Five houseplants anyone can grow
I have a green thumb. In fact, I have two of them. I love plants and enjoy the challenge of growing new trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals every year. Most new acquisitions grow happily in my landscape.
Now, after boasting about my plant prowess, I have a confession to make. I have killed more houseplants than I can count. Incredible houseplants that clean the air and reduce allergies, magnificent houseplants that add style and beauty to the home, and amazing houseplants that lessen fatigue and improve our health - I've killed many. I forget to water; I put them in the wrong locations; I neglect them.
Over my houseplant-killing years, I have discovered a small group of plants that even I can't kill. If you have also struggled to grow houseplants or are just beginning to add them to your home, try these first.
Pothos
Botanically named Epipremnum, pothos are trailing plants with green, golden or variegated heart-shaped leaves that can grow longer than 10 feet. Pruning will keep them shorter and fuller.
Pothos are very tolerant of different light conditions, but are a little fussier about watering. They prefer to dry out between waterings, but just barely. Left dry for too long, the foliage will begin to drop.
A plus for your lungs, pothos remove formaldehyde, found in many cleaning and beauty products, carbon monoxide and benzene from the air.
Sansevieria
Commonly called mother-in-law tongue and snake plant, it is nearly indestructible. Its succulent, leathery, spiky leaves grow rigidly upright. Best foliage coloration occurs in a spot with bright, indirect light, but mother-in-law tongue can also tolerate low light situations.
Rarely thirsty, water Sansevieria only when the soil is dry to the touch. Another bonus: it doesn't mind furnace-heated dry air normally found in our homes.
Mother-in-law tongue is one of the best houseplants for filtering formaldehyde from the air.
Spathiphyllum
Peace lilies are one of the best houseplants for purifying air, breaking down carbon monoxide and formaldehyde. They boast white flowers (actually modified leaves called spathes) that last up to two months. Grow peace lilies in a location with indirect light. Their leaves will yellow if given too much sun.
Plant peace lilies in light potting mix and allow the soil to dry between waterings. Then water thoroughly. Plants will begin to droop if they are thirsty. Peace lilies rarely crave fertilizer.
Zamioculcas zamlifolia
With its botanical name, it is easy to see why this houseplant is commonly labeled ZZ plant. It presents glossy, fleshy dark green leaves on strong stems that rise from a bulbous base.
Easy-to-care-for doesn't even begin to explain the neglect this plant can tolerate. It can go months without water, although it will grow faster with regular, but still infrequent, waterings. It never needs fertilizer, isn't fussy about humidity, and prefers a site with low light.
Spider plants
Spider plants are dependable even for folks with a history of killing houseplants. To further boost a gardener's confidence, they produce an abundance of babies suspended from slender stems that can be removed and started as new plants.
Often grown in hanging baskets, spider plants prefer a spot with bright, indirect light but will adapt to most light conditions. They will also survive over and under watering but favor a thorough watering once a week.
Spider plants combat benzene, carbon monoxide and formaldehyde in the air.
• Diana Stoll is a horticulturist and the garden center manager at The Planter's Palette, 28W571 Roosevelt Road, Winfield. Call (630) 293-1040, ext. 2, or visit planterspalette.com.