Linda Hall: How plants keep me rooted

Linda Hall

This time of year is called the "silly season" for many reasons.

One of those is that, no matter how much we tell ourselves not to "be silly" and buy heaps of extra food just in case so-and-so comes to visit with kids in tow, we do anyway.

Or not to "be silly" and rush about cleaning windows and making sure there's not a weed in sight just in case the in-laws pop in.

As if there's not already enough to do with end-of-year school concerts, prizegivings and Christmas parties to attend, we heap more pressure on ourselves trying to "get it done before Christmas".

It's so hard not to get caught up in all the hype.

Already there seems to be more traffic around town and the shops are definitely busier.

I still haven't started my shopping. I'm too busy going through "another one of my fads", according to Mr Neat.

I want you to cast your mind back in time to the 1970s and early 80s.

Think about what nearly every home had at least one of - and I'm not talking about brown and orange cushions.

Think plants. Indoor plants were everywhere.

There were maidenhair ferns in every lounge, spider plants hanging in macrame holders or sliding down the side of the fridge. Then there were mother-in-law tongues stuck in baskets or copper pots.

I've had loads of indoor plants over the years, including the ones mentioned above, plus peace lilies, violets and rubber plants.

I've given some away during shifts but I've also managed to kill a fair few in my time.

For years, indoor plants seemed to be out of fashion but it appears they are making a comeback.

I am not one of those people who can walk into a room and instantly know what to do to make it look nice - not necessarily trendy but comfortable and in tune with the people who live in it.

I do like plants, though, and having indoor plants is also good for us. They help clean the air, making our homes healthier.

So, on Saturday afternoon, I made it my mission to go shopping for indoor rather than outdoor plants.

Holy moley, did I get a shock when I saw the price of indoor plants. Sure, you can buy teeny weeny ones for a few dollars but I wanted instant improvement for my indoor theme before my fad ran its course.

Alas, all I could manage was one fern and a new pot to sit it in before I blew my indoor-plant budget. I'll have to wait until I can get to a gala or maybe I'll scout the second-hand shops: there seems to be a new one of those in town every week.

In the meantime, I've been planning on where I'm going to put all these fabulous indoor plants. I could put more in the bathroom with my one and only fern and then there's a corner in the lounge ... hmm ... I can just hear Mr Neat: "What do you want that for? How long before you kill it?"

That's where he is so wrong. I have no intention of letting them die. They cost too much for that. I will take great care of them - I might even talk to them.

It might just keep me sane during the "silly" weeks ahead.

-Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.