Q: What are good beginner plants for indoors? I never seem to be able to keep anything alive! —C.B. Westhampton
A: There is hope, C.B.! Key to growing plants indoors are lighting conditions and watering. For lighting, look around at your window situation. What kind of light comes in throughout the day? If you put a plant within two feet of your windows, does the light hit the leaves? If so, that is direct light. Does the light appear strong, but not hit the leaves? That is indirect, bright light. Most indoor plants have a tropical origin and prefer bright light.
No good window spots in your place? In that case, you might consider a low light plant option for places like on a coffee table in a living room. In low light you can still read, so it does not mean no light.
When it comes to watering, think about your personality — and be honest! Are you someone who will water plants dutifully when the top inch of soil is dry? Do you prefer to water on a schedule, say once a week? Or do you want (or need) more of an “Oops! I forgot to water… I hope it’s still alive” plant?
A good bright indirect light beginner plant is the balmy money plant (Pachira aquatica) with its fun braided trunk and symbolism of good luck and financial success. Water when the top two to three inches are dry, which I find to be about once a week, sometimes twice a week.
Another bright indirect light starter plant is the ponytail palm (Nolina recurvata). Just as the name suggests, it has gently wavy, grass-like leaves that flow down like a pony tail over a bloated bulb base. The bulb holds water, so it can take short periods of non-watering, just do not overdo it.
For low light, you cannot beat the snake plant (Sansevieria spp.). Architectural with its leaves’ bold upward trajectory and soundwave-like horizontal striping, it comes in a variety of green and yellow-edged options. I have one happily growing on top of a bookshelf next to an inside living room wall. An occasional watering is all it asks.
Another low light suggestion is the Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema spp.). The red edged one is especially pretty. It does well in either low or indirect light conditions. It is one of the most versatile indoor plants. Watering once a week is good. If you forget to water once in a while, that is OK, too. Just water it as soon as you remember and most likely it will just keep on going.
Be bold and give indoor plants a try, C.B! They add a lovely sense of calm to the home. Thanks for asking a local master gardener!
Have a gardening dilemma? Please send questions, along with your name/initials and community, to the Western Massachusetts Master Gardener Association at AskAMasterGardener@wmmga.org. One question will be selected and answered per week.
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