Kevin Lee Jacobs

Gardening, Recipes & Home Décor Tips

Win a $50 Shopping Spree

BY Kevin Lee Jacobs | 69 Comments

Last updated on December 2nd, 2011


HERE AT A GARDEN FOR THE HOUSE, I rely on window gardens — including the one above, in my den — to chase away the winter blues. You might like to have such a garden in your own home. Of course you’ll need plants. And to help you acquire them, I’ve purchased a $50 gift certificate from Logee’s Greenhouses. Would you like to win it?

To enter the random drawing, you must do these two things:

First, sign up for my weekly email newsletter (if you haven’t already). It takes only a moment to subscribe, and the newsletter is completely SPAM-free.

Next, post a comment below, and mention one or more of your favorite houseplants. Mention also your email address (or just the first part of it). This will enable me to verify that you have indeed subscribed to my newsletter.

Not required, but appreciated: Click the Facebook “Like” button below. You can join me on Facebook, too, if you wish.

This drawing ends on Thursday, November 18, 2010, at 11:59 PM EDT. I’ll use the little gadget at Random(dot)org to select a winner.

Not sure which houseplants appeal to you? Have a look at these flowering treasures — most of them fragrant — which flourish in my own winter windows. Then visit Logee’s on-line catalog.

Don’t miss anything at A Garden for the House…sign up for Kevin’s weekly newsletter!

Comments

  1. 1

    Erin335808 says

    Hmmm, I would have to say the Lipstick plant, (Aeschynanthus). It's facinating to watch grow and bloom. Also the standards- Orchids, Violets, Potted Bulbs…. What's yours?

  2. 2

    Sonja says

    Sad to say, we only have one plant in the house and it's in my kitchen window. I'm not even sure what it is. I had it sent to my hubby on his birthday last year.

  3. 3

    Viva says

    I love my wandering jew, african violets and cacti. I also brought in some of my geraniums after being inspired by your window garden and tips! I love your blog, and I'm an email subscriber viva…Thanks!

  6. 6

    Enid says

    Last year I had amaryllis for Christmas. I am still a newlywed and do not have anywhere for an indoor garden YET! I am hoping your newsletter will give me some help with that.

  7. 7

    Brigid O'Brien says

    A couple of years ago I bought a jade plant from the lady from the Mill at Muestenskill in Schodack Landing. It was $3.00. The price was right and it didn't need much attention. I put it out in the summer and bring it in in the winter. It's getting big. I bought another type of succulent from her this year and it's inside now too. One of my neighbors usually gets me an amaryllis bulb for Christmas and it's gorgeous in February. I keep it going as long as possible. I have it buried outside and I better dig it up and bring it in today. I like the succulents because I can ignore them and they still flourish. bobrien9@

  8. 8

    Terry says

    As much as I would like a window garden, things don't seem to be working out so well in that direction…I had forgotten about things like the sun being so low, many dreary cloudy days in MI, plastic sheeting and window quilts, cats 🙁 I must have been in denial. But if I were to win, I would like to try a Meyer lemon plant and some more violets and some kind of viney thing. I subscribe to your newsletter and look at your Facebook. My email is [email protected]

  10. 10

    Shannon says

    My current favorite houseplant is an aloe plant in my kitchen that saved my hand this week. sethandshannon1 at yahoo dot com I subscribed to your newsletter too.

  11. 11

    Em says

    I've loved Christmas cacti since my mom had one when I was growing up…my email address starts with emglider 🙂

  12. 12

    jamie f says

    my favorite plants currently are my basil, and parsley. i love to cook, and fresh herbs make everything so much better. my email is tipsytumbles5

  16. 16

    Anonymous says

    My favorite plant for winter is my Calamondin Orange – sweet blossoms and little sour oranges. A Gardenia is very nice too.

  17. 17

    Brenda says

    I love all of my plants! I guess one of my favorites is my dwarf pomegranate- the flowers are beautiful and it's just a cool plant! (My Hibiscus that bloom all winter in my dining room are a close second!!)I am a loyal follower of both blog and facebook! (Firebear)

  18. 18

    pmj says

    My favorite houseplants are the aloe plant-I tend to burn myself alot while cooking-and the peace lily, a very forgiving plant, I know it forgives me when I forget to water it!!!
    Pjames330(at)aol(dot)com

  21. 21

    LilyBiscuit says

    Hi~
    I'm a subscriber and Facebook fan too. My favorite house plant has to be the Nerine. The flower is so delicate and pretty 🙂
    vac924 at gmail dot com
    Valerie C.

