Old-fashioned indoor plants in Finland

Kirsi Mäkinen (2017)

Annika Michelson (2024)

Impatiens balsamina (Majuri, 2023)

Origin of our indoor plants

Indoor plants from the 19th and 20th century

Division:

• From noble homes to cottage windows.
• From the 19th century to the 1960ies.
• From the countryside to the city.

(eBay. Pelargonium, 2024)

Balsam

(Impatiens balsamina)

• Native species to India and Myanmar.
• The oldest indoor plants from the 18th century.
• "With the common people it became the flower of the poor." (Beach, 2010)
• It is an annual plant.
• It requires warmth, light and plenty of moisture. It does not tolerate wetness.
• The mature seeds are harvested in autumn.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Indonesia 1965

(eBay Impatiens balsamina, 2024)

Striped Barbados lily �(Hippeastrum rutilium)

• Native species to Brazil.
• It was imported to Finland in the 1850s. In Finland and Sweden it is called peasant lily.
• The plant does not go dormant wintertime completely, but can overwinter partially green.
• It is grown in small clay pots.
• The bulb grows a single flower stalk.
• The plant requires light. It is easy to care for. In winter the temperature should be lower, about 6°C is sufficient.

Striped Barbados lily (Hippeastrum rutilum)

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Common myrtle �(Myrtus communis ’Microphylla’)

• Native species to the Mediterranean region.
• This is an old indoor plant.
• It decorated cottages, farm houses and manor houses.
• It was used in bridal wreaths but also in coffins of the dead.
• It likes to grow in a place with light.
• It is better suited to old-fashioned dwellings, but with good humidity and careful watering will also thrive in modern dwellings.
• It has a winter dormancy, when it sheds its leaves. It is not necessarily easy to germinate.
• It likes acidic growing medium.
• It can be kept compact and fluffy by pruning.

(Plantagen.fi: Välimerenmyrtti)

Israel, 1961. (Wikipedia. Myrtus communis, 2024)

Cupid’s bow (Achimenes longifolia)

• Also called nut-orchid and magic flower.
• Native species to Central America.
• A plant in the noble’s home in 1850s, which became common in every home.
• A summer flower that overwinters as curled rhizomes.
• It needs plenty of light and water.
• In autumn, allow the shoots to wilt and move to a cooler room (+15°C). In spring the rhizomes are planted in new soil.
• The plant can be propagated from cuttings.
• The species is has become more rare.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Common aspargus fern (Asparagus setaceus)

• Native species to South Africa.
• Belongs to the asparagus family.
• It is used as a cutting green.
• This plant broke the estates of the realm, i.e. became widespread among the people. (Ranta, 2011)
• It has needle-thin leaves that do not tolerate dry indoor air. It sheds its yellowing needles.
• It resprouts from the base.
• It requires regular watering and a lot of light, but may fade and drop its leaves in very hot growing conditions.
• It is easy to propagate it from seeds.

(Plantagen.fi: Unelma)

Foxtail fern (Asparagus densiflorus 'Sprengeri’)

• Native species to Africa.
• It is a tall plant (1-1.5 m) with spiny stems.
• Indoor plant from the early 20th century.
• "The 'leaves' are short stems. The leaves themselves are scaly and very small.
• The species is usually grown in containers.
• The plant blooms with white, rather inconspicuous fragant flowers.
• The fruit is a orange coloured berry.
• The plant can be propagated from ripening seeds.
• It likes dappled light. An east or west window is suitable.
• Its rootstock is large and branched.

(Wikipedia: Natalinparsa Forest & Kim Starr)

Christmas cactus� (Schlumbergera sp.)

• Also called the Thanksgiving cactus, crab cactus and holiday cactus.
• Native species to South-East Brazil.
• It has been grown in Europe since the 1850s. The species became widespread in rural areas until around the 1920s.
• It is easy to care for and long-lived. Flowers in November-January. Short-day plant: light max 12 h/day.
• The plant is given a rest period in early autumn, when watering is reduced.
• It thrives in room air, but can be reduced in temperature in winter. It can be kept outdoors in summer.
• It needs a fairly light nutrient content.
• The plant should not be moved during the budding stage as the buds are prone to crowding.
• The plant has jointed branches from which cuttings can be easily propagated.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Rubber fig

(Ficus elastica)

• Native species to East India and Malaysia.
• It is from the early 19th century in Europe.
• Rubber fig is a vigorous green plant, which bends and shrinks with age.
• It contains liquid milk.
• It can be propagated from a top.
• It thrives in light, watered gently but regularly. Does not tolerate draught.

