It’s Still Just Dirt, The Tillsonburg News – December 2019
by Angela Lassam
I received an indoor living arrangement as a Christmas gift and noticed that there was no care instructions or plant labels. After Christmas you can remove all the ornaments and any arrangement can live on to give health benefits. I thought this gives me an opportunity to share my knowledge with you.
This is a breakdown of some of the plants found in arrangements, some of which you may already know
Bamboo – tall, can reach 12’ before needs repotting. Another tall one is Snake plant or Mother-in-laws Tongue. It is hard to kill so good for a novice. Fig tree, palms and Umbrella tree are large so need space but add color and life to a large entry or similar space. Minimal watering is needed.
Hanging plants – Spider plant is a common shared plant as it multiplies well and can provide new plants from its trailing pieces. They will root easily in water and grow well for you to share. An old favorite is Philodendron, an ivy type vine which likes indirect light and can be persuaded round windows, doorways and arches or on any trellis structure. Beware they are poisonous to pets and children.
Singular plants are most often Boston Fern which is an old favorite, a Spider plant, Snake plant to name a few. Aloe Vera is a good plant for a kitchen or bathroom. It is difficult to kill, likes humidity and is the one plant that its leaves have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. You can break a leaf and use its juices as a quick first aid.
An arrangement of indoor plants will probably have a Chinese money plant which has round penny shaped leaves or a Chinese evergreen with a variegated leaf which will produce a white flower and red berries, an ivy and maybe a type of palm. A liquid fertiliser in the water when needed will help them thrive. Spritzing shiny leaves with tepid water can be advantageous.
One small tip I learned – for aphids (small white bugs) use rubbing alcohol on a q tip , wiped on the bugs will remove them.
Plants for indoors can reduce the VOCs in the air most of which comes from paint on walls, carpet, furniture and many cleaning products. Many indoor plants filter formaldehyde, benzene, xylene and carbon monoxide from the air. These can create the ‘sick building syndrome’. Most are poisonous to children and pets if ingested so always place out of reach or hang up.
Any plant gives more benefits through adding life to the home space besides their air purifying uses. Watching their changes and growth adds to one’s well being and a plant as a gift is sometimes given with that thought.
As we enter the New Year I hope it will be a healthy prosperous 2020 for all.
The next meeting for the Tillsonburg Horticultural Society will be on Tuesday January 7th 2020 @ 7:30 p.m. in the Senior Centre, Tillsonburg Community Complex (north side by the Skate Park). Dr. Allyson MacDonald, a member, will give a presentation – English Roses, David Austen and Beyond with a photo montage of roses at their peak followed by refreshments and social time. Members please note it is membership renewal time, $20 for the year. New members always welcome, come for a meeting $4 or join for extra benefits.
More information can be found on www.tillsonburghorticultural.ca or Facebook Tillsonburghorticultural.