Plants for conservatory?

Gimpymoo · 4 Jun 2018 at 20:50

Does anyone have suggestions for anything which can withstand extreme high and low temps a conservatory offers?

Low maintenance the better and if colourful, even better.

Thank you.

thezappa · 4 Jun 2018 at 21:13

Surely a cactus is the way forward. I doubt there will many more heat tolerant plants around.

Gimpymoo · 4 Jun 2018 at 22:03

I agree but to make it difficult, not all Cactus do well at lower temperatures.

Kaka · 4 Jun 2018 at 22:28

You could try English Lavender.

I leave my potted lavender out all year round but it's probably my healthiest shrub in the garden.

samcat · 5 Jun 2018 at 08:50

Dwarf ornamental chillies thrive in the extremes that a conservatory gives, numex twilight, purple princess or Hot Patio Sizzle are my favourites. look very nice and taste good to.
Dragon Trees (Dracaena marginata), Yucca's and snake plants (Sansevieria bacularis) also do really well.
Kitchen herbs also seem to thrive.

Most things will survive fine, but on particularly hot days you will NEED to ensure good ventilation and enough water is provided. Winter is a different matter, and very much depends on if your conservatory is centrally heated/warm or a cold box.

vanpeebles · 5 Jun 2018 at 09:23

Jade plants and cactii. Jade plants are awesome, go ages with little water and they grow to whatever pot they are in. Plus when the leaves drop off, you plant the leaf and get more!

Gimpymoo · 5 Jun 2018 at 09:33

samcat said:
very much depends on if your conservatory is centrally heated/warm or a cold box.

A mix of both.

Cold box BUT if am in there then the electric radiator goes on but obviously, at night in the middle of winter and most of the day, it is a cold box.

vanpeebles said:
Jade plants

Funny you mention that, I just ordered one of those after reading how hardy they can be.

Gimpymoo · 5 Jun 2018 at 09:35

Kaka said:
You could try English Lavender.

I leave my potted lavender out all year round but it's probably my healthiest shrub in the garden.

That would be nice actually, they do look nice and smell good, natural air freshener

I assume you can just cut them back without issue? They tend to "grow out" dont they but with it being indoors, will need to keep it "in check" to a certain degree.

vanpeebles · 5 Jun 2018 at 09:43

Gimpymoo said:
Funny you mention that, I just ordered one of those after reading how hardy they can be.

You will not be disappointed

Kaka · 5 Jun 2018 at 21:06

Gimpymoo said:
That would be nice actually, they do look nice and smell good, natural air freshener

I assume you can just cut them back without issue? They tend to "grow out" dont they but with it being indoors, will need to keep it "in check" to a certain degree.

Yes I normally prune it early autumn when it's finished flowering to maintain its shape and size.