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Houseplant recommendation

FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
in Plants
I’m considering braving the garden centre later on, was going to leave it a few weeks but my online petunia order was cancelled so I’ve got the excuse I need!

My mum has asked me to pick up a house plant to fit a 20cm pot, must be easy to care for as she managed to kill the jade that was in there before. 

House plants aren’t really my area, the only plants in my house are ones I’m growing to eventually 
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  • UsFourUsFour Posts: 49
    Spider plant ... supposedly un-killable but in my experience for it to grow well give it lots of water when it dries out and feed in the growing season. Cheap as well x
    UsFour 

    The older you get, the more you realise that it is OK to live a life others don't understand.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    Zamioculcas (ZZ plant) seems pretty much indestructible and will take shady conditions like the corner of a room.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    Thanks both, the spider plant babies look a bit creepy don’t they! 
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    The zz plant is very attractive, and sounds almost perfect, but a bit concerned about the toxicity as they have a very stupid dog who will eat anything!  It would be kept out of reach but accidents happen. 
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    ZZ is the only thing that's lasted more than a year or so in the dark corner of our living room. Our cat hasn't touched it. He only goes for dracaena marginata so I keep that in the bathroom where he can't get in on his own. Best to be safe though.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FlyDragonFlyDragon Posts: 834
    edited May 2020
    Hmm, I might suggest it, see what she thinks, it seems otherwise perfect.

  • UsFourUsFour Posts: 49
    ZZ does grow quite large though (20cm pot) but I got one in Aldi for a tenner the other day ..... otherwise you are paying silly prices at the garden centres. They are fantastic looking plants.
    UsFour 

    The older you get, the more you realise that it is OK to live a life others don't understand.
  • UsFourUsFour Posts: 49
    edited May 2020
    "the spider plant babies look a bit creepy don’t they! " FF S  only if you're an arachnophobe   :D  You're cutting down your choices every minute !!!
    UsFour 

    The older you get, the more you realise that it is OK to live a life others don't understand.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    What killed the jade? If she's prone to overwatering then maybe look for a plant that doesn't mind that. Peace lily would take a good drowning with the right soil. It would probably want a bigger pot eventually but most houseplants end up doing better in something larger.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    the easiest I have ever had has been a madagascar dragon tree (dracaena marginata).

    The dragon tree has been with me for probably 10 years, most other houseplants without heat or light in Winter usually die, not the dragon tree. It can go several months without watering by which point the leaves will start to yellow at the tips signalling it needs a bit of water - useful for the forgetful.

    If you want something that is a bit more interesting but much harder to find would be an oncidium orchid. The twinkle variety hybrids stay under 20cm tall and grow well in our UK climate on a window sill but they are probably only found in specialist shops.

    https://www.orchids.uk.com/Oncidium-cheirophorum-orchid?search=oncidium

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Oncidium-Heaven-Scent-Redolence-scente-hybrid-orchid-10cm-in-bloom/133399624742?hash=item1f0f3cbc26:g:ijMAAOSwP2ZerB0N
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