There are many different types of plants that can be grown indoors and anyone wanting to pursue this hobby, is spoilt for choice. This article covers some of the flowering plants, that are common favourites in South Africa and surrounds.

1. Poinsettia (Euphorbia Pulcherrima)
These don’t usually bloom for a second year, so regard them as a temporary plant. Place in a cool room, to prolong life span. Avoid over-watering, as this will cause leaf-fall. This plant likes direct sunlight for most of the day, with a high humidity.

2. Regal Geranium (Pelargonium Domesticum Hybrids)
This flowers from spring, till mid-summer. As the flowers fade, remove them. When it has finished flowering, prune back well. Feed occasionally, with liquid fertiliser.
It likes to be placed in the direct sun, for most of the day, with moderate temperature and high humidity. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to almost dry out, before next watering.

3. Florist’s Cyclamen (Cyclamen Persicum Hybrids}
They like to be placed in a room with full sunlight, where it’s very warm, but humidity levels are high. Never water onto the tuber itself. Immerse the pot in water for about 15 mins. The flowers must be removed as they die off. The Cyclamen likes direct sunlight and a lot of moisture in the air, to do really well.

4. Busy Lizzie (Impatiens Wallerana Hybrids)
These are fast growing plants, that can reach a height of 35cms (14in). To encourage a bushy look, pinch out the plant’s growing tips. If the roots have filled the pot, re-pot in the spring months. One must mist-spray the leaves and water only moderately. They like to be placed in a room with direct sunlight.

5. Florist’s Chrysanthenum (Chrysanthemum Morifolium Hybrids)
They grow to a height of no more than 30cm (12 in). When purchasing these plants, one must check that the buds show colour, because if the buds are tight and green, they might fail to open. The soil must be kept moist at all times, to prolong flowering.
This plant likes filtered sunlight, in a room with moderate temperatures, but high humidity levels. This is an annual plant.

6. Azalea (Rhododendron Simsii)
This is an annual plant, so discard after flowering. To prolong flowering, keep moist and in a cool location. Mist spray the leaves, but not the flowers. This plant likes to be placed in a room, with filtered sunlight.

7. African  Violet (Saintpaulia Hybrids)
This plant must be fed with a specially prepared African Violet liquid fertiliser, at ¼ strength. When the pot becomes root bound, re-pot with a mixture of peat moss, perlite and vermiculite. It likes filtered sunlight, a warm room, but high humidity levels. Water sparingly once a week, being careful not to wet the leaves.

8. Hyacinth (Hyacinthus Orientalis)
This is a bulb which must be planted in a bowl, or pot, with bulb fibre, or potting soil, with the tips protruding. For winter “prepared” bulbs, allow 6 weeks and ordinary bulbs 10 weeks, in a cool dark place. This plant likes filtered sunlight, moderate warmth, but extra moisture. Water sparingly. The tall stems of these bulbs must be given support.

A guide to temperatures mentioned in the article:
Cool : 10-12 degrees C (50-55 degrees F)
Moderate : 15-18 degrees C (60-65 degrees F)
High : 18-24 degrees C (65-75 degrees F)      

Bonsai and Orchids are also very popular types of indoor plants, but they require an entire article. Learn more about growing Orchids, with this great e-book. Discover the mysteries of the orchids, the unusual biology of each orchid, in it’s natural habitat and preferred climate. http://www.dersalsites.com/orchids4u/

Sally Robson is a South African Internet marketer, who together with her husband Derek, have a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and other non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet, by overcoming the many obstacles facing them. They have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. Sally has a passion for gardening. For more articles and advice on gardening topics, visit Sally at: http://www.dersalsites.com/sallysgardeningtips/  

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