Heirloom Houseplants

Did you know that in the Victorian Era that many of the peoples homes were filled with houseplants? It’s more amazing still when you realize that most of those homes were quite chilly. It just goes to show that if you place a plant in the correct place it will thrive.

Modern homes are much better insulated than the homes of Victorian times, and our plants are nice and cozy. Although many people turn down the heat at night to save money on energy bills and the tropical plants that are available to us these days many not do well with this low temperatures. Tropicals do very poorly if temperatures fall below 60 F on a regular basis. If your habits involve turning down the heat at night you might be better suited to having some of the Heirloom plants of old that survived and flourished in those cool old homes.

Cast iron plant, or aspidistra, has the reputation of being a house plant that can take a lot of abuse, It’s name is well suited as it can withstand low temperatures, dim light, and even neglect. While this plant is not showy, it is dependable and can provide graceful green leaves for the most difficult corner.

Another familiar plant in Victorian parlors was the snake plant, or sansivieria. This plant will grow at nearly any temperature above freezing, and will take other stress as well as the cast iron plant. Given moderate care, snake plants can be quite attractive with their glossy, mottled foliage.

Care for either aspidistra or sansivieria is simple. Water them when the soil is almost completely dry. Provide as much light as practical. Fertilize them with water soluble fertilizer according to package directions from April through September.

If there is no room for a plant in the heated parts of the house, consider growing the hart’s tongue fern. It was used in the past for unheated rooms and could certainly be used on an unheated porch or breezeway today. This fern has deep green fronds with curled edges. Grow it in bright but indirect sun and keep it in a cool spot in the summer. Provide extra humidity by placing the pot on a tray of moist pebbles if temperatures go above 70 degrees F. Let the soil dry somewhat between thorough soakings of the soil. Fertilize it with half strength water soluble fertilizer once a month throughout the year.

To get a little color in a chilly home, try growing various epiphyllums or holiday cacti. Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter cacti all set their bloom when nighttime temperatures cool to 50 degrees F. Provide them with bright light. In spring and summer keep the soil evenly moist and fertilize them every six weeks with a low nitrogen fertilizer. At other times of the year reduce watering and discontinue fertilizing. Many varieties are available.