Southern winters harbor a secret. Every once and a while, the long periods of gray skies, strong wind, and rain of a typical winter are punctuated by 24 hours of sinfully warm temperatures and sunny skies.
These days are a much needed and appreciated break from the weariness of a dreary winter sky. It brings me so much joy.
My green fingers itch on days like this. They want to turn the soil and plant seeds. But like our winters, southern springs are fickle. Spring-like weather may taunt us with a few days of warm temperatures for weeks before finally arriving to stay.
Any gardener who plants too early knows the heartbreak of losing their precious seedlings. I have tried to rush planting season by putting out tomatoes early and protecting them with tomato teepees on cold nights, but it rarely works well. I tend to forget to do the daily maintenance needed and the plants either cook or get spindly.
To stave off the urge to plant in mid-winter, I sometimes go shopping for a houseplant and a unique pot that will make me smile and add some new green to my home.
On such a warm, sunny day this month, I was off to the store to find some new houseplants.
It seems I was a bit off on my timing though. The plant shelves in my local home improvement store were nearly bare. Finally, a mobile shelf full of succulents caught my eye and I just couldn’t resist.
After about 20 minutes of looking through them all, I picked out my three favorite succulents as well as one arrowhead plant (Syngonium podophyllum) and then headed to the aisle to pick out flower pots.
I found three small turquoise pots with saucers that will fit perfectly on the windowsill where they can get bright direct light. And I also found a modern style white owl pot – I love it!
These four little plants are now growing happily in my home. Every morning when I see the owl face, it makes me smile. And watching our kids explore the succulents and the repeating patterns they make has been a fun, teachable moment.
So, when the winter blues start to get you down and you need a little green in your life, go out and find a new indoor plant and a pot that will make you smile and remind you that spring is on its way.
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