Martha Stewart, the renowned founder of her lifestyle brand, continues to embrace her passion for gardening throughout the year. Unlike most of us who face the challenge of maintaining plants through the changing seasons, Stewart has a strategy to enjoy greenery even as the weather turns colder.
In a recent blog post, Stewart revealed her love for container plants. She maintains a variety of interesting specimens in her Winter House, ensuring she can enjoy them daily. “I love container plants, and whenever I am home, I always like to keep a collection of them in and around my Winter House,” Stewart writes. Most of her potted plants are housed in her main greenhouse for proper care. During summer, she showcases a beautiful assortment of lemon cypress, Eugenia topiaries, and various herbs on the sunken terrace behind her kitchen.
Though Stewart’s outdoor space is currently adorned with vibrant container plants, she emphasizes the beauty of indoor gardening as summer ends. “Potted plants bring life to any space – indoors and out,” she notes.
Stewart’s admiration for container plants goes beyond their visual appeal. She explains that these plants offer additional benefits: “I feel so fortunate to have such an amazing collection of extraordinary potted plants. They not only enhance the look of a space but also boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve air quality,” she says. Stewart ensures that some of her plants are displayed both inside and outside her home.
Container gardening, whether indoors or outdoors, allows us to enjoy the benefits of greenery regardless of space size. This simple approach to adding natural color to our homes and gardens comes highly recommended by Stewart. According to experts at Two Wests & Elliot Ltd, there are additional tips to maximize the success of container gardening.
“Firstly, the color of the container can impact soil temperature, which in turn affects plant growth. Dark-colored containers increase soil temperatures, while light-colored ones help keep the soil cooler,” they explain.
Research indicates that soil temperature affects root growth. Although many plants handle heat well, excessive warmth can hinder root development, particularly in heat-sensitive varieties. Therefore, on hot, sunny days, plants in small, dark containers may not thrive as well as those in small, light containers. For optimal results, consider choosing containers that suit your plant’s needs, both indoors and outdoors.