What are some indoor plants and flowers that thrive in shade
Do you know these? Let's take a look at the knowledge related to shade-loving indoor plants and flowers and easy-to-care-for indoor plants that tolerate shade.
First: Catharanthus roseus (Rose Periwinkle)
Catharanthus roseus is a very common ornamental flower, with its main blooming period in spring, summer, and autumn. The peak blooming season is in summer, and it's currently a great time to cultivate it.
Catharanthus roseus is a common bulbous flower with large leaves and beautiful blooms. The colors are rich and diverse, mostly bicolor flowers, with both double and single petals. The double-petaled flowers, with their layered appearance, look luxurious and grand, similar to peonies, and are very beautiful. Placed on a windowsill or table, they are quite attractive and have high ornamental value. Moreover, placing Catharanthus roseus indoors can effectively reduce carbon dioxide levels and decrease dust pollution, which is beneficial for family health.
The most appealing aspect is that Catharanthus roseus doesn't require much light to grow; some scattered light is sufficient. Even when placed on a north-facing balcony at home, it can still grow and bloom. Therefore, if the lighting in your home isn't very good, growing a pot of Catharanthus roseus is a great choice.
Catharanthus roseus is robust and easy to care for. It can be propagated using leaf cuttings. Experienced gardeners can cut the leaves along the veins, lay them flat on a substrate like vermiculite, keep them moist, and a single leaf can propagate many new seedlings.
In summary, Catharanthus roseus is robust and easy to cultivate. For routine care, ensure bright scattered light, good ventilation, and water when the soil is about 40-50% dry. Apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before blooming and stop fertilizing after the flowers are fully open. After blooming, apply a compound fertilizer. Seedlings will have the ability to bloom, making it suitable even for beginners.
Second: Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea macrophylla is one of the most popular flowers during spring and summer. Its large and vibrant blooms, dignified and elegant shape, and unpredictable color changes make it a flower that people can't help but fall in love with. It is known as one of the "Three Treasures of the Garden" (the other two being roses and clematis). It is heat and cold resistant and is an essential flower in many people's gardens and private gardens.
What are some indoor plants and flowers that thrive in shade
Hydrangea macrophylla comes in many varieties, the most popular being Mirror of a Thousand Flowers, Endless Summer, Miss纱织 (Shaw's小姐), Sun Temple, Magic Ocean, Large Flowered Hydrangea, Princess Charlotte, Tivoli, Mirror of a Thousand Flowers, Star Candy, and Rose, among others. Beginners are recommended to start with Endless Summer, which has a long blooming period, from spring to autumn, almost flowering most of the year. It can be cultivated throughout China, is shade-tolerant, and can be planted in various corners of the garden. Unlike roses, it is not prone to diseases and pests, and can bloom even when planted in a yard or on a indoor balcony. Many people grow it on their north-facing balconies, and it can bloom fully even in poor lighting conditions at home.
When growing hydrangeas, avoid direct sunlight and strong exposure. Bright scattered light is most beneficial for their growth. If grown indoors, the east and west balconies are best for their growth. During maintenance, ensure adequate water, especially during the hottest days when it's recommended to water twice a day. In spring and summer, apply a compound fertilizer at least once a month (preferably organic fertilizers like decomposed cake fertilizer or sheep manure). Before blooming, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer every 10 days to ensure more flower buds, richer colors, and larger flowers.
Third: Epiphyllum oxypetalum (Dancing Lady Orchid Cactus)
Most flower enthusiasts are familiar with Epiphyllum oxypetalum, although it only blooms at night and the blooming period is short, its beauty makes people willing to cultivate it even for night viewing. Compared to Epiphyllum oxypetalum, the "leaves" of the small-leafed Epiphyllum are smaller. It is a succulent shrub of the cactus family, with its long "leaves" actually being its stems, not leaves. It is famous for its "small leaves and many flowers" and has become a popular indoor potted green plant in recent years.
The small-leafed Epiphyllum is shade-tolerant and suitable for indoor cultivation (even able to bloom fully on a north-facing balcony). It has better branching and flowering characteristics. When in good condition, it has a compact plant form and a waterfall-like shape, making it very suitable for home planting. It doesn't require high-quality pots, with a pot diameter of over 15 cm being sufficient. Ordinary nutrient-rich soil can be used, and using a mixture of decomposed leaf and sandy soil is even better. It is also easy to propagate, with leaf cuttings easy to root and develop branches after survival. It is almost a "不死之花" (invincible flower) and is suitable for beginners. It can be placed in places with weak light, such as balconies and windowsills, for decoration.