Decline and Fall--Not Necessarily

As I've noted before, I don't put very many of my non-succulent houseplants outdoors. I try to choose plants that will do well indoors year-round, so I can always have a house full of plants. I might have mentioned this before, but one of the saddest things I've ever read on the Garden Web forums was a post by a woman who was lamenting that she had to bring her plants indoors in the fall. They had been doing so well outdoors over the summer, and she was dreading having to watch their inevitable, dramatic decline over the winter. But a major decline is not inevitable if one chooses houseplants wisely in the first place. A plant that is happy with the available indoor conditions will not need to go outside, and if it does, will not decline drastically when brought back indoors.

That said, I do put a few houseplants outdoors in summer. A couple are just out there for decorative purposes, like my Norfolk Island Pine:

Araucaria heterophylla dressing up my front porch

Others I put outside because, I admit, they are exceptions to my rules. A couple aren't well-suited to my indoor conditions, despite my best intentions, and need a rejuvenating vacation outdoors. There are also a couple of plants, which despite being okay with their places inside, are "problem" or ailing plants. For those, a bit of natural rainfall, fresh air and summertime humidity will usually turn them around.

Hedera helix, Fatsia japonica, and Dracaena reflexa 'Song of India.' The ivies and the Fatsia are outdoors because I think that fresh air and cooler night temperatures discourage spider mites. The Dracaena is just there because I like how it looks.

This Aspidistra elatior variegata was in the ailing plant category. I was perplexed by its failure to thrive, which I couldn't attribute to poor conditions or insects, so I put it under a tree and hoped for the best. It seems to be doing better.

In one of my earliest blog posts, I recounted the tale of "Foxy," my Asparagus myersii (Foxtail Fern.) Well, Foxy also spent the summer outdoors, in the hopes that it will continue to bounce back after its major pruning last fall. Maybe someday, it will regain its former size and beauty, and I'll have to start the process all over again.

Above, two pictures of Foxy, the Asparagus myersii.

Another small Asparagus that I cut back, and is now rejuvenating itself

Alpinia zerumbet variegata. I admit to abusing this poor plant this past winter, shoving it under lights in the basement, and frequently allowing it to get too dry. It has also recuperated nicely, and I've promised it a favored spot in a west window this winter, and plenty of water.

Tradescantia pallida, hanging around in my maple tree, just because. It was fine indoors, but I decided to put it out last month for its decorative value.

As autumn approaches, I will, of course, be bringing them back in. The Asparagus, Fatsia and Hedera helixes will stay out for quite some time yet, as they can handle a touch of frost. But when they do come in, I do not expect a dramatic decline from any of them.

Easier Than I thought

Two plants that I always found attractive, but avoided buying for years are Platycerium bifurcatum (Staghorn Fern) and Araucaria heterophylla (Norfolk Island Pine). I thought that they would require conditions I couldn't provide easily: High light, cool temperatures, and lots and lots of supplemental humidity for both. Each plant turned out to be a pleasant surprise.

I first took the plunge with a clearance-priced Platycerium in a 4-inch pot a few years ago. I decided that I would just treat it like my other plants. The only difference is that it was potted (and now mounted) with its roots in sphagnum moss instead of soil. I placed it in my east-facing bedroom window shelves, and watered when the moss was not quite dry. It thrived and grew. Things went well for two years. I never once gave it any additional humidity; no misting, no pebble tray, no humidifier, no nothing. Then came the winter of 2008-2009, when the plant grew too large for the window shelves, and I decided to try it under lights in the basement. It suffered a bit there, and several of the fronds dried out and fell off. The problem was probably underwatering--I keep mostly succulents in the basement, and while the Staghorn fern doesn't mind drying out a bit, it likes more water than most succulents. I admit that I did tend to forget it down there. No worries: I put the plant outdoors under a tree for the summer, and the vacation in the rain and humidity revived it.

My Staghorn fern. It is probably Platycerium bifircatum, though it could be another Platycerium species. If not for the setbacks it suffered last winter, it would be much larger. I now keep it in the kitchen, where I can keep an eye on it.

As for the Araucaria, I couldn't ask for an easier plant. I do keep it in a slightly cooler room in the winter (I close one of the heat vents) but other than that, I do not give it any special care. Again, I do not do anything to raise the humidity. I keep it close to the window (either east or west) and I don't let it dry out completely. I have put it out on my porch during the summer for the past two years, but that is mostly because I like how it looks out there, not for any cultural advantage. It is slow growing, but it is lovely lush and green.

Above and below: My Araucaria heterophylla. It is currently in an 8-inch pot.

I might even get another plant of each. One of the local nurseries usually has a small Platycerium or two for sale. Last year I saw some nice large Araucarias on post-Christmas clearance, but I didn't buy them because they were coated with glitter. (Why do retailers do things like that to poor innocent plants?) I have been told that the glitter will wash off with some effort, so maybe if I see a bargain this year, I'll give it a try.