Easy care plants?

[FarmGirl]

I'm redecorating my house - slowly but surely!

I would like to have some plants to put around the house, but I am awful at growing things. I am going to get some bamboo, since that requires very little care, but I would also like to put in some other plants, for a little variety.

I need plants that require little or no sunlight (the no sunlight is best), and are easy to care for. I would like some that flower, but I can do without :D

Any ideas?

[Tigerlily]

other than cactus plants, I'm at a loss, I kill everything in my house too. How about purple passion plants, they don't seem to need a lot of sun, that's about the only thing I didn't kill. And they grow nicely too.

[meliz]

Spider plants are pretty indestructable (and good for kitties if they eat em)... and I have a huge rubber tree that I just cannot kill (and trust me I am trying:))... same with a Christmas cactus, but they're nothing spectacular unless they are in bloom... which only happens twice a year or so. As for flowering ones... what about African Violets? Do they need a ton of light? And geraniums do need light, but not sure how much. I do know they can sunburn so it's possible to give them too much sun...

[FarmGirl]

Spider plants are pretty indestructable

Oh yeah? *snort* Mine is pratically dead :( I can't believe it! I've kept the well thingy watered, I've kept it out of the sunlight, it's been in even temps... and I've even talked to it every day! Poor old thing was beautiful and full when I got it just a few months ago - now its all brown and almost dead. Its so sad. I'm going to give it back to my mom to see if she can save it.

Unfortunatly, I can't have anything within reach of my pets - the cats seem to look at plants as their own personal bed, and the dog just likes to knock them over. Everything will either be on a boxed shelf I am making, or will hang from the ceiling.

I looked up the purple passion plant, and from what I've seen its quite pretty - exactly what I like! :D I'm not real fond of geraniums for some reason. The African Violets are nice, I do like those.

And cactus - I think that might be the way to go. I think cacti are just beautiful, even when not in bloom - but when they bloom its spectacular! I'll look up the two you mentioned meliz - thanks!

Thanks you two, great ideas! I have a black thumb, and I need the all help I can get :D

This was a pot of "pet grass" we planted specially for the cats - Belle killed it within days. (http://home.comcast.net/~nikki.stevenson/pottedcat.jpg)

[lovebug]

Peace lily! These are pretty and last a long time and don't like light. I have the same problem you do. These are the ones I have found work best for me!

[jana]

I second the peace lily! (Also known as spathiphyllum...but peace lily is much easier to remember!) They don't like sunlight or a lot of water (that reminds me, I need to water mine), but they do like humidity. I have mine in the bathroom...but you can also put a shallow dish/tray filled with marbles and water underneath the plant. Then as the water evaporates, the plant benefits from the humidity but is not sitting in water.

[Deana]

What about bachelor plants - which is also called 'pothos ivy'.
Mine grow and grow and grow. Just when I think I've killed one, I'll water it and cut it back, and it comes back to life.

edited to add: don't feel bad about your spider plant, I have a green thumb and I killed two of mine. They got some mites or something (sticky, gummy disgusting stuff that turned the leaves brown).

[FarmGirl]

Thanks all for the great ideas! I've got my plans made up for the new shelf system I'm going to build, and some of these plants will fit right on the shelves and look perfect! I'm excited!

[Dakotah_Skye]

English Ivy is also very beautiful, requiring little care, minimal sunlight. Another plant that makes an incredible house plant is a sweet potato vine. (Go to your store, buy a small sweet potato. With the small end down place 3 toothpicks in to form a tripod type thing. Place the potato in a glass of water so only the bottom 1/3 or so is in the water and keep the water level up until you grow roots. Then simply repot and watch your vine grow.)

[suzieq728]

The richly veined foliage of 'Stripes' is striking.


The long, silvery leaves of 'White Lance' Chinese evergreen appreciate the indirect light in this foyer.


When older leaves turn yellow, just clip them off. Slightly wet sheet moss, used around the base of the plant, keeps the soil moist and adds humidity.

The leaves are so beautiful on Chinese evergreens that you just want to reach out and touch them. Glossy greens, silvers, and grays with stripes, spots, and streaks create a subtle tapestry of wonder. And when you learn all the qualities of this forgiving and carefree houseplant, you're going to wish that someone had told you about it sooner.

It's Simple Chinese evergreens (Aglaonema sp.) are easy right from the start. You can find them just about anywhere--at the grocery store, nursery, or garden center. You can even order them by mail. There are lots of selections; so look for one with the leaf pattern you love, or try more than one. Use them in different rooms throughout your home, and then decide which plant is your favorite.

You don't need a green thumb to grow these. Care is not a problem, as Chinese evergreens require just a few things. They thrive in low light, so you can place them in locations where other houseplants won't grow. Being tropicals, they like warm, slightly humid conditions with room temperatures of at least 65 degrees. Leaf tips can turn brown if the air is too dry. Water well, let drain, and then let the soil dry slightly before doing so again. Overwatering is the most frequent way houseplants are killed.

Gardener's Secret
A common error beginners make when buying houseplants is transplanting new ones directly into decorative pots. All of a sudden, these beautiful plants start looking poorly, and the leaves begin drooping and falling off. The solution? Don't repot. It's much easier to keep it in the plastic container it came in. Just place a plastic saucer or dish inside your decorative pot to catch the drainage.

Why is this better for your plants? Lots of reasons. It avoids the risk of transplant shock. You can water them where they are; or lift the plastic containers out of the pots, water them in the sink, and then let them drain. If the leaves get dusty, you can place the plastic containers in the shower to gently clean the foliage. It also makes it easy to give plants a summer vacation outside in the shade.

Is your plant leaning to the side? Just rotate the plastic container inside the pot to balance the amount of light received. Remember, too, that large plants in glazed pots can be heavy to move. But if you keep them in their plastic containers, you can lift them out of the glazed pots and move the pots separately.

Nice Surprise
In the spring and summer, small blooms that resemble those of the common peace lily (Spathiphyllum sp.) may appear on your Chinese evergreens. However, the leaves are the real show. NASA has determined that these plants help clean the air indoors. So not only are they easy and carefree, Chinese evergreens also work hard when you have things to do.



I searched and found that they say, the Chinese Evergreens is the easiest houseplant to care for. I dont know how true this is but hope this was helpful.
:D

[N5RDC]

The Iris requires little care and does well in shade to full sun. There are many varities & colors to choose from, including multi-colored. They will bloom for many years & the bulbs multiply, allowing you to dig & separate them at any time of year (even while blooming) for replanting (although this is not necessary).


http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v35/n5rdc/Civil%20Discourse/mini-Iris3.jpg
http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v35/n5rdc/Civil%20Discourse/mini-Iris2.jpg
http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v35/n5rdc/Civil%20Discourse/mini-Iris1.jpg
http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v35/n5rdc/Civil%20Discourse/mini-Iris4.jpg

[jana]

Does anybody know whether it's possible to grow irises inside? I know nothing about them, but they would look really pretty next to my new orchids. :)