After the Christmas greenery goes away – maybe a fresh pine wreath or live tree – it may seem like there’s a lack of plant life in the home. And if you’ll be on a sun destination getaway this winter, you may feel there’s no point in bringing a potted plant into the house while drapes are closed and no one is home to do the watering.
But there are many indoor plants ideally suited to this time of year, easily handling minimal watering and low light levels. Some hardy plants even thrive on neglect, so brown thumbs and snowbirds take heart; there’s a plant for you that can warm up a post-Christmas living room, give colour and life to this sometimes colourless time of year.
“People are definitely drawn to anything alive, to nature, to things that grow,” says Jim Hole, co-owner of Hole’s Greenhouses at The Enjoy Centre. “And when people tell me they can’t grow anything, or that they kill every plant they have, I point them toward a few that I call ‘bulletproof’. Don’t worry about winter light levels and watering – these few can stand plenty of neglect.”
At the top of Hole’s list is the cast iron plant, which lives up to its name. Usually with solid green leaves (some varieties have a white or yellow variegation), this nearly indestructible plant withstands neglect, low light, low humidity and a wide variety of temperatures. Because of that, the slow-growing cast iron is perfectly suited to dark basements or office corners.
“Anyone that has been disappointed with the performance of their houseplants, or is just getting started, should try the cast iron plant,” Hole said. “It’ll take all you can give it – come back after a week of a hot holiday, and it’s fine.”
Also tops in this category is the zeezee plant, sometimes called the eternity plant because it lasts so long and tolerates neglect. The slow-growing, two- to three-feet wide and tall succulent has thick, fleshy leafstalks so durable, people often mistake it for plastic. Even cut stems of this hardy specimen can remain green and healthy in appearance for several weeks without water, according to the Better Homes and Gardens website bhg.com.
“It’s really a challenge to kill this plant – it likes low to bright light and moderate temperatures. And allow the soil to dry between waterings,” said Hole, who also recommends a porous potting soil with good drainage for all indoor plants, to insure against root rot. “You don’t want anything to be boggy or soggy. But you can put this plant in the worst spot in your house – it’ll hang in there. A bathroom with a tiny window? That’s fine. A corner in the basement rec-room? That’s okay too.”
Hole said for all indoor plants, fertilizer should be used sparingly during winter, if at all, so a 10-4-3 is best, and definitely not a 20-20-20 formula.
“But all these low-light plants will enjoy a bit more light – if you add a grow light, it’s like a little tropical vacation from the cold winter for the plants too. More light will make more vigorous, bushy plants (T5 fluorescent bulbs are best – easy on electricity) and can enhance variegation in the leaves,” he said. “More light equals more growth, but remember, less is more – fertilizer, water – go easy when plants aren’t in active growth.”
Besides the cast iron and zeezee plants, gardening experts point to Chinese evergreen and pothos (called a good beginner plant by bhg.com). Both are fine in low-light conditions and have attractive leaves. Another well-loved favourite is sansevieria, also called the snake plant, or mother-in-law’s tongue. This succulent with thick, waxy leaves loves being pot-bound and thrives on being ignored – perfect for two-week vacationers,” according to bhg.com. Aloe vera is likewise a good choice for holiday-makers, featuring soil that should dry out completely between waterings.
Keep your eyes out at garden centres for other popular low-light offerings: philodendron, dieffenbachia, corn plant, hoya, ponytail palm, arrowhead vine, prayer plant and red aglaonema (which has taken the houseplant world by storm in recent years thanks to its spectacular red, pink and green leaves). All these options will brighten even the darkest room, and tolerate low light and little watering.
And what of the lanky poinsettia you may have lingering after the holidays? Hole said some people could keep a poinsettia going from year to year, or at least for several months, moving it around to different indirect light sources, and watering only when dry to the touch. “For all low-light plants, let the soil dry between waterings.” Hole also said that indoor plants shouldn’t go outside, as a rule, though in the warmer months some can enjoy time on a fully-shaded spot on a back deck. A big jump in temperature is not desirable, and neither is full sun when coming from indoors.
“With all these easy-to-manage plants, the greatest benefit is eliminating the frustration factor. And when people see that they don’t kill every plant they have, it gives them confidence to try more,” he said.
