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Fill my new plant space!

16 years ago

My wife and kids gave me an unexpected Christmas gift- they set up some shelves in the corner of our bedroom for me to raise some plants.

The room has a southern exposure that is moderately blocked by trees, and a western exposure that gets a lot of afternoon sun and heat. Both have canvas blinds. The shelves are not directly in either window, but will probably get some direct light at some point in the day.

Currently, I have some sans and philodenrons I've repotted that will be going back to work. What's staying is a diffenbachia marginata, a madagascar palm, an aloe, a jade plant, and another succulent that looks like an aloe without the teeth.

My question: given your druthers, what would you put in this space?

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Comments (8)

Mentha
16 years ago
First off how far away from the windows are your plants from the windows? I don't know the exact formula but light deminishes by about double every foot you go from a window. So a south window with the plant about 2 foot away would somewhat be the equivilent to a west facing window with the plant sitting right next to the glass. So a plant about 4 ft away from a south window would be about the same amount of light as a bright north facing window. i would move the shelves as close to the south or west window as possible, preferably right under it. If that's not possible between the two windows, closer to the southern window.

With that told, I would grow Rhipsalis, or Schlumbergera, but that's me, I love epiphytes. Philos and pothos for a back up, and don't forget Hoyas. I could go on, but I would stay away from plants that require too much humidity, like ferns, save those for the bathroom or kitchen. AV's need a lot of light, and a lot fo times carry thrips and spider mites.
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User
16 years ago
I'm a dracaena freak myself. I'm not sure how much room you have between shelves but you may want to try some of the more compact growers such as Janet Craig Compacta.

How about some African Violets? Dumb cane? If you can put a small room humidifier near the shelf you can add pepperomia and calthea as well.
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mr_subjunctive
16 years ago
Really, with that kind of light, you can grow anything you want to. I'd be leaning toward Anthurium, Yucca, Haworthia, Cereus, Cordyline, Euphorbia, and , but that's just what I'm feeling at the moment. Narrow the field for me and I might have some actual recommendations.
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mr_subjunctive
16 years ago
The missing word there was Strelitzia. I tried to fix it, but it wouldn't fix.
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pepperomia
16 years ago
I would start a collection (if you don't already have one). I myself collect Euphorbia milli (hint hint for the spring if anyone wants to trade cuttings...! :), and I'm thinking of starting a more serious Aralia collection, too. Which of your existing houseplants are you REALLY into these days? Chances are there are several variations out there that would look really good all grouped together on your new shelves!
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blutarski
Original Author
16 years ago
I'm liking succulents, which I think might be a good fit because of the small vertical space. Have an aloe, an un -ID'd aloe type thing, a madagascar palm, a christmas cactus, and a jade. My wife likes jades, so I could get some more.

I really like sans' but it might be too bright and I'm bored with the birdnest variety- i want different larger species!
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rootdiggernc
16 years ago
How about some Gollum Jade (a real cutie) or some epiphyllum/night blooming cactus, Huernia schniederiana - Monkey Tail Plant, Rhipsalis puniceo-discus - Irish Spaghetti, Rhipsalis salicomiodes - Bottle Plant/Drunkard's Dream... any of the rhipsalis or epies do well indoors in winter and can go out in the summer. Huernia blooms late summer and fall.

Night Blooming cactus
{{gwi:117611}}
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toadlilly
16 years ago
What a great gift from your loved ones! Congrats!
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