I'm a simple guy, but it would be nice to have some house plants around that are easy to care for, can grow indoors, and that give off that "cool house" look.

Any suggestions on plants that meet the above criteria?

In my experience, Hedera helix should be very easy to grow. In Denmark, where I come from, it grows almost everywhere. It is nearly impossible to kill. Furthermore it is quite decorative. (The headline of this website actually has this plant in it, or one very similar).

Marlene H

PS: You will find it in the "plant encyclopedia" on this site.

With the new type of self-watering devices, pretty much the sky is the limit.

You can even build your own by using an artificial well ( like a saucer ) filled with inert matter: styrafoam, gravel, pebbles, etc. and some used panty hose.

Depending on the size of the container, the panty hose should be measured to be long enough to be inserted into the center of the root ball from NSEW holes in the container ( I assume the plant still in the nursery container ) with the remainder 2-3" dangling panty hose ready to be inserted into the well.

Next step is to dangle the hose over the water catcher ( like a saucer ). Carefully insert it into the artificial well.

The next three waterings, you will water normally ( from the top ). This is approximately three weeks running and from then on you will water the well only.

The beauty of this system is that it works on almost anything. High watered plants like Exaccums can not be watered in this way because of the shear volume of water that they need.

Plants located in highlight situations will draw more water and conversely the low light plant material will only pull the water that it needs.

See what I mean about fail safe. The only thing to remember is that this wicking system may clog from to much salt in the water so a leeching of the plant should be performed once a year. More than likely in the summer.


Hope this helps some.

PlantDock