Thanks to the global economy
Photo by Author Akemi Sagawa
I enjoy the bright red foliage of anthurium in my living room. Yes, nowadays many more people are interested in indoor plants as a way to bring nature into their homes.
But I didn’t grow up with indoor plants at home in Japan. That doesn’t mean my parents weren’t nature lovers. Far from it. They used to grow bonsai trees, most of them azaleas, for years. Once in a while, my father would decorate the entrance with the beautiful bonsai tree, full in bloom. But as soon as the flowers were gone he took the bonsai tree back outside.
Why didn’t my parents keep bonsai trees indoors? Since I had no knowledge about growing bonsai trees, I googled and found out its general practice.
Usually, a bonsai tree is taken from nature, and the growing environment should be closer to its original place. In most places in Japan, there are distinct four seasons. In the cold winter, trees become dormant. If the bonsai tree is grown indoors all year round, it can’t be exposed to the natural rhythm and it won’t survive.
Nowadays we are living in comfortable conditions with temperature control all year round. Japan’s native plants are not suitable for such a condition, but tropical or semi-tropical plants are perfect.
Anthurium is from Central America. Monstera, another of my favorite indoor plant, is also native to Central America. So are many indoor plants. Without the advancement of global trade, the beautiful red foliage wouldn’t have reached my living room…