Last year was a busy year at the Sickles house, and two of my oldest houseplants bit the dust. They lived in an ornately-designed plant stand in our foyer, with filtered sunlight and fresh air when the front door opened. 

It was sad, and I missed the beautiful, air-filtering and oxygenating Schefflera's, but was temporarily placated with two stunning red poinsettias. But now that the holidays are over, and we don't keep poinsettias in the house because of our pets, I find that I need to replace those houseplants.

I was disappointed in my search at two of the big home improvement stores in Apex, because the only houseplants they have are the gigantic palm tree-style plants or the rubber plants that are just not my style. One of the employees told me that I would probably need to wait until April or May when the ferns started coming in, but I thought that seemed a bit extreme.

Something different than the standard peace lily, philodendron, African violet, or bamboo would be nice. I've got an amaryllis just opening with blooms, and I'm forcing some daffodils ... but once they bloom they're done. I stay away from orchids because I'm like Typhoid Mary to them, and Norfolk pines would much prefer to remain in Norfolk than at my home.

I could always just get a sweet potato at the grocery store and start it as a vine, but I'd like an upright plant. Surely I'm not the only gardener needing to replenish the indoor garden in the winter.

• What are the best houseplants you can buy in January? Why?
• Where do you get them?