There are many different types of plants that can be grown indoors and anyone wanting to pursue this hobby, is spoilt for choice. This article covers some of the leafy plants, that are common favourites in South Africa and surrounds.

1. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum “Vittatum”)
As this plant has thick white roots, allow 3cm {11/4in} space at the top of the pot.
The leaves will grow to 60cm (24in) long. Feed fortnightly and repot in spring, with a potting soil if root bound. They like direct sunlight, filtered by a curtain, or blind.
They need moderate watering, allowing the top of the soil to dry out, before next application. Place in a room where the temperature is moderate, with a low humidity, as this plant thrives in this type of dry atmosphere.

2. Rubber Plant (Ficus Elastica)
One must dust off the older leaves, being careful not to touch the new ones. This will allow them to function and to grow well. This plant must be placed 2m (6Ft) from a sunny window, with moderate temperature and high humidity. Water moderately, allowing to dry out on the soil’s surface, before next watering.

3. Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (Sansevieria Trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)
The leaves will grow to a height of 1m (3Ft). When one sees the roots appearing on the surface, repot by using a mixture of 1/3 coarse sand and 2/3 potting soil. They prefer filtered sunlight, with a high temperature, in a dry atmosphere.

4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis Exaltata “Bostoniensis”) 
This plant requires a place where the humidity is high. Place pot on a moist pebble tray and spray mist often. One must water well during its growing period.
If the air is too dry you will notice the ends of the foliage dying off.           

5. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Deliciosa)
One can train this plant to grow around a moss pole, by tucking the long, thick aerial roots into the moss, or into the soil. One must never cut these roots off, as they supply nutrients to the plant. One of the characteristics of these leaves are the split edges and holes, especially in more mature plants. Place these plants near a sunless window, in a room which has high temperatures and humidity. Requires moderate watering.

6. Painted-Leaf Begonia (Begonia Rex-Cultorum)
Known as Rex Begonias, these grow to a height of 30cm (12in). The leaves are of a beautiful colour and texture. The plant must be placed near a sunless window, in a room with high humidity levels and high temperatures. It thrives best in these conditions. Water moderately, allowing the soil to dry out on the surface, before watering again.

7. English Ivy (Hedera Helix) English Ivy Hybrids
This plant is available in different leaf colours and shapes. The variegated leaves need good light, but filtered sunlight. It grows to be big and straggly, so pinch out the tips, to encourage a bushy look. One needs to place the pot on a moist pebble tray and spray mist fairly often. This will also increase the humidity levels that this plant requires.

8. Kangaroo Vine (Cissus Antarctica)
This vine will tolerate dry air, but if too warm, place the pot on a moist pebble tray, to increase the humidity level. If the plant is in a hanging basket, mist-spray regularly.
The leaves are of a glossy texture, with marked veins and scalloped edges. The tendrils give support when climbing. Allow the soil to dry out about 2cm from soil surface, before next watering. The Australian climbing plant is a true vine, with forked tendrils, allowing it to cling to support.

A guide to the temperatures mentioned above:
Cool : 10-12 degrees C (50-55 degrees F)
Moderate : 15-18 degrees C (60-65 degrees F)
High :  18-24 degrees C (65-75 degrees F)   

Tomorrow, we will look at some favourite flowering indoor plants.

Bear in mind that greenhouses are also considered as a part of indoors gardening. If you intend planting in a greenhouse, why not consider making money from your hobby? The most thrilling pursuit in amateur horticulture today, is certainly greenhouse gardening. This book will turn your hobby into profit! Get “Make Money From Your Greenhouse” here:
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Sally Robson is a South African Internet marketer, who together with her husband Derek, have a vision of empowering all fellow South Africans and other non U.S folk, to have equal opportunity and success on the internet, by overcoming the many obstacles facing them. They have started a string of sites, resources, courses and articles, as part of Dersalsites. Sally has a passion for gardening. For more articles and advice on gardening topics, visit Sally at: http://www.dersalsites.com/sallysgardeningtips/

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