(Wikipedia: Kumiviikuna, 2024)

Geranium (Pelargonium spp.)

• Also called pelargoniums or storkbills.
• Native species to warm temperate and tropical regions, for ex. South Africa.
• There are many species and varieties, some are indoor plants and some are outdoor summer flowers.
• It is suitable for containers and pots.
• It has a good sun tolerance, but requires regular watering.
• Can be wintered in cool temperatures of around 6-10°C.
• Winter-grown plants should be pruned in spring-winter before emergence. Spare cuttings can be taken at the same time.

Sweet scented geranium

”Doctor Westerlund”.

(Annika Michelson, 2010)

Pelargoniums on Romanian stamp 1968. (eBay: Pelargoniums, 2024)

Streps / streptocarpus �(Steptocarpus spp.)

• Also called cape primrose.
• Native species to Central and South Africa and Madagascar.
• It became common in Europe in the early 1900s.
• The flowers vary in colour from white to red and blue-violet.
• The plants are quite short-lived and are renewed from time to time. Propagation is done from leaf cuttings.
• The plant likes partial shade. Watering requires regularity and the best method is watering on the plate.

Streptocarpus caulescens (Wikipedia: Kornettblomsläktet, 2014)

Gloxinia (Sinningia spp.)

• Native species to Central and South America.
• It is a multicoloured flowering herbaceous plant (flowers from white to red and lilac, also bicoloured).
• It has a long dormancy in winter, when all above-ground parts are wilted. No watering needed during this period.
• Winters as tubers.
• When spring shoots emerge, fertilize well and water regularly to produce a compact deciduous rose. Watering preferably done on a saucer. It begins flowering in May-June. In late summer, fertilization is reduced to allow the plant to go dormant.
• The plant can be divided from tubers.
• The plant is not sprayed.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

North’s false flag�(Neomarica northiana)

​

• Native species to Brazil.
• From the 20th century onwards in farm houses.
• It blooms at the end of a long, wide stalk. The blue-white flower lasts only a day.
• Additional shoots are obtained after flowering from the same shoot.
• It is easy to care for: thrives in sunny windows to semi-shade.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Christ’s thorn (Euphorbia milii)

• Also known as Crown of thorns and Christ plant.
• Native species to Madagascar.
• It is a long-lived and durable indoor plant.
• It thrives in bright light and should be watered rather gently.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

• It flowers almost constantly.
• It has a spiny stem.
• It is propagated from cuttings, seedlings can be topped to make them grow taller.

Oleander (Nerium oleander)

• Also known as rosebay.
• Native species to the Mediterranean region.
• In the 19th century it grow in the nobel homes and spread to farms at the turn of the 1800s and 1900s.
• It is toxic, contains glycosides.
• It has sweet-smelling pink flowers.
• It leaks milky fluid when cut.
• It is easy to propagate it from seed but can also be propagated from cuttings.
• It requires plenty of light and tolerates some drought.

(Wikipedia. Oleanteri)

Stamp with oleander flower from Congo 1996. (eBay. Nerium Oleander, 2024)

Norfolk island pine�(Araucaria heterophylla)

• A ’room spruce’
• Native species to Norfolk island in Australia.
• It was imported to Europe in the 1700s from the Pacific area.
• The plant has come back into fashion as a Christmas flower.
• It usually grows one branche level a year, but shoots can grow all year round, not just in spring.
• Grows vigorous in the sun. In the shade it grows thinner and long.
• It needs regular watering as it does not tolerate drying out.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Kentia palm (Howea forsteriana)

• Native species to the Pacific ocean area.
• Also called tatch palm or palm court palm
• It was a common indoor plant in the homes of the nobel families from the 19th century onwards.
• The species is rather slow-growing.
• It tolerates shade.
• A cooler indoor climate is an advantage. Spraying helps in dry conditions.
• Palms are usually grown in fairly small pots.

(Plantagen.fi: Pikkukentiapalmu)

Moore’s crinum �(Crinum moorei)

• Native species to South-Africa.
• A plant in the noble families houses in the 19th century
• It has become quite rare nowadays
• It can cope in the current indoor climate.
• During the winter months, there is only a dry onion with stems.
• It is propagated from daughter bulbs.
• It likes light. Water regularly during the growing season. It is dormant from autumn to spring-winter and do not need watering at that time.
• It is flowering in late summer, but new bulbs that have been removed can flower even in winter.
• The flowers are pink and fragrant.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Moore’s crinum

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Queen’s-tears�(Bilbergia nutans)

