Ask:
what house bound plants are safe around children and are LOW matinenance? I tend to kill green things if given the opportunity! I am so not a green thumb!
Answer:
I can tell you a couple that are pretty tough - spider plant (Chlorophytum), snake plant (Sansevieria), prayer plant (Maranta), and Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema). They also do well in lower light conditions, and don't take a lot of work other than watering, and occasionally cutting off the dead leaves. I've had all of these for years, and I haven't killed them yet. (Mint, on the other hand, is called "invasive and hard to kill," and yet I've killed 5 different kinds of mint in the last two years.)
I just Googled a couple of plant lists, but I found conflicting information as to which were "safe" and which were toxic in some form. Spider plant is on one safe list and one toxic list, so I'm not sure. I'd have to look around some more for a good up-to-date list. I know I read recently about poinsettias not being as toxic as we thought, for example. Something, I think, about having to eat a lot of it to be affected, and it tasting nasty enough that no one would be likely to eat that much. And some of them are on the "bad" list because people occasionally have a mild reaction to the sap.
I need to start thinking about this, because I've got a lot of houseplants, and DS is going to be mobile soon. After we move, there's just going to have to be one off-limits room with all the houseplants and breakable stuff.
Answer:
Plant Ivy in a large pot it grows great in a window and only needs to be watered a few times a week.
Jen
Answer:
Originally Posted by Dejaeeyore
I can tell you a couple that are pretty tough - spider plant (Chlorophytum), snake plant (Sansevieria), prayer plant (Maranta), and Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema). They also do well in lower light conditions, and don't take a lot of work other than watering, and occasionally cutting off the dead leaves. I've had all of these for years, and I haven't killed them yet. (Mint, on the other hand, is called "invasive and hard to kill," and yet I've killed 5 different kinds of mint in the last two years.)
I just Googled a couple of plant lists, but I found conflicting information as to which were "safe" and which were toxic in some form. Spider plant is on one safe list and one toxic list, so I'm not sure. I'd have to look around some more for a good up-to-date list. I know I read recently about poinsettias not being as toxic as we thought, for example. Something, I think, about having to eat a lot of it to be affected, and it tasting nasty enough that no one would be likely to eat that much. And some of them are on the "bad" list because people occasionally have a mild reaction to the sap.
I need to start thinking about this, because I've got a lot of houseplants, and DS is going to be mobile soon. After we move, there's just going to have to be one off-limits room with all the houseplants and breakable stuff.
Thanks for the tips. I will google this too once we get regular internet connected.
I appreciate your help, thanks!
Answer:
Pothos are great! They are hardy, easy to grow and hard to kill. Here's info on them:
Answer:
Here is a link to the ones that will be safe with the kids....
you will need to select which version you would like to view
Answer:
Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone. I got rid of all my houseplants years ago. My life is so much simpler now.
Answer:
What about Bamboo? That is the only plant I have in my house- just water it once in a while, it does not need sunlight. I am not sure how safe it is for children though- I did not notice it on the list. BTW- I am known for killing a cactuses and Jade plants (I received one that was older than me and it died within 1.5 years!).
Answer:
I would have to agree with Ivy but isn't it high maintenance. I think I killed the last one I had. Maybe it was just the type of ivy!
Answer:
I always kill ivy. Well, that and most everything else. My mostest favoritest is the Peace Lilly. It can be withered up, drooping, looking past dead, and if I water it, by the next day, it is back up and gorgeous. You can also seperate good growing ones into more than one plant...if you have the know how. I have two of these...both are old, as in 2 years and 5 plus years old. If I can keep them alive, ANYONE can!!!