  22. 22

    alicefitzg says

    What a pretty window! I imagine winter is much improved by your indoor view.

    My favorites are my amaryllis. I really should stop acquiring new ones, but I'm an addict.

  23. 23

    grannyk45 says

    Really enjoy african violets, sweet potatoe vine and herbs. We have large window sills so my violets have a good home on the east and south sides of the house.

  24. 24

    Doris says

    Hi Kevin,
    My favorite houseplants are fancy leaf begonias. If I win the drawing I am going to get a ‘Curly Fireflush‘ – Rex Begonia.
    Wish me luck! klang624

  25. 25

    Anonymous says

    Dear Kevin,
    I love these little queries you ask of us :-)But ONLY One?? Right now it is my Christmas Cactus. One of them has BEAUTIFUL light pink blooms hanging down all around it, with no special forcing to make it bloom. The blooms are almost the color of snow, hit by the first pink rays of sunset. I keep two aquariums with guppies, out of which all the water I siphon goes to water the plants. It is a rich, wonderful source of nutrients for my plants. This time of year is a good time to buy inexpensive Christmas Cactus so that next year they will be more mature-spreading out to really make a statement. Sincerely! Robin (doctora….)

  28. 28

    David says

    I am currently planting some Paperwhite bulbs for my classroom. Your articles on forcing bulbs to grow are awesome! I have a refrigerator at school that is filled with tulips.

    As a Biology teacher, I love all the tips you have for growing plants inside. It really helps to show the students examples, and it also lets the males students know it is alright for big men to garden and like flowers! 🙂

  31. 31

    Lisa F says

    I have a Jade plant that belonged to my Dad, who passed away 13 years ago last week, but the plant thrives and has given “birth” to several other beautiful Jades that we have given away to friends, to help keep my Dad's memory alive. It's also a gorgeous plant that is easy to take care of!

  33. 33

    Renee says

    I'm a subscriber–yeloechikee at hotmail dot com
    I love to have hyacinths indoors because of their amazing fragrance. I also love ferns,(the rabbit's foot is one of my favorites) but I have to be careful when choosing houseplants because one of my cats thinks they are great snacks.

  34. 34

    Anny says

    Choosing favorites–where to start?!
    I came to your site because of freesia, which I
    despaired of ever growing indoors in zone 4.
    Easy-to-Grow sent me to you, and now I have
    hope again. Sweet olive keeps me very happy.
    I have it right near the dining room table (so
    if dinner doesn't work out, at least there's a
    delicious aroma). Logee's catalogue has me
    pining every time it comes . . . With citrus,
    there's Meyer Lemon and a Lime to keep in
    bloom. Haven't tried an orange yet, though.
    Maybe a kumquat?
    Can't seem to restrain myself when it comes
    to Hemerocallis bulbs . . . I pot them up
    and look forward to their blooming with
    great anticipation!

  35. 35

    BarbR7 says

    One of my favorites has to be three red amaryllis bulbs that I have had for 19 years that bloom reliably once or twice a year. They were given to me after my home burned in the Oakland Hills Fire I love them because of the friendship which prompted their gift, because of their faithfulness, because of their resilience, and, of course, their beauty. They are symbols of renewal, of hope, of new life after destruction. Next, I have to say, I love all of my phalaenopsis. I love their flowers and that they rebloom so well for me. I already subscribe to your wonderful email. [email protected]

  36. 36

    (Anny, again) says

    (Got my “H” plants mixed up in previous post:
    that should have been Hippeastrum, the
    astonishing amaryllis.)

