Even though I am pretty skilled with outdoor landscape plants and gardening, I am not the best with potted plants. It seems that I either over water them and drown them, or I forget them and they die from neglect. But there are a few plants that I am usually able to keep alive for quite a long time and the best thing about these 3 easy care plants for pots is that they keep on giving… they multiply easily and you can fill multiple pots from just one purchase.
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SNAKE PLANT
The snake plants is sometimes called mother-in-law’s tongue. It is a sturdy green plant that will last forever. Indirect light is best but it will also survive in some really low light conditions so it is perfect for my dark house. Only water this plant when the soil gets dry. I try to remember to water once a month but I never do remember sometimes it’s longer…
It is an indoor plant, although it would love it on a covered porch that did not get direct sunlight. Mine sit in a very dark foyer in a very dark room in a very dark house. I do have sidelights on each side of the front door that give the perfect amount of light for this plant. They cannot take SUN, but just need some light.
You can get the snake plant in a green version or a variegated (streaks of other colors, usually white or yellow) version. This slow growing plant propagates on its own, producing baby plants right beside the larger leaves. At any time that you want, you can dig out these baby plants and transplant to another pot. Soon you’ll be living in a jungle! These pots are really getting too full and I will soon be splitting them up.
Snake plants also comes in a shorter variety if you don’t have the space for a tall plant.
WANDERING JEW
This trailing plant is a favorite of mine. It is has beautiful purple color along with the green foliage.
During the summer, I have my basket hanging outside from a dogwood tree branch. The tree leaves protect it from getting too much sun and it thrives in the light. I don’t have to do anything to it except water it frequently, because It dries out faster since it is in the wind. If you want to have it indoors, it will need very bright light for most of the day.
Propagation of this plant is the easiest ever! Just break off a piece and stick it in some dirt. Seriously! You can fill many pots from one tiny original plant. And don’t ever worry if a piece breaks off before you get it home… just stick it in the dirt. It will grow roots and you’ll have a new plant in no time.
NO NAME SEDUM
I have never known the name of this plant. My mama gave me my first piece and she didn’t know the name either. We just decided to call it that plant that grows anywhere. But for the purpose of the post, I decided to Google it and I have discovered out the name of it is Stringy Stonecrop Sedum (Sedum sarmentosum). And it seems it does truly grow anywhere! It loves it here in Alabama and my friend in Minnesota has it growing all over her garden also! Now that’s an amazing plant.
Similar to the Wandering Jew, this trailing plant is also easy to propagate and you do it the same way. Just pull off some pieces and stick them in dirt somewhere else. They will take off. I have no problem with it being invasive though. I think the heat here keeps it in check. My friend up north does have to pull up some and transplant it somewhere else. She loves it as a filler in her flower beds.
Anytime I need a pot filler, I pull out several handfuls of this sedum and stick it in the dirt of my new pot, which I just did with several bunches in this wheelbarrow. It won’t take but a few weeks for it to fill up.
So if easy care (almost NO care) is what you are looking for, try these three:
- Snake Plant
- Wandering Jew
- Sedum that grows anywhere
Have you grown any of these before?
Clearissa Coward says
I have the wandering jew on my deck and the snake plant in my office along with several others. I love house plants too. What I need is some of that no-name sedum. Easy to grow is my favorite. TFS.
gwingal says
Girl, I will sure see about getting you some! 🙂
judiboomergirl says
I have indoor plants and am always looking for new species that don’t require a lot of care. These look like they are more succulent which makes them heartier. Just bought a snake plant for my daughter. Maybe I’ll have to get one for myself.
gwingal says
Hi Judi, I am thinking I want to get the shorter variety of snake plant for some other areas of my house. Maybe my guest bathroom! I’d love to have plants all over the house, but I know I won’t take care of that many… thanks for visiting. 🙂
menopausalmother says
I love the snake plants—we have several and they are so low maintenance—perfect for us!
gwingal says
Oh yes! I do love low maintenance. 🙂
Dee | Grammy's Grid says
I like the snake plant and the sedum, maybe those are 2 I could grow with my brown thumb! Shared x 4 ♥
gwingal says
It’d be worth a try! Whenever we do our meet and greet, I’ll bring you some. 🙂
Lori Jo says
Love all of these, especially the easy care part, ha! My favorite one is the trailing one cascading over the planter’s edge. I can grow a garden but need to pay more attention to ornaments and filler plants. Thank you!
Lori Jo - 50 With Flair
http://www.50withflair.com
gwingal says
Thanks for stopping by Lori Jo. 🙂
French Ethereal says
Hi Nikki! I am a terrible houseplant killer… My mother was wonderful as is a brother with indoor plants, but I’d try the sedum outdoors here in Texas. We have that killer summer heat/humidity here, too, and I’m still trying to figure out when to water… Lol! We are close to finding the perfect house, so… Hopefully soon we can work on trying house plants again. Thanks for the wonderful plant ideas!!!
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
gwingal says
YAY for the perfect house! Exciting. Thanks for stopping by Barb. I can’t wait to see what house you’ve chosen. 🙂
Julie Briones says
Hey, Nikki… I have not grow any of these, but I see them all the time (and my mom *did* have the Wandering Jew in our yard). The Sedum seems especially popular with succulent lovers these days!
gwingal says
Hi Julie! These old fashioned plants have come back into style again. Probably because of the easy care. 🙂
Kristi Bissell says
I definitely need to absorb all your plant tips. I’ve grown the snake plant before and have had really good luck! Can’t wait to try some of the others. Thanks for sharing!
gwingal says
Oh yes, I hope you do Kristi. And if you have any questions, feel free to ask! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
Kim @Serving Up Southern says
I am the world’s worst at keeping houseplants alive. My daughter was just commenting on how pitiful the mums on my porch look. I’ve only had them two weeks. I love the Wandering Jew. It reminds me of my grandma who always had it hanging on her porch. It was one of her favorites. I did not get my green thumb from her!
gwingal says
Mums are not easy for me either. I can never justify the cost because they just never look good for long, for me anyway. And I LOVE things that remind me of my family like the wandering jew. 🙂
Gary says
Greetings from Taiwan! Here the snake plant grows outdoors too, in pots and in the garden. It’s easy to divide once the container is too crowded. I’ve got three varieties in my house, which gets low light. They don’t grow as quickly but at least they don’t die!
gwingal says
Hi Gary! I’ve never met anyone from Taiwan before. 🙂 I assume you are more tropical there since you grow it outside? And what are the 3 different varieties that you have? I want a shorter one for tabletop I think. Thanks for visiting with me.
Maria says
You have such a green thumb. All your tips are good ones and i appreciate them all.
Maria
gwingal says
Awe, thanks Maria. I just love working outside. 🙂