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The Houseplant Nook
© Norine Woods
Aug 21, 1998
Welcome to The Houseplant Nook. I'm Norine Woods. Let me guide you through the selection, care and feeding of your precious leafy friends.
One thing that makes houseplants so appealing is their never-ending variety. From tiny, prickly ball cacti and succulents to the giant palms, there is a size and a type to fit every home, every situation and every taste.
If you like a multitude of flowers, there are many plants to choose from -- dainty African violets, amaryllis, lilies, orchids, azaleas, the list goes on and on.
Some houseplants sport such brilliant foliage that they
almost outshine the flowering plants. Try caladiums,
crotons, hoyas, begonias or coleus. Cacti
and succulents put on a miniature display and need a
minimum of care. Frothy ferns and lofty palms in every corner of a large room are
truly eyecatching, and vines like ivy and pothos can trail
from ceiling to floor or drape a wall in leafy splendor.
How about a touch of the unusual? Carnivorous plants such as the Venus flytrap and cobra lily
make great conversation pieces. Japanese
Bonsai is a very creative hobby and you can achieve
startling results with a bit of expertise. Epiphytes or air
plants need no soil and flourish as they get their nutrients
from the air. The mimosa or sensitive plant has leaves that
curl up at the slightest touch.
Citrus trees planted indoors grow into medium size shrubs
and will produce fruit, although usually the fruit is small
and very sour. Oranges, lemons, limes, and more exotic
varieties like tangerines and kumquats can be grown right in
your living room.
In future articles I'll discuss many of these plants and
others I haven't mentioned. I also plan to write about
plant care, propagation and the growing of houseplants in
greenhouses, solariums and terrariums. I'll also talk about
insects and diseases that attack your greenery and show you
how to cure and prevent these infestations.
I'll help you select plants for various locations and
conditions. Decorate your home with a living landscape that
changes from season to season and even from day to day.
If you have any questions or if there's a particular plant,
problem or situation you'd like me to discuss, either
privately or in an article, please don't hesitate to write
me at knwoods@telusplanet.net or mention it in the
discussion area of my columns.
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The copyright of the article The Houseplant Nook in Houseplants is owned by Norine Woods. Permission to republish The Houseplant Nook in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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