While we were in Los Altos this passed weekend, I saw, in the corner of one of the stairwells, a lonely plastic pot that contained one of my all time favorite plants. Unfortunately for me, it has been difficult for me to find. Not any more!
The botanical name of this plant is Chlorophytum comosum. The common names include the Spider plant, airplane plant, spider ivy, ribbon plant, or Bernard’s lily. And, believe it, or not, this is the first one I remember seeing since we moved here.
The plastic pot, which held the three “babies” that I was given, held six, maybe seven, plants that were viable, and able to be divided. The soil was sandy, and dry as a rock; yet they were all surviving just fine, as you can see in the first photo. Maria gave me the three you see in the photo just above. I repotted them as soon as we got home.
Seriously, I have not had an airplane plant in my home for thirty years. I am not sure why not, but there it is. It is one of those plants that brings a smile to my face every time I see it, and is one of my favorites.
I remember someone, I think it was my sister, Martha, having a beautiful, healthy, full airplane plant at some point in the past. It had the long tendrils coming off of it with the little baby plants at the end of each of the tendrils. The guy that used to cut my hair had one as well. He always said he was going to give me a shoot, but never did.
Now, I have my own. I told Maria that, when we return, next, I will bring her a cutting from a plant that I have. I think it will be a Sansevieria. She just does not have the time that I do to take care of plants.
That is so disheartening, I think; to be given something, from someone, that requires more of anything than you have to put towards it; be it time, energy, what have you. I would not give her a plant that requires being watered morning, and evening, when it is obvious she does not have the time to do that.
The primroses that I bought a few weeks ago, love a drink at night, and in the morning; both times of the day when it is cool here. The leaves of the primrose are all we have left of them, at the moment, as the flowers have all faded, and died back. The leaves are so beautiful, however, that I will continue to water it until it no longer wants to live.
I say that, because I have read that people discard them after they have bloomed; they are no longer wanted. That is ridiculous. The leaves look primeval, almost; almost like dinosaur kale.
While we wait to see what happens to the primroses, please, stay happy, stay healthy, stay safe. Wash your hands, cover your mouth, and protect your loved ones.