The shorter days of winter are here, and I am not able to spend quite as much time out in my yard. During the winter, I find myself really enjoying house plants to bring cheerful greenery into my home. I have to admit to killing my share of house plants, usually bought on a whim when the bright foliage and cute succulents caught my eye at the grocery store.
I like to think that I have a green thumb for plants outside, but house plants can sometimes be a little more finicky. Fortunately, I finally have some plants that seem to be thriving indoors. If you share my trouble with house plants, you might ring in the new year with a resolution to try one of these low-maintenance plants.
Snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), sometimes referred to as Mother-in-law’s Tongue, is a great upright plant requires very low water. This is a great plant for a space in your home that gets low-light. The tall leaves stand up straight and can grow up to three to five feet tall. I was given a beautiful Snake plant for my office, and it stands nearly as tall as I am. I have another growing at home that is getting tall and sending out new plants from the roots.
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a tropical plant with pretty, glossy leaves. It has a low water requirement but likes medium to bright light. The ZZ Plant is a great choice for your first house plant because it’s so resilient.
The Pothos plant (Epipremnum aureum) might be one of my favorites because it just keeps growing and growing. Last year, I visited the Sonora Caverns in west Texas, and I noticed Pothos vines trailing all the way up and around the gift shop. I had a lot of fun tracing that vine all the way back to one pot!
I purchased a small, six-inch Pothos plant a few months ago, and it already has a few trailing vines that are three to four feet long. The heart shaped leaves are glossy, and it’s one of the easiest plants to grow. Pothos likes any kind of light, and it has low water needs. You can let the vines trail or prune it to keep a smaller shape. Pothos are also a great plant to share because you can easily start a new plant from clippings.
To care for your houseplant, select a pot that has good drainage. Houseplants probably die from overwatering more than underwatering. Water when the first couple inches of soil is dry, then wait until it dries out before watering again. When you water, use enough water to let some drain through the plant, then empty the drip plate. Do not allow the plant to sit in water.
Houseplants benefit from fertilizer, generally every two weeks from March to September. You can select a fertilizer from any number of options at a garden center. Follow the package directions for mixing it. I recommend flushing your house plants with water every four to six months to leach out any fertilizer salts that have built up. Leach the plant by pouring a lot of water on the soil and letting it drain out completely.
If you find that you have a black thumb for indoor and outdoor plants, make it your New Year’s resolution to take our Lawn & Garden 101 class starting February 1. This seven-week course will cover a wide range of lawn and garden topics for Central Texas. For more information about the course or lawn and garden questions, contact Kate Whitney at the Williamson Count AgriLife Extension Office at 512-943-3300.
