Click below to listen to my 2 min. Garden Bite radio show: Turn back the clock and bring in some fragrance
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? Growing lavender indoors by HomeGardeners
My suggestion is to choose ‘French’ lavender. Among the different varieties, it’s the most tolerant of indoor conditions in winter. If you buy it already potted, the be sure the pot drains well. Place it in a sunny window. (Lavender likes heat) Let the plant dry out between waterings and give it plenty of air circulation.
Dengarden offers information on drying lavender, making lavender oils, soaps, teas and a lot more!
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.
So, if you have someone in your family that has a lower tolerance for pungent perfume, lavender is a pretty safe choice.
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.
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.