This is Joe in northern Indiana. I’m a confident gardener outside, but I often struggle with houseplants. They are, however, a pretty essential aspect of getting through our long, cold, snowy winters, so I’ve been trying more, and have had some successes I’m happy with.
Rabbit’s foot fern (Davallia fejeensis) has been an easy-to-grow star for me. When I first bought it, it looked terrible; the fronds all got brown and crispy on the edges. But I think that was just the process of adapting to the conditions in my house because after that, it put out new, beautiful green fronds and has been thriving in pretty low light and my often-forgetful watering schedule.
The fuzzy rhizomes are on the move. I think this plant is going to turn the hanging pot it is in into a solid ball of fern soon, which will be cool!
Air plants (Tillandsia) have been a struggle for me in the past. I’ve tried misting them, but that never seem to get them enough water. But I’ve got a new schedule for caring for them that seems to be working great.
Once every week or two, they all go in the sink and get a soak in lukewarm water for about 20 minutes while I check if my other houseplants need water. They’ve done great!
Low light is an issue in my house, and some plants are suffering for it. This little cactus is stretching because it is just too shaded. I think I’m just going to have to let this one go and choose more low-light plants.
But I have found a solution to some of my dark areas away from windows. This corner of my home office has no windows, but plants are thriving because . . .
. . . I put cheap LED lights on the ceiling! LED lights are affordable and so energy efficient it costs almost nothing to run them. They have allowed me to green up more corners of my house.
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Comments
Joe, that was a very interesting posting of indoor plants. I have never seen a rabbit’s foot fern before and just love it! Your idea of the lighting on the ceiling rocks! Well done.
When I read your first paragraph it sounded like I was talking to myself. My talents outside may rock, but certainly not inside. I have a crapload of plants inside in the winter just to carry the succulents and coleus over for the next year's exterior garden but no actual houseplants. I have the same low light issues as well as very low humidity in winter because we heat with wood.
Your fern looks great
Very impressive Rabbit's Foot Fern- it looks amazing and also amazing how you brought it back to health!
Houseplants were my first gardening venture way back when! Don't you just love your Rabbits Foot fern? I've always loved being surrounded by plants, they have definitely been my happy place inside and out. Philodendrons come in all shapes and sizes and are quite tolerant of low light situations, keep adding to your collection.
I have many houseplants and enjoyed your post. My newest are succulents in multiple pots on an antique wooden ironing board in our bright eat in area of the kitchen. I also have a maidenhair fern that I've been able to bring back from near death but putting it in our bathroom where I can water it as often as it needs. The window is large, but the light is filtered so it seems very happy. Also have an aloe vera and a philodendron in there. Love plants inside and out!!
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