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Great houseplants that can't be killed

We are all becoming more environmentally aware everyday and this holds true for our indoor environment as well. Many people don't realize that adding a few houseplants to your interior can greatly reduce airborne toxins and actually create a healthier indoor environment. Who wouldn't want to bring a little of the outdoors in with that added perk? So, one asks, what are some houseplants that I just can't kill?

There are lots of interior plants in the marketplace that are especially well-suited to the typical household environment, but one thing should be noted before making any recommendationsthere are no true HOUSE plants! All plants are native to some climate and ecosystem somewhere in the world where fresh air, constant air movement, high light levels, patterned rainfall and humidity levels and an overall dynamic environment create the perfect growing conditions for any particular plant. It is therefore the task for any person wishing to take these plants into their homes to as closely mimic that native ecosystem as possiblethe farther away you are from that ideal, the shorter lived your houseplants will be. With that said, there are many many plants very well suited to indoor use and there are just as many growers and hybridizers in the world working on making those plants even better suited for your home.

It is quite true that the interiorscaping industry has done a lot of work narrowing down the field of hard-to-kill houseplants. They are on a scheduled rotation of care that requires the plants to sustain themselves without care for up to two weeks. They are also plants that often need to survive in virtually no natural light, and with very low humidity levels, but can still provide gorgeous greenery, and architectural accent. Thus, look around your office, or the promenade at the local mall, and you are apt to find some very good candidates. Lest you think that these foliage choices are the dull and lusterless umbrella plants and aspidistras of the 1970's, keep in mind that as with many industries, horticulture has come a very long way.

The premier candidate for this list would be Epipremnum aureum, commonly known as Pothos, and sometimes Devil's Ivy. There are several varieties including Golden Pothos, Marble Queen and Jade. They all have attractive waxy heart-shaped leaves and are fast-growing. The mounding and trailing effect makes it a great candidate for the top of an armoire, a corner table or a desk. Remember where that traditional ivy you had suffered


Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

Great houseplants that can't be killed

  • 1 of 5

    by Theresa Rose

    When considering the varieties of houseplants that can't be killed, the biggest consideration is the conditions you have

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  • 2 of 5

    by Lauren Vickerman

    We are all becoming more environmentally aware everyday and this holds true for our indoor environment as well. Many people

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  • 3 of 5

    by Richard Pearman

    This article includes a lot of Latin names of plants. You can look these up in books in any language or find information

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  • 4 of 5

    by Emma Cooper

    The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is one of nature's survivors. It has long, ribbon-shaped leaves, which can range

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  • 5 of 5

    by Jean Mountz

    Through much trial and error and inadvertent neglect, the Spathiphyllum has proven itself to have a strong will to live and

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