quite easy . So why do so many of us amateur growers end up with a plant graveyard instead of an indoor display planter? It could be because you're choosing plants that need a lot of care and attention, rather than ones that are only too happy to put up with the occasional bout of neglect. In an extract from At Home with Plants, a helpful guide to houseplants from indoor garden guru Ian Drummond and Kara O'Reilly, interior editor for lifestyle magazine Resident, we present a list of easy plants that range from ' tolerant' to 'virtually indestructible'.
The easiest succulents to care for Happy to be neglected and best kept on the dry side, they are suitable in most places in the house. They are also highly adaptable, and many of them can survive in lower light levels.
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The easiest succulents to care for Happy to be neglected and best kept on the dry side, they are suitable in most places in the house. They are also highly adaptable, and many of them can survive in lower light levels. Crassula ovata (money tree). Also known as the 'money plant', these exotic hardies require good light and little water. They have beautifully plump, glossy green leaves that are tinged red and maintain a bushy appearance. Kalanchoe tomentosa (Panda plant).
The green leaves are covered with small silver hairs, giving this plant a blue-grey appearance. It must be placed by a bright window. Be careful not to over-water and cut the dead flower stems and pinch the leg growth to keep the plants looking their best. Sempervivum tectorum (Common Houseleek). This succulent is sometimes called 'hens and chicks' because it produces 'chicks' - miniature plants that are displaced from the mother 'hen'. There are many varieties available and they all seem to thrive on neglect. They work very well planted as part of a 'living wall' project.
The 21 species of Aglaonema have attractive, oval leaves that grow from a stem in a variety of leaf colors, many of them with widely varying white spots. They all need moderate watering, and while green varieties like A. modestum don't mind lower light levels, variegated ones like the silvery gray A. 'Silver Queen' do need brighter light, though. not direct sunlight. They grow slowly and look particularly good when grouped together. Dracaena fragrans (Corn Plant). These plants need good light levels, but should be kept out of direct sunlight. You just need to water them sparingly and reduce this in winter. Any pruning should be done in spring. They can reach 2m in height but their distribution is quite compact, which makes them ideal for corners and tight spaces. Spathiphyllum wallisii (peace lily). Of all the flowering plants, the peace lily is perhaps the easiest to care for. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight, but can tolerate lower levels of light. However, in order for plants to flourish, they need brighter light. The attractive white flowers appear in early summer and can last for weeks. Three virtually indestructible houseplants Zamioculcas xamiifolia The attractive white flowers appear in early summer and can last for weeks. Three virtually indestructible houseplants Zamioculcas xamiifolia The attractive white flowers appear in early summer and can last for weeks. Three virtually indestructible houseplants Zamioculcas xamiifolia(Fern Arum) .
These compact plants are happy to dry out and can stay in dark places. Aloe. While these succulents need bright light, they can dry out between waterings. They also grow slowly, so you won't have to repot them. Chlorophytum comosum (spider plant). As long as you give spider plants reasonable levels of light, you can pretty much forget about them.