A guy at the Portland farmers market said houseplants are just expensive dust collectors

I was buying a new philodendron from a vendor there last fall, and this older guy next to me just laughed. He said, 'You know those are just expensive dust collectors, right? Real botany is outside.' He was holding a bag of heirloom tomato seeds. It stuck with me because I love my indoor jungle, but I get his point about connecting with plants in the ground. It feels like a split between people who love growing food or native plants and people who collect rare indoor varieties. Is one side more 'real' plant love than the other? Where do you all stand on the indoor vs. outdoor gardening debate?

2 comments

2 Comments

beth_martinez5214d ago

But what about people who only have a windowsill?

mason75614d ago

You can do a lot with a windowsill, @beth_martinez52. I've grown herbs and small peppers in shallow pots there with good light. Just pick compact plants and don't overwater them.