The Plants at Shane and Claire’s

It has been a while since I peeked into a plant enthusiasts home to admire their plants so  it is with great pleasure that I introduce you to this month’s plant enthusiasts Shane and Claire (plant lover by proxy 🙂 ). Ok, take it away Shane and Claire.  

Your name: Shane and Claire

Occupation: We are both teachers (one at a primary school, one at a university

Where you live: Ottawa, ON, Canada

Number of plants you own: 15

How long you have been into plants and how did you get introduced: Shane: I have been into plants since the day I left for school at age 19 when my mother gifted me a Peace Lily, however I guess the love for plants has been instilled in me since I was a boy helping in my parents’ vegetable and flower gardens.

Where do your windows face and what plants have grown best in your home or close to those windows? Main windows face east, most plants are there. One plant in our bedroom is near a south-facing window.  Near the East facing windows are the Succulents, Spider plant and Aloe and have all grown well.  North facing window has one floor plant – no idea what that one is actually.  Additionally, a planter of herbs in the back parking lot because the apartment was not sunny enough to survive.

Name any benefits you get from your plants: We have 2 Aloe vera plants, we use them quite often for all kinds of burns, cuts, bug bites, etc. I’ve actually been using some for the past 3 days after a nasty bug encounter while camping!  Also, the spider plant offers some filtration for the breathing space that we live in.  And, they are just beautiful to look at.

What kind of plants do you like the most?: Claire: Personally I prefer herbs and we’d love to grow them but don’t have a balcony – they’d need more sun I think. I like plants with purpose, not just for decoration.  Shane:  I like the look of the Succulents the most but really enjoy the Aloe for its beauty and function.  I used to LOVE my jade but now it is small again and will have to re-grow to its former glory.  Do not know anymore about identification.

Can you share the biggest challenge you have had with your plants? Claire: He’ll probably tell you that I killed a couple of them (though I’ll deny it until the bitter end)… so I suppose living with a botanical murderess is a pretty big challenge!!  Shane: I could agree with the above sentence….but seriously, probably finding the right watering and sunlight balance.

Can you share one mistake you made as a gardener? Claire: Uhh, letting ME near the plants?! haha..  Shane: Good one again Claire.  Most likely NOT identifying or reading up on my specific plants.  Just growing them through trial and error.  I don’t take it seriously enough to grow them really well.

If your plants were to be taken from you and you could only keep, which one would it be and why? Claire: Aloe vera because of its useful healing properties.  Shane: Aloe Vera – yup.  In a heartbeat. 

Best advice you can give about any aspect in taking care of plants. Shane: Do your research and take care of your plants regularly through watering, fertilizing and giving them much-needed sunlight.

I particularly love the picture above of the Aloe. It is just so beautiful and welcoming. Thanks Shane and Claire for sharing your lovely home and plants with us.

Would you like your plants featured here? Go to The Plants at Yours to learn more.

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SEE YOU SOON AT YOURS