Green thumb, brown thumb, black thumb–which do you have? I have always stuck myself in the brown thumb category. Definitely not a master gardener, yet I manage to keep most hearty plants alive both indoors and out. However, this hasn’t always been the case. In fact, the shade of my thumb was much darker in college. Back then I was dating a guy whose thumb was a lot greener than my own (sure, he worked in a flower shop, but did so for the money, not because he had any interest in horticulture). His apartment was filled with houseplants, many which he got to bring home from work. And, I must say those splashes of color really perked the place up.
It wasn’t long before I was hooked on houseplants. After all, houseplants are an affordable way to dress up a room and they have been proven to improve your health as well. Whereas there a wide variety of houseplants on the market personally I like to stick to the ones that are low-maintenance… the ones that can survive living with someone who may have a brown (or black) thumb.
Here are five houseplants that can withstand even the harshest conditions:
African violets. Don’t let the delicate petals fool you–this is a hearty plant. The pretty lavender petals thrive under artificial light, making them an ideal indoor plant. What’s also nice about the African violet is that you can tell from their appearance whether they’re getting the right amount of light. If they’re not getting enough light, the plant’s leaves have a deeper hue. With that said, it is important to note that African violets should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Ferns. Have you ever seen a dead fern? These versatile plants are among the world’s oldest living things. What makes ferns so popular is that they are able to grow in areas of shade and low light intensity. Basically, as long as you keep them in a stable environment and water them, they will be around for years.
Cactus. Take a cue from Snoopy’s brother Spike and decorate your abode with a cactus. These low-maintenance and prickly plants come in a variety of shapes, some with flowers, and others with fruit. They thrive when exposed to direct sunlight and don’t need daily watering to flourish. Some require more water than others, while others do best when you simply leave them alone.
Ivy. This plant thrives in cool conditions and prefers not to receive too much direct light and water. What’s nice about this plant is that it comes in a variety of colors (and you though ivy only came in green). There are hundreds of varieties full of yellow, white, pale green and reddish pink markings. As long as you don’t over water this plant it will be around a long time for you to enjoy.
Impatiens. Like the African violet, the Impatiens is considered one of the best flowering houseplants on the market. They come in a variety of sizes—dwarf (8 to 10 inches tall), medium (10 to 12 inches tall), and tall (reaching 1 to 2 feet). The color of their blooms vary as well and range from red, orange, salmon, and rose to pink, white, violet and lavender. You can also choose from two patterns — star (solid color with white star formed in the center by the five petals) and picotee (light color on inside of bloom with darker color on the edge of the petals).
It’s true that all of these houseplants are low-maintenance, but that doesn’t mean you can totally neglect them. You still have to provide the best possible environment for them to grow, and if you do you will be justly rewarded.