Question
My daughter has a (rather dark) 2 foot square space next to her fireplace in a log home with HIGH ceiling where she would like to put a tall plant.  She also has an active 18 month old who is either apt to climb it, eat it, or just "bring it down to her level" to play with...any potentials here or should she just find a "artificial something"?

Thanks so much.  

Answer
Steph, if this space next to the fireplace had a skylight, it would be one thing.  But this is a dark corner.

Toddler or not, nothing will grow in the dark -- nothing you want near your toddler, anyway.

No matter how much you feed it, or water it, no matter how much you love it, no green plant can survive without light.  The green part is for Photosynthesis.  End of story.

May I suggest -- I am not kidding here -- a Guinea Pig or a Dog with a bed in this corner?

Having had a toddler once -- and I guess we are both experienced with this -- I would not even put a vase of flowers lower than 4'.  There was the "Four Foot Rule".  NOTHING was safe below 4 feet off the ground.

Guinea pigs are tough, child-friendly, and spiritual -- teach us about life, death, love, food, water, cage cleaning (excellent manure, by the way, so if there is a Compost pile out there or a vegetable garden, it would be a veritable fertilizer machine).

Just my opinion.

I don't believe in artificial.  I like to keep it real.

Given your daughter's choice of housing, I don't think we're all that much different.

Fish?

Birds?

Well, maybe not birds -- they need light, too, and are not very cuddly.  Fish are fascinating, but they won't sit in your lap and keep you company.

Yeah, I'm for the Guineapig or the Puppy.

Sorry -- Green Plants need light.  Thanks for writing.  I'd love to hear what she decides.