Choose indoor plants for winter filled with color

By Ted Schaaf
Gardens on Spring Creek

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Our first frost of the season is always a gentle reminder that, yes, we do live in a seasonal climate and we are entering into another season of limited color in our landscapes.

Although many shy away from indoor plants, plants such as mums can be purchased when in bloom to reward you with a full month of wonderful color.

The indoor garden is not unlike your landscape outdoors. The goal is to have something in bloom at all times throughout the fall and winter months. As days become shorter, some plants respond by entering into their bloom cycle. Potted mums are in bloom now and will offer spectacular color until Thanksgiving. I can't think of a better gift to give than a potted mum for the Thanksgiving table.

Christmas isn't far behind with its star, the poinsettia. I've gown these beautiful plants for many years and never tire of the joy they bring to the holiday season. The Gardens offer these plants for sale during December.

As we move in to my least favorite month, January, there is nothing better to brighten up the indoors than the blooming amaryllis. These very large bulbs are easy to grow and will bloom without fail when purchased from a reliable source and, yes, size does matter when it comes to amaryllis bulbs. The larger the bulb, the more likely you'll see two if not three flower stalks per plant. If you stagger the planting of these bulbs during November, December and January, you'll have a longer season of color. Although amaryllis plants come in many colors, the most popular color, as for the poinsettia, is red.

Cyclamen bring exciting color during February. Cyclamen prefer the cooler temperatures found indoors during this time of year and will easily reward you with a full month of color. Look for plants that have lots of unopened flower buds tucked under the leafy foliage.

One of the best, for the indoor garden, is the begonia. This is perhaps one of the easiest plants to keep in flower. My favorite is the Dragon Wing Begonia. I grew this plant from seed last year and it continued to bloom all winter long.

Care of your indoor plants is a combination of proper light, water and temperature. Light is often limited in our homes, especially during the shorter days of winter. Thanks to fluorescent lighting, a simple 2-foot long light fixture can be hung above your indoor plants. Not only will the light benefit your plants, the fixture will bring added light into your home. An electric timer will do the work of turning your lights on and off for you. Set your timer to stay on for 12 to 16 hours per day. (Flowering plants prefer 14 to 16 hours.)

When it comes to water, less is best. We often love our indoor plants to death by giving them too much water. Allow all plants to dry out between waterings, and then give them a good drink to the point where water runs freely out of the drainage holes. As far as temperature goes, plants are usually comfortable if we are. Flowering plants, however, will last longer in the cooler rooms of our homes. They also respond well to a 10-degree change in temperatures, with cooler temperatures during the evening hours.

We all need to be close to growing plants. Don't let our seasonal climate stop you from enjoying plants throughout the entire year.

Happy gardening!

Ted Schaaf is the horticulturist for the city's Gardens on Spring Creek, located off Centre Avenue about one-half mile south of Prospect Road in Fort Collins.