Are you one of those people who, when you talk to them about plants, think they are too complicated or that you don’t have time for them? What if he waters here, what if he prunes there, what if an insect attacks him that you don’t know about… You love them, but you think you’re a bad person when it comes to them. water or they always die for no apparent reason.
Today we’re going to bust the plant killer myth. There are plants that just need to be pampered from time to time and that even prefer to be forgotten a little if they are forgotten.
Resistant plants
The truth is that the resistance of some plants is not a coincidence. Many of them come from harsh environments, where water is a precious commodity. For example, in the desert or in regions with a dry climate, plants have developed survival strategies worthy of any botanical superhero: they store water in their leaves, reduce their size to avoid losing water. humidity and even close their spores in the hottest times. of the day.
Therefore, when we bring home species from the other extreme (those that live in environments completely different from our climate), like Calatheasanthuriums or other tropical plants, we literally question their survival, because the conditions will not be the most ideal for them and they will end up frustrating our desire to have plants.
Coming back to the champions of resistance, it is better to let them fend for themselves rather than spending the day in the shower. Given the necessary amount of light, these plants, accustomed to enduring long periods without water in their natural habitat, adapt wonderfully to many indoor locations. So while a tropical plant requires daily care and a watering can in your hand, these “veterans” just look at you from the corner as if to say: “don’t worry, I’ll manage”.
Additionally, these hardy or low-maintenance plants have another advantage: not only do they require little water, but they also survive with less light than others. This means they are ideal for corners where it seems like the sun is almost passing through.
Let’s look at four of the hardiest plants (that aren’t cacti or pothos) you can have at home.
Four low maintenance floors
Dracaena (Sansevieria) or mother-in-law’s tongue
These famous plants of African origin and with thick, long and firm leaves are total houseplants. Its leaves are not only attractive, but they allow the plant to store water, giving it a sort of “aquatic reserve” when water is scarce.
It is generally seen happy both with indirect light and in very dimly lit corners inside the house, although it can adapt to shady places outside (provided there is no there is no frost).
How often should you water it? It will depend on the location, the season and the size of the pot, but you should never water it if the substrate has the slightest humidity. Excess water is its worst enemy and can cause its roots to rot. In this case we will see that its leaves become gelatinous and fall under their own weight.
Zamioculcas
In its natural habitat, the Zamioculcas It grows in the shade of larger trees, making it very tolerant of low light. Additionally, the climatic conditions of these areas include long periods of drought and high temperatures, which have forced this plant to develop a water storage system in its tuberous roots.
THE Zamioculcas It adapts perfectly to hostile environments and forgetful people, characteristics that have made it an ideal plant for almost every corner of the house. The important thing for this plant is not to place it in pots that are too large. If the roots are not “tight” and the substrate remains wet for a long time, it may begin to rot, showing its yellow, saggy leaves.
Dieffenbachia
THE Dieffenbachia It is one of those plants that, due to its tropical appearance, seems somewhat complicated, but the truth is that it grows quite well in a wide range of situations. The light that suits it best is indirect or moderate, although it can largely tolerate lower light levels, which is an advantage in expanding the scope of this plant.
It does not need too much care, just receive watering when its substrate dries almost completely. However, you should be careful with excess water, as this can cause yellowing of the leaves.
Even if it also has a slightly “dangerous” side which has earned it the name “mute reed”. Its leaves contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation of the mouth and throat if ingested and, in some cases, produce a feeling of muteness. For this reason, it is advisable to keep it out of reach of children and animals, as its ingestion may cause discomfort and reactions on the skin or mucous membranes.
Dracaena
The best known varieties are Dracaena marginata, D. fragans, D. reflexa And D. sanderiana. Although they all originate from tropical regions such as Africa, tropical Asia and some Indian Ocean islands, Dracaena They’re a great wardrobe essential for your botanical repertoire in case you’re not sure what to put at home. They tolerate a wide variety of conditions and provide a vibrant tropical feel.
Some grow as small shrubs and others can reach several meters in height, but all provide freshness and an exotic touch with very little effort or maintenance.
The particularity of this family is that it is very resistant to low or medium light, although some species can thrive perfectly outdoors as long as the sun is not a threat.
Regarding irrigation, most Dracaena They need occasional watering, making them perfect for busy people or those who travel frequently. They tend to die more often from overwatering (showing dead leaves and dark trunks) than from forgetting to do so.
