Perfect Plants for Your Winter Windowsill
… brought to you by Victoria Gardens
Cyclamen
A cool house equals a blooming cyclamen. Cyclamen bloom in the cooler months of fall and winter and go dormant in the summer when temperatures are above 70 degrees. Cyclamen enjoy temperatures between 45-60 degrees Fahrenheit. So, if you’re the person keeping the thermostat low and telling your kids to just put another sweater on, this plant is going to love you. They can tolerate temperatures 70 degrees and warmer, given that this is only for a few days and not consistent.
Christmas Cactus
Christmas cacti are among the easiest and showiest holiday houseplants you can grow, and they re-bloom easily. They do well in bright indirect sunlight, but they also do just as well in florescent light in a windowless office. Just keep the cactus in a cool room away from the fireplace!
Care must be taken not to underwater it, as a Christmas cactus is in origin a tropical plant, not a true cactus. Unlike many cacti, this variety cannot tolerate completely dry soil. If the soil gets too dry, the flowers buds will drop and the plant will wilt. Feel the soil with your fingers; if it feels dry, it’s time to water.
Winter Fern
Technically a moss, these tender, spreading plants are a Victoria Gardens favorite! They are grown for their pretty, scale-like foliage. They can be used as houseplants or annuals and also for decorating terrariums.
Their tiny, glossy green leaves are produced in thick, multi-branched sprays and are also available in a beautiful variegated variety. This one has easy temperature requirements—as long as your pipes aren’t freezing, this little plant is happy. Good indirect light is the proper location, so an east- or north-facing windowsill is ideal. Soil must be kept moist at all times and never be allowed to dry out.
Rex Begonias
The foliage is amazing even if the flowers are nothing special. These beauties will adjust from high light to low light with no problem. Don’t be afraid to dry them out between waterings, but they do prefer high humidity. Soggy soil and too much fertilizer will spoil these otherwise easy indoor plants.
Victoria is owner-operator of Victoria Gardens, a nursery and garden center in Rosendale that will delight gardeners, professionals, and novices alike. Check out the website at victoriagardens.biz
