| If you're fed up with your house plants, put them in high esteem by hanging them from the ceiling. Use trailing plants to create a curtain of colour and follow our tips for success. |
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SPEC The nephrolepsis are true ferns, with bold green fronds. Many have a fairly stiff, upright habit, but the best for hanging baskets are those like the Boston Fern, Nephrolepsis exaltata bostoniensis, which have more graceful fronds.
POSITION Ferns appreciate moist air and do not like to dry out, so a warm bathroom or kitchen would suit them. They will do best in good, indirect light rather than shade, but avoid direct sunlight.
CARE Keep the compost moist at all times, never allowing it to dry out, but to not let it remain soggy as this will result in root rot. Less watering will be necessary in winter. Mist the fronds regularly to help maintain high humidity, but not as frequently in winter as in summer. Keep in average warmth, with cool but not cold nights, and in a minimum winter temperature of not less than 10oC (50oF). |
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SPEC Chlorophytum has long been one of the most popular of all house plants. There are several good striped forms, including the most widely grown, Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum'. The quick growing, arching leaves look good in hanging baskets, where the effect is enhanced by their long cascading stems which produce white flowers and new plantlets.
POSITION These are tolerant of a variety of growing conditions and rarely attacked by pests. They will grow in sun or shade, warm or cool rooms, and cope well in dry air caused by central heating. Feng shui experts say the spider plant is one of the best plants for absorbing electrical pollution, so keep one by the TV or computer.
CARE Keep well watered from spring to autumn, but more sparingly in winter. Minimum winter temperature 7oC (44oF). |
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