These houseplants are the best place to start yourcollection. They are all easy to grow and can generally withstanderratic watering, uneven or bad light, and fluctuating temperatures.They'll thrive in dorm rooms, offices and sometimes even dismal corners.
Golden pothos vine (Epipremnum pinnatum 'aureum')There's a reason this vine is one of the most popular hanging plantsaround. In its native habitat, golden pothos grows into atree-swallowing monster with huge yellow and green leaves. As ahouseplant, the plant will grow aggressively from pots or trailingbaskets with minimal care. They will easily root in a simple glass ofwater. With better care, large, mottled, mature leaves may develop.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum)A well-grown spider plant is a magnificent thing. The plant growseasily in baskets or atop columns, with arching leaves. The variegatedvariety is by far the most common. Over time, a mature plant will sendout plantlets or offsets on long stems that form an impressive hangingdisplay. These plantlets can be easily potted up to create newspecimens. Spider plants are not picky about water, light ortemperature.
Snake plant and mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria trifasciata and S. trifasciata laurentii)Actually in the agave family, there are many varieties ofsansevieria that are exceptionally tough. They like plenty of light,but they can handle less if necessary and they aren't too particularabout watering—providing there isn't too much. When repotting isnecessary, the main clump can be easily divided. These plants arestriking additions to a collection. The snake plant features green ongreen bands on sword-like leaves, while the mother-in-law's tongue hasyellow leaf margins.
Dracaena speciesThere are many varieties of dracaena suitable for home growth. TheD. Draco and D. Marginata are wonderfully easy plants that tolerate awide variety of conditions. These plants feature arching leaves from awoody stem. Dracaena leaves can be green, yellow and green, or eventri-colored. Also a member of the agave family, they like to beregularly watered in the summer and almost left dry throughout thewinter. D. Fragrans is often used to make the popular Ti plants, orfalse palms.
Succulents and CactiThere are dozens of varieties of succulents and desert cactiflooding into garden centers and grocery stores. In general, succulentsare desert plants with thick, fleshy leaves. Some of them have spines,and some none. Agave is an example of a popular succulent, along withaloe and popular echeveria rosettes. Cacti generally have spines andinteresting leaf structures, including barrels, paddles and columns. Asa class, succulents and cacti are slow growing and will withstandtremendous abuse. They do best with bright light, well-drained pots andlittle water. In the right placement, these are plants that trulythrive on neglect.
BromeliadsThese plants have gained an unfair reputation, probably because ofthe difficulty required to coax a bloom from a bromeliad. It's truethat making these jungle plants bloom in the house is a tricky task.They require copious warmth and water, along with high humidity andfiltered light, to produce their showy flower spikes. However, manyspecies of bromeliads have beautiful leaves that are attractive bythemselves. Bromeliads plants are usually watered by filling thecentral cup. They require little fertilizer, and when pups appeararound the base of the plant, these can be potted up to increase yourcollection.
Lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana)Technically a dracaena species, lucky bamboo is the perennial officeplant. Untold pots of these thrive in awful conditions, sporadicallywatered with bad lighting and poor air quality. Nevertheless, luckybamboo lives on. These make wonderful gift plants, and many peoplebelieve they bring good luck and enhance the chi, or energy, of theirsurroundings.
