COLUMNIST: jordan TRAINER
A favourite in Victorian homes, aspidistra does exactly what it says on the tin, nicknamed cast iron plant as it is almost unkillable! It is perfect for absolutely anywhere in the home, you do not need to worry about too much or too little sunlight so it is ideal for a beginner or for someone with a busy lifestyle.
This plant does best in indirect light or partial shade making a dimly lit close or corner the ideal location for this plant to thrive. It likes to be watered infrequently, usually every couple of weeks at most, and does not mind drying out in between waterings. Although aspidistra is a tropical plant it does not require high humidity and can tolerate cold spells and drafts very well. It is a great air-purifying houseplant to add to your home.
Did you know Aspidistra originates in East Asia? It has a rich history, cultural significance, and can live for decades.
Although this plant is most popular during the festive season, the Christmas cactus is a great plant for adding a splash of colour to a dark or dull area in your home. It flowers in a variety of colours from classic red and pink, to peach and white. Flowers typically last for a couple of weeks and bloom even longer if kept in a cooler area. It has evergreen, glossy green foliage meaning it will provide interest all year round, even when it is not flowering. Preferring bright, indirect light or partial shade, it only needs watering every couple of weeks.
Did you know Schlumbergera are also non-toxic to cats and dogs making them a great pet-friendly plant option?
If you are looking for a new plant to add to your growing collection, the Dracaena marginata, or dragon tree, is a great choice. Easy to care for, it does not need to be watered that often, and looks great in just about any spot in your home. With an elongated stem and long dark green/brown foliage that comes from the top, if you want that tropical feel in your home this is a great one to go for, it is usually very affordable compared to other plants too. If you take care of it well, it can easily grow more than 2m (6’7”) tall.
There are over one hundred different species of Dracaena that come in all different colours, sizes and styles. Some of my personal favourites are ‘Lemon Lime’ which has a zesty green colouring with a dark green centre. I also really like the variety ‘Golden Coast’ that has bright yellow and green striping on the leaves.
Spider Plants are not only great for low-light but they are great air-purifying plants that will help to filter the air at night and remove harmful toxins that can build up. With long arching green and white striped leaves and they are often seen with long tendrils with lots of baby spider plants attached to them, which can easily be propagated.
They are best kept in bright, filtered light and will happily tolerate a dark spot. It is best to water spider plants regularly, typically once per week. The root systems are much bigger than other plants and although they store water in their bulbous roots, the soil can dry out much quicker as a result of their fast growth rate.
Did you know spider plants produce small white flowers on stems of up to 60cm (2’0”)? If you are lucky, you will see your spider plant flower several times in a year depending on the climate and light levels in your home.
Crassula ovata, better known as the jade plant or money plant, is a very popular, easy to care for plant that will thrive in a tenement close. It is believed to bring wealth and good luck to owners and is often given as a housewarming gift.
Crassulas are a type of succulent plant with luscious, oval-shaped, glossy green leaves, and small pink or white flowers. They are native to South Africa where they tolerate long periods of drought making them an ideal beginner plant.
It is best to water jade plants every couple of weeks or when the soil appears dry. Try not to over-water which can cause the plant to rot and die. Although it is a sun loving plant it can tolerate a wide range of light conditions including shade. As long as the temperature stays above freezing a jade plant will be happy in a cold area such as a tenement close or porch.
Whichever you choose, a botanically thriving tenement close is yours for the taking!
Jordan Trainer is a Glasgow-based, indoor gardener specialising in specimen houseplants, commercial maintenance, installation, and mobile re-potting services. You can also find a great selection of houseplants at his Glasgow west end store Plantique which is open Friday-Sunday 11am-6pm. Keep up with Jordan on his Instagram page @jordantheplantguy and his website www.theplantguy.co.uk, and checkout his live plant sales on TikTok.
