WORKPLACE PLANTS

thrive in these low light conditions or place a few strategic grow lights over them.

Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) will grow in filtered light to shade and can handle the top few centimetres drying out.

In the Language of Plants, they are thought to build prosperity and block unwanted visitors.

if you want to try other plants.

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) is almost indestructible.

It adapts, half dies and revives but if you treat it nicely this plant will love you back.

It is said that this plant brings good work ethics and increases productivity.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) can handle just about whatever you can dish up and still look amazing.

Low light is also no problem for this stunner either. Said to increase security and smooth negotiations.

An honourable mention goes to Spider Plant because while not as tough as most, they are easy to grow.

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum colosum) are enjoying a big comeback from their 1970s heyday and why not? They are also very easy to propagate from their ‘jumping spiders’.

It is said they boost mindfulness.

Low light Lovers

You will need to find plants that can survive and hopefully

Garden News

Lady Palm (Rhapis excelsa) is a shady lady as well and only needs watering once a week. Thought to help stimulate new ideas and encourage communication.

Radiator Plant (Peperomia spp.) suits a desk but will tolerate a bit of shade.

They are very easy to grow with a huge number of beautiful varieties available.

This plant brings with it the ability to see the facts and truth.

Lots of Light Lovers

Care needs to be taken if you have a lot of light and placement of your plants.

Do not sit them on windowsills or next to window if they don’t open as it will be akin to sticking it in an oven.

Move the plants into the middle of rooms.

Light loving plants: Swiss Cheese Vine (Monstera obliqua) likes to be in the light and makes a lovely desk plant on a trellis or even left to run along surfaces.

Can help boost opportunities and helps others see your point of view.

Doyalson Community Garden Market Day - 8am - 1pm 11th March

Come along and support the garden. Plants, ‘Ken Mar’ wooden crafts, homemade cakes, candles, ladies new & pre-loved clothing, baby clothes and Breakaway Auxiliary. 357 Wyee Road, Doyalson, next to the church

Permie Kids - Killcare, Wednesdays 3.30 - 5.30pm

Nature based activities in the garden for 8–12-year-olds. Bookings Essential - $25 per class - SMS Anna 0407 591 278. Coming up: 8 March - Create a Permie Kids Edible Garden; 15 March - Exploring patterns in nature; 22 March - Worm Farms; 29 March - Building habitats for native animals; 5 April - Natural decorations - egg blowing and decorating.

Bush Tucker & Gardening Responsibly - 1:30pm Saturday 11th March

The Australian Plants Society Central Coast March Meeting features a talk presented by Samantha Newton of Tonbo Garden Design. She will share news of the ‘Gardening Responsibly’ science-based initiative and give her tips on growing a bush tucker garden. $3 entry. Lucky Door prize and plants are available for sale.

Philip House, 21 Old Mt Penang Road Kariong. www.austplants.com.au

Gardening Planner

This week you could plant: culinary herbs, beetroot, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, carrot, cauliflower, chicory, cress, endive, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, mustard, onions, parsnips, peas, radishes, salsify, shallots, silverbeet, spinach, spring onions, swedes, turnips, ageratum, alyssum, calendula, candytuft, carnation, cineraria, columbine, coneflower, delphinium, dianthus, everlasting daisy, forget-me-not, foxglove, godetia, gypsophila, hollyhock, larkspur, linaria, lobelia, nemesia, nigella, pansy, polyanthus, poppy, primula, snapdragon, statice, stock, sweet pea, viola, wallflower

Cheralyn Darcey is a horticulture author and along with Pete Little, hosts ‘At Home with The Gardening Gang’ 8 - 10am live every Saturday on CoastFM96.3, on air locally or streaming by asking ‘play coastfm963’

Archived articles: florasphere.com | Send your gardening questions, events, and news to: gardeningcentralcoast@gmail.com

Wax Plant (Hoya spp.) can be trained to climb up or along a support or left to cascade over an edge.

They also do not need much water, preferring things on the dry side.

This plant brings with it protection and prosperity.

We Like it Hot

Beware, all the ways you try to cool yourself will not be taken as well by the plants but if the area is hot, try these.

Rubber Plant (Ficus elastica) prefers things on the warmer side and humid side so make such you mist, mist mist! In winter they can survive with a drink every few weeks.

They boost interest and help those learning.

Succulents and Cacti are both warmth lovers and enjoy light so don’t keep these babies in the corner.

Don’t overwater as this is the usual cause of death.

With various meanings, most will bring longevity and ingenuity.

Cool Area Plants

Chilled environments also usually have dry air.

If your workspace is just a touch on the cooler side, then you can try standing pots on trays filled with pebbles that are kept moist.

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) does need bright light, but it can live happily in cooler temperatures and as a bonus, it can stay alive for weeks without watering.

Jade Plant brings luck and financial gains.

Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginate) is a ‘false palm’ meaning it looks like a palm but is not one and this leaves us with the palm feel but a plant that can tolerate cooler spaces. This plant will help heal relationships.

Desk Mates

I’ve had a few accidents with water and plants on my desks so while you can forgo flowers and plants around electronics and paperwork all together, these two can work well with you.

Painted-leaf Begonia (Begonia rex) are great substitutes for flowers with their pretty colours, but they will need to be watered with rain or distilled water. These plants boost creative thinking and set a firm boundary.

Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.) are the perfect desk mates because there are no pots of dirt or saucers of water to tip onto your electronics. They do need good airflow, just like you! They bring calm and peacefulness.

• Little Ruby or Little Maroon is the perfect mounding ground cover that has stand-out deep burgundy foilage with a compact, spreading habit.

• Loves humidity and can tolerate frost better than most forms.

• Uses: Ground cover, border containers and green walls.

• Full sun to part shade