Are you one of those people who, when you talk to them about plants, think that they are too complicated or that you don’t have time for them? What if it waters here, what if it prunes there, what if a bug attacks it that you didn’t know existed… You like them, but you think that you are a bad person when it comes to watering them or they always die for no apparent reason.
Today we are going to break the myth of plant killers. There are plants that only require a little pampering from time to time and that even prefer that you forget about them a little if you forget about them.
Resistant plants
The truth is that the resistance of certain plants is no coincidence. Many of them come from harsh environments, where water is a precious commodity. For example, in the desert or in regions with a dry climate, plants have developed survival strategies worthy of any botanical superhero: they store water in their leaves, reduce their size to avoid losing moisture, and even close their spores in the hottest moments. of the day.
Therefore, when we bring home species from the other extreme (those that live in environments totally different from our climate) such as Calatheasanthuriums or other tropical plants, we are literally challenging their survival, since the conditions will not be the most ideal for them and they will end up frustrating our desire to have plants.
Returning to the resistance champions, these are better left to their own devices than spending the day in the shower. If they have the necessary amount of light, these plants, accustomed to withstanding long periods without water in their natural habitat, adapt wonderfully to many indoor locations. So while a tropical plant asks you for daily care and a watering can in hand, these ‘veterans’ just look at you from the corner as if to say: “don’t worry, I’ll handle myself.”
Additionally, these hardy or low-maintenance plants have another advantage: not only do they require little water, but they also survive with less light than others. This means that they are ideal for those corners where it seems that the sun almost passes by.
Let’s look at four of the toughest plants (that aren’t cacti or pothos) you can have at home.
Four low maintenance floors
Dracaena (Sansevieria) or mother-in-law’s tongue
These famous plants of African origin and with thick, long and firm leaves are total indoor plants. Its leaves are not only attractive, but they allow the plant to store water, giving it a kind of ‘aquatic reserve’ for when water is scarce.
We usually see it happy both with indirect light and in corners with very little light inside the house, although it can adapt to shady places outdoors (as long as there is no frost).
How often should you water it? It will depend on the location, the season and the size of the pot, but it should never, ever be watered if the substrate shows the slightest bit of moisture. Excess water is its worst enemy and can lead to rotting of its roots. In this case, we will see that its leaves become gelatinous and fall off under their own weight.
Zamioculcas
In its natural habitat, the Zamioculcas It grows under the shade of larger trees, which has made it very tolerant of low light. Furthermore, the climatic conditions of these areas include long periods of drought and high temperatures, which forced this plant to develop a water storage system in its tuberous roots.
The Zamioculcas It adapts perfectly to hostile environments and forgetful people, characteristics that have made it an ideal plant for almost any corner of the house. The important thing for this plant is not to have it in pots that are too large. If the roots are not ‘tight’ and the substrate remains wet for a long time, it may begin to rot, showing its yellow and flaccid leaves.
Dieffenbachia
The Dieffenbachia It is one of these plants that, due to its tropical appearance, seems somewhat complicated, but the truth is that it develops quite well in a wide spectrum of situations. The light that suits it best is indirect or moderate, although it can more than tolerate lower light levels, which is an advantage to expand the range of action of this plant.
It does not need too much care, it is enough to receive watering when its substrate dries almost completely. However, you have to be careful with excess water, as this can cause yellowing of the leaves.
Although it also has a somewhat ‘dangerous’ side that has given it the name “dumb reed.” Its leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause mouth and throat irritation if ingested, and in some cases produce a feeling of muteness. For this reason, it is advisable to keep it out of the reach of children and animals, since ingesting it can cause discomfort and reactions to the skin or mucous membranes.
Dracaenas
The most famous varieties are Dracaena marginata, D. fragans, D. reflexa and D. sanderiana. Although all of them are native to tropical areas such as Africa, tropical Asia and some islands in the Indian Ocean, the Dracaenas They are an excellent wardrobe essential for your botanical repertoire in case you don’t know what to put at home. They tolerate a wide variety of conditions and provide a vibrant, tropical feel.
Some grow as small shrubs and others can reach several meters in height, but all provide freshness and an exotic touch with very little effort or maintenance.
The most notable thing about this family is that they are highly resistant to low or medium light, although some species can thrive perfectly in outdoor environments as long as the sun is not a threat.
Regarding irrigation, most of the Dracaenas They need some occasional watering, making them perfect for busy people or those who travel frequently. They tend to die more often from overwatering (showing fallen leaves and dark trunks) than from forgetting to do so.
#maintenance #plants #types #hold #watering #light
