The origin of the belief that some homes are not suited to house plant culture is difficult to explain. Consider the case of the aspidistra. This old-fashioned foliage plant has been nicknamed the cast-iron plant because apparently it rates the No. 1 spot among plants having a reputation for ruggedness and ability to survive under conditions detrimental to other plant life. The aspidistra’s reputation is earned, but it is by no means the only plant that can be offered to the plant-hungry home owner, who has been plagued by a series of pot plant failures brought on by faulty environment. Plant lovers take pride in being complimented for possessing “”green thumbs “”. Actually, much of this so-called “”green thumb”” business is merely good judgment in selecting the proper plant for its environment.
It is the purpose of this article to sing the praises of certain foliage house plants, which succeed under average living room conditions with a minimum of care and expense. If the reader has been exposed. to the prevailing bug-a-boos about the diffi- culties encountered in the culture of certain house plants, such worries may be cast aside. Plants endorsed in this article do not require rest periods, special watering devices, high humidity, brilliant sunlight and they will grow in houses equipped with gas for heating or cooking purposes.
Some worthwhile companions to the cast-iron plant in the hardiness hall of fame are: variegated screw-pine, Pandanus; Bow-string hemp, Sansevieria; Peperomia obtusifolia; chinese evergreen, Aglaonema; Moses-in-the-cradle, Rhoeo; silk oak, Grevillea; jade plant, Crassula arborescens. In this group of seven foliage plants we fmd wide variation in size, texture, and general appearance. In common, they possess the characteristics of being tropical or sub-tropical in origin, do not require special or fancy soil mixtures, are easily secured at greenhouses or florists’ establishments, are resistant to pests, and, if the grower desires, may be readily propagated at home by means of cuttings or division. Frequent re-potting is not necessary, if the plants are fed periodically with a complete liquid fertilizer.
Considering them individually, we find the screw pine or Pandanus well adapted to display in unusual places. The writer has observed a large healthy specimen used as an accent in a hall where light conditions were poor. Glossy, variegated leaves, arranged in graceful spiral fashion give this species an individual appearance not found in other house plants. When old and potbound they may be root-pruned and shifted to a larger pot. The leaves of the screw pine are armed with spines but these do not interfere with the beauty of the plant or its general usefulness.
No treatise on hardy house plants would be complete without some comments on the Sansevieria or bow-string hemp. This well- known genus has many friends and some enemies. The critics call attention to the stiff, upright growth habit, and they are apt to name it mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plant. Devoted friends, on the other hand, praise its hardy constitution and ability to thrive under exceedingly difficult conditions. Others approve the modernistic form of the plant and select it for backgrounds calling for vertical line. The variety, laurenti, has broad yellow leaf margins and is more colorful than the original form. Other species of Sansevieria, namely hahni, cylindrica, and parriffora are found in so-called succulent plant collections.
For a plant less formal than the preceding, choose the wide-leaved Peperomia, known in the trade as Peperomia obtusifolia. It is semi-erect in growth habit and the foliage varies from plain green to variegated. Specimens in four or five inch pots will keep going for a long period of time without special care other than regular watering. They appreciate good light but do not require full sunshine.
The chinese evergreen, Aglaonema simplex, is another exotic “”toughie””, well-liked for its graceful carriage and artistic foliage. It. is often used in flower arrangements for foliage accent and it is not necessary to cut off the tops for this purpose. Simply remove the plant from the pot, wash the soil from the roots and attach to holder in flower container. When it has served its purpose as an artistic “”prop”” it may be repotted and returned to its former rank as house plant.
Rhoeo discolor, a cousin of the wandering jew, has been named Moses-in-the-cradle or two-men-in-a-boat because of the interesting flower formation. Actually, the chief charm of this easy-togrow house plant is the beautiful green and wine-red foliage.
The silk oak Grevillea robuata may be started from seeds or purchased as small specimens at,greenhouses. It can be recommended as a pest-free substitute for ferns and, unlike the latter, will endure low humidity. In their native habitat, Grevilleas grow to be large trees, which accounts for their straggly appearance, if kept too long as house plants. Discard them after two years and replace them with young stock.
In choosing the jade plant, Crassula arborescena, we are borrowing another member of the tribe of so-called succulent plants. Like the christmas cactus, the jade plant, which is also known as the japanese rubber plant, may be kept in good condition 3O to 40 years. Older plants often bloom but these flowering outbursts are unpredictable.
Space will not permit a lengthy discussion of other worthwhile species but the following can be rated along with the seven notables, previously mentioned: Dracaena sanderiana; rubber plant, Ficus elastica; holly fern Cyrtomium falcatum; Boston ferns, in variety.
Without question, the English ivy, lied-era helix in variety, is the most widely used and popular of the trailing or vining foliage plants. New varieties as Sylvanian Beauty, Hahn’s self-branching, Merion Beauty and Maple Queen, show improvement over the original plain-leaved species and are probably a big factor in keeping this plant at the head of the list. However, for long life and pest-free habits much can be said in favor of the Grape Ivy, Vitis or Cissus rhombifolia. This graceful vine may be grown for several years in a four-inch pot if given periodic light pruning and applications of complete fertilizer. In contrast to the English ivy, which is subject to attacks by scale insects, the grape ivy is pest free. A larger form of this plant is known as the kangaroo vine and is catalogued as Cissus antarctica.
For growing in water culture, the well-known wandering jew and Philodendron vine are recommended. These also respond to soil culture in pots. Tradescantia fluminensis is the botanical name for the green or green and white wandering jew and the purple form is Zebrina pendula. Another good trailer is the devil’s ivy or Pothos aureus. It resembles Philodendron but the leaves are splotched with yellow. During recent years florists have promoted a tropical creeper known as the african evergreen, N epthytis afzeli. The vine is a fairly rapid grower and may be trained on trellises or wire supports.
A greenhouse is not needed to grow the plants discussed in this article. If selected with care for size, color and purpose they will do their part, if the aforementioned cultural rules are observed.
