Experts Only – These Plants Are Too Hard For Most Of Us To Keep Alive
Some people have a hard time growing anything, while others seem to be able to keep anything alive. If you like plants but don't want to think too hard about caring for them, don't try growing the plants on this list. While it's normal to struggle to keep plants alive at times, there are specific varieties that are extra difficult. If you're ready to dedicate all your time and attention to keeping these plants alive, you just might be able to do it. But for most people, these are best enjoyed on screen rather than growing them at home.
Elephant's Ear Alocasia
While Elephant's Ear is a really interesting plant, it needs a lot of water to stay healthy. If you tend to forget to water your plants or if you travel a lot, these plants won't grow well for you. This also isn't a plant that you can touch often as it can bruise very easily. If you have one of these plants, drooping leaves are a tell-tale sign it needs more water.
Banana Plant
This stunning green specimen, Banana Plant, is another tropical variety. While the idea of bringing tropical plants into your home is enticing, they will struggle to grow properly. For this reason, it's highly unlikely that this plant will bear fruit if grown indoors. It needs a lot of bright indirect light as well as a specific watering schedule. This plant also requires certain nutrients that are difficult to provide in an indoor environment.
Orchids
Orchids are tropical plants, so unless you're growing them outside in a tropical climate, or you've turned your home into an indoor oasis, they'll be a challenge to keep happy. Orchids also require bright indirect light, a specific soil blend, and a dialed-in watering schedule. If you're determined to keep orchids in your home (who wouldn't, they're beautiful!) make sure you learn how to properly care for Orchids indoors so you can give them what they need.
Tillandsia
At first glance, Air Plants don't look real. This unique group of plants doesn't need soil or a pot. You can just set them on a shelf. However, this also makes them tricky to water. They can be quite temperamental and often it's hard to tell if they're getting too much or too little water. It's important to spend some time learning how to properly care for Air Plants before you add them to your indoor jungle.
Monstera deliciosa
Monstera deliciosa, or Cheese Plant, is a tropical plant so it likes being in high humidity. Since most homes have fairly low humidity it's difficult to meet this need without running a humidifier constantly. While it likes a humid climate it's actually easy to overwater and requires well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole. The combination of these things can make it a bit of a balancing act to keep it happy indoors.
Spiral Aloe
This stunning succulent is on most succulent growers' wish lists. But there's a reason it's rare. It takes several years for Aloe polyphylla to reach maturity and start to spiral. Getting it to that point requires a delicate touch. Just enough water to help it grow but not too much that it rots. It seems even talking about water near this plant can cause it to rot if the timing isn't right. As a temperamental slow grower, this succulent is one that you won't see in many gardens.
Lithops
Living Stones succulents are definitely a unique plant. They can also be quite temperamental and difficult to care for. While most plants in this list are hard to grow because of high water needs, Lithops are one of the few plants that thrive on neglect. It's difficult to know how much water is enough to keep them alive without rotting the roots. You'll likely go several months without watering these plants, and even that can be too frequent at times.
Senecio rowleyanus
String of Pearls is a fairly common plant at most big box stores and even smaller nurseries, but that doesn't mean it's easy to grow. There's a fine line between too much and just enough water for this trailing plant. Many new succulent growers add this to their collection but quickly find they can't quite figure out how to make it happy.
Miniature Roses
An indoor rose garden sounds delightful, especially on a cold winter day. Sadly, miniature rose bushes are not a great option for growing indoors. They need a lot of humidity in order to thrive but their roots are also prone to rot. It's best to plant these in well-draining soil to keep the roots happy. There also isn't enough light indoors to keep these plants looking their best. You'll find these plants are much easier to keep alive outside.
Gorgeous, Self-Seeding Flowers You'll Only Have to Plant Once
Growing flowers from seeds is an inexpensive and great way to grow annuals (plants that only live for one year). However, just because you plant them once doesn't mean you'll have to re-plant them each. Some plants self-seed quite easily and will come back year after year with very little effort on your part. Many of these flowers also attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, to your garden.
Help Save The Bees By Planting These Flowers In Your Garden
One of the best ways to help the bee population grow is by providing them with plenty of food. You can easily do this by planting bee-friendly flowers in your garden. Also, be sure to avoid using pesticides and make sure there is a water source nearby to help them stay healthy. There are several varieties of plants that are sure to attract bees to your garden and help these busybodies pollinate the fruits and vegetables we love to eat.
7 Worst Mistakes Beginners Make When Growing Succulents
Many people assume that they can take care of succulent plants however they want -- just treat them like normal house plants. The problem is succulents aren't like most other house plants. They have completely different watering needs and often need more sunlight and airflow than other plants. Find out what the most common succulent mistakes are and how to avoid them.
Is Your State On The List? 18 States Where Succulents Can Grow Outside Year Round
Many people think of succulents as beautiful house plants but don't realize they can be grown outside year-round in many parts of the United States. Not every succulent is suited for outdoor growing in every state so here's a list of states and some of the succulents you can expect to grow outside year round there.
Are These Weird Succulents Too Ugly To Grow In Your Garden?
Most people think of succulents as beautiful rosettes with thick, colorful leaves. They're tough and can withstand long periods of drought. But not all succulents are beautiful. This can be a heated discussion, but while many think these weird succulents are cool, others won't even consider buying them. Would you grow any of the ugly succulents on this list?
This article originally appeared on Succulents and Sunshine.