Origins and background information
The history of the use of indoor plants
In historical references to the use of indoor plants, two topics become obvious: firstly the introduction of potted plants and secondly the positioning of these potted plants indoors. Where native plants can grow in pots outdoors, exotic plants have special climatic requirements and must be reared indoors.
The hanging gardens of Semiramis in Babylon
(814-810 BC):This garden demonstrates in the most impressive way, how plants were reared in stone vessels in ancient times. The origin of potting plants probably comes from Greece.
From here, the idea of cultivating plants in pots spread to other Mediterranean areas. Towards the end of the 4th century BC, potting plants was generally a normal thing and roof gardens were no longer classed as special. The Egyptians obviously had a great love for plants and flowers, however written documents show that bringing plants indoors only began commencing 3rd century BC. The plants were in clay vessels and were placed in inner courts for ornamental purposes.
Indoor plants even existed in PompeiiArchaeological findings in the ruins of Pompeii show that as long as 2000 years ago, plants were reared indoors. There is proof that Roman atria were furnished with numerous blooming plants in hanging vessels and baskets. Emperor Tiberius built greenhouses using Lapis Specularis which allowed a glimmer rather than full sunlight through. The heat of the sun on the manure used in the greenhouses produced heat to ensure that even in winter, that he could cultivate vegetables and exotic plants that Tiberius had gathered on his campaigns. It was only in 290 AD that glass was used and the buildings were heated.
On the way as plant huntersThe modern indoor 'greening' would be unthinkable had it not been for the enthusiastic plant hunters and collectors. Obviously, it was mostly the travellers that had the tendency to collect plants. Early on, plants were collected for nourishment or for medical purposes. Later, the decorative aspect came to the fore.
Egyptian kings sent their gardeners to distant countries to collect specimens of the flora there.
The Greek and Roman armies also brought exotic plants home from their campaigns.
The crusaders brought back unknown species of plants to England and Columbus came back with seeds from the new world.
In the 17th and 18th century, it was often the case that a botanist was on board in order to identify plants as being edible or of having medical value.
In the 18th century, the botanist John Bartram from Philadelphia and his son William traded plants with foreign collectors. Bartram laid out the first botanical gardens in America in the year 1728.
In 1768, Joseph Banks sailed on in Captain Cooks "Endeavour" and brought back 3000 species of plants of which one third was absolutely unknown to scientists. Kew Gardens became the most significant garden in the world because plants acquired on Cooks three journeys were cultivated there. In 1789, 5500 species were registered there.