Indoor Plants that Can Survive Practically Anything
By: Christian Shields | Photos By: Ashlee Glenn
With warmer days on the horizon and spring right around the corner, Lynchburg residents may be anxious to get a jump start on filling their homes with colorful greenery. Latia Hancock, owner of P.R.E.A.M Services and Design, offers several helpful tips and recommendations of low maintenance plants to ensure even beginners and those still finding their green thumbs can enjoy the numerous benefits houseplants provide.
“Just a little bit of green can take away your seasonal depression and brighten up your day,” she said.
Snake Plant
Dracaena trifasciata
While many houseplants require a large amount of sunlight and water, Hancock’s first recommendation, the snake plant, can survive with just a small amount of each. She suggested watering this plant at least once a month but noted it may need water twice a month if in heavy sunlight. She also noted this plant would be perfect for Lynchburg’s downtown lofts as it needs only one window for light. In addition to brightening up your day, the snake plant also serves as an air purifier. This plant is toxic to pets and should be kept out of reach of animals.
Golden Pothos
Epipremnum aureum
Another beginner plant is the golden pothos, which like the snake plant serves as an air purifier. These plants differ, however, in that the golden pothos requires at least two good windows to thrive. It requires water every seven to 10 days, however, it can also survive with water every 14 to 20 days if necessary. Although sometimes mistaken for a vining plant when in a hanging basket, Hancock noted the golden pothos is actually a climbing plant. This plant also can bounce back from previous mistakes in care. If overwatered or underwatered, it will return to its former glory once the needed adjustment is made.
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Requiring a good watering only every two weeks, the ZZ plant, or aroid palm, is yet another low maintenance plant that can brighten up a living room or other area of the home. While it can tolerate low amounts of light, the plant will look happier in a bright location. Outside of that, it prefers to be left alone. Water at least once a month, but twice if it receives a large amount of sunlight. Like both plants mentioned above, it is toxic to pets so care should be taken to ensure it remains out of reach.
Succulents
Disagreement remains within the planting community on whether succulents can be considered a low-maintenance plant. Hancock noted the primary issue with these plants is how easy they are to overwater. While caretakers may be anxious to water these plants frequently, doing so only causes them more harm. Instead, the best practice is to let them dry out completely before giving them more water. Succulents also need a large amount of sunlight and would do well on a bright windowsill that is out of reach of pets as they are toxic to pets.
While succulents are low maintenance, there are a few that are ideal for beginners. Namely Haworthia Zebra, which is one of the few succulents that aren’t toxic to pets; Opuntia Cactus; Echeveria; Sempervivum; and Sedum morganianum (more commonly known as Burro’s Tail or Donkey’s Tail).
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Unlike the other plants mentioned above, Hancock’s final recommendation, the spider plant, serves as a great plant for pet owners because it is nontoxic to animals. This plant thrives best in direct sunlight. It also requires more water than the others, with Hancock recommending a watering schedule of every seven to 10 days. But like the golden pothos, the spider plant could go without water for 14 to 20 days if need be. Similar to the ZZ plant, it thrives best when left alone.
Other Tips & Tricks
Knowing whether or not a plant needs more water can be a tricky situation for some plant owners, but Hancock recommended an easy test to ensure it continues to grow and thrive. Simply take a stick and poke it into the soil and pull it out. If soil remains on the stick, then it is still damp.
For most plants, light and water are a ratio. The more light a plant receives, the more often it will need to be watered. Inversely, plants that require little sunlight may thrive with lower amounts of water.
Patrons looking for plants, plant services, or botanical design support can visit pream-lyh.com to connect with Hancock.
