Now that we’re getting closer and closer to spring, my thoughts turn to gardening. Well, in my case it is patio gardening. Unfortunately, the weather is still much to cold to get out there and plant flowers.
So, to satisfy my urge to garden, I visit my local nursery to buy some fresh new plants for my home. The only windows I have are northwest-facing. Not the best light for growing plants, especially if you do not have a ‘green thumb’.
In my previous blog yesterday, I was encouraging people to give their homes a ‘refresh’. Adding plants to your home can certainly make it more spring-like.
I have compiled a list of a few plants that I have found to be easy-to-care for and hard-to-kill, so wanted to share them with my blog readers.
Aloe has distinctive elongated leaves that fan out in a
vase shape from a central base. Try smaller varieties such as Aloe vera on a sunny kitchen window. Keep the spiky leaves away from high-traffic areas. These plants can grow to about 3 feet high. Need: Bright light; 65 – 75°F; moderately dry soil.
Peace Lily tolerates low humidity and low light. Its glossy, lance-shape leaves tip arching stems that surround the central flower spikes. The spoon-shape flowers normally appear in summer, but many cultivars bloom intermittently throughout the year. Can grow 1 – 6 feet high and 1 – 5 feet wide. Low to bright light; 60 – 85°F; evenly moist soil
Snake Plant grows almost anywhere. Snake plant tolerates neglect but responds nicely to good care. Leathery, sword-shape leaves grow edged 
with yellow or white. Snake plant is great for beginners, but experienced houseplant growers also love it for its dramatic upright form. When grown in bright light, it sends up a tall stalk of greenish fragrant flowers. The dwarf rosette varieties make nice desktop or tabletop plants. Can grow to 6 – 48 inches high and 6 – 36 inches wide. Low to bright light; 60 – 85° moderately dry soil.
Christmas Cactus offers a graceful arching appearance, with long segmented stems and whorls of satiny flowers in deep rose, salmon, red-orange or white. Plants usually bloom mid- to late December. After blooming is finished, prune by pinching or using a sharp knife to cut off several sections. This encourages the plant to branch, creating a fuller plant with more blossoms. Can grow 8 – 12 inches high and 6 – 18 inches wide. Bright light; 70 – 80°F (55°F in fall); moderately dry, well-drained soil.
Dieffenbachia has arching pointed leaves up to 12 inches long, usually marbled with
white or cream, grow out of a canelike stem. The large leaves of dieffenbachia
provide a tropical 
architectural accent; the plant also blends well
into a mixed grouping of foliage. One of dieffenbachia’s common
names, dumb cane, comes from the toxic sap in the leaves and stems that causes tongue numbness and swelling when chewed by humans
or pets. Can grow 1 – 6 feet high and 1 – 3 feet wide. Enjoys low to medium light; 65 – 80°F; evenly moist soil
Maybe bringing a little green into your home will speed spring along. We can only hope.
