Low Maintenance House Plants

Some plants, luckily, are happy in almost any conditions. If every pot plant you were given in the past died almost as soon as you looked at it, do not lose heart. Try some of the plants listed below - they are virtually impossible to kill.

The Aspidistra Elatior used to be called the cast-iron plant as it happily survived in gas-lit interiors with coal fires. It has dark green leaves, and is happy anywhere except in full sun.

Beloperone Guttata (Shrimp Plant) is a small shrub which comes from South America. It has light green leaves and coppery shrimp-shaped bracts covering its tiny, insignificant white flowers. Prune it in the spring to encourage a bushy shape and, if possible, place it in a very well-lit position.

Chlorophytum Comosum (the Spider Plant) has long green and white grasslike leaves falling like a fountain, and baby plants appearing on the end of runners. These can be easily rooted around the parent plant. Or root them in separate pots, then cut them off and you have another house plant.

The varieties of Cissus - Cissus Antarctica (Kangaroo Vine) and Rhoicissus Rhomboidea (Grape Ivy) - are easy climbing or trailing plants. They are happiest in shady, tolerably cool, conditions.

Coleus (Ornamental Nettle) have no relationship to the Stinging Nettle except the ragged shape of their leaves. This large family of plants all have ornamental variegated leaves in reds, yellows, purples and greens. They need good light - otherwise their leaf markings fade - and frequent watering. It is a good idea to pinch out the growing point and remove the flower buds to encourage a bushy shape. Their flowers are not really attractive and take too much nourishment from the plant itself - it is the leaves which are important.

The three members of the Ficus or Fig family easiest to grow are Ficus Benjamina (Weeping Fig) which is a delicate little tree with greyish bark and long narrow leaves; Ficus Elastica (Rubber Plant) which has a tall, classic appearance due to the broad, leathery leaves, and Ficus Pumila (Creeping Fig) whose small round leaves creep and trail. This plant has to be supported by tying it to a cane if you do not want it to hang down.

Hederas (Ivies) are a large family of climbing or trailing plants with decorative leaves. Ivies are as hardy in the house as in the garden, being happy in cool or warm rooms. But remember the warmer the room, the more light and humidity they need.

Tradescantia (Wandering Sailor) do not seem to mind what soil, temperature or position they grow in - although some of the silver and green striped varieties show their colours better in semi-shade. They will trail down from a high shelf or wall in a curtain of pointed striped leaves and are very easy to propagate from cuttings. Zebrinas (members of the same family and also known as Wandering Sailor) are similar in appearance and are happy in the same conditions. The underside of the leaf is a beautiful deep purple, particularly if the plant is kept fairly dry.

What Else Is Inside

Testing your soil - Soil-testing kits available and by and large they do a very good job of accurately testing your soil. , Watering House Plants However, if you are only interested in knowing if your soil , Herbs and Pests is acid or otherwise, without worrying about degrees of acidity or alkalinity, here is a simp...

Repotting Bonsai - Repotting is best done in the dormant season , How To Transplant Seedlings when the plant , Great Pergola s is not growing. , Pruning Houseplants So, repot spring-flowering trees , Cactus Grafting in autumn, , Australian Indigenous Flora deciduous trees , DIY Water Feature in autumn , Prevailing Winds And Planting or early spring, , Adenium and conifers any time except midsummer and mid-winter....

Plants for Hanging Baskets - Since you will be seeing the basket from below, trailing ones are an obvious choice; plus some to climb up the chains. Very small flowers , Garden Furniture will scarcely show....

Permaculture Design - The core of the permaculture design , Summer Bulbs ideology has always been supplying a design , Codling Moth methodolgy for human habitation. This methodology helps the designer , Seed Raising and Drainage to model a final design , Falselooper Moths based on an observation of how the ecosystems themselves interact...

Growing Tomatoes - The popularity of growing tomatoes , Growing Avocados from Stones in the home , Garden Design garden vegetable , Lawn Sprigs patch is unquestioned. Few other crops give so much satisfaction in their growing , How to grow Tomatoes or have so, much culinary value. In a great number of gardens , Design in southern Victoria they are...

Landscaping on sloping Ground - The treatment of sloping land will depend mainly on the steepness of the slope. When the slope is very steep there is a tendency for soil , Growing Lawns in Shaded Areas erosion to take place , Australian Bushland Gardening once the original vegetation is removed. To prevent this, plant , Great Pergola s species that "hold" the soil , Asbestos Safety an...

Falselooper Moths - At times, particularly during spring , Fertilizing Houseplants and autumn, , Home Grown Tomatoes caterpillars of the falselooper moth (Plusia chalcites) become numerous and may partially defoliate beans, potatoes, strawberries and other vegetable , Growing Roses and garden , Vegetable Design plants. Soft foliaged pot plants , Brown Olive Scale in sheltered...

Peat moss and plants that like lime - Peat moss can be safely used and it will improve the structure of the soil, , Lawns from Stolons increase its water , Lawns from Stolons holding capacity and make it easier to work. But, as peat moss has an acid reaction, lime must be used to counter the acidity. A dressing of lime, say a good...

Termites - White Ants - Termites or "white ants" (Isoptera) work from a nest or colony in the ground. Most effective control is by preventing them from entering any timber , Soil Substitutes for Sowing Seed structure. Where this cannot he done, resistant timbers , Growing Peaches, Apricots and Nectarines From Stones must be used or chemical treatment carried out....

Low Maintenance House Plants

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