Hi again, Figured it didn't hurt to start another thread with a different topic. :-) I have a Northwest facing corner apartment, and I am looking for plants (indoor/balcony, container) to add to my collection. However, there is one strict criteria I want to adhere to: We travel a lot, for a week or two (up to a month) at a time. Finding plants that can take a good soaking before we leave, and be fine when we get back (with another soaking) is important. We also travel south for 3 to 4 months in the winter. While I don't mind arranging someone to come by and water once, 6 to 8 weeks in, we don't want to start having to spend money on having someone come by to water plants every few days. It adds up! It's also really hard to trust someone to do it right with a sensitive species... I think a hardy plant with a "soak it and let it dry" requirement will be happier in our situation. :-) Anyway, I figure since I know we travel, I have been pretty much limited to succulents thus far. I have: Snake Plant ZZ Plant Jade Plant Ponytail "Palm" Aloe Vera Plant (what can I say... It was cheap and cool looking!) Coppertone/Neusbaum's Sedum (not sure he will have enough light long-term, but too pretty to not at least try) A couple of Echeveria species, and a couple of succulents I have yet to identify Any other suggestions? I would LOVE something tall! Maybe a Yucca? Or some species of drought-tolerant Dracaena? I am also considering adding a Pothos or something, but not sure it could withstand the long (6 to 8 week) drought. NOTE: We have dogs, so nothing severely toxic. A belly ache or some swelling in the mouth from eating the plant, fine, we realize most plants are toxic to some degree and our dogs honestly don't bug them anyway. But in an effort to NOT kill our dogs, I must stay away from the dangerously poisonous ones... We got a cute little Desert Rose and had to take it back when we learned it's poisonous sap is used to tip hunting arrows to bring down large game. That sort of thing. LOL
Jayar, You mentioned Sansevieria, aka Snake plant There are several kinds. There is a low growing, whorled leafed one call Hahnii that one does not see often. Spider plant, Chlorophytum comes to mind when you mentioned the dogs. My cats chew on it happily and safely. Cast iron plant, Aspidistra. This one survives just about anything. Can get a few feet tall with wide green leaves. Rosary Vine, Ceropegia woodii. Small, round,leafed hanging plant with tiny saxophone shaped lavender flowers. Pea sized brown irregular balls form on the stems. These are the, supposed, rosary beads. Any of these can be looked up on google. Se what you think. ;))) Barb
Thanks Barb! Of the ones you suggest, the Hahnii sounds very interesting! Cast Iron Plant is another I have seen around, like a lot, and will certainly consider one in the future. I may need to find the right place for one first in the apartment, because when mature they can be quite substantial!
How about haworthias and gasterias. They are cool looking succulents too. Try also some schlumbergia. They produce beautiful blooms!
