It's just stopped snowing in London. I moved offices this week and the view from my new location - five floors up in Guardian towers - offers a good view of the snow-heavy, leaden grey clouds to one side of the building and the fairly clear blue skies to the other (sorry, no cloudscape pic, digital camera at home).
It was snowing when I left home too. I can't help worrying about my shallots and broad beans, planted a week or two ago, in the cold cold ground. Especially as I am almost running out of last year's crop.
Meanwhile I face an office dilemma. Now that I work in a building with air conditioning and lit almost entirely with aritificial light, what plant should I get for my desk? Answer: something indestructible. Aspidistra? Too large. Spider plant? Too predictable. Rubber plant? It would fit in with the 70s feel to the bathroom decor in my office (think of the Crossroads motel), but I don't think so.
All other suggestions gratefully received ...
Admittedly I'm close to a window, but I have several houseplants which are happy enough in my artificially lit and air-conditioned environment. The latest addition is a nice glossy green Radermachera, which is very happy. It sits next to a dragon tree which has been here more than a year and is still happy. There's also several aloe veras and a tradescantia which has gone a bit mad. I would avoid asparagus ferns though, they get out of hand....
Posted by: Muppet | February 22, 2005 at 01:23 PM
I am wondering if you could perhaps try some herbs never grown any in an office before myself but worth a go. Might have everyone stealing leaves for there sandwiches though. (especially that Mr Finn ;)
The reason the spider plants are popular is because they are suposed to absorb some of the radiation that your computer monitor gives off.
Posted by: Andy Hamilton | February 23, 2005 at 05:06 PM
Hi Jane, just discovered your site and been catching up on saga of office plant. Like the Jade or money plant as I know it and it does look great when small. Had one at home that grew to the height of 2 ft and started to look ungainly. Also when any leaves dropped off it start to look like a lot of stem and not much more.
Don't know if you can take cuttings never tried so might be worth looking into. Small tip from a vastly experienced gardener (not me!!) don't overwater - 90% of houseplants are killed by drowning! Horrible thought.
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Posted by: Andy | February 15, 2006 at 02:06 AM