Originally Posted By RL1076 Ok, so I have no green thumb.....mine are all purple! What are good house plants that I am unlikely to kill?
Originally Posted By jdub That's a fairly tricky question, because anything CAN be killed (I'm working on killing several "hardy varieties" right now)! And what works for one of us where (and the way) we live may not work for you where (and the way) you live. I'd seriously suggest you go to a local independent garden center (as opposed to talking to the hourly employee minding the greens at Target or Lowe's) and ask them your question. Good luck, and when you get some good advice, please pass it along!
Originally Posted By Lisann22 I used to work in a plant nursery all through high school and college. While I agree with jdub, here's some plants off the top of my head I think can grow pretty much anywhere with some attention. It does depend on how much direct sun light a plant will get, is it hot or cold in the area. What's the humidity like, etc. However, here's my list and some comments: Pothos: there are different species golden pothos (green and yellow), marble kind pothos (green and white) and plain pothos (green). <a href="http://www.aboutflowers.com/gandb/pothos.html" target="_blank">http://www.aboutflowers.com/ga ndb/pothos.html</a> White-Veined Arrowhead Vine, Nephthytis: this plant needs to stay moist but not soaking wet. You'll know you've overwater when the leaves turn yellow and whitish. Need to make sure you constantly cut back as they get long and stringy if you don't. <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/54483/index.html" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/5 4483/index.html</a> Philodendrons: there are many varieties, check these out. Very hearty plant. <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/92089/index.html" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/9 2089/index.html</a> Wandering Jew, Inch Plant: these also come in many varieties. <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/596/index.html" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/5 96/index.html</a> Spider Plant: all different colors, grow pretty much anywhere. <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/68557/index.html" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/6 8557/index.html</a> Coleus: all different types, beautiful colors. <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/37657/index.html" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/3 7657/index.html</a> I'm out of time, there are some others I'll come back later and post.
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Are you watering it too much? Is it turning yellow? A jade plant is really I think around 85 to 90% water, so don't drown it. You gotta keep jades to the dry side. Never fully dried out but never soaking wet either. Also it only needs natural sun light, not under a lamp or well lit kitchen. A trick we've been using in my family for years for all houseplants but mainly for the sickly babies - Take your cold left over coffee and water it with that once in the while. Take the coffee grinds and throw them in the dirt. It gives the plants a kick. Rejuvenates them. ;>
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Dieffenbachia: <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//Dieffenbachia/seguine/cultivar/0/" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//D ieffenbachia/seguine/cultivar/0/</a> Dracaena or Corn Plant: <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//Dracaena/fragrans/cultivar/0/" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//D racaena/fragrans/cultivar/0/</a> <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//Dracaena/marginata/cultivar/0/" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//D racaena/marginata/cultivar/0/</a> <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//Dracaena/sanderiana/cultivar/0/" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/b//D racaena/sanderiana/cultivar/0/</a>
Originally Posted By RL1076 Wow, that coffee idea is a cool one. I'll have to keep that in mind. I would love to start growing indoor plants, but haven't had luck in the past. I'll be out shopping this weekend.
Originally Posted By jdub Thanks, Lisann. I think I was underwatering this particular one, & not giving it enough light. I took it outside this morning--and gave it more coffee grounds! I have a big bag of used grounds I picked up at Starbucks, that I've been adding to the soil of some of my patients, I mean, plants. Did you say yes, or no, to the jade living inside a well-lit kitchen?
Originally Posted By Lisann22 The Jade Plant (Crassula argentea) originated in south Africa, but has been cultivated as a house plant in Europe and America for over a hundred years. Generally, it is a very easy and productive plant to grow, provided its needs are understood and met. Jades, and all other Crassulas are succulent plants, in that they have the ability to store water in its leaves, stems, and roots. ****Jade plants are best grown in very bright sunlight with low humidity**** ****however if the plant is accustomed to dimmer light, you must move it into the sun in stages.**** THEY ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO BEING MOVED AROUND FROM ONE ENVIRONMENT TO ANOTHER. Jades will sunburn if they are not used to the full sun. Jades are best grown between 55F at night and 75-80F during the day, however they will tolerate temperatures down to 40F. ****They should be repotted every two to three years.**** Use a well drained commercial potting soil mixed equally with sharp builder sand, and a scoop of bone meal added. The optimum soil ph is 6.5. Jade plants have an active and a dormant growing cycle. Watering and feeding are determined by the cycle. KEY POINT ****During the spring and summer months keep the soil slightly moist . Water liberally, approximately once per week but allow for slight drying between watering. Remove any excess water from pot saucer. Fertilize with a 10-20-10 or 5-10-5 ratio soluble plant food every two weeks. African violet food works very well for most succulents. Keep plant dry during the winter months as plant has a slight dormancy. Do not fertilize from November through March.**** Typically, all healthy Jades will bloom, usually around Christmas, in the northern hemisphere. Blooming is triggered by the natural shortening of the days. ****If your plant is in a room which usually has lights turned on at night, it will more than likely fail to bloom for you. Try to find a suitable, naturally lighted place for the Jade sometime in early October, along with your Christmas cactus. Your plant will do the rest for you!****
Originally Posted By 4Disnee My boss bought everyone in the office a iternity plant and it is so cool. It only needs water once a month and hey I can even to that. LOL I have also heard it called the money plant. I have seen them in the stores and they cost usually about $14 or so. They are really cool with long stems and a shiny green leaf. We get lots of complments on them at work and here in our house. They are a suposted to give you good luck if someone gives them to you or so I was told. Well I have not a green thumb and It been alive for 3 years now. LOL
Originally Posted By jdub Money plant? Is that the same as the pachira, also known as money tree? They have braided trunks--very cool-looking -- until in MY hands! Yes, I have even killed one of these. <a href="http://davesgarden.com/pf/showimage/17946/" target="_blank">http://davesgarden.com/pf/show image/17946/</a>
Originally Posted By 4Disnee Hello Jdub, No it is not one of those I have one also and its not looking very well either. LOL This plant almost looks like it has a bulb under the dirt. When it was first given to me it only had a few stems then all of a sudden 4 more arrived. Then after 3 years again 3 more came out. I will have to try to find one in the store again and find out the correct name and will let you know. I will search the internet now. LOL
Originally Posted By 4Disnee Hey Jdub, I just found it on the internet and it is called the eternity plant, fat boy or Zig Zag. The botanical name is Zamioculas Zamiifolia. I just love mine and it is very easy to keep with not needing much water. LOL
Originally Posted By DVC_dad I have found that an Aloe plant will do very well indoors, especially if you NEVER water it!
