By: Toni Hollingsworth
Garden Columnist

        Now that most of the leaves are off the trees, and the first winter storm is on the way, I am beginning to spend more time with my house plants. They are a sturdy bunch. Thirteen years on the road and a husband that hates to water plants has a way of weeding out the faint hearted. They have survived drought, cold, lack of light, layers of dust, and hot air from the baseboard heaters blowing on their leaves. Over the years, plants have come and gone, only the truly rugged remain.
        Certain families of plants are suited to the conditions found in the average home. The Araliaceae or Aralia family have some of my favorites: Fatshedera, an intergeneric cross between Fatsia japonica and English ivy, various varieties of Hedera (ivy), and Schefflera. Fatshedera can survive quite a bit of cold, forty degree temperatures don't hurt it a bit. The same is true of the ivy clan. Train these up over the handles of baskets and place a small pot of seasonal blooming plants in the middle.
        Having trouble remembering to water your plants? When you think of house plants is the first question that comes into your head, "How often should I water it?" Ivy and Philodendrons are the perfect plants for you.  Purchase a few nicely shaped glass vases. Take cuttings of ivy, pothos or philodendron or purchase small ones in pots. Wash the soil from the roots, place them in  water in indirect sunlight and forget them.
       In the Euphorbia family: Euphorbia splendens (Crown of thorns), and Croton 'Aucubaefolium',( a croton with yellow spotted leaves) are two plants that make nice houseplants. Most of the crotons require high humidity and warm temperatures, this is one exception. It will with stand drafty locations and has never had mealy bugs, another problem associated with the more colorful crotons.
       The Liliaceae or Lily family includes many wonderful house plants: Clivia, Chlorophytum comosum, (Spider plant), Dracaena fragrans, Aspidistra (Cast Iron plant), Sanseveria, Pleomele, Yucca, Asparagus `Sprengeri', and Aloe vera. I have never had trouble with disease problems on any of these plants, the secret here is to water them when they are slightly dry to the touch on top. Yes, this means you have to touch the dirt. In the winter plants tend to grow more slowly and to need less water. It depends on how much heat and light they are receiving. Once a week will not work.
      Many members of the Aracea family require warm night temperatures, at least 70 degrees. This group of plants includes many of the best, most disease free and familiar house plants: Philodendron sanguinium, Anthurium, Aglaonema, and the Dieffenbachias, Spathiphylum 'Mauna Loa', Syngonium, Philodendrum oxycardium, Philodendron selloum, and Monstera deliciosa . These plants have never done well for me because our house is cool at night. Pothos and Philodendron oxycardium are the exceptions, they are indestructible and can be grown, like the ivy, in water.
       Happy gardening.
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