Container Gardening-Indoors

If you love container gardening outdoors why not have some of these beautiful displays for your indoor enjoyment.  Indoor container gardening is easy and can be fun especially during the winter months.  There are a variety of indoor tropical houseplants that can be used in combination to create a knockout display.

First of all a large planter with good drainage is recommended.  I usually use a 16 or 20 inch decorative planter with openings in the bottom and use a light potting soil mixture containing a good amount of peat.  Then the fun part is I visit  the local nursery and select a grouping of plants that have the same requirements for light, water, and general care.  If you are not sure which plants to use, it is common practice for nurseries to group plants together with similar requirements, taking away some of the guess work.

Spathiphyllum


In this first planter I have selected five different plants for a 20-inch container.  The central focal point plant is a Spathiphyllum, commonly known as a Peace Lily.  Peace Lily thrives in low or filtered light conditions in a moderately moist loose soil which is excellent for an indoor planter.

Croton 'Banana'

Surrounding the Spathiphyllum is Croton 'Banana' which does require more light but it does very well in the constant filtered light that this planter receives.  I have the Croton more in the front section of the planter that sits across the room from a window so it receives filtered lighting.   Figure about three of these plants. 

Alocasia Polly and Arrowhead

Along the side and more towards the back of the planter (less lighting) I have added three Alocasia Polly, also known as Elephant Ear (left on photo). Elephant Ear has become one of my favorite houseplants with its shiny dark green arrow-shaped leaves with light colored veins running through them. Alocasia prefers bright indirect light and moist soil. I also used a grouping of three Nephtytis White Butterfly, commonly known as Arrowhead Plant along the back as well.   This is a great plant for indoors that prefers bright diffused lighting like the others.

Aspargus fern (center)

The last plant for a little bit of cascading interest along the front is Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri', commonly known as Asparagus fern.  It is the delicate light-green wispy plant in the center.  Asparagus fern prefers diffused lighting and moist soil.  It gracefully cascades over the rim of the planter creating a softer look.

The second indoor container planter that I have is in even lower lighting conditions and contains Peace Lily, Parlor Palm, Arrowhead Plant and Philodendron which are all shade loving plants.  The central plant is Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily), surrounded by three Nephtytis White Butterfly (Arrowhead Plant) on the right and three Chamaedora elegans or Parlor Palm on the left and toward the back.  Cascading down the front of the planter is Heartleaf Philodendron.  This planter does great in its limited diffused lighting and moist loamy soil.  I placed sphagnum moss around the top of the planter for both anesthetics and moisture retention.

Whether you are an avid gardener or just appreciate a little green around the house try out one of these indoor container gardens.  They will provide lots of enjoyment throughout the entire year.  The fun part about them is that you can combine your favorite tropicals to create a fascinating display.  To keep the planter looking full I simply change some of the plants out and add some new, which warrants a trip to the nursery...something I have no problem doing in the middle of the colder months! 

As Always...Happy Gardening!

Author:Lee@ A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2012. All Rights Reserved

Best Houseplants for Indoor Gardening

I have been wanting to do a segment on indoor houseplants, so it seemed to be a good time to do so. While waiting for my outdoor plants to come to life here in the northeast I have been paying a little extra attention to my indoor plants in anticipation of the grander scheme outside.  Let's discuss some of the indoor plants that I have found to supply great pleasure at a low a maintenance cost. 





A colorful versatile plant in the philodendron family is Golden Philodendron or Philodendron 'Brasil'. It displays variegated heart-shaped leaves and is a climber that is happy as either a stand-alone piece or mixed with other plants. Philodendron 'Brasil' prefers bright-diffused indirect light and moderately moist soil with good drainage. It is for the most part carefree and is a nice addition to the indoor garden.

The next candidate is Clivia minata.  This beauty originates from South Africa and is known as "bush lily". Its elongated dark green foliage alone makes it an attractive houseplant and in spring and fall the plant produces beautiful yellow-orange flowers that last for several weeks. Clivia prefers low to medium light and well-drained soil.  Allow drying out in between watering and water weekly during the growing months and less in winter. Fertilize when blooms are produced.  This plant prefers to be root bound.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonemas) is a tropical evergreen known for its variegated green and white foliage and easy maintenance.  It prefers to be grown in low light in a moist, well-drained soil.  Aglaonemas produce white flowers occasionally in spring and summer that are better to be cut off because they do drain energy from the plant. Chinese’s Evergreen is carefree and makes a nice house-warming gift for a low light area.

The next beauty is Croton, a multi-colored foliage plant for higher light areas. Croton is native to Southeast Asia and was once only grown outdoors. They have increased in popularity indoors because of their beautiful orange-green-yellow foliage. Croton grows best in a southwestern window in a moderately moist soil with high humidity. When kept in higher light these beauties will put on a show of color!


Another favorite indoor plant is Spathiphyllum or Peace Lily.  Spathiphyllum prefers to be grown in a moderately moist-well drained soil in diffused sunlight preferably in a northern or eastern window. Peace Lily are easy to grow, have elongated glossy dark green foliage and frequently display their lovely white flowers that are formed from the leaf stalk of the plant. Spathiphyllum can be grown as a stand-alone piece or can be combined with other low light plants to make a lovely display.

Another plant in the Philodendron family is Philodendron 'Xanadu'. 'Xanadu' is a compact grower displaying medium-large finger-like leaves in the form of a full clumping plant. Philodendron 'Xanadu' prefers to be root bound and grown in bright indirect light in a moist well-drained soil. When leaves yellow, simply pull them out by the stalk and new shoots and leaves will unfold to keep the plant full and attractive. Thumbs up for this one for it is low maintenance!

Another very low maintenance plant is Snake Plant or Mother-in-Law's Tongue. This easy to grow plant is very versatile, can be grown in low light to full light conditions in a slightly moist, well-drained soil. This plant is about as low maintenance as you can get and has been a popular houseplant favorite for years. Under the right conditions it will last for many years.

Jade Plant (Crassula argentea) is a popular succulent plant that displays small pink-white flowers if grown in a southern window. Jade prefers to be grown in bright direct light as in a southern or western window. Crassula argentea does not require much water and should only be watered when dry to the touch. When cared for properly this showpiece will last for many years and become a valued family member! 

Here is the newest addition to my houseplant family.  It is Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (nicknamed ZZ plant).  It thrives in nearly any lighting condition except darkness.  I have mine in indirect sun and it is doing just great.  As far as watering is concerned, Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is a tuber plant that stores its water intake.  It is best to let its soil completely dry out and then water thoroughly.  Zamioculcas Zamiifolia does not require much feeding. Feed four times a year with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength.


There are a huge variety of houseplants to light up your home every day of the year. These are just a few that can bring some enjoyment to your indoor garden!  

For more on houseplants visit Houseplants for Colorful Foliage & Winter Blooms.

As Always..Happy Gardening!

Author: Lee @A Guide To Northeastern Gardening Copyright 2011. All Rights Reserved.