Five House Plants You Can't Kill
As much as I would love a green thumb, I don’t have one. On top of that, I have a north facing apartment with buildings around. As a result, I don’t get any direct sunlight in my place. Over the years, I’ve tried a whole host of plants. Plants literally bring life to any home, except when you kill them. Here’s what I’ve found work well under a multitude of conditions.
#1 Mother In Law’s Tongue, Snake Plant
You may not know the name, but you know it by sight. It’s common in commercial settings, because it’s tough to kill. It can survive a wide temperature range and tolerates very little light all the way to full sun. Snake plant also doesn’t require too much watering. An added benefit, is that it cleans the air!
#2 Philodendrons
Philodendrons are an entire genus of species, but of all that I’ve had, I’ve never killed any. My mom did though, poor little guy. She left him outside and forgot about him. Last time I brought a plant home. They do require light, but not too much. No direct sunlight in my apartment has not been a problem. They require more water than the snake plant, but it hasn’t been a problem. I did forget to water one for a time, and it started to turn. After a watering, though, it perked right back to life.
#3 Aloe Vera
Aloe is a great one, especially if you enjoy eating it. It’s a succulent, so doesn’t need too much water. Similar to philodendrons, it likes light, but doesn’t have to be in direct sunlight. I think generally, the cooler the climate, the more light it needs.
#4 Spider Plant
Don’t let the name scare you. This is another low maintenance friend. Similarly, they love light but are very adaptable. They continue to grow, and the leaves eventually try to plant roots. At that point, you can just share with your friends! They need water, but less when its cooler. I’ve read that they thrive if you let them get a little dry between waterings. They’ve also been shown to remove toxins, like formaldehyde, from the air.
#5 Golden Pothos
This is another one I’ve got in my apartment. It’s sometimes also called Devil’s Ivy, apparently because it’s immortal. I’m not sure how the name fits, but whatever. I can leave this plant in the cold dark of my apartment for a week and come back to no change. It is a little eerie that it can remain totally green in virtually no light for extended periods. I’ve also found that it let’s you know when it needs watering. One time I came home and it was not looking so good. I’d forgotten to water it before I left, and it showed. I watered it, and within 10 minutes, it perked right back up. No joke.
There you have it, five plants to liven up your home, with very little maintenance. Although simple, having a thriving plant in a nice pot can really elevate a space.
Here’s a little bonus recipe for your plant friends. It’s a spray that I make, that I think the plants appreciate. Three ingredients go into a spray bottle. Good filtered water, EM1 and shilajit. I pour about an ounce of EM1 into the bottle, and fill the rest with water. I then add 1-2 shilajit tablets and let them dissolve. That’s it. Then, when I think of it, I give the plants a spritz. EM1 is a microbial inoculant that has a wide variety of uses. Shilajit is a mineral supplement. And water is foundational, so it’s obviously important that you use good water, like Pristine Hydro.
If you or your plants are looking to relocate in Boston, I’d be happy to help you find a new home to spread some roots. I can be reached at 617 528 8461, or willy.charleton@nemoves.com