I like your idea of growing plants to improve my indoor air. Could you suggest some that are easily grown by an amateur?
Last week, I described some easily grown trailing plants. Here are some easily grown upright house plants. Chinese evergreen or Aglaonema is one of the most dependable, low-light-tolerant plants available. It is one of the workhorse plants in shopping malls. The most popular varieties have long, pointed leaves, mottled in silver and green. It is not a striking plant that you would normally pick out of a group. But its dependability makes up for its ordinary appearance. Chinese evergreen makes a nice table plant. It grows about 8 to 10 inches high and equally wide.
Palms are also easy to grow, especially the parlor palm or Chamaedorea. It has been a popular indoor plant since the days when living rooms used to be called parlors. Small 3- to 4-inch-tall plants are often used in combination planters. However, parlor palm will eventually grow 4 feet tall. Larger plants can be purchased in 6- and 10-inch pots. It is also very tolerant of low light conditions and should not be placed in direct sunlight.
Two types of Schefflera or Brassaia have long leaves in a cluster at the end of a long leaf stem, which creates an umbrella-like effect. Another common name is umbrella plant. The smaller Hawaiian Schefflera can be grown as a table plant in a 6-inch pot. However, it will eventually grow 2 to 3 feet tall and equally wide. The regular schefflera will eventually grow several feet tall and becomes a tropical tree. Plants can be purchased in small pots or large 10-inch pots. Scheffleras can be grown in a wide range of light conditions, from direct sunlight to much lower light levels.
