When the winter winds are howling and the garden is frozen solid, there's nothing quite like a visit to your local garden center to satisfy those green thumb cravings. Recently, we decided to escape the frigid temperatures and indulge in some plant therapy at our favorite local spot, Vatican's Garden Center. Join us as we explore their impressive selection, share our houseplant shopping strategies, and walk through our repotting process.

Finding Houseplant Treasures

Vatican's is our go-to destination for high-quality plants. With three separate greenhouses—one for shade plants, one for sun lovers, and another for tropical specimens—there's something for every indoor growing environment.

Our Shopping Strategy

When shopping for houseplants, we typically have specific locations in mind. This trip, we were looking for:

1. Office-appropriate plants that could thrive on our bookshelf with limited light
2. Statement plants for Christopher's salon suite
3. Interesting specimens to add to our existing collection

Having a plan helps narrow down choices in a store filled with tempting options, though we're not immune to falling for an unexpected plant crush!

Heart Fern: A Bookshelf Beauty

One of our first finds was a stunning heart fern with dramatic black stems contrasting against delicate green foliage. Its compact size makes it perfect for our office bookshelf, and its shade tolerance means it won't struggle with the limited light conditions.

Heart ferns (Hemionitis arifolia) are native to tropical Asia and bring a touch of woodland charm to indoor spaces. The distinctive heart-shaped leaves grow from a central crown, creating a naturally tidy habit that works well in smaller containers.

Fasciated Japonica: A Statement Plant

The plant that absolutely stopped us in our tracks was a Fasciated Japonica with incredible textured leaves reminiscent of something from Jurassic Park. This fascinating specimen features deeply ribbed, undulating foliage that creates dramatic shadows and brings architectural interest to any space.

Christopher immediately envisioned this statement plant complementing his existing collection at the salon, where it would create a striking contrast against his Calathea and Alocasia collection.

Oxalis: Purple Foliage Appeal

We were also drawn to the deep purple foliage of Oxalis triangularis (Purple Shamrock), with its delicate lavender flowers adding an extra dimension of color. These plants are particularly fun because of their nyctinastic movement—the leaves fold up at night and open again in the morning.

When selecting Oxalis, we looked for specimens with buds that weren't yet open, ensuring we'd get to enjoy the full blooming cycle after bringing it home.

Container Selection: Finding the Perfect Match

Pairing the right container with your plant isn't just about aesthetics—it's about creating the right environment for growth while complementing your home decor. We spent considerable time deliberating over pot selections, weighing factors like:

• Appropriate sizing for the plant's current root system
• Growth potential and whether to "up-pot" substantially or conservatively
• Drainage capabilities
• Material (terracotta vs. glazed pottery)
• Color coordination with our existing decor

For the heart fern, we selected a simple terracotta pot that would allow the plant's dramatic black stems to take center stage. The Fasciated Japonica called for something more substantial to balance its bold foliage, while the Oxalis found its home in a container with a slightly more cottage aesthetic.

One shopping tip we've learned: When buying containers, it's worth considering how plants look from all angles—especially for specimens that will be displayed on higher shelves where you'll be viewing them from below.

Christopher's Salon Plant Haven

A highlight of our day was stopping by Christopher's salon suite to see his thriving plant collection and determine exactly where our new additions would live. His private salon space has become a veritable jungle, featuring:

• A massive Calathea that started as a modest $12 Trader Joe's purchase and has since quadrupled in size
• A striking "fried egg" Alocasia with bright white venation
• Classic Alocasia with velvety leaves
• A collection of ferns, philodendrons, and a stunning "dragon scale" Alocasia

Christopher's success with these typically finicky plants comes down to consistent care and a crucial addition to his setup—a humidifier that runs six hours daily. This simple device makes all the difference for tropical plants, especially during dry winter months.

The salon also features innovative wall-mounted plant frames that create a living art display. These frames accommodate 6-inch containers and allow plants to cast beautiful shadows across the wall as they grow. While Christopher noted they weren't the highest quality construction, the aesthetic effect is well worth it.

Repotting Like Pros

Back at home, we gathered in our basement greenhouse area to repot our new treasures. Here's our simple process that you can easily replicate:

Step 1: Match Plants to Pots

We confirmed our pot selections, making final decisions about which plant would go where based on size, growth habit, and aesthetics.

Step 2: Prepare the Pots

For each pot, we:

• Added Coast of Maine Cape Neddick Indoor Planting Mix to the bottom
• Created a soil "nest" sized appropriately for each plant's root ball
• Left adequate space at the top for watering (about 1/2 inch from the rim)

Step 3: Assess Root Health

Before placing plants in their new homes, we gently removed them from their nursery containers to check root health. For plants showing signs of being root-bound, we gently loosened the outer roots to encourage outward growth.

Step 4: Position and Fill

After positioning each plant at the proper height, we filled in around the sides with additional potting mix, gently tamping down to eliminate air pockets without compacting the soil too firmly.

Step 5: Clean Up and Water

Once planted, we cleaned up any soil on the pot rims and gave each plant a thorough initial watering. For terracotta pots, this initial watering is particularly important as the porous material absorbs water from the soil.

Houseplant Success Secret: Biological Mosquito Control

One product we've found indispensable for indoor gardening is Microbe-Lift BMC (Biological Mosquito Control). This remarkable solution eliminates fungus gnat larvae before they become adults, effectively breaking their life cycle.

We add just a few drops to our watering can every 2-4 weeks, ensuring our plants receive the treatment with regular watering. Since implementing this routine, fungus gnat problems have virtually disappeared from our indoor plants and seed-starting area.

Final Thoughts: Indoor Gardening for Winter Sanity

When outdoor gardening isn't possible, bringing the garden indoors becomes essential for plant lovers like us. These shopping excursions and indoor planting projects help bridge the gap until spring returns, providing both the therapeutic benefits of working with plants and the satisfaction of creating beautiful, living displays.

Remember that houseplants needn't be intimidating—start with easy-care varieties, learn from each experience, and don't be afraid to experiment. As with outdoor gardening, the joy is in the journey!

Do you have a favorite local garden center for winter plant therapy? What houseplants are on your wish list this season? We'd love to hear about your indoor gardening adventures!

Thanks for growing with us!

Disclaimer:

This video is not sponsored, however some plants and equipment that we use in the garden have been provided to us to try out!