Easiest Houseplants for the Midwest - Part 2
Written by Sandie Parrott
Sansevieria – (pronounced san-se-VEER-ee-uh) – Snake Plant or Mother-in-law’s Tongue –
This is a descriptive name because the plant resembles long strap-like tongues. It is very hardy in the home away from a sunny window or close to a North window in well-drained soil. It will even grow but not thrive in an office with no natural light. Water it sparingly, when the soil has mostly dried out. This plant does not like wet feet. Fertilize with a general houseplant fertilizer a few times a year. It blooms, though the bloom isn’t showy, if it has perfect growing conditions, but isn’t grown for the bloom. Dark green coloration means the plant needs more light. Divide offshoots to easily propagate the plant. It likes a tight pot and may even send a shoot through the bottom. Keep the plant off the floor and away from children and pets as ingesting parts of the plant can be poisonous. It is an excellent plant to bring the element of fire for Feng Shui into your home or office.
Crassula ovata - (pronounced KRASS-oo-la oh-VAY-tah) - Jade Plant –
A popular plant for a long time because it can grow into a small Oriental-looking tree and its fleshy leaves make it quite drought tolerant. It needs bright light, moderate water and a dash of general houseplant fertilizer now and again, otherwise, just stand back and watch it grow. Over time the trunk will thicken, turn woody and drop leaves, but that is ok. If the plant begins to drop leaves or they turn crusty and fall off for no reason, it needs more water. In bright light the edges of the leaves may turn red and flowers can appear. To propagate just snip off a piece, let it callous and plant. Leaves laid on consistently damp soil can sprout also. Below is a continued list of easy houseplants that I recommend for just about anyone. That doesn’t mean “no” care. If you want “no” care, you will need to stay with plastic or silk plants. You will still need to water, fertilize and watch light and drafts, but these are very forgiving of an occasional drought or a few missed feedings.
Saintpaulia ionantha – (pronounced saint-PAUL-ee-uh eye-oh-NAN-tha) - African Violet –
Okay, this plant needs a little more care, but not much. Named after Walter von Saint Paul; it needs a bright North or East window, with no drafts. If you use grow lights, get a timer, because African Violets need eight hours of darkness (along with bright light), to flower. Elongated or yellow leaves mean the plant needs more light; while burned spots on the leaf indicate too much light. Water from the bottom and let the plant draw the water up. Make sure to dump any excess water. Use fertilizer specially formulated for African Violets. Do not get water on the leaves or stem and do not use cold, chlorinated or soft water. Remove damaged or dead flowers and leaves. Turn the plant frequently to keep it growing uniformly. Remove or pot up any suckers that appear at the base of the plant or it will stop blooming, crowd out new leaves and eventually not be able to sustain the enlarged plant. That sounds like a lot, but the perky flowers are worth it.
Schefflera arboricola – (pronounced chef-LAIR-uh are-bor-ee-KO-la) - Umbrella Plant –
This plant is the closest thing to a real tree that will grow in the house in the Midwest. It can take years to grow large, so buy the size you want. Examine the plant carefully for any pests before buying. These are grown in masses in Florida and Texas and shipped north in crowded trucks. They like very bright sunlight in the North, even a South window in winter (no drafts). Soil should be well-drained and kept on the dry side. Do not overwater or leave standing water in the saucer. Houseplant fertilizer now and then is sufficient. Moving the plant (even from the store), drafts or any shock can make it lose leaves. It should re-leaf when it settles in to its new spot. Bottom leaves will naturally fall off as the stem becomes a trunk, but if too many fall off all at once it is stressed. It is lacking light (most likely), fertilizer, receiving too much water or it is getting a draft (from an air conditioner, heat from a register or too close to a door). If a stalk loses too many leaves, it can be pruned to 4-6 inches…it should produce new growth, but there is no guarantee.
Aspidistra elatior – (pronounced ass-pi-DIS-trah ee-LAY-tee-or) - Cast Iron Plant –
The common name developed over time because it is very difficult to kill this plant; difficult but not impossible. Well-drained soil, moderate watering after the soil dries out, regular houseplant fertilizer now and then during the summer growing season and bright light (prefer) to office incandescent light is all that is needed. They do not like excess moisture or light. The variegated variety adds a little more interest to this otherwise plain long shiny green leaf that emerges directly from the soil. The plant can bloom small purple flowers at soil level, but rarely in houseplant conditions. It is also the most cold tolerant of houseplants (their origin was the shady mountains of Japan and China) and they like to be pot bound.
All of the houseplants I have included are readily available at nurseries, garden centers or discount stores. Buy houseplants when a new shipment arrives. If they are on sale, they are probably older and possibly have diseases or pests. Isolate new plants you buy from your other plants for 2-4 weeks, to make sure they are healthy. If you do not know how to treat common houseplant pests it may be better to start over. Good healthy plants with good cultural practices will keep most pests and diseases away.
Go out and try a houseplant. Remember, you don’t really learn how to care for plants until you have killed several…and learned what NOT to do…!
Sandie is a freelance writer and photographer. Her mother started her passion for gardening by "letting" her help her plant and water annuals, paint stepping stones and mow and edge the grass. Some of the "dirt" must have been absorbed. She consider herself to be a plant collector. Her garden had a plan, but it has been overrun by cool and not so cool plants. If they grow and bloom or look nice, they stay. That includes what many people might call weeds! Sandie calls them wildflowers or native plants. Check out her website at www.SandieParrott.com for more info, or visit her profile at www.theMulch.com/my-profile/userprofile/SandieP . She currently writes garden articles and profiles of passionate gardeners for "the Michigan Gardener" and "the Herbarist" along with other non-gardening writing.
Set as favorite
Bookmark
Email this
Hits: 1900
Trackback(0)
TrackBack URI for this entry
Comments (0)
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.
Related Articles/Posts
What's Happening
-
-
-
Did Facebook change something again? Now I can't find some links I had on my profile page.
1 day ago
-
-
-
-
-
2 days ago
Special Offers
Featured Listings
Walter Andersen Nursery - Pt. Loma walterandersen.com Telephone: (619) 224-8271 Hits: 4630 |
Live Website Help
Guests & Members
We have 1351 guests online
