Some House Plants Survive Neglect
Feb. 21, 2000
No plant is able to survive indoors without some attention. However, some plants are able to tolerate the harsh indoor environment and limited care many plant owners provide. Very often your attitude towards house plants will have a definite bearing on how well you care for them. From the start, you should decide if you only want plants as decorative accessories in the home, or are you really interested in growing and maintaining plants?
If your answer is 'yes' to the first consideration, then start out with well-formed plants that are near a size you want. Whenever possible select plants that are suited to the indoor environment you can provide. Water the plants regularly, provide enough fertilizer to maintain quality, and when their appearance becomes unsightly replace them with new plants.
The plant industry is beginning to provide cultural information with plants so you can tell what it needs. Generally, cool requirements suggest night temperatures of about 45oF and day temperatures around 60oF. Warm conditions are a minimum night temperature of 65oF and between 80oF and 85oF in the daytime. Moderate temperatures are probably easiest to maintain with 55oF at night and about 70oF in the day.
Indoor humidity during the winter months falls into the low range of 40% to 50%. In the kitchen or bathroom it may be possible to get the humidity up to the medium level of 70% when the rooms are in use. Plants that require high humidity, an atmosphere saturated with moisture, need a greenhouse or terrarium environment to survive.
Light requirements are fairly straight forward. Full sunlight means just that, nothing breaking the rays of the sun. Indirect light is available when sunlight which passes through a lightweight or lace curtain. Subdued light is available through a north window with no direct sunlight, or in the center of a room.
No plant is able to survive without water. However some are able to go for several weeks between waterings with little adverse reaction. A few cultural practices like the use of plastic pots, application of mulches to the soil surface and the use of heavier soil mixes may help to slow drying and extend the watering cycles for some plants. Another method of reducing watering needs involves the selection of plants that actually tolerate low moisture levels.
The following are probably some of the lowest maintenance plants that adapt well to indoor conditions.
Chinese evergreen and dumb cane need average light and survive drier soils.
The cast iron plant has long been a favorite for dim corners and survives several weeks of dryness.
The several forms of snake plant or Sanseviera are quite narrow in form and do well in compact spots. They tolerate extreme dryness and varying light levels.
The jade plant is another one that requires very little water but needs full sunlight to retain a dense compact habit of growth.
Palms will do very well in low light but do need water at regular intervals.
The heart-leafed philodendron and the similar shaped devil's ivy also do well with limited moisture and light levels. However all living plants do need certain amounts of light and water to survive.
###
**Dr. Robert Nuss is a horticulturist at Penn State. He coordinates all extension horticulture programs. He has bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in ornamental horticulture and has been on the Penn State faculty since 1966.