How the experts ‘green’ the indoors

By Julia Boyle
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Growing up with a father who grafted roses, gardening was a regular part of Bea Gardella’s life. Upon retiring she decided to take her hobby to the next level.

Gardella became a New Jersey Master Gardener through Rutgers University’s in-depth, hands-on program. She learned plant biology, propagation, soil science, and disease and pest control.

From spring to fall, her expertise shows in the gardens outside her home at Seabrook, an Erickson community in Tinton Fall, N.J.

Transitioning indoors
But when the leaves began to change to shades of ruby and rust, Gardella transitioned her gardens from outdoors to in. Highlighting the two most important factors of indoor gardening, she says, “I have a successful garden with northfacing windows because I use shade plants. And I don’t over water my plants.”

Lee Alayankian, an indoor garden specialist at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pa., follows several tips that help make Longwood a worldrenowned showplace. Her first advice: “You have to know what kind of light you have.”

Certain plants require a certain amount of light, so when starting your indoor garden first decide what level your environment provides. Then place your plants accordingly.

“Flowering plants don’t get enough light in north facing windows, so place them in a south or west window if you can,” Alayankian suggests. “Try a citrus in a bright window or sun room. They can start small and have beautiful white, fragrant flowers.”

If, like Gardella, north facing windows are your only option, Alayankian recommends a plant that is as tough as its name: cast iron plant. “They can go practically anywhere in your house,” she says.

As an alternative, rotate your plants every two to three weeks with a brighter location. Watch for indications that they are not getting enough light: pale and spindly growth, bleached spots on the leaves, and no blossoms on flowering plants.