  37. 37

    Anonymous says

    I guess my favorite houseplant would be my Jades. I seem to have the most luck with them and now have quite a few. I have even given quite a few away. I like to give them as wedding presents as the one I have was from my mother in law when I got married! I was even shocked and surprised to see one of my jades blooming a couple years ago,I didn't even know they flowered!
    Janice, [email protected]

  39. 39

    LittleEagle says

    I have been collecting small succulents for my kitchen window. As they grow larger I relocate them to other parts of the house. I would like to have some flowering plants for the dreary winter days.

    sharonaquilino at hotmail dot com

  40. 40

    katie says

    I love begonias. My favorite is 'Phoe's Cleo'. Though the highlight of my living room right now is my christmas cactus in bloom.

    kateeladybug

  41. 41

    Anonymous says

    I am growing orchids and african violets indoors and I enjoyed your article on dividing African violets. I am already an email subscriber, Thank you.
    pvbugg at embarqmail dot com

  42. 42

    brenda cole says

    my favorites plants to grow inside are herbs. some are more successful than others, but I have a bay plant and a rosemary that I have managed to keep flurishing in my window for YEARS.

    my email starts with bcole6…

  43. 43

    Anonymous says

    The everblooming streptocarpus brings long lasting multiple blossoms indoors. There's a variety of available colors and combinations, some even with ruffly edges. I've successfully raised a few from seed too.
    Many thanks for the tempting ideas for the winter indoor garden included in everyone's emails!
    gcfw1

  44. 44

    Aisling says

    I subscribe (mcgillrmcgill . . ) and I “liked”. I used to have numerous house plants, but these days it's just my Aloe and me. I'd like to have a Philodendron to climb around the window. One of my favorite houseplants is Cyclamen.

  45. 45

    wcc says

    I'm already a subscriber. My favorite houseplants are orchids. I currently only have two, but I love them. Thank you so much for the chance! 🙂
    whitechocolatecherries at gmail.com

  48. 48

    Laura says

    I really like keeping aloe as a houseplant and I also enjoy bleeding hearts. (I'm signed up for newsletter).
    bookloon(at)gmail(dot)com

  49. 49

    MamaNYC [Nicole H.] says

    My favorite plant is inside a ceramic pot with an adorable cat sculpted into it. I received the plant from my mom the day my son was born and it has flourished more than anticipated! I also LOVE poinsettias and cannot wait to purchase my first for the holiday season!

    nhartmann54 at gmail dot com

  52. 52

    Katreader says

    I adore my goldfish plant. Sadly, I think it's dead or dying…but I've had it for years. I also love my Thanksgiving cactus and streptocarpus. Although I like African Violets, I never get them to bloom well. Sadly, I oftentimes neglect my houseplants. Sigh. I'm a very bad plant mom.

  53. 53

    Erin E says

    (I am on your email list) My favorite houseplant is the Christmas Cactus. They remind me of my childhood, and it is always such a joy when they bloom. Thank you for the lovely giveaway.

    sewmuchstuff at ymail dot com

  61. 61

    Salleefur/Jesselyn/Jesster says

    I LOVE Jasmine and Jade. Other favorites are Ficus, Ferns and (Fil?) Philidendron.

    I also could not live without my kitchen and sunporch HERB and SPROUT Gardens (unfortunately so do the kitties – but I try to distract them with their own Catnip, Catmint and Cat Grass)

    And what house is a home without Aloe Vera?

    Thanks for sharing, Kevin.

    jessterlyn(at)aol(dot)com

  65. 65

    Pamela S says

    I'm already signed up for your newsletter. I love looking at your window gardens. One of my favorite house plants is African Violets. My mother had them when I was growing up and she loved them, and I do now too!! Thanks so much! pamelashockley(AT)aol(DOT)com

  66. 66

    carolpie says

    I receive your email. Always beautiful, colorful, and tasty ideas, too! Excellence.
    Oh yes, I would love to win this!
    I love any flowering plants. I had a beautiful white orchid which I loved and it was gorgeous. Alas, it is gone now. I also love when hyacinths bloom. I LOVE their scent-my favorite flower from childhood. It was in a white bunny container.

    spencer1953 at gmail dot com-carol.

  69. 69

    Kevin Lee Jacobs says

    Thanks, everyone, for playing. What fabulous plants you mentioned! Out of the 69 comments here, Random.org selected comment #25. And that would be Robin (“doctora”).

    Stay tuned for another random drawing next month!

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