EASY COME, EASY GROW

Medinilla Medinilla

ALSO CALLED

Malaysian grapes SIZE Ranging from 24 to 36 inches (60 to 91 cm) high or larger FOLIAGE Broad deep green leaves with pleats

Whether it’s too much water, too little sunlight or too many curious cats, killing houseplants often seems easier than keeping them alive. But before you brand yourself a black thumb, consider these foolproof indoor options, as they’re reliable, readily available and likely to flourish with a minimum of fuss.

BY TOVAH MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY BY KINDRA CLINEFF

Although it doesn’t look tough as nails, Medinilla myriantha is amazingly durable.

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Wonderful grapelike clusters of pink flowers throughout autumn and winter, followed by purple nonedible berries EXPOSURE South is best; east or west also works

WATER REQUIREMENTS

Very thirsty RATE OF GROWTH Slow SOIL TYPE Rich, humusy potting soil with compost included FERTILIZING Early spring to late autumn ISSUES Drinking habit can be a deal-breaker if you’re not home COMPANIONS This is a standalone specimen, but begonias, nerve plants, orchids and prayer plants might grow in tandem

Fittonia is a natural for terrariums, as a moist environment is its mother’s milk. Keep the soil damp, but not sopping wet.

Many houseplants are toxic and should be kept out of reach of children and pets. For a list of toxic houseplants, consult the Canadian Poisonous Plants Information System at cbif.gc.ca.

Buy a ZZ plant that’s sizable from the get-go, as this plant can be sluggish to add new growth.

Even in low light, the new peace lily hybrids pump out the blossoms.

A ZZ plant requires a generous footprint, but it also makes a statement from afar. It’s a nice vertical feature to play against your sofa and horizontal coffee tables.

Nerve Plant Fittonia

ALSO CALLED Mosaic plant, rattlesnake plant, silver net plant SIZE Creeps along the soil surface FOLIAGE Bronze with white or red veins

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Makes a good ground cover below other plants; terrarium-worthy EXPOSURE East, west or south; might endure north

WATER REQUIREMENTS

Keep soil moderately moist

RATE OF GROWTH

Medium SOIL TYPE Rich, humusy, peaty potting soil with compost included FERTILIZING Early spring to late autumn PROPAGATION Easily rooted by cuttings; runners will have roots and can be detached ISSUES Will wilt, but revives readily; if you forget to water often, it might get aphids COMPANIONS Great for underplanting beneath a low-light-loving treelike plant such as ficus, Norfolk Island pines, ponytail palms, prayer plants, scheffleras and tradescantia; good with begonias in a separate container

Peace Lily Spathiphyllum

SIZE Ranging from 15 to 20 inches (38 to 50 cm) high FOLIAGE Dark green initiating from the base

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

Profuse white jack-in-the- pulpit-like flowers EXPOSURE East or west

WATER REQUIREMENTS

Can wilt if you forget to water RATE OF GROWTH Medium SOIL TYPE Humusy potting soil with compost included FERTILIZING Early spring to late autumn ISSUES Can be prone to leaf diseases if stressed by continual wilting COMPANIONS Aglaonemas, begonias, crotons, dracaenas, ferns, ficus, ivies, mosses, polka dot plants, nerve plants and peperomias

ZZ Plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia

SIZE Ranging from 15 to 36 inches (38 to 91 cm) high FOLIAGE Fat, juicy stems lined with shiny, rounded leaves; very tidy

OTHER ATTRIBUTES

No flowers, but bulletproof EXPOSURE East or west

WATER REQUIREMENTS

Keep soil lightly moist but not soggy RATE OF GROWTH Slow SOIL TYPE Good potting soil with compost included FERTILIZING Early spring to late autumn ISSUES Slow to form a good-looking plant COMPANIONS Ferns, ficus, mosses, prayer plants, rhipsalis, sansevierias and tradescantia

DID YOU KNOW THAT

PEACE LILIES CAN HELP ELIMINATE INDOORAIR POLLUTANTS LIKE FORMALDEHYDE? WE COUNT DOWN THE SEVEN MOST POWERFUL AIR-PURIFYING PLANTS AT canadian living.com/indoorair.

Excerpted from The Indestructible Houseplant: 200 Beautiful Plants That Everyone Can Grow © Copyright 2015 by Tovah Martin, photographs by Kindra Clineff. Published by Timber Press, Portland, Ore. Used by permission of the publisher. All rights reserved.