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Anthurium - When anthurium were first introduced, they were very difficult to care for. They had heavy demands for high humidity; they only bloomed occasionally, many were very large, gangly plants, and were very difficult to water correctly. Today we have many new varieties - as a matter of fact most varieties on the market today are relatively easy to care for. Today's anthuriums are available in a variety of sizes and colors. They will grow in average home temperature and humidity. They are compact and bloom somewhat frequently. So what's the catch? I'm not sure there is one. Keep them slightly moist and give them medium or bright light (no hot sun, please) and you will be rewarded with numerous flowers and wonderful glossy leaves.

Phalaenopsis Orchid - They call this the Moth Orchid or Beginners Orchid because it defies the reputation that orchids have for being difficult to grow. Generally, if purchased in bud, the phal should bloom for anywhere from 1 to 4 months (and some mature ones much longer). A bright window without hot direct sun or an east window with morning sun is a wonderful situation for phalaenopsis in central Illinois (location is important, because in other areas of the country the lighting may need to be different). Some even purchase phals to use as they would a cut flower arrangement - put it where you want in (even low light) and the blooms will last a very long time (a month or more). When they are done, they either give the plant away to someone who has good conditions and desires it or just let it pass away - but they have enjoyed the beauty of this orchid and decorated the home with flowers for longer than cuts would last. Check out the links page for orchid pages.

Bromeliads - Another excellent exotic. The colorful flowers (actually bracts - colored leaves) last and last for months at a time. Once again bright light without hot sun is a good place for your bromeliad.

Ten Tough Plants

Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) - this one gained it's popularity in the Victorian ages. It tolerates low light, drafts, and abuse, conditions which were commopn in the anterooms just off the entry of the Victorialn home. It prefers to be slighty moist, drying down between waterings, but will survive all but the most severe periods of dryness.

Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema) - this is one of the workhorses of many of todays interiorscapes. due to it's low light tolerance and low moisture requirements. The newer varieties have many different color variations in their leaves, and most of them prefer to dry out between waterings.

Corn Plant (Dracaena massangeana 'fragrans') this plant has had its ups and downs as far as popularity, but it performs well in low or medium light, prefers to dry out between waterings, and is a survivor. Since this is also a vertical grower, this works well in a corner or wherever you need some height.

Golden Pothos (Scindapsis aureus) Sometimes called 'variegated philodendron', this bicolored vine is one of the most abuse-tolerant plants I know. It does great in all light situations, and in low or medium light you can let it get way too dry and it will still come back. If it gets too long, cut it off. Stick the cuttings in water, they will grow roots, and now you have some to give away. This plant is a winner for a beginner!

Jade Plant (Crassula ovata) A well grown jade is a beautiful thing to behold. It can remind us very much of some sturdy succulent tree with a magnificent woody trunk. A vision of stability and heft, the jade is an easy plant to grow. Give it sunlight (preferably direct, but plentiful indirect light will do almost as well) and water when the soil is dry. Jades store water in both their leaves and stems, so this is one you can let dry out very well between waterings. Jades will tolerate low light for quite a long time, but water must be withheld until the leaves actually begin to shrivel, or else there is a great possibility of overwatering.

Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderana) what could be easier???? Put it in water, in low or medium light, and voila! you are PLANTMAN (or PLANTWOMAN as the case may be). Not too many plants are easier than this.

Mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria) Great plant! If you give it bright light and occasional water it will grow and thrive and be happy. If you give it low light and remember to water it sometimes it will grow (more slowly) and be happy. If you give it direct sun and regular water it will grow and thrive and want to jump up and kiss you it will be so happy!

Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) - Medium or High light is preferred for the ponytail palm, but I have seen them in low light for years and they continue to grow. The swollen trunk holds water so this is another one you can leave at home and not worry about when you go on vacation. Let the soil dry and then water thoroughly and the ponytail will reward you with plentiful growth.

Raphis Palm (Raphis excelsa) This palm looks unlike any other palm I know. It has stiff 'hairy' stems and a jagged edge on the leaf which almost looks like someone tore the end offf (not quite, but you get my drift). It grows in most light conditions except hot sun. The Raphis prefers slightly moist soil, but I have tortured them far beyond letting them get a little dry and they have come thru like champs.

Schefflera (Schefflera) This is also called 'Queensland Umbrella Tree', but that's just a little too much for me. Schefflera are troopers. They tolerate all levels of light (though best in medium or high), and they like to dry out between waterings. If they get too tall or spread out, you can just cut off the offending limbs. The plant will send out replacement shoots from that cut off stem (so you don't have to feel like you are hurting it - it's o.k.!).

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcus zamifolia) What a mouthful! But check this one out. It has glossy shiny leaves - very thick succulent-like leaves. It does best if you don't water it too often (doesn't that soound good?). It will grow in virtually all light conditions (though I have never tried it in the sun - I have many more low light spots and it does great in them, so why use it elsewhere?). In very low light, I have waited months between waterings! This is a plant that grows very slowly, and hasn't been available in the market much until recently.

O.K., so I couldn't stop at ten. But there are a lot of great plants out there! And many of them are very easy to grow just so long as you know how to take care of them. Happy growing!