Good Plants for Bad Spaces: How to Get Your Greenery Thriving in the Most Challenging Conditions
You have a room that is challenging for plants, and you may have even convinced yourself that you can’t grow anything. Knock it off with that negative talk! There’s a good plant for every bad place.
Problem: Your Room Is a Windowless Cave
Solution: Shade-tolerant plants like ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), most ferns, and peace lily (Spathiphyllum; pictured) will do fine even in dim bedrooms. (You can also replace lightbulbs with full-spectrum bulbs to mimic a bit of sunlight.)
Problem: Oppressively Bright Sunshine
Solution: Most succulents and cactus will flourish in a hot window, but your choices are not relegated to desert-dwellers. Mini orange (Citrus mitis; pictured), ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), and asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus) all thrive in bright light.
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Problem: Dank, Boggy Bathroom Air
Solution: Ferns love lingering dampness, as do bromeliads (the latter often have fairly wimpy roots and truly need ambient humidity to stay alive). Begonias (pictured) also positively luxuriate in the warmth and humidity of a bathroom, and baby’s tears can’t be killed by overwatering.
Problem: Dry Air (Like When the Heater Is Running) or Desert Heat
Solution: Rubber tree (Ficus elastica; pictured), wax plant (Hoya carnosa) and rosary vine (Ceropegia woodii) do fine in dry air—these all need their soil to dry out between waterings too. Consider adding a humidifier to your room, though—it’ll also improve your skin.
Problem: Drafty Windows (or Strong Air Conditioning)
Solution: Jade plant (Crassula ovata), philodendron (Philodendron; picutred), and sago palm (Cycas revoluta) are all tough plants that can tolerate a breezy chill here and there. Just cut back on the water and stop fertilizing through winter, and try to keep the plant out of the direct blast zone of an air conditioner.
Problem: Cats Use Your Houseplants Like a Litter Box
Solution: Cats usually hate the smell of citrus and scented geraniums; these make great indoor plants. Add river rocks (larger than gravel) to hide the soil, or sprinkle cayenne on the soil to keep your feline out (a cotton ball soaked in eucalyptus, peppermint, or citronella oil also helps deter sniffing noses). Or you can just give in and grow some wheatgrass for the little fur jerk.
Problem: All the Bad Things
Solution: No worries—snake plant (Sansevieria) totally has Stockholm syndrome and will still love you through a variety of terrible conditions ranging from poor light to improper watering to abject plant neglect. Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior; pictured) is another tank, taking as much abuse as you can lob its way. (And if you still end up killing a plant, that’s okay—it gave you some joy for a little while, and that’s good enough.)
