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Message |
    
darrensager
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 251
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 11:10 pm: | 
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I really need some help when it comes to purchasing some houseplants. I just don't know what I should buy. I need something that needs little light (as almost all my windows face north) and is low maintenance. I don't want any fake plants as I want the benefits that a live plant bring to a home. Plants that are tough to kill and give off lots of oxygen. Please give me all ideas and where I should go to get them, thanks! |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 336
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 11:29 pm: |
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If you want a hanging plant, try a spider plant. Start with one and see how you do. If it lives, it will have "babies" which you can cut off and stick in a little glass with water. It will send out roots and then you have another plant! They can get horrible looking if too neglected, but they can come back after a good soaking (I mean soaking, repeated waterings and drainings in a tub or sink). They are hard to really kill. But for a plant to look healthy, which is probably what you want, it needs good drainage, regular watering (look it up on the internet regarding it's needs b/c overwatering is bad too), ocassional misting if your air is dry and ferilizer once or twice a year.
Check on the internet for other low light loving plants.
Good luck!
PS. Don't bother with a ficus tree - man are they delicate! |
millie
Citizen
Username: Millie
Post Number: 149
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 12:55 pm: |
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Aspidistra elatior prefers low light. It'll bleach out in direct light. It's sometimes referred to as "cast iron" plant because it thrives on neglect and in poor growing conditions. That said, it also typically produces fairly large, somewhat attractive white flowers on occasion. Lowes has it on their website, so I'd imagine it's pretty readily available. |
soresident
Citizen
Username: Soresident
Post Number: 325
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 4:25 pm: |
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Metropolitan Plant, 471 Mt. Pleasant Ave, West Orange (at intersection of Pleasant Valley Way). www.metroplantexchange.com
Personnel there are very helpful. |
mjc
Citizen
Username: Mjc
Post Number: 1021
Registered: 10-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 4:38 pm: |
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Snake plant, I don't remember it's real name. Tall pointed dark green leaves, some have stripes or borders. Not a fluffy and vivacious plant, but it's green, the shape is striking, and it will tolerate most anything. I once left 2 in a basement bathroom without water for over a year, and it didn't seem to faze them. In the summer, out on the deck, they even bloom. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 22698
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 4:52 pm: |
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Snake plants are Mother-In-Law's Tongue. http://www.botanical-online.com/florsansevieraangles.htm
They are extremely hardy plants. I have one that's about 5 feet tall that I got in a plant garden in 1994 (it was about 6 inches tall then). |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6633
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 5:20 pm: |
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Pathos. Pathos and spider plants are known for their air cleaning properties. They are also quite hardy. You have to set out to murder them. That's one of the reasons that you see them so often in offices.
You can also get a grow light very cheaply. I have a couple in the kitchen and it's wonderful to have fresh herbs this time of year. |
cody
Citizen
Username: Cody
Post Number: 910
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 5:40 pm: |
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I think it's pothos (but granted, my pothos can look pretty pathetic! when I forget to water them for a few weeks at a stretch). Yet, they still live! Says a lot for their durability.
Dracenas are good, but not if you have small children or pets that might chew on the leaves - they can make your mouth numb. I had a large false aralia once and it looked lovely and lasted quite a while. Large palms with sweeping fronds are nice and showy and easy to take care of.
I like Metropolitan Plant Exchange, too. |
darrensager
Citizen
Username: Darrensager
Post Number: 257
Registered: 11-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 9:06 am: |
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Thanks for all the information regarding the different types of plants that could work well. I will try to get over to Metropolitan plant exchange as soon as possible! |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6635
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 9:33 am: |
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Right! Pothos! I knew it didn't look right.... |
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