I have developed a love for houseplants. Could it be that I am trying to fool myself? Could it be that I surround myself with this greenery so that I can forget (sometimes) that I live in a city? Possibly. At any rate, I enjoy the tranquility an assortment of plants can bring, restoring peace to the soul. (And they’re great listeners.)
The price of houseplants is prohibitive, if you’re trying to live on a low income. So, friends are important; that is, friends that are plant lovers. Get cuttings from these friends and start your own. Now it’s important to know how to propagate new plants from the parent plant—some require rooting in water, others you can stick right in the soil. Go to a library (if you don’t have any plant books of your own) and read up on the particular plant to find how to grow new plants. Also, note what the book suggests as to lighting, soil, and watering. Raising plants does involve time and care. They’re easy to kill, especially if you don’t take the time to learn what they do and do not like.
If you’re still dissatisfied with the size of your plant collection, or if you don’t have very many friends, there’s still hope—eat fruit, and then save the seeds. The seeds of citrus fruits are about the easiest to grow. Plant the seed in a soil mixture of two-thirds potting soil and one-third humus, plus a handful of sand. Give them some sunlight, but not too much.
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