Aloe vera is an easy-to-grow tropical perennial with a good tolerance for temperature swings when grown as an indoor house plant. Aloe vera is a handy plant to have around. The juice from the leaves can relieve the pain of scrapes and minor burns. It is a succulent, so it requires minimal care. When grown indoors, aloe needs lots of bright indirect lighting. To prompt flowering, move potted aloe outdoors for warm months. Potted aloe vera rarely grows more than 2 feet high.
Light Exposure: Bright indirect lighting
Soil Needs: Potting mix formulated for succulents
Light Exposure: Bright indirect lighting
Soil Needs: Potting mix formulated for succulents
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Asparagus Fern (Asparagus aethiopicus)
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Airy, lacy asparagus fern loves the humidity of a bathroom. It does well in either moderate or bright light, so a spot by a window is best. Asparagus ferns may look soft to the touch, but the stems have thorns, so beware. It can grow to 2 feet high, but with branches that can sprawl laterally as much as 6 feet. Asparagus fern can go as long as two years before it requires re-potting.
Color Variations: Pale green foliage
Light Exposure: Bright artificial light or window sunlight.
Soil Needs: Well-drained potting soil
Light Exposure: Bright artificial light or window sunlight.
Soil Needs: Well-drained potting soil
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Bamboo (Bambusa Spp.)
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Growing bamboo in containers is a good way to control the plants, which can grow invasively when planted in the garden. But even confined in containers, bamboo plants can get large, requiring re-potting every year or so. The clumping varieties will need re-potting less often than those that run. Feed bamboo with a diluted fertilizer weekly during the growing season, cutting back to monthly in the winter.
Color Variations: Pale to dark green foliage; variegated forms available
Light Exposure: Bright indirect lighting or moderate window sunlight
Soil Needs: Prefers sandy potting, but tolerates most potting soil mixes
Light Exposure: Bright indirect lighting or moderate window sunlight
Soil Needs: Prefers sandy potting, but tolerates most potting soil mixes