Years ago, I started dragging alocasia and musa in and out of the garden every late spring and fall, but those 3-4 plants have always been incidental music in the larger garden cacophony. This year, I hope to up the tropical ante and I took the first step by buying a carful of ficus altissima ‘Yellow Gem’ (shown above), ficus triangularis, various pothos, and a couple gigantic bridal veil (seems to have two completely different botanic names). I’ll also have plenty of colocasia that I’ll purchase later.
Potratz in Erie, PA is one of the best places for indoor plants I have ever seen.
To accomplish this, I went to a place south of me that’s known for its six greenhouses of indoor plants and its crazy reasonable prices. I wanted large plants that I could keep alive in my back room for about six weeks. Instead of having the skimpy hanging plants sold around here in May, I’ll have abundant specimens that will fill their spots. Same with all the ficus. (I could have gone with monstera here, but could not have gotten variegation for similar prices.)
These plants will be hung, planted, or potted throughout the garden. What we’re looking for is leafy green amplitude—more of a Southern style that I think goes well in a courtyard garden.
Bridal veil ($25) with houseplant maven Johanna shown for scale
Of course, the big question is how/if I can keep them going over the winter. Some of them—the bridal veil, I’m sure—will be annual purchases, and, at the price I got, no big deal. We are talking almost 6 months of use. If I had rented the bridal veil it would be $4 a month. Some will be given away to people who need more indoor plants. Some I’ll wedge into my current collection.
I have to—at least partially—credit the houseplant movement with the confidence to do this. I’ve been seeing people bring dozens of plants into their homes, mostly with success, and I’ve gradually been adding more myself. It’s gotten to the point where having close to triple digits in the house is no big deal and it’s helped me think differently about outdoor gardening. Most of my indoor plants will not receive a “vacation” outdoors, but there will be itinerant residents who will come and go—and sometimes never return. I like the flexibility. And all this without having read Marianne’s book! I’m almost afraid to now.
TWENTY FIVE BUCKS for that huge bridal veil??? That’s amazing. Why isn’t this place closer to where I live?
Marianne’s book is quite useful in this regard. She opened my eyes to tropical plants easy and cheap to grow from seed annually (castor bean, papaya) as well as plants that are a bit more expensive but pretty easy to manage in a dormant state (Ensete). There’s also a description of plants that are very cold hardy and may require no special care outside year round. A lot of this info is available online, but her book is a condensed resource for a serious would-be tropical gardener.
Thanks Julie! I’m hopeful it will provide a good resource for many gardeners who wish to dabble. – MW
Indeed Marianne’s book (recently acquired) embraces this very concept of forgiving flexibility. It helps us pull the trigger on that purchase, don’t you think?
…as if we needed more shopping encouragement!
I’ve also discovered a local houseplant swap group if I suffer any guilt concerning discards.
Many thanks Carol. Yes, flexibility is key. Elizabeth’s post illustrates the desire of so many of us to experiment and not necessarily deal with plants the same way every year. -MW
Bought a bridal veil last year on Valentine’s Day (“Here honey, this is what I’d like you to buy me.” 🙂 ) with the intention of letting it go after a summer outside. Brought it in instead and its healthy and happy, but bulky and under my feet in the bedroom. It may only get one more season out of me, and I’ll be good with that. Total High Maintenance Partner. -MW