Indoor plant options for senior gardeners

When I was growing up, I often stayed with Uncle Bill and Aunt Virginia on their farm. Uncle Bill let me drive the tractor, help him fix the machinery, climb on the roof of the machine shed, till the garden, hoe weeds in the bean field, etc. What fun I had.

On the other hand, I would also help Aunt Virginia gather chicken eggs. I had to run from the entrance gate at the chicken yard to the brooder house to collect the eggs. If I didn't run, the old rooster would attack me. He didn't like anyone to invade his kingdom. It was difficult to run from him because I also had to keep my eye out for chicken poop and urine deposits. If I stepped in some, Aunt Virginia would make me clean my shoes before I went into the house for lunch. Yuk!

Once I got into the brooder house, I also had to keep my eye out for the black snake that would often be feeding on chicken eggs in the nests. I sure didn't want to put my hand into a nest and come out with a snake instead of an egg. I was afraid I would get bitten, get sick and throw up.

My experiences at the farm led me toward a degree in forestry. I decided I wouldn't have to deal with animals. Plants don't do the three P's. (You'll have to figure out what the P's stand for.) My background in forestry then led me into the business of horticulture. What fascinates me about horticulture is the variety of plant material on the market, and the pleasure it gives to gardeners.

Now recently my wife has suggested I am getting old. She often tells me to turn my hearing aid on. She also quite often says, "I told you that." Yet so far, she has not actually told me I am getting old. I think she still loves me.

Houseplants and fertilizers on display at Sunny Hill Gardens and Florist Wednesday.Glenn Landberg

With all of this in mind, I have been talking to older gardeners and have gathered some ideas on what you can do for them so they can still enjoy plants. House plants are a great choice for an older person to care for. There is no tilling, planting or weeding needed.

Some plants, such as peace lilies, Chinese evergreens and philodendrons, can live in the low light levels that are found in many homes. An occasional watering (use distilled water at room temperature) and monthly fertilization is all that is needed to keep them growing well. For fertilizer, alternate a 20-20-20 with a 9-58-8.

If there is little space to grow plants in the living area, purchase an air plant (Tillandsia). This plant can be placed on a saucer or in an open terrarium. All you have to do is spritz it with distilled water on a weekly to bi-weekly basis to keep it alive.

You may want to collect natural rain water in a jar and use that instead of distilled water. Rainwater will have nutrients dissolved in it (collected from the environment). These nutrients will be the "fertilizer" needed to keep your air plant alive.

If you or someone you know wants to nurture a living thing but doesn't have the space or the ability to "garden," house plants or air plants may be just the thing to give them enjoyment.