Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Bringing fragrance indoors
We turned back the clock this weekend. Hope you enjoyed that extra hour of sleep! I sure did. I get up real early in the morning and have enjoyed the starry skies for the past month. I also enjoy the crisp fall air and the smells of Fall, especially bonfires.
But, we’re also moving more indoors and, as we clean for the holidays, perhaps you want to bring in some fragrance! Likely not smoke from wood fires, but how about lavender?
My suggestion is to choose ‘French’ lavender. Among the different varieties, it’s the most tolerant of indoor conditions in our cold dark winters and is smaller. ‘English’ lavender is more fragrant – not a bad thing unless you’re like my sister who doesn’t care for stronger fragrance.
If you buy it already potted, then be sure the pot drains well. Place it in a southern window to get as much light as possible. But you may also need to supplement with a grow light. Although Lavender can tolerant some cooler temps, it really does like heat. You can spend anywhere from $12 to $65 for a grow light. I suggest the cheaper one and see how it works.
A no-no is too much water!!! Let the plant dry out between waterings and give it plenty of air circulation. Here’s more information from Apartment Therapy.
My sister is allergic to many perfumes and can’t hardly stand the smell of some of our more overpowering fragrant plants such as hyacinth, another popular indoor plant.
Another pretty safe choice is Rosemary, although it’s a bit more particular. Rosemary needs sunlight.
Fluorescent light is a good supplement. Rosemary does NOT want to dry out before watering. Instead, let the top soil dry out to your first knuckle then water till it drains out the bottom. Do NOT overwater! Check out The Spruce for more.
Another problem with rosemary is powdery mildew. Air circulation is essential. Set a small fan to blow a light breeze by your plant.
I love rosemary and grow it every year in my garden and then dry it with a dehydrator!
Pests usually only invade an already weakened plant, so if you take care of your rosemary, you shouldn’t have pests. Wellness Mama has tons of info the numerous health benefits of rosemary.