Taking plants inside? Choose easy-care, nonpoisonous

By Stephanie Hughes

OSU Extension master gardener volunteer

Fall is here. With putting the yard “to bed,” the garden winding down and leaves starting to turn, how can we Ohioans keep green in our lives? Houseplants are a great way to extend that wonderful summer green, as well as make our lives brighter.

There are some important reasons to check the plants you bring in or purchase for the home. First, some plants can be very messy — shedding, losing leaves or needles. Another is that some plants are high-maintenance, needing constant care, watering, upkeep. The most important reason is that many plants are poisonous. This can be to touch, with itching and rash, to ingestion and severe reactions. With children and pets, you must be informed as to what you are bringing into your home and the possible consequences.

Any plants in the grass family are good, except my cats love to graze, and that makes for a mess. Palms (Palmaceae) — except sago palm — are an excellent choice. My palms are in my “up-high” garden above the entry closet. African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) are touchy, but worth the effort, as they will bloom throughout the year if conditions are right. Bromeliads are an excellent choice. If you keep the cup full of water, they make incredible, long-lasting blooms. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum — not to be confused with dumbcane, or Dieffenbachia) — will grow well almost anywhere in the home, in water or in soil. Any Dracaena is both minimum care and dramatic. My personal favorite is Dracaena marginata, and I have two, 9 and 10 feet tall. The cornstalk is touchier, as it likes a bit of humidity. Ferns are a good choice, but they tend to get picky about humidity and light. They can also get messy as they shed old fronds.

Geraniums (Pelargonium) — yes, the annuals in your yard right now — can make great houseplants. Pinch them back to keep them from getting leggy, and next year they will be ready to go back outside. Any orchid is great, but humidity and light can be factors. Peperomia are a group of unassuming plants that are brightly patterned, attractive, and easy to care for. Spider plant (Chlorophytum) is a beautiful and rewarding plant (and really easy to grow). It makes plantlets off of shoots, and really should be hanging. There are green as well as variegated varieties. There are extensive lists online, and many books that tell poisonous plants, as well as rate their severity. Many plants we take for granted can be potentially harmful as well as dangerous to pets and children. You should be informed. An easy list of safe and harmful houseplants can be found at: http://go.osu.edu/safehouseplants.