Backyard Gardener

Story and Photos by Kat Long/Contributing Writer

nd just like that, it is January of 2022. Wow. I feel old when I think 2022. It’s like a scifi movie date or (shudder) – an election year. Let’s talk of something more cheery than how old we are getting (bleak) or how many sci-fi movies are set in 2022 (it’s not a long list, or a good one), but I’ll give you a few titles toward the end. Promise. Let us cheer ourselves with talk of houseplants!

Jan. 10 is Houseplant Appreciation Day, and you should celebrate. Why? – because you can grow anything as a houseplant. Well, unless you are like me and have cats. Those darn felines will chew on any plant, even if it will make them sick, or worse, kill them. Insert head shaking here. I still grow

indoor plants at work. And let’s face it, most of us are at work more than we are at home, at least for consecutive hours of the day. So, get a banana tree or a dragon tree. Succulents are popular and hard to kill – ditto on ivy plants.

The mother of all indoor plants is any of the pothos plant varieties, known as devil’s ivy. You know the ones I mean; they grow no matter where they are; you can make cuttings, root them in water and start another plant and give them away. In fact, you probably know someone with a large plant. Ask for a cutting and put it in a cup of water for a couple of months. Find a nice pot, grab some soil and viola, you have a plant for your window, shelf or desk to brighten your day.

If you want something more exotic, look no further than a spider plant. These spiky little guys are still on the top five list of easiest plants to grow, but they look more exotic; especially when they are making little spider babies on the ends of long stem shoots. Spider plants are not picky about water, light or temperature and can be hung easily, which is a bonus when dealing with animal plant stalkers. I mentioned succulents earlier and these are right up there with cactus on the amount of neglect they can handle. As long as there is some light, you can forget to water them for a long time and they will forgive you, no problem. If treated well, cacti will bloom and succulents will have “chicks” to reward you for your patience and attention. I mention patience first because a flower or chick a year is considered normal, even prolific. Insert your favorite Christmas cactus story here.

If you want to try succulents or air plants, there is a subscription box for everything including these. Air plants are the small rootless, dirtless plants which just need to be spritzed once a week or month depending on how much moisture is in the air. They hang out in glass domes or can be set in driftwood or other display mediums. If you are curious, Lowe’s always has succulents and air plants in its indoor plant area and Keathly’s Nursery has succulents and a few varieties of cacti. If the subscription box is your way to go, check out Succulentsbox.com. And when Herb Festival rolls around on June 4 this year, make sure to find the Air Plant Lady from CD3 Farm (or find her on Facebook now. She ships.). Her booth was amazing in 2019, and she knows all the things about growing and maintaining these lovely littles.

If you don’t know anyone with plant cuttings, head over to City Central and knock on the Cowboy Driving door in Link #8. Susan has some amazing office plants, including a couple of pothos varieties, a bottle palm and a few species of spiderworts; I bet we can talk her into a cutting or two. Another option is when you see a plant in someone’s office or home, find out what kind of plant and how it is propagated. Ivies, spiderworts and pothos varieties are pretty much cut and rooted in water. Other plants like bottle palms and bulb plants are not going to be easily split and rooted.

The takeaway for you dear readers is Happy Houseplant Day. Go celebrate by getting your first indoor plant, or add to your already existing collection. And talk to them. They are alive and the only things they can do are listening and grow for you. And if you want them to do double duty, sprinkle a few basil or thyme seeds at their base and see if you can get some herbs growing. Always a joy to grow something green and colorful, and of course, Happy Gardening!