Phuket Gardening: Growing plants indoors and outdoors in water

PHUKET: When I first came to Thailand, I was, like everyone else from colder climes, astounded by the sheer range of plant life.

Even more amazing was the way nature not only coped, but actually thrives in these hot, humid conditions, some of which seemed downright alien: smoggy air, poor soil, periods with either burning sun or bucketing rain. The very first night I spent in a Phuket hotel, there were vases and glasses attached to the walls with flourishing green plants cascading down their sides.

After all the struggles of trying to grow house plants in so-called temperate climes, this was a real eye-opener. A lesson once learned is one never forgotten. Nowadays, the bathrooms in my house have philodendrons or dracaenas to add a fresh dash of greenery, all grown with the absolute minimum of fuss.

Which brings us to a reader’s query. He asks which plants can be grown in water? The question is not only which, but where?

Outdoors is one thing: indoors quite another. Let’s start outdoors. Of course, we all know about water lilies (nympheas) and lotuses (nelumbo nucifera). Lilies, now available in brilliant deep colors, grow splendidly in plastic pots in fish ponds, or in wide terra-cotta containers that give the round floating leaves plenty of room.

Lotuses are better in a large, narrow-necked vase from which their long elegant stems topped by parasol-like leaves and dramatic blooms can be seen to best advantage.

However, there are plenty of other less well known water denizens, better known for their foliage than their flowers; for example, the pickerel weed (pontederia) which has long dark stems and dark green heart-shaped leaves, or the larger (up to five or six feet) water canna (thalia) which has long, erect woody stalks which may be deep red or green. The elegant oval leaves grow at the tips.

The water canna is particularly popular with Thais as a front yard specimen. Papyrus (cyperus) is another excellent choice, with its sculptural bright green stems and circular crowns of narrow, grass-like leaves. It looks the part in a vase or deepish pond.

Remember, though. that these are all essentially outdoor plants and sun-worshippers. Moreover, they all have roots in the soil at the bottom of your water-filled pot or pond which will need feeding from time to time with fertilizer tablets. And they require to be grown in that special clinging mud that is sold, already moistened, at plant nurseries in white plastic bags. Marsh plants, if you like.

Plants grown in water-filled containers indoors are usually not water-based at all, but they will adapt to these very different conditions since they can tolerate low levels of sunlight and have roots that can survive in a condition of permanent wetness. In general these are bog dwellers, or plants that prefer shade and moist surroundings.

Put them in ceramic or glass receptacles (readily available) that are flat on one side and can be fastened to a wall. They can be cuttings or already rooted. With rooted specimens, carefully wash the soil off first.

Plants that should respond to this treatment include the lucky bamboo (dracaena sanderiana), which is often marketed in this way, some philodendrons, possibly alocasias, and anthuriums.

Try them out and see. That’s half the fun.

Phuket Gardening tip of the week: Reading those labels on plants

Each family or genus of plants is divided into groups of individual species that reproduce from seed with only minor variations.

The first word in a plant’s name designates the genus; the second word the species, Normally both are italicized, and the genus name is often capitalized as well. For example: Acalypha hispida. Most plants also have a common or garden English name. Thus the common name for Acalypha hispida is the ‘chenille’ plant or ‘cat’s tail’ – both labels which describe the hanging, red, velvety racemes of the plant in question.

In Phuket, we have to remember the Thai name too when we order or buy from a garden center, since the botanical name is unlikely to be familiar. In this case, the name is ‘hang kra rok daeng’. A few plants here have not yet been classified, and carry only Thai names.

Phuket Gardening is Phuket Gazette columnist Patrick Campbell’s feature of all things flora.

Keep checking our online Phuket Lifestyle pages for regular gardening features and tips.

— Patrick Campbell