Question
QUESTION: I'm moving in one month.  My new tiny one-bedroom apartment has a large window in the bedroom; another large window in the living-room, flanked by a glass door leading to the balcony.  Both face north.
I am determined to have some greenery.  I will be limited to the tops of shelves, top of armoire or hanging -- my cat eats anything that's remotely green.
Are there any house plants that might survive in such a low-light situation?  What would you recommend?

ANSWER: Marie,

Pothos & philodendron vines do well in hanging baskets in north windows as will begonias. Pick up some bottles of cayenne pepper at the dollar stores and empty a whole bottle on the surface of the soil. It will keep your cat away. Mix Tobasco sauce with water 50/50 and add a teaspoon of dish soap then put it in a spray bottle and spray the greenry. That will keep your cat away from the greenery. Floor plants that will do well near those north windows would be any draceanas. A large sansevieria will do well as a floor plant or a smaller one in a hanging basket. Chinese evergreen and peace lilies would also like north light. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for the list of plants that will accept indirect light; it will make a difference.
However, I strongly object to your tips on how to keep cats from eating plants.  A mere hint of cayenne pepper or Tobasco sauce on a cat's paw (it will burn, so the cat will lick it) has caused many serious burns on paw pads, mouths and tongues.  Please be humane.  I'd rather lose a plant than cause harm to my cat.

Answer
Marie,

I just sent you my response before I read this after reading your feedback. As I said most cats will merely sniff it and stay away. If yours won't then don't use it. But in that case you should go to the ASPCA website on poisonous houseplants. The philodendron, dracaenas and some others may be poisonous to cats. I do not have time to look up the list now but the ASPCA list is easy to find.

Darlene