By Jim McCausland, Sunset Magazine
Talking with staff at Swanson's Nursery in Seattle a few years ago, I asked them what their favorite indoor plants were. They gave me a top ten list that I've hung onto, but never published before today.
They organized their favorites in three categories.
Fabulous flowers
Bromeliads Architectural and exotic, these bring the jungle to you. Try Aechmea fasciata ‘Primera’, whose big pink flowers make people ask, “Is it real?” Tillandsia cyanea (below) is another favorite.
Hibiscus Huge, mallow-like blooms come in twos and threes, require bright light.
Orchids Try any of the moth orchids (above) for winter-spring bloom in bright, indoor light; or for plenty of flowers that smell like chocolate, try ‘Sherry Baby’ orchid.
Spathiphyllums Pure white, calla-like flowers that bloom in low light.
Fragrant indoor favorites
Citrus ‘Meyer’ lemons give you citrus-scented blooms and edible lemons. Grow them in a sunroom.
Gardenia Another sunroom special with deep, spicy fragrance and white flowers.
Extravagant foliage
Aloe vera “The best burn treatment out there,” says Swansons’ Glenna Bennett, “everybody should have one in the kitchen.”
Begonia ‘Escargot’ Named for its brightly variegated leaves (left), which start small and spiral out into eye-popping 6-inchers.
Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) Cited as the only plant you could grow under your bed. Not really—but it survives on fewer photons than you can believe.
Maidenhair fern (Adiantum) Fascinating in its own right, it’s the classic filler: plant several around the base of a potted palm.
