 | Linda Fox is the Co-Owner of Longans Blossoms located on North Broadway in Pittsburg. Longans Blossoms has a variety of Boutique style clothing, unique gifts, new & vintage home decor and much more. For more information Like them at facebook.com/blossomssaddlesandsequinslongansgardencenter |
Flowers & Plants
2013-03-01 14:52:01
What are the best "easy care" houseplants?
Q-I want to dress-up my new place with plants.Do you have any recommendations for easy to grow plants that thrive under lower lighting conditions?
A-Nothing brightens up a home like a beautiful and thriving plant. While some people have a special knack keeping plants alive, others struggle. One of the ways to assure your success is to choose the right plants for your home lighting conditions, as well as your ability to care for them.
You might be blessed with plenty of sunny south-facing windows, but if not, do not despair. There are plenty of beautiful plants that thrive in shady corners that have little natural light.
Here a few choices you might want to consider:
Snake Plant
Also known as Mother-in-Law's Tongue, this plant looks very dramatic with long stiff leaves and variegation patterns in yellow or silver. The Snake Plant is a desert plant, so it needs very little care and only infrequent watering and periods of dryness between.
Peace Lily
While most low-light plants are only foliage, the Peace Lily offers a huge white flower along with the deep green leaves. The plant grows between 2 and 3 feet high, and prefers moist to damp soil that should not dry out between watering. One thing to keep in mind is that the leaves on the Peace Lily are somewhat toxic, so it may not be a good choice for a home with pets or children.
Chinese Evergreen
The beautiful Chinese Evergreen is popular because just about anyone can keep them alive. Although called an evergreen, it looks nothing like a pine or fir and has broad, often variegated, leaves.
Devil's Ivy
If you love climbing plants, try Devil's Ivy. They look lovely hanging or draped from a top shelf. The runners can get quite long and need trimming, the plant requires little care beside watering.
Cast Iron Plant
I am not sure why or how the plant came to be known as the Cast Iron Plant, but perhaps it is because of its fortitude. This plant is a great choice for beginners or for people who have an admittedly brown thumb. This sturdy plant needs only minimal light and grows to around 2 feet in height.
Remember to choose the right plant for the intended space. Some plants can get quite large. If you have questions, talk to your local greenhouse about what plants will work well for your home.
