28 Comments

Wilma and Cora prevent us from having a robust collection of houseplants. Neighbors just gave us a small cutting from their jasmine plant and I have it hanging in a fabric sling I made a while back. It works because the plant is still small. :-) They also gave us some cuttings from a scented geranium, rooting in a jar of water. Any tips for planting them in a pot? The Thanksgiving cactuses have bloomed twice, no blooms on my Christmas cactus this year...The Meyer lemon is struggling, the fig is going bonkers. A constant rotation of sprouts for salads are on the south facing windowsill. Love your macrame!

Expand full comment

Your fabric sling sounds interesting! In Hilton Carter's plant book he shows how to make a big sling to hang a plant on the wall. I'd like to make some macrame plant hangers to hang on the wall.

I've found that scented geraniums can sometimes take a long time to root in water. I cut a bunch at the end of the summer and some haven't rooted yet. The ones that did I potted up once there were enough roots. You could also try rooting them directly in soil (or in something like vermiculite), but in the past when I've tried I've found it tricky to keep the right amount of humidity and moisture.

I just harvested the two big lemons from my Meyer lemon and hope that not having to support the fruit will allow the plant to bounce back. It's down to 6 leaves, but there's a tiny sprout of new growth. I hope yours recovers. I'm envious of your fig!! We're also enjoying sprouts. Matthias says they "taste like spring."

Enjoy all your growing and scritches for Wilma and Cora.

Expand full comment

Macrame brings back a lot of memories from high school Home Ec. class! I would love to try it again. I love how you found several resources and created a beautiful hanger as an embracing winter craft!

Expand full comment

Thanks, Karen. I brought another book home from the library yesterday with some very intricate patterns, fueling me with even more ideas. Soon, though, I'll be outside and not have time for these sorts of projects!

Expand full comment

Love the philodendron painting, Anne! Aren't those color contrasts gorgeous? No two leaves the same.

I'm thinking you might need to produce two calendars next year - one of Houseplants and one of Garden plants.

I just love Garden Answer. A day without Laura is like a day without sunshine.

My dad was big into macrame back in the day. He did wall hangings, large and intricate. I'm glad you're getting the hang of it. Have fun.

Temps are climbing this week (thank goodness because I'm weary of below freezing and winds). Today I found blooming snowdrops and a few snow crocuses, much to my delight. And bitter cress and chickweed, too, but not in bloom, so I weeded them right out! Hope you'll be able to see things poking up soon!

Expand full comment

Thanks, Ginny!

Oh, spring is definitely in the air! Here, too. Our snow is melting and I'm starting to get excited at the idea of being out in the garden. Kind of funny because it was only just over a week ago that I was enjoying our snowstorms. Haha! No bulbs yet, but I know they'll be coming.

Expand full comment

I have been talking to my houseplants and they have let me know they appreciate all the care I give them by showing me new growth. I am thoroughly enjoying my calendar. I just love how you catch each plant. Thanks

Expand full comment

So glad you're enjoying the calendar, Diane. That makes me very happy! As does the idea of you talking to your plants. I do it, too.😊

Expand full comment

Love this. I love the obsessive thing as I do that, too. I have a nice little metal watering can someone gifted me during the pandemic when I got a few plants.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Lea! Glad to know you get obsessed, too. It's fun to be completely absorbed in something -- especially something joyful and nourishing! Your watering can sounds lovely. I know I'll find some more and imagine having a little collection.

Expand full comment

My 3 Thanksgiving cactus has been blooming since November and show no signs of stopping…till it warms up. They are out in the unheated enclosed entryway with east and a south facing windows…they are so happy!

Expand full comment

They like it chilly, don't they? Mine is in a cold dormer window in our bedroom and always blooms multiple times each winter. Such a joy to have a happy plant!

Expand full comment

I might just have to pay the postage to Canada next year and buy your beautiful calendar..such lovely flower paintings. I want to also thank you for the YouTube recommendations you provide…I just subscribed to Benji and Chris and was very sad to hear they lost their house in the LA fires. I used to take care of a lot of house plants and then I got 2 cats..one of which eats anything and everything and she polished off half of one of my African violets so now I have only a few that I keep in semi closed in glass containers..the rest I gave to my aunt.

Thanks for all your content it is very inspiring.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Kath. I wish postage to Canada wasn't so expensive!

I am glad you're enjoying the links! It's easy to get sucked in. Now YT is suggesting all sorts of houseplant videos to me and it's hard to resist.

We don't have any cats at the moment, but it can be so hard when you have one that loves to eat your plants. And dangerous, too. So many plants are harmful if pets munch on them. Luckily my dogs ignore them.

Lovely to have you here!

Expand full comment

I have been taking clippings from my favorite plants and growing plant babies. 🤗 I’ve always wanted to try to macrame plant hangers. I have Creative Bug - I gotta check that out!

Expand full comment

Yay! Plant babies make me so happy. I hope you make some macrame hangers! They're surprisingly simple to make. I need to make some more!

Expand full comment

I like “simple.” I try to knit with my daughter and I get frustrated because mine looks messy. 😊

Expand full comment

I love reading your posts about your garden and houseplants! And I’m very impressed by the number and variety of your indoor plants. Thanks so much, Anne

Expand full comment

Thank you, Roseanna! Thanks for being here.

Expand full comment

You did a great job on the macrame plant hanger! I just (re)ordered the macrame book you mentioned from our local library. I borrowed it a while back but didn’t get any farther than ordering supplies. You’ve inspired me to give it another shot! Also, wondering if you’ve ever tried any houseplant apps? I’m considering it, if only to help me remember to water my plants timely.

Expand full comment

Oh, yay!! I hope you make some macrame hangers. It's really much easier than I thought it would be. And it's so much fun. I have reserves on a few other macrame books from our library, but they haven't come in yet. Apparently macrame is popular again!

I have never used a houseplant app. I'm not really into apps at the moment and am trying to unplug as much as I can, but whatever works. Remembering to water plants can be tricky. Let me know how you like it!

Expand full comment

I hear you on the apps! I'm trying to figure out how to shape my tech life these days. Not always easy to figure out what to keep and what to get rid of. So far, social media is out, but that hasn't stopped me from getting lost on too many internet rabbit trails, so I know I need to gift myself with some more boundaries to preserve my peace of mind.

Expand full comment

It's a work in progress! I try to choose what feels good and let go of what doesn't. You'll figure it out.😊

Expand full comment

Lovely paint of oxalois and photos of your houseplants. Growing house plants is such relaxing and wonderful.

Expand full comment

Thank you so much! Yes, it's very relaxing and calming to spend time with plants!

Expand full comment

I love your macrame hangers! It's great that you figured it out.

Laura on Garden Answer shared that she fills a giant watering can and then uses that to fill a smaller one because the large one is too heavy to lug around.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Dana! Have you ever thought of making them?

I do that in the summer when I'm using the water from my rain barrel. I fill up my two, big outdoor watering cans and use them to fill up my indoor can. Might be worth trying during the winter, too... Thanks for the idea!

Expand full comment

I've never tried making them but a few years back I purchased some some from a maker on Etsy. I love them.

Expand full comment