Tropical Plants Are Great In Arrangements

Add fresh drama to your home in winter with long-lasting—and inexpensive—cuttings from supermarket tropical plants.

By this time of year, when the garden is devoid of flowers, the florist shop is not the only source of plant material to put in an attractive vase. Cuttings from a potted plant purchased at your local supermarket or corner store can take their place.

Ingredients For Tropical Punch

Intensely green tropical plants with large, interesting leaves work best. Cut off the leaves leaving as much of the stem as possible (take care to remove any leaves that are low on the stem and could get trapped get below the waterline because this will result in rancid water). Display them in a simple, clear-glass vase. Using only one variety in a vase imparts a specimen-like importance, and their pared-down elegance matches the minimalism of contemporary, modernist interiors.

Shown here is foliage from the common Spathiphyllum (peace lily) and Philodendron bipinnatifidium. The leaves should last up to a month (you really couldn’t do much better than that longevity-wise if you were to purchase a certainly more costly potted orchid). Change the water twice a week and trim the ends off the stems at each watering.—Brendan Power

Photo: C. Phaisalakani