Singapore Blooms
ORCHIDS AND OTHER PLANTS THAT THRIVE HERE Written by and photoGRAPHY by Helena Antolin Cochrane Like many of you, I struggle with envy, which I try to mask as admiration, when I spy a beautifully thriving selection of house plants in someone else’s home. The beautiful, air-purifying, calm-inducing greens and blooms do wonders for a home’s atmosphere, especially now that we’ve all spent so much time at
Moisture and light in balance, whether our plants are exposed to direct sun or not, and the growing medium (dirt) we put the plants in all determine their health and longevity. From easiest to most challenging, here are some species that can add color and oxygen to your home.
Monstera Alfonsii or Swiss-cheese plant
home. This begs the question: How can I make my urban balcony an attractive green space featuring lush blooms? If Singapore is a garden in a city, it ought to be a snap for me, too, to “Make Singapore
Zamioculcas zamiifolia or ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, better known as the “ZZ plant,” was introduced to Singapore around the year 2000. It has grown in popularity for its beautiful, glossy, succulent, green leaves, and is auspiciously nicknamed the “gold coin plant,” in a nod to the Chinese New Year’s penchant for prosperity. ZZ plants’ leaves retain moisture, so they do not demand frequent watering. Monstera Alfonsii, or “Swiss-cheese plant,” is in the family of epiphytes: plants that thrive in environments where they can climb, as well as having their roots exposed to air, since they gather moisture from the environment through their leaves. Swiss-cheese plant leaves have striking holes that add to their tropical beauty, and they require neither full sun nor heavy watering.
Sansevieria, a.k.a. “snake plant” or “mother-in-law’s tongue,” is highly popular in apartments and office The experts at the NParks Horticulture Centre advise buildings, on balconies, and even in the ground, home hobbyists to take the route of the tried and for its ease and adaptability. Studies performed by true. In Singapore, that can mean allowing for NASA have shown that the snake plant removes conditions in an air-conditioned office or flat, though formaldehyde and benzene from the air. This makes many of us are hoping to beautify a condo balcony. it a particularly healthy plant to keep in your home Our Garden.”
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Bamboo Telegraph - May/June 2020
