Eglu Go With 2m Run For Sale

[Gertie]

Hi Everyone

 

I'm looking for a shade loving house plant and wondered if anyone has any ideas of things that survive?

 

I live in a little cottage which is very dark in places and getting darker as the season changes. I have an empty plant stand in a shady corner of a room. I've tried a couple of plants already but they have quickly become sick and needed greenhouse therapy to recover. I was looking for a tallish bushy type of plant to bring some life In to the room...which so far I've failed to do with my other 2 attempts. I don't really want to go down the artificial plant route!

 

Thanks!

Edited May 19, 2013 by Guest

[Cinnamon]

If I remember rightly,Peace Lillies like it shady.

[Gertie]

Thank you Cinnamon. They do indeed tolerate shade and I have 2 that do quite well, the only thing is that they only get about 2 feet tall in total and I would like something taller and bushy. I have tried a palm and a thing that looked similar to a tall prayer plant but neither did well

[patsylabrador]

What about a Swiss Cheese Plant?

[merlina]

The victorians loved aspidistras for just that reason!

Anytyhing that's mostly green will usually be reasonably happy (rather than flowering plants)

Swiss cheese, as suggested, would probably be ok, kentia palms and most dracenas should also work.

The trick is to keep them dry-ish, too much water in shade is usually fatal

[Mrs Webmuppet]

Mother In Laws Tongue was another plant beloved of the Victorians as it likes darker corners.

[Olly]

I was going to suggest an aspidistra as well - known as the Cast-Iron Plant as they are almost indestructible - don't rely on that though, I still managed to kill one!

 

An alternative, though it might be a bit of a faff, is to have something there but move it into the light every so often, or maybe have two plants and swap them over regularly?

[Gertie]

Thanks everyone. Omleteers are always so kind & helpful!

 

I definitely think I may have overwatered the palm and speeded it's sickness.

 

Victorian plants are the way to go as its a dark Victorian cottage. I'm going to try the cast iron plant as I did a bit of research and that came up as tolerant. Thanks Olly for the rotation idea. I think that's accidentally what I've done only they've been rotated out never to return to the dark room!

 

Off to source the aspidistra!

 

Thank you!

[Gertie]

Just though I'd update on my house plant situation as I'm sure there are a few shady corners out there. Well all my peace lillies have survived really well despite the 7 weeks of no heating in November and December. But I have had no luck finding an aspidistra. I went to lots of garden centres and they are apparently not popular!!

 

So, I posted on freecycle and I have been offered one. It's ridiculous but I'm actually excited about a house plant! I pick it up today. What an exciting life I lead

 

In between I have been rotating a draceana onto the windowsill and back again.

 

Let's hope I don't kill it with kindness!

[Redwing]

For anyone having trouble sourcing an Aspidistra plant the nursery below sells them mail order (or at least always used to)

 

WARNING. Only open this link if you want to get fully addicted to some amazing plants. A visit to the Horsham nursery is the most amazing treat for me

 

http://www.architecturalplants.com/index.html

[clucker1]

Architectural plants at Horsham is a fabulous place. Go and enjoy!

[Gertie]

Thank goodness I don't live in Surrey any more!!