Easiest Houseplants to Grow
Garden Clippings for January 18, 2020
Not surprisingly, January is a big month for indoor plants. The busy holiday season is behind us and it has been a few months since we have seen anything green. Weather is dismal. Days are short and our lives are nearly void of sunshine.
Tropical houseplants bring life to our indoor environments. The presence of bright flowers and lush greenery sustains our minds and bodies for the coming months until spring arrives, and we can sink our fingernails into the earth.
Beginning indoor gardeners would be wise to start with easy plants that require little attention. But beware of the itch. Rookie gardeners quickly fall in love with their new mini-jungle and will be tempted to fill the house.
Golden Pothos: this common trailing vine is colourful and full of lush foliage. Surviving under neglect, Golden Pothos can withstand both overwatering and underwatering. It tolerates both low and high light. Use it in a hanging pot to trail downward or in a dish garden to provide a mass of greenery. If you are not keen on its long trailing stems, trim them to encourage new growth at the base.
Heart Leaf Philodendron is like Golden Pothos but has true green smaller leaves. Extremely easy to grow, Heart Leaf Philodendron thrives in moderate light. It won’t tolerate waterlogged soil and should dry out between waterings. Heart Leaf Philodendron will live forever with its long stems that can be draped over door frames. I prefer to trim the stems to keep the plant compact and tidy.
Snake Plant: this upright growing plant with sword-like leaves has leaped in popularity because of its adaptability and ease of growth. Snake plant does not want much water and would be satisfied with water every month or two. Its narrow upright shape makes Snake Plant suitable for tight spaces. Several varieties are available, most with multi-coloured green and whitish leaves.
Peace Lily is one of my favorite houseplants. Bold green leaves originate from the soil level reach nearly 3 feet high and 6 to 8 inches wide. White flowers appear periodically. Peace Lily likes indirect light and needs more water than most indoor plants. The plant will communicate its needs when thirsty by wilting or drooping. Water well and it will quickly stand upright again.
Chinese Evergreen is the plant of choice for office environments where natural light is limited. Chinese Evergreen is known for its low light and low water requirements. Leaves are narrow and variegated in green and white. Plant it in groups for maximum show.
Last on my list of plants that thrive under neglect is Cast Iron Plant. Leaves are dark green, upright and growing to about 2 feet. Grown for its tough as nails foliage, Cast Iron Plant is often hard to find and pricier than most.
Next week’s Garden Clippings will deal common insect pests that may invade indoor gardens.
