Are you interested in houseplants, but worried about keeping them looking their best? Or maybe you’d love to give a houseplant as a gift, but you’re concerned about the recipient’s not-so-green thumb? We’ve got you covered. Here are 3 groups of houseplants (with lots of different varieties) that don’t need much TLC to be happy.
Sansevieria (aka Snake Plant)
Excellent 1st plant for new indoor gardeners. They can thrive in a variety of light conditions including low indoor light. Dislikes too much water, so only water once the soil is dry. There are about 70 species of Sansevieria, including this variegated Whale’s Fin.
Aglaonema (aka Chinese Evergreen)
Most tropical houseplants like humidity (think jungle), but Aglaonema can handle dry indoor conditions well. They do great in medium indirect light but can tolerate low light too. And if you occasionally forget to water, Aglaonema will forgive you.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (aka ZZ plant)
Planning a long vacation? You won’t need a plant-sitter for your ZZ plant. They can easily go a while between waterings. Water well, then be sure the soil is dry before watering again. You can use a soil probe (or a chopstick) to check soil moisture and to create aeration holes to help funnel water to the roots when it’s time to water.
Doyle Porter says
what do u recommend for a fail safe indoor palm?
james says
There is no failsafe. But I’d say the two most reliable palms are bamboo palm and Rhaphis palm (dwarf lady palm)
james says
And bamboo palm is not bamboo, just as dwarf lady palm is not a dwarf lady