BCSS - Forum

My dad has requested some plants for his windowsill at work. Maybe more east-northeast facing. Does anyone have any suggestions?

So far I have picked out a Peperomia ferreyrae and Stapelia variegata. I know Aloes and Gasterias are often recommended for north-facing windows but they're not really something I grow. I might be able to get him a couple of Aloe offsets. I assume something like Crassula ovata should be fine too. But after that I'm a bit stuck!

For cacti, I assume the epiphytic cacti would like this aspect, but they don't seem to really be sold at plant sales and I currently only have 1 Rhipsalis I think. I don't think they'd be able to grow trailing plants, but the windowsill is 40cm deep so there would probably be a good amount of room for the spreading ones.

Are there any non-epiphytic cacti worth a try?

Hi Kathy, it sounds as though the window sill will get good light, so some Rebutias might be worth a try. Most of them are more or less indestructible and they flower profusely and when small.

I have taken quite a lot of Rebutia cuttings this year which are still all in trays in the greenhouse so I could give them some to try.

Also Haworthias. These prefer to be out of too much direct sunlight.

Hi Kathy

I've got surplus of the following, if you are interested, drop me a site mail:

Crassula muscosa
Crassula gollum
Crassula ovata prob hummel's sunset
Haworthia venosa v. tesselata
Hatiora rosea
Schlumbergera x buckleyi - traditional pink Christmas cactus

All are nice looking, well established plant. Without going to measure them, the crassulas are probably all 15-20 cm high, apart from the gollum which may be smaller. The Christmas cactus is still small, but has several flower buds.

Cheers

Ed