those visions of sugarplums (or whatever tingles your tastebuds) dance through your head. Dose off. Dream of world peace. And do it all with a little tree by your side.

No, really–Why not? Now that you’ve grown accustomed to having the Christmas tree in your home, how about holding that thought through the winter? You laugh, but stranger things have happened.

I do it. I bring a conifer in every winter. It isn’t always the same tree (although it all started with a Cupressus arizonica ‘Blue Ice’ that went in and out for several years until it outgrew its container). I purchase a conifer during the autumn sales, I pot it in a deep container (note here: I fill the entire container with potting soil rather than “cheating it” with styrofoam noodles are some such filler). The deep container is key, by the way. I remember to water it (just a suggestion). And then I commune with my little tree indoors until spring arrives when it goes outdoors (and so do I). Sometimes I plant it in the ground, sometimes I leave it in the pot and use it as a sentinel by the front door. Point is: it has legs–this is a good investment.

Confession here: I’ve got tall French doors facing east with sufficient light to do this deed. Another confession: I’ve got a fairly chilly home. But it’s worth a try, right? What’s the worst that can happen?

Probably, it will flourish. And when you wake from that warm winter’s snooze, your tea will be cold. But you’ll open your eyes to your own little forest by your side indoors in the middle of the winter. How cool is that?

Thank you for a year full of beauty and friendship. I love you all. And so does Einstein (my kitten and research assistant).

Well, the name’s a little melodramatic. But if you can get over that (what’s in a name?), what’s not to love in this little cutie? I’m always game to try anything that might work indoors. For example, this little number wasn’t really being sold as a houseplant. But why not give it a spin?

When I picked Senecio cephalophorus ‘Blazin’ Glory’ up from Avant Gardens, it was love at first sight, even before the first bud opened. And by the way, there’s nothing wilted in this photo. The buds are naturally nodding, which you find irresistibly endearing, don’t you? And then they straighten up and jut out at odd angles to burst into a paintbrush of tiny orange bristles — each one a flower.

But even if this show didn’t go on for months (which it does) — there’s that foliage to die for. Plump, oval leaves tucked together in a nest. Each leaf chalky bluish-silver. Whole shebang stands no larger than a foot. Are you sold yet?

What if I told you that it’s virtually maintenance-free? Needs no tidying whatsoever because it’s invariably picture perfect. Never pouts. But I’m stingy with the water — it might not like being drowned. So water it sparingly, like you do all succulents. And those orange flowers — they don’t have the typical “old gym socks” senecio smell (thank goodness). In fact, their scent is mildly (very mildly = use your imagination) pleasant.

So go for it. Yes, this little number will need a bright, south window. But can you think of a better way to invest your sunbeams?

They’re back in the fold again! The houseplants, that is. And as much as I liked the convenience of hitting them with a hose (and sharing the watering duties with Mother Nature), I missed them. Now I feel whole again. The nest is never totally empty. But still, I spent last night roaming around patting the plants that don’t bite on the head. So the agaves with teeth just got a high five.

Needless to say, the family has expanded over the summer — it always does. A bunch of new goodies hitchhiked home in the car from a visit to Landcraft in Mattituck, LI. Had to enlist some new plantstands just to accommodate them all. My favorite? Neoregelia ‘Tiger Cub’. Check it out.

What’s not to like? Beyond being outrageously handsome, ‘Tiger Cub’ is low maintenance. Raving success is a no-brainer with most bromeliads. The only time I fail is when I burn them with too much light. Find them an east window and it’s Easy Street. And paired with a cool container, you’ve got something that will warm your winter months.

I keep my neoregelias (yes, I have others) moderately moist. Although they like having their vase-like leaves filled with water, that’s easier done outdoors than inside, and they don’t demand it. Basically, they like to grow in the same conditions that we favor indoors. Simple as that. And they make pups to share with lucky friends…Am I going to be popular with neoregelia wanna-haves, or what?