Edible Houseplants offers a guide to growing 46 tropical houseplants from citrus, fig, and papaya to coffee, chocolate and vanilla. The plants include trees, shrubs and vines and all may produce a reasonable crop when grown in containers. Some like the tree tomato are easy to grow and produce crops quickly while others like chocolate are long term and more challenging. All have a high light requirement and so need to spend time in a greenhouse or outdoors in the summer to produce a good crop but most are ornamental so are an asset even if not productive.
The plant profiles are arranged in 4 groups: 1. citrus 2. other tropical fruits such as avocado and papaya, 3. coffee, tea, and chocolate, and 4. sugar and spices. Within each group the plant profiles are arranged alphabetically by common name. Each entry includes the botanic name, a description of the plant and its merits, recommendations for varieties or cultivars, the size and form of the plant, bloom and fruiting seasons, plant family, place of origin, a sketch of the plant in a pot, photographs of the fruit or other edible part, and often a recipe. Each entry continues with specific information on cultivation such as light, soil, and temperature requirements, hardiness, fertilizing, pruning, and potential pests and diseases.
A final chapter deals with general plant care including choosing a pot and potting mix, watering regimes, choice and application of fertilizer, pollination techniques, pruning strategies, propagation, and control of diseases and pests. A trouble shooting guide, glossary, and list of resources conclude the work.
Edible Houseplants is a good introduction to growing tropical plants indoors. It provides the basic information to establish and care for a variety of plants with lots of suggestions to encourage and inspire new gardeners. The photographs are very helpful in learning about the plants and their edible parts and the sketches of each plant in the opening pages of the book are both beautiful and helpful in choosing the right plants. Although the book states that these tropicals can be grown anywhere, I can’t help but wonder if they will bloom and produce fruit in all climates as most need a lot of summer sun which could be a problem in areas with a short growing season. Pollination could also be a problem in some areas, resulting in poor fruit production. In spite of these reservations, I enjoyed reading the book, learned a lot about tropical fruits and would love to try the ones listed as “Best Bets for Beginners”, such as coffee and tree tomato. The experience would be challenging, interesting, and memorable.
To buy Edible Houseplants from Amazon, click here.
Karen Meyers