If you weren';t born with a "green thumb," you';ve likely experienced the frustration of bringing home a beautiful houseplant only to watch it decline rapidly.
As with all types of gardening, success is based on choosing the right plant for the right place. There are a number of houseplants that are not only beautiful, but they help reduce indoor air pollution, too. Here are 10 tough houseplants that thrive with a minimum of care.
Low-light houseplants
The following houseplants will tolerate a minimum of light, including locations such as a north-facing window or a shady corner across from windows:
Epipremnum aureum (Pothos or Devil's Ivy): Heart-shaped leaves emerge green and become variegated with yellow or white with flecks and splashes. This has trailing stems 8 feet or longer, and is ideal for a hanging basket. All parts of this plant are poisonous, but only if large amounts are ingested.
Sansevieria trifasciata (Snake Plant): It has coarse, vertical, thick leaves that stand up like swords. The selection "Laurentii," known as "Gold-Banded" or "Gold-Striped," can grow up to 5 feet tall.
Spathiphyllumwallisii (Peace Lily): This houseplant has dark green leaves that grow up to 3 feet tall. The showy part of this plant is the white spathe (a large bract that encloses the actual flowers, which are very tiny). This plant is poisonous; keep away from pets and young children.
Medium-light houseplants
When plants receive bright indirect light for most of the day, locations such as east- and north-facing windows are the best place for them.
Dracaena marginata (Dragon Tree): This plant makes a dramatic statement with spear-shaped leaves atop a bare trunk. "Tricolor" has leaves with green and cream stripes and red margins. It is a slow grower, but it can reach 6 feet tall.
Hedera helix (Ivies): This plant comes in assorted sizes and shapes. It is easy to train on a topiary form.
Phalaenopsishybrids (Moth Orchid): This orchid is relatively easy to grow. Use a special orchid fertilizer on average once a month. Water every 5-12 days depending on your environment.
Philodendron scandens (Heart-shaped Philodendron): This easy-to-care-for plant climbs or trails to 4 feet.
High-light houseplants
These plants need several hours of direct sun, and bright indirect light for the rest of the day. Locate plants in front of south- and west-facing windows.
Beaucarnea recurvata (Ponytail Palm): This succulent is slow-growing and will tolerate periods without water. It gets its name from its ponytail appearance.
Crassula ovata (Jade Plant): This succulent looks like a miniature tree with thick green leaves that are shaped like spoons. It grows to 3 feet tall.
Chlorophytum comosum (Spider Plant): This plant has variegated green and white "fountain-like" foliage, ideal for a hanging basket. In low light, the leaves may lose their variegation.
Tips to keep your houseplants healthy
Watering: As a general rule, water houseplants when the soil is dry to the touch.
Water thoroughly (saturate the root ball) until water runs out of the holes in the bottom of the pot. After a few minutes, empty the saucer. Don't let plants stand in water.
Apply a liquid fertilizer once a month with something like a 10-10-10 plant nutrient blend during the growing season. Do not fertilize during winter.
Repot houseplants in early spring.
Groom plants on a regular basis to reduce insect and disease problems.
Discard dead leaves and wash foliage off with water or a clean, damp cloth.
Horticulturist Erica Glasener writes for Hometalk.
http://www.networx.com/article/house-plants-for-those-without-green-thu
