GARDENER'S READING ROOM
Indoor Gardening

Three Easy Indoor Plants

There is no question that some plants are easier to care for than others....especially when it comes to indoor plants. And we all have pretty strong opinions about which are easier than others. However, there are plants that some of our customers with self-proclaimed “black-thumbs” rave about keeping alive no matter what. Because I have to share this newsletter with the other Sky Nursery Departments, I will limit myself to three plants that come up consistently on our customers’ “Even I Can’t Kill This Plant” list and why:

Mother-In-Law’s Tongue or Snake Plant... Sanseveria trifasciata and its
cultivars. This plant will adjust to most light conditions (it doesn’t like really, really low light but will tolerate it if necessary). As a member of the Agave family, it needs to get really dry between waterings. The less light it is in, the less often you water.

Pothos... Epipremnum aureum and its cultivars. This plant tolerates low light and will thrive in medium light. When the leaves droop slightly, it's time to give it a drink.

Peace Lily... Spathiphyllum spp. This plant really doesn’t mind low light and will produce a white spathe-shaped flower even in lower light conditions. Again, watch for the leaves to droop slightly to give it a drink.

Mother-In-Law’s Tongue		Pothos		Peace Lily

Some secrets to success for plants sitting in low light: The less light a plant is in, the longer it takes for it to dry out. If a plant is in low light, err on the side of underwatering.

Get to know what your plant needs and pay attention to what it is telling you.

Tell me about YOUR favorite "tough as nails” indoor plant and why you think so. Send to mgreco@skynursery.com.

By Mary Ann Greco
Skylights Fall & Winter 2011, Vol 26, No. 3

Other articles on indoor gardening