(Not) Jaded

Today, a work colleague who cut back his 25-year-old jade plant sent out email offering clippings to anyone who wanted one. Ever a sucker for houseplants, I went up to his office and waited behind two others to get my clippings. He had notes - instructions for sunlight (direct, but not too hot), water (only after the soil has been dry for a couple of days, and don't get water on the leaves), soil (add sand to potting soil or use cactus soil), and patience (they're slow growers, so don't expect much growth right away). It was sweet, like he was sending his kids off to summer camp and telling each camp counselor about how to get them to sleep and be sure they have their special blankie 'cuz they're not used to being away from home. Houseplants and dogs I am good with, supplying proper attention without hovering and overwatering. Alas, dogs are currently out of the question so houseplants it is.

After feeding and walking Ingrid the other night, I was driving away and spotted an end table put out at the curb for rubbish collection. Perfect thing for setting plants in the front living room window. Someone gave me culinary herb pots for my birthday last year, with seeds for thyme and oregano. I've been waiting for a plant stand for my sunniest window. Et voila!

Comments

[marja-leena]

A very good day...

[Dave]

I've had a jade plant for years. Very low maintenance - like all my houseplants. I gather that keeping houseplants isn't nearly as prevalent as it used to be, but it's a great way to purify your air. My mother has some begonias that originally belonged to her grandmother. It will be interesting to see how many more generations we can keep them going.

[maria]

I have tons of jade plants, and my spouse keeps propagating them by planting any broken off twigs and such. In fact, it's a jade forest on the back deck currently. I would love to be able to hope over with a few of them. :)

[Leslee]

Marja-Leena: Yes. :-)

Dave: Very cool about the generational begonias. I have mostly pothos and spider plants, a Christmas cactus, plus dracaena cane and a schefflera. All pretty easy. I used to have a jade many years ago - not sure what happened to that.

Maria: I remember seeing jades there. It's hard to resist sticking the broken off pieces back in some dirt to see what happens! Apparently this can lead to an overabundance. :-)

[Roberta]

I didn't know Jade plants could tolerate a cold climate. I grew up in San Diego and Jades were everywhere, they grew like weeds and self propagated I think, at least it seemed that way. I do like them and can see it making a very handsome houseplant.
And yay! for the curb find. I love finding things along the curb. I scored a '70's gold colored ottoman covered in naughahyde. I use it everyday.

[Leslee]

Most of the houseplants we grow here are tropical, but they do fine indoors.

A naughahyde ottoman! That is a great find!