Today I am sharing some plant fun. We had snow flurries today and my garden is well packed in for the season but thankfully inside I have my own little green babies growing happily. I find such peace in walking around during the day and checking on them. Often times in the evening before bed I will walk around and do a little pruning, watering and that’s also when I turn on my humidifier in the living room for some of my more particular plant babies and also the one in our bedroom.
Houseplants bring me such joy and last week I was browsing around looking for some local houseplant shops I could visit. I was so excited when I found a wonderful shop not far from me. Wandering their greenhouse was the therapy I needed after feeling a bit out of sorts the past few weeks. And, of course I treated myself to a few new little plants.
I am by no means a plant expert but I did some research on my new plants and thought I would share what I found with you. The shop offers details on their website which is great. So here is what I picked up:
“Purple Passion” Gynura aurantiaca: This plant is one my mother always had at home and was one of the first ones I purchased when I got my own place. I have been on a search for it recently and was so happy to see it here.
Gynura aurantiaca like most houseplants like bright indirect light which basically means a sunny room but not where the sun is shining directly on the leaves which could cause scorching. Your average well-draining potting soil works perfectly along with a balanced fertilizer which I only really do when it’s spring or summer or if my plants really seem to be growing a lot.
The fuzzy leaves on this plant can hold moisture and cause rot and my mother always said you didn’t want to get them wet so bottom watering is advised. Keeping the soil slightly moist is ideal but if it gets a little dry in the winter it’s not the worse thing. Like most house plants you want them to be watered well but never in soggy soil which can promote rot. I purchased a moisture meter for about $6 and it’s my favorite thing! I never really saw a necessity but it’s great for letting you know whether your plant needs a drink or not.
Next up I purchased a Peperomia ‘Quito.’ Peperomia have become one of my favorite plants of late and this one with it’s peachy leaves really brought a smile to my face and that’s the best reason to bring home a plant. For light we are again looking for bright indirect sunlight and this plants like the top inch or more of it’s soil to dry out before you water it again. Use a well draining soil and if you can put these in a group of other humidity loving plants, on a pebble tray or near a humidifier they will love you for it! They like it warm between 65-75F and fertilizer during active growth with a balanced fertilizer.
Burro’s Tail is an adorable succulent that I brought home. The texture on this plant is absolutely stunning and I love that the little leaves can grow you new plants. Easy propagation of more plant babies is always a plus!
This succulent love bright indirect light but avoid sunshine on the leaves. Like our Peperomia it loves temperatures of 65-75F, a well-draining cactus soil and to be watered sparingly especially in the winter months. Succulents usually tell you that they need water when their leaves start to wrinkle. You also want to avoid wetting the leaves as this could cause them to rot. These plants don’t need high humidity so if your house tends to be on the dryer side this plant is perfect. Fertilize during the growing season only.
Alocasia ‘Silver Dragon’ has to be one of the coolest plants I have. It’s leaves feel so incredible textures it almost reminds me of plastic. The veining is gorgeous and I am so happy to have it sitting in my living room.
Again this plant loves bright indirect light, warm temperatures with higher humidity and a well draining soil that stays moist but never soggy. Like the other plants you really only need to fertilize during the spring and summer unless you notice your plant growing a great deal during the winter months.
Peperomia ‘Hope’ attracted my attention right away! I love the plump leaves and the trailing vines of this plant. It’s currently on one of my shelves keeping some of the books from TBR list company.
With average humidity levels and bright indirect light this Peperomia is less particular than some. It likes the warm temperatures of 65-80F and well draining soil that is allowed to dry out for the first top inch or so before being watered again.
Last but certainly not least are two little baby jade plants.
Now I was looking for a jade plant but when I saw the story of these I loved it 
even more! These little plants are from a cutting of plant they had in the green house that is 80 years old. That was just too cool to pass up! I love to think that these little guys could grow into large plants that I am able to share cuttings with friends and family for the next 100 years!
Jade plants or Crassula ovata, are succulents that like very well draining soil and you want to keep the soil damp-like a wrung out sponge but never soggy. Growing them indoors you can give them full sun so they grow well however gradually acclimate them to it. Start them in bright indirect light and move them closer and closer to that sunny window.
So that was my most recent plant haul. I hope you enjoyed this and I would love to hear what some of your favorite house plants are.
Until next time…
-Michele, aka The Dreaming Dilettante
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