what to get for a beginner's houseplant

[gavinsmom]

Hi-I am going to buy my sister-in-law a little housewarming present and one of the things she's always wanted to get into was having houseplants. I know little or nothing about houseplants. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be a good houseplant to get for a beginner? Would like it to look exotic and something that requires minimal care. Thanks.

[Marisa6826]

Spathiphyllum (a/k/a Peace or Easter Lily Plant)
Chinese Evergreen
Dracena (several varieties)
Pothos (also several varieties)

All these are pretty kill-proof and reasonably low to medium light.

You can just go to a good nursery and explain what you're looking for. They will direct you accordingly.

Don't forget to get her a little watering can.

-m

[brigmaman]

I suggest a Spathiphyllum. It's easy to take care of and doesn't need a ton of light. I have a few that have lasted for a few years.
http://www.floristconnection.com/shop/ProductDetail.asp?ItemID=3961&CategoryID=351&p=1&psize=9

[NEVE and TRISTAN]

I'm thinking a Christmas Cactus...especially right now for they are in gorgeous bloom. I have a bright pink one, they are cheap but then you can get a pretty blue and white pot from Bombay that just makes the colors pop...

IF you wanted to spend more I have thoughts of getting one of three colors and having one sitting higher than the others etc...
So mayve a pop of bright pink, orange, red kind of colors...

I love ours when it is blooming...right at the time of year when any plant color is welcome...

Here is a picture of ours in bloom in the blue and white vase...can't kill this thing...and non poisonous (per poison control) I had to call them when Tristan licked a flower :)...

Ummmm Cinder in her skinnier days :)

http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan/images/cinder.jpg



Neve and Tristan born Feb 25, 2003
* EDD 3/19/05 Baby girl BRONWYN
* Adopting siblings in Ukraine 12-10-04
http://home.nc.rr.com/ourbabytristan

[nwaddellr]

I know its not exotic, but I would suggest a spiderplant. You can get some with really cool variegated leaves. These suckers are great - I water mine about once a month, and yet I've had it for over ten years, and it makes babies all over the place (so its easy to pass along another housewarming present!).

[houseof3boys]

I am a black thumb and I swear I've killed everything except my bamboo! You just put it in a container with water and that's it. You only need to refill the water when it gets low and they are really pretty. You never need to worry about going on vacation and watering your plants either. :)

They have them at Whole Foods in different sizes and there are tons of cool containers you can get for them. I have some in the kitchen with black stones and then some in the bathroom by the tub that are in tiny little brown stones!

I love Smith and Hawken for ideas on presentation too:

http://smithandhawken.com/jhtml/site/catalog/Product.jhtml?PRODID=14335&CATID=10574&index=1

http://smithandhawken.com/jhtml/site/catalog/Product.jhtml?PRODID=10268&CATID=7208&index=8



http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/17511.jpg

[psophia17]

I second the vote for a spiderplant - my mom has one that she was given when she got married 30 years ago, and it's still alive. All of our friends and family have babies from it, and once it gets a little big, it gets really pretty.

Another suggestion is aloe - it's pretty, serves a purpose, and as long as you water it will last forever.

Or a rubber tree - those also last forever, and are hard to kill.