Gardening with Gary

Gardening Advice from an Expert

Easy-To-Care-For Plants

Chrissy writes~ Can you give me a list of plants that are very easy to care for. I love plants and the way they effect a room but I am just terrible when it comes to taking care of them. I do everything wrong it seems. I love big plants so any easy to care for big ones would be great!

A. Stick to the big, healthy foliage and some flowering plants which have been grown indoors for decades with super success! Here is a good list to start with. Go to your local nursery or garden center and check the name tags. Be sure to inspect the plants carefully for any sign of insects or disease. You do not want to complicate your culture with sickly plants. Also, buy medium-sized plants as they will acclimate to your environment easier. Return here when you have any specific questions about their care and read through my past remarks on house plants.

Philodendron, many species and types, very versatile and easy to grow [tall column or vining].

Pothos, green or the variegated with white and yellow.

Cast Iron plant.

Hedera helix, common ivy.

Sanseveria, Snake plant.

Pilea, many species.

Ficus benjamina or elastica decora.

Dieffenbachia, many beautiful foliage types.

Dracaena, ditto above, marginata especially nice.

Fittonia.

Zygocactus.

Succulents, myriad of types, grow dry like cacti. Aeonium, Echeveria, Aloe [vera is popular and quite easy], Mammilaria.

Aechemea.

Saintpaulia ionantha, common African violet and its relatives Streptocarpus, Achimines, Sinningia, Aechynanthus, Columnea.