Houseplants

[scoobysoo]

Hiya. My partner and I are currently working very hard to make the awful basement flat we moved into look lovely and homely. We've done most of it now and it's looking great, but I'd like a few houseplants just to add the finishing touch. Can anyone reccommend any plants (not cacti), that don't need much light as we don't have windowsills, and are quite easy to look after. I remember my Mum having spider plants when I was little - would these be any good? Cheers in advance.

[ursula62]

Spider plants are fairly tolerant of neglect... i.e. they are not much bother to look after.

You could also try devils ivy, this grows up a pole and doesn't need too much light - they often use it in Italian restaurants - it has dark green heart shaped leaves with yellow streaks on it.

Weeping figs are good too - but they can shed a lot of leaves.

Best bet is to go to a garden centre or somewhere like M&S, homebase or B&Q that sells houseplants and ask a knowledgable assistant!

[Grimalkin]

Rubber plants (waxy green leaves) like dim light; I hadn't realised quite how much until I heaved mine out of its dingy corner for a day in the sunshine and its poor leaves burnt... They are ususally available in the garden centres/homebase etc.

[andyjevs]

Weeping figs require pretty high light situations. Peace lillies (spatiphyllums) are always good as are parlour and areca palms. Aspidistra are a good old fave for dark conditions as are philodendron scandens and indoor ivy !!!! Good luck