• Native species to Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
• It belongs to pineapple plants.
• The plant has leathery, greyish leaves that reflect sunlight.
• The flowers are pinkish-red with bluish spots. After flowering the flower fades slowly.
• The plant can be divided into side shoots.
• The plant thrives in modern indoor climates but is adapted to cooler winters.
• The plant has small roots and is adapted to an airy, dry substrate.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Queen’s-tears flowering

(Wikipedia: Billbergia nutans, 2024)

Natal lily

(Clivia miniata)

• Also called bush lily.
• Native species to South Africa
• Long-lived, low maintenance indoor plant.
• It was introduced to Europe in the late 1800s.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

• Winter temperatures of +6 to +22°C.
• It thrives in shade or partial shade.
• It has orange coloured flowers
• It grows to a large size
• The plant has a thick rhizome and it is divided from lateral roots.
• The species is poisonous.

Stamp from Euatorial Guinea 1976 (eBay. Clivia minata, 2024)

Krantz aloe�(Aloë arborescens)

• Also called candelabra aloe.
• The plant is endemic to South Eastern part of South Africa - South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
• A succulent that thrives in a sunny, even scorching window.
• Watering as needed.
• Orange flowers.
• Not as abundant medicinal and herbal use as Aloe vera (medicinal herb), but its potential uses have been explored by modern science.

(Wikipedia: Andrew massyn) 

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Begonia ’Corallina’-group

• Native species to subtropics and tropics in Asia, Africa and America.
• Begonias were introduced to Europe in the 19th century.
• It was a popular plant.
• A rhododendron, almost 100 cm tall.
• Blooms in pink clusters.
• Easy to care but needs regular watering
• It thrives in modern indoor climate om (semi)shade, not in scorching heat. Water begonias at room temperature.
• The pot size may be quite small for the size of the plant.
• It is propagated by taking stem or leaf cuttings.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Iron cross begonia (Begonia masoniana)

• Native species to South China and North Vietnam.
• Begonias, or bias-leafed plants, include a number of popular spotted-leaved species.
• Iron cross begonia was commonly found in indoor plant selections in the 1960s, but is now rare.
• The species is propagated from leaf and stem cuttings.
• The decaying mother plants are replaced by cuttings.
• The species thrives in partial shade and requires regular and fairly heavy watering.
• The plant can sometimes suffer from mildew and over-watering can cause the rhizome to rot.

Iron cross begonia

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Saintpaulia�(Saintpaulia spp.)

• ”African violets”
• Native species to East Africa.
• It has a rising to popularity in the 1960s.
• It is an easy-to-care-for small indoor plant.
• It needs plenty of light to flower, but not scorching.
• Too much heat or direct sunlight will damage the leaves. The species thrives in moist, light soil.
• Too much moisture can rot the plant.

(Wikipedia: Saintpaulia)

African violet USA 1993 (eBay: African violet, 2024) and Saintpaulia Finland 1981 (eBay Saintpaulia, 2024)

Amazon lily�(Eucharis amazonica)

• Native species to Peru.
• Introduced as an indoor plant in the 20th century and popular especially from the 1950s and 1960s onwards. Since then, it has sold little, but returned to flower shops in the 2010s.
• It thrives in light and shade. Requires plenty of water. Blooms around Christmas with fragrant white flowers.
• Summer is a resting period.
• It does not tolerate coolness.
• It is propagated by rhizome branches. It is rather slow to take root.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Caribbean spider-lily

(Hymenocallis sp.)

• Native species to Carribean islands and South America.
• It was common especially in the 1950s, now rare
• It belongs to the Family Amaryllidaceae.
• Its flowers are white, with thin radial petals.
• It is a bulbous plant.
• It has a long juvenile stage.

(Kirsi Mäkinen)

Barbados, 1991 (eBay: Spider Lily, 2024)

(Wikipedia: Hymenocallis caribaea, 2024)

Snake plant

(Sansevieria trifasciata)

• Also called Saint George’s sword, mother-in-law’s tounge or wiper’s bowstring hemp.
• Native species to West Africa from Nigeria to Congo.
• It became more widespread in the 1950s and 1960s. It became rare in the 1990s. Now it is popular again.
• It has green-leaved and yellow-leaved varieties. Variegation of the leafs is maintained in a light location. You obtain these plants by dividing it from a variegated plants.
• It is easy to care for and thrives in a small pot. It needs careful watering. It may flower sparingly with a greenish-white flower.
• Its scent slightly reminds of Lily of the valley.
• It can be propagated from leaves.

