Landscaping indoors is a great way to both extend and create a theme. In addition, the bathroom doubles as a sweet little greenhouse for all your favourite indoor lovelies. Consider the style of the plant to inspire your container shape and colour choice.
Tropical vibes: Croton plants (Codiaeum variegatum) come in a large variety of foliage shapes and sizes as well as different colour variations. In general, the more variegated and colourful the croton plant, the more light it will need. They do not like the cold and will likely go through a shock period once brought home or moved. A tad fussy, but so worth it!
For good feng shui: Sculptural and intriguing, the lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana) is a good choice for beginners. They enjoy filtered sunlight and a drop of liquid fertilizer once a month. You can even grow this plant in a vase of pebbles and water, just be sure to refresh the water every week. In addition, stalks can be trained to grow in special twists and turns.
Striking and strange: Guzmania flower bracts will captivate you all year round. As they tend to be top-heavy, place a stone at the bottom of containers. Plants prefer bright light, no direct sun, and an orchid mix soil base that is kept moist. Place them at eye level where you can enjoy their evergreen foliage and most unusual flowers.
Top tips: Remember to rotate your plants every two weeks for even, straight growth. Avoid fungal disease and ensure fresh air circulation by always airing out the bathroom after showering/bathing.
Try this: Mount the staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) against a stunning piece of driftwood on a windowsill with indirect sun. As part of the epiphyte family, these Tillandsia (air plants) thrive by absorbing moisture through their leaves.
Outdoor shower stunners
Wild at heart: Weeping anthericum (Chlorophytum saundersiae) is a generously spreading perennial with sweet small white flowers. This hardy, water-wise local will make quick work of filling the sunny space around your outdoor shower, creating a texture-rich meadow garden look.
Perfect for privacy: With candyfloss pink blooms and a non-invasive root system, the pompom tree (Dais cotinifolia) is a superb water-wise choice for a privacy tree. Adaptable and indigenous, they enjoy full sun and rich compost with added bonemeal. Plant them now and plan ahead for next year when they are in full bloom early summer.
Scented curtains: When planted in baskets, fragrant Carolina Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) and Star Jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) will happily creep and crawl around your outdoor haven, provided there is protection from severe frost (they can tolerate moderate levels) and some sun to semi-shade.
Top creeper tip: When pruning, cut back to the bud or stem that is pointing in the direction you want the vine to go.
Life is a Garden is the marketing division of The South African Nursery Association (SANA). SANA is a member-driven, non-profit organisation, which strives to promote gardening as a hobby in South Africa for all South Africans. To ensure the highest standards, SANA’s garden centre members form part of the Garden Centre Association which strives to continuously improve the quality of products, knowledge and customer service within garden centres. These GCA Garden Centres can be identified by yellow and green GCA flags, present at garden centres and home stores, nationwide.
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