3 of 5

Write now Article Tools

Page 4 of 5

notably T. sillamontana) and T. navicularis is most definitely a leaf succulent.

Crassulaceae (best known genera: Crassula, Echeveria, Kalanchoe, Sedum and Sempervivum) consists mainly of small, easily grown leaf succulents. As well as the normal succulent tolerances, most will survive at least light frost, which will reduce Aloes to mush. However they are susceptible to mealy bugs, don't like systemic insecticides and tend to go into a terminal sulk if they don't get a cool winter (I won't say winter rest' because some, most notably Aeonium, grow in the winter). By cool winter' I mean temperatures between about 0 and 10c but many will survive much lower temperatures. Some are annuals, biennials or monocarpic perennials (Kalanchoe bloffeldiana, the Flaming Katie, has monocarpic tendencies and normally doesn't grow well once it's flowered). Many (e.g. pretty well all the genus Sempervivum) are so hardy that they don't count as houseplants. The best known are probably Kalanchoe blossfeldiana and Crassula ovata (Jade plant) but many others are as easy to grow as the latter and lack the monocarpic tendencies of the former. K. pumila looks like a small K. blossfeldiana covered with white powder but doesn't go into a terminal sulk once it flowers. If you can't provide a cool winter, your best bet is Kalanchoe.

Dracenaceae (Cordyline, Dracena and Sanseveria) These are mostly large, easy to grow leafy plants. The only difficult one I've come across is Cordyline terminalis but I have found that cats like nibbling the leaves of Dracena marginata.

Cordyline and Dracena are borderline succulents, which means that they tolerate drought but don't look very cactusy. C. australis is fairly hardy and will survive a few degrees of frost.

Sanseveria (snake plant, mother-in-law's tongue) are leaf succulents so they look more cactusy. They tolerate pretty well anything except frost.

Hyacinthaceae (bulbs) The two best candidates for indestructible houseplants in this family are probably Ledebouria socialis and Ornithogalum longibracteatum (pregnant onion plant). Both are bulbs that insist on growing above the soil and have similar cultural requirements to Aloes.

Lamiaceae (mostly things like mint and sage) the only houseplant genus in this family is Plectranthus. Some (the ones with colourful leaves) are monocarpic but the other species like P. verticillata and P. amboinicus (Cuban oregano) are easy house plants.

Liliaceae (used to be a large family but has been split up into Aloaceae,

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Great houseplants that can't be killed?
We want to hear your view. Write now!