(Wikipedia: Isonanopinkieli, 2024)

African milk tree�(Euphorbia trigona)

• Also called the Cathedral cactus.
• Native species to Central Africa.
• It is an upright succulent, prickly, growing to over 2 m when comfortable.
• Needs little watering and likes sun.
• It has smaller oval, falling leaves.

(Plantagen.fi: Pylvästyräkki)

Jade plant�(Crassula ovata)

• Also called lucky plant, money plant or money tree.
• Native spicies to KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape of South Africa.
• It is grown in Finland since the beginning of the 19th century.
• It is easy to care for and a fairly common green plant.
• It can be wintered at lower temperatures.

Kirsi Mäkinen)

Cast-iron-plant (Aspidistra elatior)

• Also called bar-room plant.
• Native species to Japan and Taiwan.
• It was very common before.
• It is easy to care for and is a shady place plant. It was formerly used a lot in public spaces and cafés but is nowadays quite rare.
• It has large, erect leaves. Flowers are rather inconspicuous, the leafs are on the surface of the rhizome.
• Thrives in a small pot. It should be less watered during the dormant season and the room temperature should also be reduced.
• The plant is propagated from pieces of rhizome.

(Wikipedia: Asidistra elatior, 2024)

Gardenia

(Gardenia jasminoides)

• Also called cape jasmine.
• Native species to South-East Asia.
• There are dozens of species.
• It has handsome white flowers with a strong fragrance.
• It does reasonably well in the modern indoor plant world. It requires a lot of watering and monitoring. It likes acidic soil. High humidity is beneficial to the plant. A semi-shaded site is suitable. Direct sunlight is not desirable throughout the day. It suffers easily from spider mites.
• Stems die back after a year and the plant will become a small shrub if it thrives.
• The plant can be reduced by pruning. Can be propagated from cuttings, but rooting is slow and capricious.

(Wikipedia: Gardenia, 2024)

Canada 2019 (eBay: Cape Jasmine, 2024)

Interesting plants that not are in this presentation

• Climbing cacti (Epiphyllum sp.)
• Coelogyne cristata (Called snow queen in Scandinavia)
• Blood lily, paintbrush lily (Haemanthus)
• Raintree, yesterday-today-tomorrow or lady of the night (Brunfelsia sp.)
• Fuchsia spp. (more than 100 species known)

Fuchsia hybrida, Finland 1981

(eBay: Fuchsia hybrida, 2024)

Sources

Ranta, A., 2010. Hienohelma ja vanhapoika. Rakkaat huonekasvit. Otava

Räty, E., 2012. Viljelykasvien nimistö. Puutarhaliiton julkaisuja nro 363

Taurent-Täckholm, V., Stenlid, S. 1946. Husmoderns blomsterlexikon. En uppslagsbok för hemmets och täppans prydnadsväxter. Stockholm. Åhlen & Åkerlunds Förlag.

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Photos

eBay. Barbados Spider Lily, 1991 Sun Coast Stamps, 3.7.2024

eBay. Canada Cape Jasmine, 2019 W4 Stamps and Collectables 3.7.2024

eBay. Congo Nerium Oleander, 1996 carrotdrusus2, 3.7.2024

eBay. Euatorial Guinea, 1976 hiplatelics, 3.7.2024

eBay. Finland Fuchsia hybrida 1981 txphl | hiplatelics, 3.7.2024

eBay. Finland Pelargonium, 1981 Finland Nordic Scene, 3.7.2024

eBay. Finland Saintpaulia, 1981 Finland Nordic Scene, 3.7.2024

eBay. Romania Geranium, 1968 cnn55.2.1,3.7.2024

eBay. USA African Violet, 1993 stampsrare, 3.7.2024

Majuri, Ilmar 31.7.2023

Michelson, Annika 2010

Mäkinen, Kirsi 2017

Plantagen.fi. Pikkukentiapalmu, 3.7.2024

Plantagen.fi. Pylvästyräkki, 2017

Plantagen.fi. Unelma, 2017�Plantagen.fi. Välimerenmyrtti, 2017

Wikipedia. Andrew massyn, 2017

Wikipedia. Aspidistra elatior. Frank C. Müller, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Billbergia nutans. David Stang, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Hymenocallis carribaea, Wyne Boucher, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Isoanompinkieli. Martin Olsson, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Gardenia নয়ন জ্যোতি নাথ, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Kornettblomsläktet TANAKA Juuyoh 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Kumiviikuna. Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Plflanzen, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Myrtus communis, Zvi Narkiss, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia: Natalinparsa Forest & Kim Starr, 3.7.2024

Wikipedia. Oleanteri, 2017

Wikipedia. Saintpaulia, 2017