You Grow Girlâ„¢

by Gayla Sanders

Commonly known as Snake Plant or Mother-In-Law's Tongue, this succulent is one of the hardiest houseplants around. This member of the agavaceae family can be identified by its long, spiky, variegated foliage, resembling snakeskin but edged with bright yellow/green. Waxy coated, succulent leaves make it drought tolerant, but this particular species is less succulent then other Sanservieria allowing it to tolerate lower light conditions then most succulent plants.

Light: Prefers bright sunlight but will tolerate a wide range of light levels including quite dark areas.
Temperature: Average room temperature is sufficient. Temperatures lower than 50° F can cause base rot. Water: During the growing season (spring to fall) allow the soil to dry out slightly between watering. In the winter months, water once every 1-2 months. Misting of the leaves is unnecessary.
Repotting: Repot this plant infrequently. It is a slow grower and likes to be in small containers.
Propagation: Beginners should stick to propagation through offsets or division. As the plant grows it will produce many offsets that can be removed and replanted or left in the pot. It can also be propagated by leaf cuttings, but this method isn't recommended for beginners.

2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

A popular indoor plants for beginners due to its tolerance of all forms of neglect. Long, arching, variegated leaves are green on the inside and white on the edges or vice versa. There is a plain green variety but variegated leaved plants are the most popular. They are excellent in hanging baskets. Mature plants will soon form runners or baby plantlets. They form from shoots and hang down the side of the pot--hence the name spider plant. Spider Plants are also known for their ability to absorb dangerous chemicals from the air, perfect for the stuffy interiors of dorm life.

Light: Plants with variegated leaves require brighter light conditions to maintain the variegation. This plant prefers well-lit, indirect sunlight. It can be hung near a window or placed on a table close by.
Temperature: Thrives in average room temperatures but should not go below 45°F in winter.
Water: Water liberally during the growing season (spring to fall) since this plant is such a fast grower. Mist leaves during the summer months to boost the humidity levels. Reduce watering during winter.
Repotting: Repot in summer if the plant is literally bursting out of the container.
Propagation: One of the easiest houseplants to propagate as it basically does the job for you by producing mini versions of itself that are formed on long stems which emerge from the center of the plant. Spider plants can be easily propagated by division.
Common Problems: Although Spider Plants are easy to care for and will grow large and lush under the care of the blackest of thumbs, few can avoid the brown tips that are common to the leaves of this plant. The most common cause is high concentrations of chlorine and fluoride in tap water. This can be prevented by watering with rain or distilled water. Brown leaf tips can also be caused by under fertilizing or low humidity. You can remove the brown tips by trimming them off with scissors, following the shape of the leaf tip.

3. African Violet (Saintpaulia)

One of the features that makes this plant appealing is its ability to produce sets of flowers several times a year, uninhibited by the seasonal constraints that affect most plants. They come in many leaf shapes and flower colours and even dwarf varieties are available.

Light: African violets prefer bright light, but avoid direct sun. They should be placed away from a window, but not in the dark. They will thrive under artificial, fluorescent lights, making them ideal for dorm rooms lit by fluorescent tubing.
Temperature: They do best at temperatures between 60° and 70°F. Avoid cold draughts.
Water: Maintain moist soil, but let the surface soil dry before watering. Water with tepid water. The best way to water African violets is by placing the pot in a bowl of shallow water instead of pouring water over the top of the soil. With this method you can avoid spilling water on the leaves, which will turn the leaves brown. African violets thrive under humid conditions. Achieve this by placing the pot on top of a dish filled with pebbles and water.
Repotting: They prefer to be root bound. Repot very infrequently.
Propagation: Division or leaf cuttings.

4. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Another popular houseplant, and a regular in living rooms since Victorian times. The assortment of available leaf shapes, colours, variegation, and sizes of ivy make this plant endlessly interesting. They are easy to grow and will tolerate many conditions. They can be grown in hanging baskets or pots with the vines hanging down or trailing along book shelves and door frames.

Light: They will grow best in bright, indirect sunlight, but will withstand and even thrive under extremes of light intensity including full sun and shade. Plants with variegated leaves will require light on the brighter end of the spectrum.
Temperature: This is another plant that prefers moderate indoor temperatures between 50° and 60°F. If the climate is too hot, the soil will dry out and the humidity level around the plant will be low, an ideal breeding ground for red spider mites.
Water: Keep soil barely moist, not soaking. Mist foliage regularly to encourage humidity.
Repotting: This is a fast growing vine, so repot in the early summer if the roots are struggling through the bottom holes of the pot.
Propagation: Ivies can be propagated very easily by rooting cuttings. Some variegated varieties may mysteriously begin producing new growth of different colouration. If you snip these off and root them in a new pot you can have a new plant of a completely different variety from the parent plant.
Common Problems: Red spider mites may cause you some aggravation. To avoid them keep the temperature moderate, the soil moist and spray the foliage with water regularly. Give the plant a bath every once in awhile by placing it under a gentle sprinkle in the shower. If you want to be extra careful, wash the leaves with water mixed with a tiny amount of soap. Be sure to rinse the soap off thoroughly.

Four more plants -> Jump To Page 2

Above Illustration by Lorraine High