View Full Version : What houseplants do you have best success with?
Golden_Boy
Oct 7, 2009, 01:33 AM
I would like to increase my collection a bit. They help humidify the dry, artificially heated air in the winters indoors. Here's what I have grown for years and years in my house and do quite well:
Ficus benjamina variegata
Monstera deliciosa albo-variegata
Marble pothos
Peace lily
Inverse spider plant
Bamboo palm
Kentia palm
Variegated rhapis
Broadleaf cultivar chinese evergreen
Dwarf banana
Tricolor dracaena marginata
Corn plant (the trunks were rotting so I re-started all the shoots at ground level)
Lucky bamboo galore! :p
I love polishing the leaves with that miracle gro spray stuff and sitting them in gold or brass color planters.
Clough
Oct 7, 2009, 01:38 AM
Hi, Golden_Boy!
Do you have plenty of sun, warmth and air circulation for any plants that you might have, please?
Thanks!
Golden_Boy
Oct 7, 2009, 01:50 AM
Hi Clough!
No, unfortunately I live in a cape-cod style home, with average size windows, so my lighting is low-medium at best.
So yeah any recommendations would have to be limited to low light I guess.
Air circ is very good and warmth is temperate, on the cool side (can get down to 60s in the winter because I keep thermostat set low)..
And in the summer, on the bright side, I usually put all plants out in the shade.
Which is kind of why Imt posting today, because I brought all the houseplants back inside last niight from their summer vacation outdoors :)
Thanks in advance!
Clough
Oct 7, 2009, 02:17 AM
Hi again, Golden_Boy!
When I lived in an old farmhouse, I used to have wonderful houseplants! Not that way where I presently live. Not much light and it can get very cold here! I have had success with pothos varieties and jade-types of plants, though. Don't know the exact names for them.
Have thought about getting cuttings from neighbors and close friends to get my indoor garden stuff going again.
Do you have a place or places where you can put the appropriate types of lighting on plants, please?
Thanks!
KUXJ
Oct 7, 2009, 03:02 PM
Hi GB,
Have the same problem (cape cod). You do have three good ones on your list.
Marble pothos Inverse spider plant Tricolor dracaena marginata
And Clough is on the right track with pothos varieties and jade-types.
Here's a few sites to explore...
Excellent Site, has large list at bottom. Stay with 3's or 4's in the first column ( L )
Growing Indoor Plants with Success (http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/caespubs/pubcd/B1318/B1318.htm)
Short list:
The Best Houseplants for Beginners-lowes (http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=howTo&p=LawnGarden/BeginnerHouseplants.html)
This one uses foot candles:
Interior Plantscaping with Large Houseplants (http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/pubs/plantsci/landscap/h1123w.htm)
That gives me an idea... Do you have a friend that's into photography? Or rent a light meter to take readings in your house, then you'll know for sure. ;)
FREE Illumination Conversion Table (http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/illumination-ex.html)
K
Golden_Boy
Oct 7, 2009, 06:40 PM
Thanks Cough, and Kux!
A farmhouse! I see... I'm in similar situation, because at my previous house I built a greenhouse but when I left, I had to leave it behind :(
Well actually all on the list, I have had them for years and years and they do fine despite the cold, gloomy NYC winters indoors!
They spend all summer outdoors. The Variegated raphis hasn't grown much at all but I guess that's normal for that type..
I almost forgot, I have one lovely Variegated Cast Iron somewhere out there I will bring that in tomorrow.
Thx for the links Jux and Clough that's awesome you can mingle with the neighbors and get some cuttings!