This Week in Houseplants
Something weird is going on...
Growth updates (in January(?))
As detailed in previous emails, I only expect my plants over winter to stay alive. I have no issue with them dropping the odd leaf, producing little (or crappy) new growth, and I assume at least a few will get pests.
It’s fine! I don’t run any grow lights, my house is cold, and we’re a long way from the rainforest.
I put up my Christmas tree in a spot that’s usually full of plants. Those guys were all relegated upstairs to the bedroom, because the light is good, it’s not freezing, and most importantly, there’s space.
Of course, a few remained, spread out over my bookcases and on the floor. I kept meaning to move my verrucosum, because it literally IN the Christmas tree, and was receiving approx 0 hours of sunlight per day. That’s, er, not really enough.
IMAGINE MY SUPRISE WHEN I TOOK THE TREE DOWN AND FOUND THIS
Clearly it’s a fan of the season.
I also have new growth on my Schefflera. This won’t come as a surprise to OG readers - my particular Schefflera specimen likes to grow in spurts at random times of the year.
It’s happy, and that’s all that matters.
My baby Monstera has also been doing some serious growing. I keep it in a pretty dark corner (it gets medium light for a few hours a day, but it’s mostly dark AF) and it seems to be doing ok!
Wow, I need to dust those leaves.
Monstera are pretty happy to grow in low light but they won’t size up and produce mature leaves. They grow long and spindly and look more like a jade Pothos than a Monstera.
I’ll move him back into the window in summer. In fact, I’m leaving all the plants that I shifted to make room for the Christmas tree where they are.
Mostly due to laziness, let’s be honest, but also because moving them can cause shock, especially when they’re already compromised due to the cold and lack of light.
It’s actually quite nice being able to navigate around the living room without Smaug getting in the way (yes, he’s still growing like a weed, nothing ever stops him).
You can see another growth point above my knuckle. He never stops!
New Year’s Resolutions
I LOVE hearing about other people’s new year’s resolutions, purely because I’m really nosy. I love how pretty much everyone I know falls squarely into one of two camps:
Camp 1
Camp one have at least 10 New Year’s resolutions. Definitely written on their phone somewhere (probably with a tracker in something like Notion), but also sometimes beautifully formatted, printed out and laminated, then stuck to the fridge or similar.
They will stick to their resolutions.
Camp 2
When asked ‘do you have any new' year’s resolutions’ will try to come up with something quickly and then confess that they don’t bother.
I don’t know anyone that does the traditional ‘gung ho for a fortnight and then gives up’. I think social media has made the prospect of failing more embarrassing, so people don’t bother making resolutions they won’t keep.
My resolution is to prioritise sleep. I’m already pretty good at going to bed early (what can I say? Some of us are heroes) but I’m hoping that by prioritising sleep some of my bad habits that contribute to poor sleep will be lessened. Mostly the toast/wine combo before bed does NOT make for a well-rested Caroline.
Weirdly, focusing on getting great sleep is a better motivator than the generic ‘be healthier’ because there’s no downsides! I can still drink alcohol and eat toast at 9pm if I want, but by keeping the notion that it’ll ruin my sleep front and centre in my brain, I make better choices more often*.
* It’s January 2nd Caroline. Of course you’re feeling great about this. Let’s revisit in March.
I’m considering a low-buy year when it comes to plants, and really concentrate on growing my existing collection. I have, for example, about half a dozen Marble Queen Pothos that would look awesome in one pot.
This is a tentative one, because whenever I step foot into Dean’s (my garden centre of choice) all rational thought stays in the car.
Creepy roots
My Thai Constellation had a very stinky brush with root rot last year, and her new roots have really started coming in:
For some reason they put me in mind of the Ghost of Christmas Past from Muppet Christmas Carol.
I’m excited for new leaves in spring, but it’s not the most…grow-y plant in my collection. It’s usually two leaves in quick succession and she’s done for the year.
Tell me your resolutions, plant or not!
Oh, and happy new year!
Caroline