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Seasonal Container Plants

© Ellie Goodwin

With absolutely no help from me the calendar has proceeded to move along into autumn and the holiday season. Believe me, folks, I tried to slow down this rapid march of days. Recently, there have been a few weeks I would rather see rewritten in a happier mode. For better or worse we now find ourselves in late October. The pumpkins, gourds and other trappings of the harvest adorn many doorsteps and hearths. Many parts of the country have even experienced their first snowfall of the season. Here in sunny Florida we bask in brisk but comparatively mild temperatures and anticipate more to come.

All this talk of the "change of seasons" and holidays gets me to thinking: how can I show my sense of fall and harvest with exotic and tropical plants? While it is wonderful to be able to go to a craft store or nursery supply outlet and find dried pine cones and mistletoe, I think it's even more creative to use what's native to the area in a seasonal display. In my own home I've created two autumn displays in baskets with leaves and pine cones from my backyard.

Tropical Container Plants

In addition to the standard complement of container plants, why not try a Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida). This evergreen shrub has flowers in red and white and blooms through the winter. It's best in the southern most part of Florida, but I'm sure if you can keep it warm enough in your home or greenhouse you'll have a lot of luck with it. This is just one of the plants you'll find at the GardenFla website. Check out the list and photos of wonderful Florida tropical plants. I'm sure you'll be inspired to try something new this holiday season on your deck or front porch.

Care of Tropical Plants

By their very nature tropical plants thrive in warm temperatures. This does not mean that those of us in northern or central Florida need be denied their beauty in the winter. That's why "containering" your tropical plants is sometimes the best way to cultivate them. By bringing your tropical plants inside when the temperature drops, you'll help them survive and continue to put on an exciting display. Be aware of the moisture and humidity requirements for your tropical plants. The air inside our homes can get a bit dry during the winter because we have the heat turned on. Don't let your exotics get dried out! Keep a mister handy and spritz them regularly.

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