Gardening expert Don Engebretson points out some of the easiest plants to grow in the home.
- The following easy-to-care-for plants require little care, can strive in a wide variety of temperatures and require easy watering schedules.
- A general rule of thumb with these plants is to water them when their topsoil is dry. Saturate until the water runs out the bottom of the plant. It may help to create a schedule of watering the plant(s) approximately once a week.
Spider Plants
- This plant seems to do well in any amount of light. Spider plants are potbound and enjoy crowded roots. You do not have to repot as often, so you can wait until it is almost busting out of its pot.
- Water when topsoil is dry by thoroughly drenching the soil. Just place in sink, and run the water on a low volume for five minutes.
- You can plant offshoots from your spider plant. As little plants form on hanging stems, pull off the main plant, place it in water until it roots, then repot for a new plant.
Jade and Rubber Plants
- They are all basically impossible to kill, as the only killer is too much water.
- They like light, so place them near a window. Make sure jades are in a big enough pot--they grow fast and therefore are top heavy and easy to tip over.
- The leaves that fall from these plants can be propagated into new ones.
- Rubber plants don't need to be repotted often, but like jade, they get top heavy.
Other Plants
- Ivy plants such as pathos or devil's ivy require low light and can withstand dryness. They are great for mantels, as the leaves grow bigger the longer the plant grows. These are also great as hanging plants. Place in a room without windows or much sunlight, and these little guys can handle it.
- If you like palms, try a parlor palm. They don't require much light and can thrive in fluorescent office lights. They also don't require a lot of water.
- Aloe plants like a lot of light but are durable. Propagate by cutting plantlets that grow alongside a parent plant at the root. Repot into a new plant.
- The African violet requires a fair amount of light. If it is too dark, the plant's leaves will let you know by lifting themselves upward.
