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21 Comments
Matt
April 27, 2017
I have a fiddle leaf fig for about four years now. I'm a uni student, so overtime I move housing I need to lop off about two feet off the top to fit it in my car, which just encourages more branching and healthier leave. The plant's bullet proof. I water it once a month, so I don't really get why people think it's so finicky.
btglenn
May 1, 2016
When you recommend plants for the home, you need to include conditions under which the plants will thrive -- like how much sun is needed, general size, if it is a vine or a sturdy shrub, soil and watering preferences. Some of the plants recommended here need a sunny window. The Fiddle Leaf (Ficus Lyrata) does better in shade. The list you include here covers a variety of plants and their requirements for success. It would help the newcomer to buying a plant for the windowsill to know what to look for when plant shopping.
Christina B.
April 26, 2016
This list has to include spider plants. I bought one about 20 years ago. Ever since, whenever I need a little green somewhere, I just get a spider plant baby and pot it up; and if they outgrow their containers I usually throw out the parent and replant with a baby. They're nearly impossible to kill and have a nice "cascading" effect as they spill out of their pots.
Victoria M.
April 25, 2016
This has inspired me to finally invest in a house plant. Thanks Mrs. Sim's for the rec!
kate K.
April 30, 2016
Couldn't agree more .... I need some tropical plants in my home so I can always feel like I am on vacation! Great article — super inspiring and educational.
Anna F.
April 25, 2016
Peace lilies grow well too. Mine has survived 4 different moves and plenty of roommate plant-sitting. They aren't picky about light conditions and perk up quickly after you forget to water them for a few days. The leaves grow into a nice full shape, and it produces white flowers similar to the calla lily.
Lindsay-Jean H.
April 25, 2016
I still love my fiddle leaf fig (in part just because I'm proud I've kept it alive), but I've been searching for another largish plant for a spot without direct sunlight, and I think the parlor palm might be just the ticket. (Thanks Amanda's mom!)
Smaug
April 25, 2016
the Plectranthus mentioned apparently is P. Australis "variegata"- the genus also includes Coleus (P.Coleoides "Marginata"). Monstera is the genus for Philodendrons; there is no "Philodendron" family that "Monstera" belongs to- they belong (unless the taxonomists have been at them) to the family Araceae, which includes Calla lillies, Jack in the Pulpit, Voodoo lilly etc. Oxalis is a large genus, most of which could be grown as house plants (many are serious weeds in mild climates). The plant picture is O.Regnelli " Triangularis, often sold as O. Triangularis. None of these plants are exactly breaking new ground as houseplants.
Amanda S.
April 25, 2016
Not at all groundbreaking, I agree. Simply a reminder that what's trendy right now isn't the only option as far as houseplants go: Reliable, attractive, and readily-available are good traits, too!
Smaug
April 25, 2016
Philodendron is not a genus; the genus is "Monstera". The word "Philodendron" (Latin for "tree lover", by the way) has no taxonomic standing that I know of.
Smaug
April 25, 2016
Oops, I'm getting rusty at this stuff, had to look it up- Philodendron is a genus, Monstera Deliciosa just doesn't belong to it. The most common is probably. P. Seloum- I grow it outdoors in California, where it can be a monster; should make a good large scale houseplant.
Isabella R.
April 27, 2017
Ancient Greek, actually, not Latin! It's a common mistake, but as a general rule, anything with a -ph- or ending in -on is Greek.
Smaug
April 27, 2017
True- Botanical Latin is a bastard language, drawing from all over the place. Official plant names are, rather sloppily, usually referred to as "Latin" though, as you pointed out, frequently they're not.
Samantha W.
April 25, 2016
Rubber plants are the best! I love ours -- it's planted in a pretty stone planter with rocks and looks so jazzy in our living room. Deeply colorful leaves lend such a punch to white, rental apartment walls.
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