Fragrant House Plants

There are many reasons to grow plants indoors -- they clean the air, soften and infuse our decor with nature, and reduce the amount of stress we feel. There are a stunning array of leaf colors and textures to brighten spirits even on the shortest, dreariest winter days. But that's not all: Pick carefully and they also provide scent -- from rich and flowery to warm and spicy. Read on to discover some of our favorite fragrant indoor plants.

 

Eucalyptus

While most gardeners don't think of eucalyptus as a houseplant, this easy-growing tree makes a pretty showpiece indoors in a high-light spot. It offers blue-gray foliage with a distinct aroma when you rub it.

Name: Eucalyptus cinerea

What it needs: Eucalyptus thrives in bright spot protected from hot and cold drafts. Water it regularly throughout the year.

Test Garden Tip: Don't be afraid to prune eucalyptus back to keep it full and bushy. Otherwise you may end up with a plant that looks too tall and sparse.

'Tea Rose' Begonia

Begonias are old-fashioned favorites. While most aren't scented, use your nose while shopping to discover varieties such as 'Tea Rose' that are. This beauty offers clusters of fragrant pink flowers over lustrous green leaves.

Name: Begonia 'Tea Rose'

What it needs: You'll find 'Tea Rose' begonia isn't too temperamental, but performs best in a medium to bright spot that has high humidity and protection from drafts. Water and fertilize this begonia regularly in spring and summer to ensure a steady show of flowers.

Test Garden Tip: High humidity and warm, sunny conditions enhance the flowers' fragrance

Fragrant House Plants

There are many reasons to grow plants indoors -- they clean the air, soften and infuse our decor with nature, and reduce the amount of stress we feel. There are a stunning array of leaf colors and textures to brighten spirits even on the shortest, dreariest winter days. But that's not all: Pick carefully and they also provide scent -- from rich and flowery to warm and spicy. Read on to discover some of our favorite fragrant indoor plants.

 

Eucalyptus

While most gardeners don't think of eucalyptus as a houseplant, this easy-growing tree makes a pretty showpiece indoors in a high-light spot. It offers blue-gray foliage with a distinct aroma when you rub it.

Name: Eucalyptus cinerea

What it needs: Eucalyptus thrives in bright spot protected from hot and cold drafts. Water it regularly throughout the year.

Test Garden Tip: Don't be afraid to prune eucalyptus back to keep it full and bushy. Otherwise you may end up with a plant that looks too tall and sparse.

'Tea Rose' Begonia

Begonias are old-fashioned favorites. While most aren't scented, use your nose while shopping to discover varieties such as 'Tea Rose' that are. This beauty offers clusters of fragrant pink flowers over lustrous green leaves.

Name: Begonia 'Tea Rose'

What it needs: You'll find 'Tea Rose' begonia isn't too temperamental, but performs best in a medium to bright spot that has high humidity and protection from drafts. Water and fertilize this begonia regularly in spring and summer to ensure a steady show of flowers.

Test Garden Tip: High humidity and warm, sunny conditions enhance the flowers' fragrance

Use At Least 10% Organic For A Better World

 

Here is something I found on the Mountain rose Herbs site.

 

Here are some statistics concerning the incorporation of organic products into our own lifestyles By converting at least 10% of your food, fiber and cosmetic purchases you will;

• Eliminate pesticides from 98 million daily U.S. servings of drinking water.
• Assure 20 million daily servings of milk that are produced without antibiotics & genetically modified growth hormones.
• Assure 53 million daily servings of pesticide-free fruit and vegetables. (Enough for 10 million kids to have five daily servings.)
• Eliminate use of growth hormones, genetically engineered drugs and feeds, and 2.5 million pounds of antibiotics used on livestock annually. (More than twice the amount of antibiotics used to treat human infections.)
• Assure that 915 million animals are treated more humanely.
• Fight climate change by capturing an additional 6.5 billion pounds of carbon in soil. (That's the equivalent of taking 2 million cars, each averaging 12,000 miles per year, off the road.)
• Eliminate 2.9 billion barrels of imported oil annually. (Equal to 406,000 Olympic eight-lane competition pools.)
• Restore 25,800 square miles of degraded soils to rich, highly productive cropland. (An amount of land equal to the size of West Virginia.)

Links for Organic and Pesticide Free Resources

Organic Consumers Association http://www.organicconsumers.org/
(Protecting organic standards for the consumer)

Pesticide Action Network http://www.panna.org/
(Extensive and interactive site to help you stay informed concerning pressing pesticide issues)

The O'Mama Organic Report http://www.theorganicreport.org/
(A resource for organic living, information and inspiration)

NCAP (Northwest Coalition For Alternatives To Pesticides) http://www.pesticide.org
(A fabulous organization on the frontline in the battle against the use of pesticides)