House Plants Worth Knowing For Every Exposure

Flower lovers need not be discouraged if they do not have sunny windows, there is a surprising number of plants that thrive in a north exposure and some even bloom beautifully. African violets blossom just as freely, and the sheen of the leaves is often better than on plants grown where they get some sunlight. Their entire life cycle can be spent on a north window sill.

Of course, ivies and ferns are at home in such a location, and there are many varieties of ivies, but one that especially adds character to any window garden is Leopard, with its green and cream leaves, splotched and streaked. Grape ivy, Cissus rhombifolia, is an old standby which is at home on a sunless window sill. There is a miniature variety but I have not grown it listed as Cissus striata.

There are some begonias that blossom as readily in north windows as in other locations. Wooly Bear is one of them, and it keeps its leaves soft and wooly, while the white blossoms are raised well above the foliage. Preussen is another that keeps its strong coloring, and blossoms profusely without sun. The leaves are bronzy, small and very pointed. The flowers range from white to deep rose. This is a free-branching variety that is good for a hanging basket or suspended pot.

Maranta leuconeura

If one wants to venture with unusual plants, there are many that give a new look to a sunless window, though they are plants that our mothers grew. One that always brings comment is Episcia fulgida, a native of Brazil, that has made itself at home here. It likes a light soil, wants plenty of water and prefers a moist atmosphere, though I grow it in an average room. The leaves have small notches, and are brown-bronze, with the veining system a bright emerald green. The contrast is striking, and all Summer the plant is well-supplied with velvety, red, tubular-shaped blossoms.

Another old favorite is Maranta leuconeura or prayer plant. This is a low-growing beauty, with broad smooth leaves of light green and splotches of deep green between the veins on either side of the main rib. The blossoms are white, and would almost pass unnoticed were it not for their unusual one-sided shape. The name prayer plant has been given because the leaves fold upward at night.

Most every window garden has a few varieties of coleus, but often they are grown in the sun, when their coloring would be much richer and their sheen more velvety if grown in northern light. Because this location is usually cooler, the plants do not grow so rapidly.

by F Kellenberg

Related Articles Of Interest:

• Maranta leuconeura ‘Kerchoveana’ – The Prayer Plant
• Try These Shade Plants
• Isoloma The African Violet Relative
• Indoor House Plants No Short Supply