Leave Me Alone!

The easiest houseplants for passive plant parents.

-Bright indirect light (not tolerant of low light conditions), reaches 6-8' tall when grown indoors

-Prefers soil evenly, lightly moist - allow the top 2-3" to dry between watering

-National tree of India, considered to be less fussy than the Fiddle Leaf Fig (though we don't think the Fiddle Leaf is fussy!)

Fiddle Leaf Fig, Ficus lyrata (we also have 'Little Sunshine', a more compact cultivar)

-Bright indirect light, height only limited by pot size (Little Sunshine matures at 3')

-Huge, glossy, prominently veined leaves; dramatic structural form

-Highly effective statement plant for that classic 1970s dream lounge vibe

-Water deeply once every ~10 days, allow to dry between waterings (most failures with this plant are due to too much watering, moving them too frequently, or placing them in an area where they receive continuous drafts of cool air)

Monstera deliciosa

-Bright indirect light, 4-6' tall and wide

-Time-honored classic for instant jungle atmosphere; aka Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf philodendron

-When in a tropical setting, produces fruit that is, indeed, deliciosa (and also a laxative)

-Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings

-- TRIED & TRUE --

Cast Iron Plant, Aspidistra elatior

-Low light, 10-20" tall/wide

-One of the toughest, easiest houseplants in the history of the world

-Can handle lower light than most

-Can go without water for record periods, but would prefer a deep watering every 2-3 weeks

-Pet safe

Snake Plant, Sansevieria trifasciata

Low to bright indirect light, 8"-4' tall, 1-2' wide (depends on cultivar)

Easy care, great for beginners; brings air purification and striking color to your home

Allow soil to dry completely between waterings

Aka mother-in-law's tongue (ouch)

Hoya aka Wax Plant, H. krohniana, carnosa, pubicalyx, curtisii, shepherdii, crassiopetiolata...

-Bright indirect light, climbing or trailing

-Waxy, glossy foliage; fragrant red-purple flowers bloom when conditions are ideal

-Appreciates warmth and humidity; allow soil to dry between waterings

-Pet safe

Silver Squill, Ledebouria socialis

-Part shade, 6-10" tall/wide

-Delicate pinkish white flower stalks are sporadic, resemble tiny orchids

-A unique and contrasting foliage that takes mid-light levels

-Allow top inch of soil to dry between waterings

-Hi

Angelwing 'Sophia'

Angelwing 'Polka Dot'

Angelwing 'Torch Pink'

Blue Star Fern, Phlebodium aureum

-Medium to bright indirect light, 2-3' tall and wide

-Epiphyte (grows on tree trunks) native to tropical rainforests; appreciates humidity and evenly moist (not wet) soil; can be drought tolerant, especially in larger pots

-Benefits from bottom-watering, as surface rhizomes like to stay dry (aka prefers not to be watered excessively from above)

-Pet safe

Arrowhead Plant, Syngonium podophyllum ('Milk Confetti' is pictured)

-Medium to bright indirect light, climbing to 6'

-Responds well to pruning for a bushier habit; if not pruned, will trail out of hanging baskets or climb up supports

-Easy care, great for beginners; allow soil to partially dry between waterings

-Aka Arrowhead Vine

Grey Star, Ctenanthe setosa

-Bright indirect light

-Appreciates warmth and humidity; allow top 2'' of soil to dry between waterings

-Aka Calathea setosa or 'Never Never plant'

-Just as beautiful but not as fussy as many calathea; very tolerant of missed waterings

Peperomia 'Red Edge'

-Medium to bright indirect light, 6-12'' tall and wide

-Easy care, low maintenance; can thrive in fluorescent lighting

-Allow soil to dry between waterings; very tolerant of missed waterings

-Pet safe

Peperomia 'Felted'

-Bright, direct sunlight (south or west-facing window ideal), 6-12'' tall, 12-15'' wide

-Heart-shaped leaves are covered in white fuzzy hairs

-Allow soil to dry out between waterings

-Also known as 'Amazon Fuzz'

-Pet safe

Peperomia 'Raindrop'

-Bright, indirect light, 8-12'' tall and wide

-Glossy, droplet-shaped leaves are elegantly poised

-Likes humidity; allow soil to dry between waterings

-Pet safe

These are by no means the only plants that thrive on neglect, but based on the experience of several Painters team members who have a 'live and let live' approach, we chose these as our strongest survivors! If you've grown some of these and have had trouble, or have heard rumors of them being challenging (such as the Fiddle Leaf Fig being a challenge), it's likely because you watered or moved them around too frequently. Give them space and let them do their thing!