Plant retailer Dan DeShon offers tips on what to look for in a low-maintenance houseplant. Never feel ashamed to ask for an easy-care plant if you think you have a brown thumb. Low-maintenance plants will help raise your confidence and perhaps spur you to tackle more difficult varieties later. When customers ask Dan for a low-maintenance plant, he asks a few questions before making a recommendation: What's the light source? Are there windows in the room, and which direction do they face? These factors affect the amount of available light for a plant. What size plant do you want, and where will it be used? If the plant will be placed on a tabletop, the Neanthe bella palm (Chamaedorea elegans) (figure A) <#IMG LEFT> or a spathiphyllum makes a good choice. A Dracaena marginata is taller and makes a good floor plant. How much space will be available for the plant as it grows? A houseplant that becomes big and bushy isn't suitable for a narrow space. How much watering, fertilizing and pruning are you willing to do? Many people don't want to be bothered with a lot of fuss over houseplants. When shopping, you want the healthiest plants you can find. Look for good green foliage. The color should be bright and the leaves in good shape, with no holes or tears. Examine the plant for vigorous new growth at the tips (figure B)<#IMG RIGHT>. Be sure there are no spots, which could be a sign of fungal disease, and check the undersides of the leaves for insect infestation. Inspect the root system by carefully removing the plant from the pot. Look for white or tan-colored healthy roots that are not too tightly wound around the inside of the container. The roots should have a clean, earthy odor. Be wary of purchasing plants that are displayed in standing water. Always ask for a guarantee: a reputable dealer will offer one. If you plan to move your new plant into a different container, the type of pot you choose will affect how often you must water. Terra-cotta pots lose water more quickly than plastic ones, so you'll have to water more frequently. The advantage to clay is that it also absorbs minerals from the water and wicks them away from the root system. Both clay and plastic pots have drainage holes, so be sure to purchase a saucer to collect the runoff. The Phalaenopsis orchid (figure C) <#IMG LEFT> is a low-maintenance plant with a bonus: beautiful flowers. These plants require a north- or east-facing exposure and temperatures from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Feed once a month with a fertilizer formulated for orchids. Don't transplant a plant into a pot without drainage holes. Instead, if you wish to use a decorative pot without holes, place your potted plant and saucer inside the container (figure D)<#IMG RIGHT>.
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