COLUMNIST: jordan TRAINER
Whether you are looking to make an aromatic oil, flavour teas, decorate a room, or fill your home with a pleasant fragrance, Lavender is a herb which can grow indoors as well as in the garden. It makes the perfect bedroom plant as its calming properties and scent will fill your bedroom, and help you get a better night’s sleep!
For indoor growing one of my favourite cultivars to consider is Lavandula 'Goodwin Creek Grey', a fragrant variety that will stay relatively compact.
Growing Lavender indoors requires lots of direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours so a south-facing window ledge position would be most suitable. Lavender likes a well-draining, light soil so use a Mediterranean mix or add equal parts sand, grit, and perlite to a standard potting mix.
Let the plant slightly dry out in between waterings to prevent root rot, and make sure there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pot. Follow these steps and you should have a healthy, aromatic Lavender plant that will fill your bedroom with a delicate, sweet smelling fragrance.
The Pachira aquatica is a tropical tree that is native to Central and South America, where it naturally grows in swamps. It thrives indoors and can grow upwards of three metres in the right conditions, thriving in a bright spot where it can grow and turn your bedroom into an urban jungle!
The Money Tree prefers bright, indirect light but will tolerate light shade - avoid direct sunlight. When it comes to watering, allow the top half of the soil to dry out before watering again. For larger plants this can be anywhere from 2-3 weeks, and every 10-14 days for smaller plants.
Having such a large plant will help to purify the air faster and help to remove harmful toxins that can build up, making it an ideal plant for your bedroom. The pachira is non-toxic, making it a great choice if you have pets or small children.
The Cowboy Cactus is a classic, desert plant, seen in cowboy movies with long branching, fleshy stems covered with sharp spines. Its long elegant shape helps it to stand out as an architectural focal point and it is perfect for a bedroom.
Euphorbia is a large genus of plants, with over 2000 species spread all over the world. Their ability to adapt to harsh, tropical, and dry climates makes them excellent houseplants which require little maintenance. They do best in direct sun however they can survive in shade and artificial light. It is important not to over-water and to make sure any excess water can drain from the base of the pot. I water my own Cowboy Cactus just once a month and it does just fine. In the summer you can water more frequently but it is best to keep the soil very dry in the winter and early spring.
Like any cactus or succulent plant use a well-draining potting mix when transplanting into bigger pots. You can normally buy cactus specific soil however you can also make your own using an equal mix of normal houseplant soil, perlite, sand, or horticulture grit.
One thing to consider with any type of euphorbia is that they do produce a toxic sap which can easily irritate the skin so keep this plant out of reach of pets and small children.
The Begonia maculata is a unique houseplant with bold, olive green leaves covered in white spots and red undersides. It is a great pick for a bedroom where it can be seen and admired.
Native to Brazilian rainforests, Begonia maculata has a reputation of being tricky to grow. The secret is to replicate its natural growing conditions which includes providing warmth, lots of humidity, and a bright location away from direct sun. Avoid over-watering, allowing the soil to partially dry out in between is best. A good tip is to look at the plant and if you see slightly dropped or limp leaves it is time to water.
Follow these steps and your begonia should flourish and may even produce clusters of white or pink blooms in the summer and autumn months. It has year long interest and makes the perfect plant for your bedroom windowsill or shelf.
If you have a small bedroom Snake Plants make an excellent choice. Often referred to as Saint George’s Sword and Mother-in-law’s tongue, these plants are known for their hardiness and striking appearance.
Sansevieria is a species of flowering plant native to tropical West Africa, from Nigeria where the climate is characterised by very high light levels and high temperatures throughout the year. Trying to replicate these conditions in sunny Scotland can be a challenge but they are very versatile plants and can withstand long periods of shade as well as direct sun.
Their slim, vertical foliage is attractive to look at and this plant will not require re-potting for several years making it perfect for a side table or windowsill. They come in several different shades of green and yellow. My favourite varieties include Sansevieria ‘Black Coral’ which has dark green foliage with darker striping across the leaves and ‘Cylindrica’ which has long finger like stems that are often seen braided into different shapes.
Sansevieria requires watering every few weeks but can withstand months without a single drop of water. Its air-purifying properties and easy care make it a must have plant for your bedroom.
Jordan Trainer is Glasgow-based, plant enthusiast, and business owner of Partick Mini Market. With a passion for houseplants, he has been growing and collecting them for almost 10 years.
In his column for Scotland Grows, Jordan recommends his favourite houseplants for different situations.
Keep up with Jordan on his Instagram and Facebook feeds, or pop into his shop at 286 Dumbarton Road, Partick, G11 6TD.