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    Golden_Boy's Avatar
    Golden_Boy Posts: 330, Reputation: 6
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    #1

    Oct 7, 2009, 01:33 AM
    What houseplants do you have best success with?
    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's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #2

    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's Avatar
    Golden_Boy Posts: 330, Reputation: 6
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    #3

    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's Avatar
    Clough Posts: 26,677, Reputation: 1649
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    #4

    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's Avatar
    KUXJ Posts: 975, Reputation: 97
    Senior Member
     
    #5

    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

    Short list:
    The Best Houseplants for Beginners-lowes

    This one uses foot candles:
    Interior Plantscaping with Large Houseplants

    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

    K
    Golden_Boy's Avatar
    Golden_Boy Posts: 330, Reputation: 6
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    #6

    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!

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