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Hardy Houseplants

Seasoned Gardener : Episode SGN-403 -- More Projects »
While we tend to think of hardiness as a specification for outdoor plants, there are also hardy indoor plants that thrive in colder, drier, indoor winter conditions. Master gardener Chris Dawson visits a nursery to select plants that tolerate a range of indoor microclimates.

Some of the most "forgiving" plants are:

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Snake plant
  • Snake plant: can survive in almost any condition and is a good choice for an entryway or drafty area. It likes to dry out between watering, and be sure not to over-water it. This plant doesn't need to be repotted very often because it prefers to be rootbound.
  • Cast iron plant: tolerates low light and fluctuating temperatures. Allow soil to dry between soakings and don't fertilize it.
  • Sago palm: is slow-growing, tolerates low light and likes to dry out between watering.
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Bromeliad

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Christmas cactus

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Cyclamen

If you want plants that tolerate sunny and dry conditions, choose cacti, succulents and bromeliads. When watering a bromeliad, pour water into the central cup of the plant. For other winter blooms, look for:

  • Azalea: likes cool conditions and lots of indirect light. Keep evenly moist, but avoid waterlogging. This plant can be set outdoors in the warmer months.
  • Christmas cactus: does well in bright, indirect light, comes in a variety of colors and looks magnificent when in full bloom. Let soil dry out between watering.
  • Cyclamen: likes bright, indirect light and cooler to moderate temperatures. It does well in moderate humidity. When choosing a cyclamen, look down inside the leaves to see how many buds have yet to bloom. Water about once a week and keep it moist.
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A general rule when transplanting is to put the plant into a pot that is only one size larger than the original container.
Before you leave the nursery, be sure to have the plants wrapped in plastic or paper to protect them from outside weather. Once the plants are home, you can transplant them into decorative containers. Check for overgrown roots and tease them out if needed. Use a potting mixture with good drainage. Make sure the plant is potted at the same depth that it was in its original container. Tamp the soil lightly as you fill around the roots.

When the plants are happy in their new pots, place them throughout your house in locations that will suit them.

Also in this Episode
Seasoned Gardener : Episode SGN-403
•Wintertime Care for Houseplants
•Cleaning and Watering Houseplants
•Hardy Houseplants
•Creating a Mini Indoor Garden
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