Vegetal Studies

Unfortunately the hardier plants are uglier. I would also add to the list of low-maintenance plants: fig trees and chinese evergreens for their ability to withstand long periods without sun or water, respectively.

 I was thinking of testing the first (IV?) prototypes on all three levels of flora.

" Recommended Plants for Indoor Gardens

Low maintenance is the caveat of the new, fast paced schedule for our modern home dweller, but it's not high on the list for houseplants. Here are a few tried and tested indoor warriors that can survive everything short of total neglect:

Low Maintenance Favorites

• Pothos, (Epipremnum aureum (syn.Pothos aureus, Raphidophora aureum, or Scindapsus aureus).
  The name has changed even in the scientific community, but the plant remains the same. This plant survives offices, it survives bachelors, it even survives college dorm rooms! Interesting yellow or white variegation on a green, heart shaped leaf on a trailing clumping vine. This is a low light specialist and the toughest one I know; if you kill this one you're not trying! Water it once a month and give it some room.
• Spider Plant (Chlorophytum bischetii, or more usually C. comosum (syn.C. capense)
  You all know this one as we all have received this as a house warmer or like gift. I once gave these as a Secret Santa for the twelve days of Christmas: one the first day, two the second, four the third... the two plants I had at the time carried me through until the twelfth day (144 plants) when one nice store bought plant yielded the rest of the crop! This is how easy and prolific this plant can be and it's filtering and air quality features have even NASA looking at this plant...it likes medium light levels.
• Snake Plant (Mother in Laws Tongue) Sansevaria trifasciata (syn. S.zeylandica)
  This is another tough customer that I have seen suffer over-watering far more than the opposite; another nice feature is the many different cultivars that offer a variety of looks and the low light requirements that make it a candidate in any better light than the closet. From 6" to 4' tall depending on which one you like...

• Bromeliad The bright bloom of a bromeliad will last longer than most flowers. A Bromeliad is a beautiful flower to grow indoors. Affordable and ready to enhance the beauty of any room of your home, office, or apartment.

Moderate care plants

For those who feel up to more than once a month watering:

• Dragon Trees (Dracaena draco, D. fragrans, D. marginata or D. sanderiana)
  With just a little care these plants can grow to be old friends. The genus tends to be light and drought tolerant and again there are many cultivars and looks to choose from. A classic at the mall or doctors office...
• Sword Fern (Nephrolepsis cordifolia, N. exaltata [the cultivar 'Bostoniensis' is the famous Boston Fern], N. obliterata)
  This old standby of the Victorian parlor plant circuit is still a great
  plant today. Tolerant of a variety of light levels and very tolerant of dryer conditions (for a fern). our current pet has been in the household for two decades; I sometimes wonder if it was him or me and there was a fire..? A pet plant to grow old with...
• Jade Plant (Crassula ovata syn. C.argentea or C. portulaca. Occasionally species C. arborescens or C. falcata are found for sale)
  Grown in fairly strong light, I have seen these plants develop into 9 ft. monsters. A staple at the Chinese restaurant, as it is considered a prime feng shui plant for the many coin shaped leaves. The one problem I have seen to this plant is a susceptibility to mealybug if it is allowed to decline (easily remedied with a Q-tip and alcohol; wipe them away), but a modicum of water and good light will help keep this a striking specimen that grows with you...

Plants that need a little loving

For those who want a pet plant and the care and feeding thereof:

• Bonsai (Various spp.)
  These miniature trees made famous from the Japanese art of bonsai can be found all over Asia, in China (as penjing)Thailand, Vietnam and other cultures. Although the plants are often thought of as high maintenance (somewhat true), they have also gained the reputation as a esoteric secret that is only known to a select group of old men living in L.A. and giving karate lessons on the side. (O.K., the good ones...) but there is a network of clubs growing and connecting all over the world, and the Internet is making quality bonsai and knowledge available to any one who can access them. A great way to meet people and devote time to an ancient gardening tradition of the highest order...
• Orchids ( Family Orchidaceae), This is an amazingly diverse family with plants found on every continent but the Antarctic, yet delicate and rare wherever found. (There are probably a few species in your area; check it out with your state DEP or extension service). The entire family needs higher humidities, but there are differences. There are three general types to the family:

1. Epiphytic: These are tree dwellers that cling high in trees and feed off of rain, sun and what little detritus settles among it's roots; sounds easy but these are often jungle types that require higher humidity and more care...
2. Psuedobulb: These are nearly epiphytic, with enlarged stems for food and water storage; generally easier...
3. Terrestrial: Many orchids (most natives) are this type. They grow in the loose moist humus of the forest or occasionally a meadow...

For the beginner:

Cattleya spp.
A native of the tropic Americas, the cattleyas are a psuedobulb type and considered an orchid with training wheels. Kept outside year round in southern Texas, brought indoors in Florida and like climes on those occasional colder nights, they are in for the winter everywhere north. They need 60 degrees at night, 70 degrees during the day, 50-60% humidity and good indirect light."

From "The Helpful Gardener"