Frugal Ways To Increase A Houseplant Collection
Get Houseplants From Kitchen Scraps, Cuttings and More
Aug 31, 2008
Most houseplant lovers feel they can never have too many plants, but in today’s economy, buying them may seem like too much of a luxury. However, there are several ways to add to a houseplant collection without busting the budget!
Look Around The Garden
Most outdoor gardens contain plants that are just as happy indoors as out. Take cuttings of Ivy or Jade, dig up a clump of Oxalis, and simply bring in pots of Geraniums, Gerbera Daisies, Begonias, and Impatiens. They’ll be happy on a sunny windowsill and provide lots of color year round. Bulbs such as Amaryllis and Paperwhites can be dug up and forced indoors.
Surf The Net
There are many gardening groups on the web that do exchanges of seeds and cutting for little more than the cost of postage. Houseplant bargains can also be had on eBay, but always make sure to read the listing and seller feedback before bidding, Finally, check out the local FreeCycle group. Chances are good that at any given time someone will be offering plants and houseplant supplies.
Check Out The Kitchen
Save kitchen scraps such as avocado pits, and carrot and pineapple tops, don't toss them in the garbage or on the compost heap, turn them into beautiful houseplants instead!. This is easy and fun to do and is a great project for kids.
Carrots- Take a carrot top and place it in a pot of moist sand or potting mix. Keep it well watered and in bright sunlight and you'll soon be rewarded with beautiful feathery, fern like foliage.
Avocados- This has been a classic science project for generations. To try it, wash an avocado pit and set it aside to dry for a few days. Peel off as much of the thick outer skin as possible. Insert toothpicks and suspend over a large glass of water, making sure the broad end is covered by approximately a quarter inch of water. In 3-8 weeks the pit will split open and a plant will emerge. Once the plant has developed a few strong roots, plant in a pot of well draining potting mix, making sure the top third of the pit is left exposed. Place in a sunny window and enjoy. Be sure to keep it well watered and out of drafts. If the avocado tree is happy, it can reach heights of up to 6 feet!
Pineapples- Like carrots, a striking plant can be grown from a pineapple top. Make sure it has about an inch of fruit left on it. Trim away the solid portion, being careful not to injure the stringy core. Remove a couple lower rows of leaves. Allow this to air dry for a couple days, to guard against possible decay when you plant it. To grow, suspend the core over a container of water like with an avocado. Keep in a warm well lit spot. After roots have developed plant in a clay pot using a well draining potting soil. During the summer months keep the soil moist at all times and make sure the cup at the base of the leaves is always filled with water.
Sweet Potatoes-This one requires the entire potato, but it's worth it. Suspend a sweet potato over a glass of water using toothpicks. Make sure the narrow end is touching the water. Keep in a warm sunny spot and in about 10 days it will begin to sprout. Cut off all but three or four shoots and plant in a pot with well draining soil. Soon you'll have a beautiful vine that resembles a philodendron. It can be trained around a window frame or small trellis. This can also be done with regular potatoes.
Finally, try simply propagating existing houseplants. Almost all houseplants can be propagated by one of several methods. For more info, check out our Propagation Guide!
