Royal Horticultural Society on 'hard to kill' houseplants
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Not all Britons are lucky enough to own a property with great big windows and bright rooms, but that doesn’t mean they have to go without houseplants. Many don’t even need a lot of light to thrive, so they’re the best bet for those who want to keep plants in a dark area.
Houseplant experts at The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) have shared how certain plants can “thrive” in darker areas of the home.
They said: “Houseplants bring colour and life into a home – and this is especially valuable in darker rooms, such as those that face north or have small windows.
“But how do you find plants that will thrive in lower light levels?
“Luckily many popular houseplants originate in shady forest floors and can take shade in their stride.
“Here’s a selection of the best plants for darker spots.”
Ivy
Many may think of ivy (Hedera helix) as an outdoor plant but there are many reasons to grow it indoors too.
Firstly it’s a tough plant that tolerates shade and neglect very well.
Also, there are many smaller varieties with attractive coloured and textured leaves that are perfect for adding contrast to houseplant displays.
Their trailing habit works well in hanging pots or on shelves.
Ivies are also known for their ability to remove pollutants from the air.
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Cast iron plant
An old favourite, and for good reason, Aspidistras were Victorian houseplant staples as they could cope admirably with dark rooms and indoor pollution from coal fires and gas lighting.
While the coal and gas may have gone, many homeowners still have shady rooms and cast-iron plants (as they are also known) are undergoing something of a revival.
These plants thrive when they are in medium to low light conditions.
They come in a range of varieties with spotted or striped leaves for added interest.
Rhipsalis
Rhipsalis, also known as mistletoe cacti, love the shade.
It might sound like a contradiction in terms but there really are some cacti that prefer life out of the limelight.
Rhipsalis is a type of cactus that hails from shady rainforests and makes a tough houseplant that can tolerate a fair degree of shade.
Most varieties are spineless too, making them one of the least cactus-like cacti out there.
They should be grown in a hanging pot to best appreciate its delicate, pendant form.
Golden pothos
An almost luminous plant, golden pothos are sure to brighten up sunless spaces.
While not quite as shade-tolerant as aspidistras or ivies, it still makes its mark through its vibrant leaves, which make a wonderful contrast to many other plants.
They tend to revert back to green in very low light conditions.
It can be grown as a trailing plant in a basket, or train it up a moss pole.
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