Question
I'm looking to get some plants in my house.  I need low to med light plants.  I prefer vines that grow fast.  I like to pin them around the walls.  I do have a bird which will eat the plants if it gets to them(although very rarely). I like trees that will go into pots but not bigger than six feet.

I used to have a lot of plants but went through a divorce and my exwife took them all.  I don't even know what any of the names are.  

Can you help me with some ideas?  I live in Cheyenne, WY.  I have the common places to buy plants. This is not a major city or anything.  Usually Walmart is where I go.

Any help?

Answer
Hi Jason,

I hope that your assessment of the available light is accurate because light is the most important consideration in plant selection. In my experience, most people tend to overestimate the brightness of the light that they have.

If you would like to follow up with additional information about the light source, exposure, and distance between plants and light, I may be able to assist you in assessing the light.

The only vining plant that I can recommend is called Pothos. It is an excellent low light plant and it grows as fast as any plant will indoors. The vines can grow very long. However, after a few years leaves closest to the pot will start to die back and you will have long bare strands before the leaves start. This is also true of any other vining plant that is allowed to grow very long.

There are a number of low to medium light plants in the 5-6 foot range. Plants in the Dracaena family (Marginata, Lisa, Janet Craig, Warneckei, and Reflexa) all come in that size and do well in low to medium light.

If you prefer smaller-leafed plants, the Schefflera arboricola is a good choice.

If you like a palms, I would recommend a Rhapis palm for low light and a Chamadorea palm for medium light.

There are also many smaller (table) sized plants that do well in low light.

I have written an article on low light plants that includes a more extensive list of such plants. If you would like a copy of that article, contact me at my email address below.

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

You can E-mail me directly at: [email protected]

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