BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Houseplants Low maintenance and non poisonous houseplants?

When I move into my new condo next Spring/Summer, I'm going to want to get some nice big green plants to liven it up a bit. I don't know very much about plants so here I am!

First and foremost I'd be looking for something that is NOT poisionous to children or pets.

Secondly, I'd want something that is fairly low maintenance but still looks nice. Something that maybe doesn't need a whole lot of direct sunlight, as I don't know how the place is going to be set up just yet. Something that is a year round type of plant. Something indoor, obviously.

I don't know if plants would bother someone who is asthmatic at all, so that might be a problem. But I like plants that are rich in colour - dark green, with maybe a little yellow lines or speckles, or just big leafy plants.

Any suggestions?

Hello lala, and congrats on your new place. One thing to remember when purchasing your houseplants, place them according to lighting. Low light plants can stand a north facing window, med. light plants can take west or south windows and bright light plants are good in southern and western exposure windows. Here are a few low maint. plants to have in your house (which is a good thing) considering they clean the air:

african violet, coleus, corn plant, dracena, any palm (although the low level of humidity) usually kill them in households, prayer plant, mother-in-law's tongue, hawaiian schleffera and the wanderin Jew. Two of my absolute favorites (although poisonous) are croton and rubber tree plant. Maybe if they are put up high, they can be used in your decor. They are very beautiful in a household.

Hey, why not add a few spring bulbs in containers for the beautiful scents for winter and spring while you're at it? Well, good luck and happy harvest.

Most 'poisonous' plants are really only poisonous if you were to sit and eat the entire plant 5 times over. Yes this includes Poinsettias. And all those bulb plants can be considered poisonous too, daffodil bulbs adversely affect dogs in a very un-pretty manner. Unless you'd like Polluck's #6 on your carpet.

Other plants to try are peace lily's or spathyphyllum, bamboo plants are a type of dracaena so keep those in mind as well as pepperomia, jade, aloe, and bromeliads. Also spider plants and english ivy.

If you have a cat that insists upon eating your plants why not grow wheat grass or catnip so that munching isn't just a horrible thing.