When it comes to houseplants, I'm a reluctant gardener. My country garden has so many plants to care for that I relish going off duty in winter. If anyone could make me change my mind, though, it would be fellow Canadian Gardening columnist, book author and houseplant maven Larry Hodgson. Larry declares that houseplants make your home feel more alive and welcoming; and studies show they also help clean the air and, when grouped together, increase room humidity.
Here are a few of Larry's “goof-proof” houseplant recommendations.
Goof-proof houseplants
Name: Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans)
Description: Broad, sword-shaped arching leaves with a cream or yellow strip
Light: Bright to medium, tolerates low light
Care: Soak and let dry between waterings; needs average humidity; all-purpose soil mix and houseplant fertilizer
Name:Heart-Leaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens oxycardium)
Description: Heart-shaped leaves that trail or climb; ideal in hanging basket or trained on supports
Light: Bright to medium; tolerates low light
Care: Keep moderately moist; average humidity; all-purpose soil mix and houseplant fertilizer
Name:Jade Plant (Crassula argentea)
Description: Succulent with woody stem and fleshy, green leaves
Light: Bright, full sun; tolerates low light, but will have weak growth and need staking
Care: Water sparingly; normal to cool temperatures; soiless or cactus mix and tomato fertilizer
Name: Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii)
Description: Long-blooming, white flowers and large, dark green leaves
Light: Bright, tolerates low light
Care: Keep moderately moist; average humidity; all-purpose soil mix and houseplant fertilizer
Name: Snake Plant (Sansevieria trifasciata)
Description: Stiff, sword-shaped leaves that grow 45 to 90 centimetres tall with marbling that resembles snakeskin
Light: Full sun to low light
Care: Water sparingly; normal to cool temperatures; soiless or cactus mix and tomato fertilizer
4 Comments
Hi KatG, I would recommend posting your questions in our "indoor plants" forum: http://canadiangardening.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9 I will also soon be posting an article on indoor pest control which might be of use. Stay tuned!
I need help with my indoor plants. What am I doing or not doing right the ends of the leaves are turning brown?
Hi schappy, I posted your question in our forums. Click this link to see what readers said: http://www.canadiangardening.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=14398
How do I look after a Tropical Hibiscus "Sunny Wind" throughout the winter, and now that it is not flowering any more. please let me know a.s.a.p.