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very hard water and this can cause white scale to form on the pots and isn't the best for plants. Once we installed a water softener this problem was solved. I have a rain barrel, as I live in the country, but you can capture rain water just about anywhere and use it to water your plants.

FOOD: I use Miracle Grow in a very dilute form once a month or so. There are special plant foods for African Violets and the like, but I've never used them.

AIR: Air circulation is important. Plants breath so need a bit of space around them. Unfortunately, our house is designed so that the heat vents in the floor are directly under the windows, so the hot dry air from the furnace dries the poor things out while they're trying to get sunlight from the windows. A tray with a layer of pebbles filled with water helps. Sit the plants on top of the pebbles so they don't soak, but so the evaporation will keep their leaves from drying out. I put a few drops of bleach (just a drop or three!) in the pebble water to keep it from getting green and slimy. You can purchase small bags of pebbles at plant or craft stores.

Also be mindful of drafts. We've replaced most of the windows in our home with double pane insulated glass, but we still have two of the old aluminum, drafty variety. Cold winter drafts kill exotic plants faster than a dose of Round-up!

QUALITY: Choose your plants carefully. If I buy plants from a discount chain, I purchase them as soon as they arrive from the nursery. Quite often the plants arrive in a very healthy happy state, but are neglected by overworked staff and dry out or become damaged by drafts when placed near the entrance. The less time a plant spends in a store, the better. Exotic plants are sold nearly everywhere these days, but cheaper is not always better. Plants may cost you more from a nursery or floral shop, but they are usually less likely to have pests (like spider mites or mealy bugs) and haven't been sitting in a truck for days or weeks.

BATHING: Dust that accumulates on the leaves is not only unsightly, it can also suffocate a plant. Plants breath and absorb sunlight through their leaves, so must be kept relatively clean. I'm not a big 'cleaner' but I do try to give the large-leafed plants a shower ever few months, or wipe the leaves with a damp paper towel.

STARTING OUT: If you've never grown an exotic plant, start with only one or two. Try to chose one that is not highly hybridized and therefor will be stronger and harder to kill. Read about the plant

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