Chlorophytum, suggested houseplant varieties is native to tropics around the globe, probably owes its popularity to its unique growth habit. The mother plant, a clump of curving leaves that resemble long, broad grass blades, sends out long stems with “baby” plants at their ends. Tiny white flowers appear at the ends of the 2-foot-long stems before miniature plants sprout. To best protect these offspring, grow Chlorophytum as a hanging plant.
Growing requirements:Chlorophytum prefers bright, reflected light, standard potting soil, and average house temps. Though it will tolerate the low humidity of most homes, it does benefit from frequent mistings. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings. If you grow Chlorophytum in a hanging basket, rotate the basket a half-turn every week or so to produce even, well-spaced growth. Small plants at the ends of stems grow complete with roots, so you can snip them off and plant them.
These easy-to-grow evergreens are similar to their relative, Philodendron—and like Philodendron, they’re also climbers. Stems put forth leathery heart-shaped leaves, 2 to 4 inches long, of bright green splashed with yellow. You can train Epipremnum to climb long distances, or plant it in a hanging basket to dangle.
Growing conditions: Epipremnum requires only a standard indoor potting soil, bright, filtered light (as through a sheer curtain), and typical household temps and humidity. Allow potting soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During winter, let the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil dry out. Except in winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Keep leaves clean by regularly wiping with a damp cloth, but don’t use commercial leaf shine product. Pinch growing tips to prevent leggy growth. If stems become bare, cut them back halfway. Pests rarely bother Epipremnum.
Ficus elastica is one of the most foolproof of all indoor plants. Thick, glossy, and leathery, its dark green leaves are 8 to 12 inches long, 4 to 6 inches wide. New leaves unfold from rosy pink sheaths that soon wither and drop. Where conditions permit, the rubber plant can reach ceiling height.
Growing requirements: Ficus elastica tolerates less light than most other plants of its size, but is happiest in bright, reflected light. It needs average room temps. Except in autumn and winter, apply a complete fertilizer regularly. Provide a standard indoor potting soil, keeping it moist (like a squeezed-out sponge), but not soggy. Mist during warm months, and in winter if the indoor air is warm and dry. In winter, let the soil dry out slightly between waterings; overwatering (or allowing water to collect in a saucer or cachepot) commonly leads to leaf drop. (Unwitting owners may increase water, thinking loss of leaves is a symptom of drought.) Ficus elastica is generally pest-free.