Cineraria Can Be House, Bedding Plant

If you like daisy-like plants, there’s the cineraria (Seneca hybridus), which can be treated either as a bedding item or a flowering house plant. It produces an abundance of blue, violet, purple, red, pink and white flowers, often bicolored with a white base.

Bedding Plants Inc., a garden information group, describes cineraria as a perennial outdoor plant in frost-free areas, but best grown as an annual, thriving in cool, shaded spots where the soil is rich and watered frequently. Mass plantings are very effective. Or, it can be combined with other shade lovers, such as ferns, begonias, calceolaria and primula.

In container plantings, use a rich medium that is not allowed to dry out, and feed every two weeks. For the home or a cool greenhouse, choose a heavily budded cineraria, since flowers can open over an extended time. Cut away spent flowers. Keep plants in a bright, semi-sunny windowsill and keep it as cool as possible to prolong blooming life. Water freely and add plant food every two to four weeks.