Ivy photo taken on location at Smith & Hawkin by Diane Zarfoss. Clivia photo taken on location at Longwood Gardens by Diane Zarfoss. Meyer Lemon photography courtesy of Gardener’s Eden
The benefits are numerous. Not only do plants brighten your home, but they also aid in lowering your stress level, removing indoor pollutants, and reducing your chances of catching a cold by adding moisture to the air. Currently, the market has an abundance of offerings. You can easily find the indoor plant that best suits your house, your style and your commitment. The clivia, the ivy, and the Meyer lemon are all attractive options.
Clivia The clivia, more commonly known as the kaffir lily, is one of the most easily grown indoor plants available, and despite its initial cost, around $30 for a six-inch plant, it is an excellent value for the money. If properly cared for, you can get years of pleasure from this beautiful plant.
The clivia miniata, the most popular of the clivia, has dark green, leathery leaves and intensely orange blooms. The leaves grow in clusters that can reach to 30 inches in height and 60 inches in width, and the flowers, which also grow in clusters, emerge from the end of spikes rising from the leaf clusters. “There also are red and yellow clivia, but neither are readily available,” said Kathy Scott of Excelling in Creative Garden Concepts (ECGC), of Richmond, Virginia. “In fact, the yellow ones are just now coming on the market.”
These colorful blooms, which can appear as early as February and as late as August, definitely contribute to the appeal of this plant, said Steve Urick of McDonald Garden Center, with three locations in the Tidewater area. But it’s the ease and low maintenance of the clivia that makes it so popular. For instance, you can leave the plant for a couple of weeks, come back, and it probably will be just fine.
Ideally, however, the clivia should receive regular watering during the spring and summer when it is in a growing cycle. At that time, let the surface of the soil get dry to the touch, and then water it thoroughly. It may require watering as often as once or twice a week.
In early winter, the plant won’t need as much water. In fact, it might even need it only once a month. Around Christmas, you should withhold water completely so the clivia can go dormant and prepare to bloom in spring. “In late January, you should see the first buds on the plant,” explained Karen Stapleton of Homestead Gardens, in Davidsonville, Maryland. “Then you should start watering it one or two times a week again.”
The clivia prefers bright, indirect light and can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees when dormant. The ideal winter home for this plant is a bright location in an unheated room or a cool greenhouse.
A slow growing plant, the clivia can remain in the same pot for years, and the type of pot is up to you. The plant isn’t fussy in that way.
“This is a pretty classy looking plant though,” said Urick. “I personally think it’s best suited to a ceramic or decorative container.”
Ivy Ivy, otherwise known as hedera helix, makes a nice addition to any home because it is easy to care for and elegant looking. According to Urick, “Ivy is a classic and extremely versatile. You can use it to climb a trellis, cascade down a stand, or trail across a table.” Moreover, it comes in so many varieties that it has something to offer everyone. You can find an array of leaf shapes ranging from curly to pointed to heart shaped and colors ranging from white to silver to yellow.
Ivy, especially the variegated forms, requires lots of bright, indirect light. You should, though, avoid placing it in afternoon, summer sun. The plant also can tolerate a wide range of room temperatures as long as the temperatures don’t fluctuate too often. In fact, ivy prefers to be kept cool, around 50 degrees, during its winter rest period.
As far as watering goes, ivy can be tricky, said Stapleton. Although you should keep it moist in the summer, be vigilant to avoid over watering it in the winter. And never allow the plant to dry out or sit in water.
Ivy also can require replanting as often as once a year because it grows so vigorously. When repotting the plant, separate the roots or trim them one half inch to stimulate new growth.
In addition, its fast growing nature also makes ivy ideal for topiaries. To create your own, just select a form and wind a runner around it. You can tie the runner to the form to encourage its growth but often that isn’t necessary. As the runner grows, don’t prune it until the form is fully covered. Then pinch out new growth at the tip to promote bushiness.
“You’ll be amazed how fast you can create whatever shape you desire,” said Scott.
Of note about ivy, it also is known as a clean air plant. Although all houseplants help rid your home of pollutants, ivy is particularly good at it, explained Urick. It is especially good at removing formaldehyde, which can be found in such common household items as tissues, paper towels, and fabrics.
However, ivy is not without fault. According to Scott, it isn’t the best houseplant because it doesn’t like dry air. To help it get through the winter, give your plant soft, cool showers frequently. These showers also can help prevent spider mites, which are another problem for ivy. These pests, which will cause discoloration of the plant leaves and leave behind tiny spider webs, thrive in hot, dry conditions. You also can keep them at bay by placing the plant outside in the rain during warm weather or using a preventative leaf shine without oil once a month.
Meyer Lemon Tree Growing citrus plants in homes has been popular since the 1600s, and the Meyer lemon, a small garden tree originally from China, is a favorite because of its fragrant blooms and mild tasting, yellow-orange fruit.
First brought to the United States in 1908 by Frank Meyer, the tree is believed to be a hybrid between a lemon and a mandarin, and the fruit it bears is rounder and sweeter than a true lemon. Because of this sweetness, the Meyer lemon is perfect for a soufflé, a lemon tart, and even lemonade.
The tree, which can range in size from 12 inches to 10 feet, is almost ever bearing. At anytime of year, you can find blooms and fruits of different maturity on it.
When placing the Meyer lemon tree in your home, remember it needs lots sun. “Florida rooms are an ideal location,” said Scott. She also recommends moving the tree outside during the summer. Like with the clivia, you should wait to water the Meyer lemon until its soil feels dry to the touch and then thoroughly soak it.
Though lovely, the Meyer lemon tree is more demanding than most indoor plants, requiring fertilizers with lots of magnesium on a regular basis. “You might even want to give your tree Epson salts or one gallon of water mixed with one tablespoon of milk of magnesia a few times a year,” suggested Urick. In addition, the tree is vulnerable to spider mites, scale, and mealy bugs. But if you plan on using the fruit, don’t use chemicals on it. Instead, use a horticultural oil on the leaves.
Whether you opt for the lushness of the clivia, the classic beauty of ivy, or the tropical elegance of the Meyer lemon, indoor gardening can be surprisingly rewarding. You will see the “fruit of your labor” right in front of you, and the plants might be just what you needed to bring you through a long, dull winter.
Contacts:
Excelling in Creative Garden Concepts: Kathy Scott, Purchasing Director, 804-378-277; Gardener’s Eden: 800-822-1214; Homestead Gardens: Karen Stapleton, 410-798-5000; McDonald Garden Center: Steve Urich, 757-722-7463 or www.mcdonaldgardencenter.com.
