I’ve never been very enthusiastic about houseplants, by which I mean those species of plants meant to live indoors indefinitely. It’s just a matter of personal taste, of course, but, aside from in places like sunrooms, atriums and grottoes (none of which I have), I prefer changing displays of cut flowers and greens.
Cut flowers, however, have some serious drawbacks: they can be expensive, hard to find at times, and, unless you’re fortunate enough to have a good florist on retainer, they’re a project. Over the last few months in New York (where it seems particularly difficult to find nice, reasonably priced cut flowers), I’ve tried changing displays of live plants instead in an effort to keep things simpler and less expensive. Not houseplants, but plants in the house. So far, I think it’s been pretty successful, but I’ve learned a few things.
First, you need attractive containers that you can use over again. I like the containers to be simply shaped and neutral in color to accommodate a variety of plants. I also think it’s a good idea to find containers that fit quietly into your decor, again, for maximum flexibility, and to keep the focus on the plants themselves. Since I just slide the grower’s container inside of the decorative pot, I look for containers without drainage holes. If you do use drained pots, traditional terra cotta flower pots or any other container where an unglazed surface touches the table, use a saucer beneath to avoid water damage. Don’t trust plugs provided for drainage holes. I also use the little adhesive felt feet available at any hardware store to prevent scratches on the furniture.
I struggled to find tasteful, flexible containers until I found Jamali Garden Supply at 149 W 28th St. in New York, which also has a good assortment available online at www.jamaligarden.com. In San Francisco, Flora Grubb Gardens at 1634 Jerrold Avenue has a nice selection of containers as well as plants, although it currently has very little available online.
The brass cylinders pictured above in a post-Christmas display of bromeliads also held these chartreuse evergreens in November and December.
Second, be flexible about the plants. At times, the supply of seasonal plants can be very limited, so I just go the the garden center or plant store with an open mind. If, as in January in New York, nothing seasonal looks good, tropical plants like the bromeliads are a good and long-lasting choice. Last Fall, I found ornamental peppers to replace the last of the summer flowers.
Third, let go of guilt. Plant-killing is not against the law, even in San Francisco. Most plants in the house, as opposed to houseplants, aren’t going to thrive for more than a few weeks, so just man up and dispatch them when they start to decline. You can take comfort that cut flowers enjoy a much shorter life in captivity.
Fourth, remember to water them. Their temporary status doesn’t justify complete neglect.
Fifth, cover the dirt for a polished, professional look. Dried moss or, for succulents or cacti, sand or pea gravel covering the exposed potting soil will help your display look as good close up as it does from across the room. Moss is also a good way to bridge any gaps between the growers’ container and the decorative one. These are available at good garden centers, floral supply stores and at www.jamaligarden.com.
As Spring approaches, I’ll keep you updated on how my Plants in the House program is going. I’m particularly looking forward to the early tulips . . . .
