Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
My houseplants definitely benefit from a summer holiday outdoors. Under nature’s ideal growing conditions, they recover from the rigors and frustrations of home life, and gain strength and vigor for the winter ahead. Although the plants must be sheltered from strong winds and sudden hail-storms (and kept near a hose to facilitate watering), I still have great fun finding decorative ways to display them in the garden.
Full Sun – My zonal geraniums, dwarf citrus, miniature roses and other sun-worshippers are placed in the kitchen garden. I find it easier to plunge the pots right up to their rims in the raised beds there, for then roots remain cool, and there is no danger of tipping during a storm. To keep worms from entering through drainage holes, plunged pots are set on inverted saucers.
A cast-iron urn makes pleasant summer quarters for this Boston Fern in the shady Secret Garden
Shade – Begonias, impatiens, and fancy-leaved geraniums go in the Serpentine Garden, grouped in circles beneath crabapple and cherry trees, where the light is dappled. Ferns, sweet olive, maranta, spider plant, piggy-back plant and vines such as grape ivy and hedera helix are set in the Secret Garden, which is almost all shade. I like to tuck my vines, still in their clay pots,into moss-lined baskets, and suspend them from the low branches of trees.
Here, a prayer-plant (maranta) looks appropriately tropical in the crotch of a wild cherry tree. A length of wire holds the pot securely in place.
As a rule, houseplants on summer holiday require daily watering; during periods of high heat, usually July and August, watering is a twice-a-day affair.
Justin says
Kevin, as usual, great ideas! I have never plunged nor “crotched” a houseplant!
Yolanda says
I know from your other posts that you have lots of African violets. I do, too. Can they go outside, in the shade, for summer? Or is that too risky?
Andrew Thompson says
Thanks for the inspiration! After weeding, watering, mulching, pruning and deadheading the outdoor plants, I always forget about my huge palm and philodendron that are stuck in the house. I'll try bringing them outside. They will probably look terrific under the grape arbor, where they are shaded and sheltered.
Donna says
As usual, beautiful pix and great ideas! I love this blog! Thanks.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Yolanda: African violets do not fare well outdoors in summer, at least not here in the hot, humid Northeast. I keep mine indoors, either in north windows or beneath fluorescents.
Jed Swift says
Hi Kevin
We need you to come to Columbus and help us get started with house plants that will not affect Anna's allergies or asthma. We are clueless! I love what you are doing with this site and all of the photos are magnificent. Have you planted your veggie garden yet?
Best, Jed
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Jed, one great aspect of houseplants is that they clean the air. Experiments conducted by NASA confirmed this long ago. There is a wonderful book called “Growing Clean Air” that discusses NASA's findings; unfortunately I can't remember the author's name.
Veggie garden is not only planted, it is thriving, and providing food on a daily basis! Pictures coming post-haste!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Jed, the book is titled “How to Grow Fresh Air”, and the author is B.C. Wolverton. You might want to read it. It is an eye-opener!
Anonymous says
Hi Kevin, thanks for the tomato seed advise. I guess I'll keep them in the basement for now. When and how should I begin planting the seeds next year?
Also, I have awesome aloe plants that have been thriving indoors. Can I plant them in my garden as well?
Thanks, Alisa
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Welcome, Alisa! You can start your tomato seeds indoors rather late next spring, say, the first week in May.
You can certainly put your aloe plants outdoors in partial sun for the summer, but do keep them in pots, if you intend to enjoy them next winter as houseplants.
Hope to see you here again!