I have a love/hate relationship with gardening. I love sowing seeds and nurturing them as they develop, but I can’t stand being outside in the cold, wet weather which we normally have in Spring. Normally the solution would be to set up a greenhouse, but unfortunately, I don’t have the space in my garden. Instead, my seedlings crowd the windowsills in my house until a sunny day arrives and then bosh, they have a rude awaking to alfresco living. No wonder they get the hump.
This year though I’m trying something a little bit different. Houseplants. Yes, I have brought the outside in.
It’s actually a proven fact that having plants in your home can be a source of pleasure. Indoor gardening relieves stress, boosts creativity, productivity, and focus, and promotes recovery from illness too. There’s even evidence that houseplants positively influence the air quality in your home.
I have made it my mission recently to fill my home with foliage. I started off with a small ivy plant, an orchid and a succulent. Of course, I didn’t read the instructions though, did I? The ivy plant did not like being in a room without much light and it turned brown and had its last rights read shortly thereafter. I managed to overwater the succulent which went floppy. And God knows what I did to the orchid, but it is now just a stick in a pot. It glares at me when I walk past.
Still, I have at least learned from my mistakes, and did some research by speaking to a lovely lady at the local garden centre. She gave me lots of advice and sent me home with a spider plant, which are allegedly indestructible, a cactus which pricks me if I go near it with a watering can and a monstera deliciosa.
I’m happy to say that all are flourishing, and I’m really enjoying sharing my space with living, breathing plant life. If I’m honest though, the monstera seems to be flourishing a bit too much. It’s grown from a small six-inch plant to a creeping three-footer that is gradually taking over the lounge. I’m pleased that its happy and making itself at home, but I am wishing that I hadn’t called it Audrey and I’m way too scared to ever watch ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ again.
Perhaps there’s room for a tiny greenhouse after all!
Sherry x
