So you want houseplants - but you don't have a green thumb? No problem!

[ThePMSLounge]

So you want houseplants - but you don't have a green thumb? No problem!

 These six botanical best bets can survive some neglect:

1. Asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus) Even if its soil is bone dry, this vigorous relative of the edible stalk won't go into a permanent swoon.
2. Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) Vacation plans? Don't fret. This plant will be healthy upon your return - even if it's neglected for weeks.
3. Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema modestum) It actually prefers the soil to dry between waterings and needs little light to thrive in your home.
4. Grape ivy (Cissus species) A handsome vine with tendrils resembling those of grapes, this plant adapts easily to limited light and soil that's a bit on the dry side.
5. 'Janet Craig' dracaena (Dracaena deremensis 'Janet Craig') This shrublike plant with broad leaves adapts to low light and favors moderately dry soil.
6. Ponytail (Beaucarnea species) This succulent requires little grooming and does best when not kept too wet - just give it lots of sun and let the soil dry between waterings.

[ThePMSLounge]

Houseplants

Dust build-up on plant leaves looks bad and it will reduce plants’ ability to feed themselves through photosynthesis. The leaves can be lightly dusted, but you’ll need water to get rid of heavy build-ups.

Fill a spray bottle and mist the entire plant thoroughly until water drips off the leaves. (A drop cloth will come in handy if the leaves have grown outside the perimeter of the pot.) Don’t forget to spray the undersides as well.

If airborne grease is clinging to the leaves, put a drop of hand dishwashing liquid into the water and spray as above. You’ll have to rinse the leaves by repeating the process with clean water. This small amount of detergent won’t harm the plant — it will break down into a mild fertilizer. Don’t resort to anything stronger than liquid soap, however.

So-called silk plants made with plastics may be cleaned in the same way. You can also simply spray them clean using a bathtub faucet or a garden hose. To remove deposits of airborne grease, spray thoroughly with any mild, all-purpose household cleaner and let stand for a couple of minutes before rinsing.

Some silk plants made with fabrics may not be colorfast. If so, they cannot be cleaned with large amounts of water. Test for colorfastness on an inconspicuous leaf or petal first by gently rubbing a well-dampened white cloth across the surface. It’s not colorfast if any color transfers to the damp cloth. It’s best to dust non-colorfast silk plants using a microfiber cloth, or by securing a patch of used nylon pantyhose over a vacuum-cleaner hose and gently vacuuming the plant.