Plants
do not seem to want to live in my house. After my last plant turned
completely brown, I decided to give up on growing anything indoors for a
while. Recently, I was inspired to give it another try after I heard
Kamal Meattle talk about his experience. Kamal had asthma so badly that
doctors predicted he could die if his living environment didn’t change.
Then, by simply adding plants in his home and workspace, his health
drastically improved and his asthma symptoms subsided (you can listen to
his Ted Talks presentation here).
Not only do plants provide a nice aesthetic
quality in the home, they can have actual benefits on health. Many
plants filter toxins like formaldehyde, xylene and toluene, which can
seep into the home from building materials and paint. Beyond cleaning
the air, plants may even reduce stress and symptoms of depression.
With sheer determination to find something
that won’t die in my cave-like bedroom, I’ve perused websites and
nurseries in search of the most hardy houseplants. The following eight
are the best candidates, all requiring low-to-moderate levels of light
and water.
Jade plant, pictured above
(also called Money Tree), is a beautiful succulent that requires very
little water (it can live up to a month without being watered). It is
tolerant of a little shade, but will do better if placed next to a
window. If grown under particular conditions, Jade plant may produce
small white or pink leaves.
Winning the award for the most elegant, the Peace lily has
white flowers with long, dark leaves, and does not require too much
sun; yellowish leaves may indicate that the plant is receiving more
sunlight than it needs. The plant will do best if placed within 6 to 8
feet of a window. If the leaves begin to droop, it may need more water;
make sure the soil dries out between waterings.
Caution: Lilies are considered
highly toxic to cats and can cause kidney failure if ingested. They have
not shown the same poisonous effects to dogs. Click here for a listing
of plants that are poisonous to pets.
This striking plant is one of the easiest flowering plants to maintain. When watering African Violet, Plant-care.com suggests
using a long-spouted watering can to get to the soil and avoid getting
cold water on the flower petals. They also suggest using
room-temperature or warmer water.
Philodendron have
heart-shaped leaves and are hardy plants. They will do well next to a
window, but they can withstand neglect and low levels of sunlight.
Although the Zebra Plant probably
would not do well in my cave-like bedroom, it’s a beautiful plant if
you have a good window to supply it with bright, indirect light. Mist
the plant once or twice a week, and if the leaves start to droop, add a
little more water.
According to Feng Shui followers, Lucky Bamboo brings
peace, strength, and luck to the homes it inhabits. Additionally, it is
one of the easiest plants to maintain! Change the water once every two
weeks and leave in a place with medium exposure to indirect sunlight. If
the leaves turn yellow or brown, it may be getting too much sun.
Cast iron plants can thrive
in deep to moderate shade, and (hence the name) can last forever in
seemingly adverse conditions. With its hardy reputation, this is the
plant I will adopt in my bedroom.
Mother-in-law’s Tongue converts
CO2 at night (so it is suggested that it be placed in a bedroom), and
removes toxins in the home. It prefers sun, but it is a very forgiving
plant and will tolerate shade. Let the soil dry between waterings, and
err on the side of underwatering.
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