Benefits of Exotic Plants
March 21, 2009
Exotic plants that can live through the biting chilly winters are the best choice that will add that extra-special touch of color and fragrance to your home. Simon Gridley of the Amulree Nursery in Norfolk says that the warm winters are the best time to build up a good collection of exotic plants. These plants can be classified under four categories based upon their benefit:
Visual Benefit
Banana plant – The Japanese banana or the Musa Basjoo is a beautiful plant, which has leaves that are shaped like feathers. Though this variety cannot bear fruit, unlike other species of banana plants, it can survive temperatures as low as –10c and is widely used as a decorative piece. It should be exposed to light either through a big window or a conservatory, watered when the soil is dry and fed plant food like Tomorite.
Tropicanna – Obtained from Africa and Australia, these plants are relatively cheap and do not require intensive care. They bear bright orange flowers in summer and the flowers get shaped into cone during the winter. The leaves are pink, red, orange and green in color and have a central vein of burgundy. They should be exposed to light through a window and placed in an environment where the temperature is above 15c. They should also be watered regularly.
Health Benefit
Certain plants help to clear the air by sorting out the dust and toxins from the atmosphere and injecting fresh oxygen into the environment. According to Paul Thomas, director of the house of plants in Lewes, they make people around them more productive and reduce stress and strain especially through computers. NASA is also contemplating decorating their offices with plants in order to promote a more productive and friendly working environment. Some plants, which are good for health, are:
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum) – Due to a high rate of transpiration, this plant removes toxins like alcohol, formaldehyde and benzene very quickly. Green leaves form a base for beautiful white blossoms. This plant drinks a lot of water and should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Bamboo Palms – These plants absorb toxins and inject moisture into the air that has become dry due to artificial heating and cooling. Its long, arch-shaped green leaves give it a royal look. Excess water should not be given and the foliage should be cleaned regularly with soap to avoid parasites.
Cactus is another plant that helps to clean the air and does not require maintenance.
Edibleness
Baby Chilies – More than 10000 varieties of chili are available all over the world, but the Apache variety is highly recommended for edible use. They have a lifetime of two years and also help to brighten up the house. Chilies should be picked regularly otherwise the plants will die. The plant should be fed Babybio every 2 weeks.
Coffee plant – These plants can be kept inside the house and do not require much water, as they grow better in hot conditions. The glossy leaves give it an elegant look and red fruits appear when the plant is ripe. It takes a long time for this plant to bear fruit and they can be roasted in the oven though a home roaster will be a better idea.
Olive plant – Though these plants were found in Mediterranean countries, they can survive extreme weather conditions. They should be kept near the window, as they need good light. This plant has small grey leaves and produces small white flowers in summer, which are followed by olives. Olives will be available throughout the winter if the plant is housed in a slightly warmer environment.
Fragrant benefit
Kaffir Lime – The fragrance of this plant matches that of authentic Thai food and it will bear limes after some time. This plant cannot be imported in UK. This plant requires a nitrogen-based food like Babybio in winter and it should be kept in a cool room away from radiators.
Chocolate Cosmos – This plant has a smell similar to Terry’s dark chocolate. An herbaceous perennial with purple flowers like a dahlia, cuttings of this plant can be kept inside a pot during the winter.
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