The kitchen offers an ideal location for keeping plants throughout the winter. The stream of sunlight from a kitchen window, and the humidity supplied from cooking, creates a perfect environment that ensures happy and healthy plants. Here are five superb choices that are guaranteed to add aesthetic appeal and functionality to any UK indoor kitchen garden:
1) Devil’s Ivy. This easy-to-grow favourite will help filter the air in your home, ridding it of potentially harmful toxins such as carbon monoxide. Devil’s ivy prefers bright, indirect sunlight and a dry soil environment, so hang it in a basket near the window and water well, but infrequently. This type of ivy is easily established with just a few 6″ shoots from an existing plant.
2) Greek Oregano. Not only is this attractively scented herb easy to grow, but snipped leaves will add robust zest to almost any culinary undertaking. For stronger flavour, dry and crumble trimmings, and store in any airtight jar. Plant Greek oregano in a terra cotta window-ledge sized pot, set in a sunny kitchen window, and let the soil dry out well between waterings.
3) African Violet. A morning-sun-filled kitchen window sill is the perfect spot for a classic purple, pink or white African violet. Easily propagated from just a leaf or two, the African violet is happiest in a shallow pot with ample drainage. Use a long-necked watering can to avoid damaging the leaves, and ensure adequate humidity. For a regular burst of blooms, fertilise frequently.
4) Lemon Thyme. A terra-cotta pot filled with the variegated and frilly leaves of sun-loving lemon thyme makes a delightful and delicious window ledge addition. Plant in well-drained, coarse compost and water thrice weekly. Steep pinched-off leaves in freshly boiled water for a natural and medicinal herb tea, or add chopped lemon thyme to a main course or even a dessert dish.
5) Pygmy Sundew. These tiny carnivores are easy to grow from the grape-like gemmae of a mature plant. Select a 6″ deep, narrow pot, plant in a sand/peat mixture, set on a sunny window sill and mist frequently. Once established, a water-filled saucer placed underneath will provide adequate moisture. The pygmy sundew is ideal for keeping small, nuisance insects well under control.
A guest post from Wish.co.uk – find out more about their hobby gifts and experiences here
Related posts:
- Plants are not just a pretty extra in a garden pond A great way to maintain a healthy water garden is...
- Domestic and foreign plants entice wildlife into the garden Seeing our natural wildlife flourish is one of the great...
- Best plants to attract butterflies Butterflies may come to your garden if they detect the...
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.