EASY
The snake plant (Sanse-
vieria trifasciata), also
known as mother-in-law’s
tongue, can take all sorts
of abuse, ranging from near
closet-like conditions to
very dry atmospheres and
stifling temperatures.
Sizes range from a compact
six inches to four feet tall.
TIP Snake plants have sub-
stantial roots; don’t cramp
them. And watch out for the
sharp edges that earned
the plant its common name.With plenty of leaves wan-
dering around, philoden-
drons have an impressive
ability to absorb pollut-
ants from indoor air, plus
they boast riveting foliage.
Choose a trailer such
as ‘Brasil’ or an upright
version like ‘Xanadu’ to
complement your décor.
TIP Clip away—trailing
philodendrons love a
haircut.INTERMEDIATE
True, anybody can host a
spider plant successfully—
they are a cinch. But keep-
ing this rangy creature
from looking like a bad-hair
day takes some effort.
Remove any browning tips
(they happen often) and
black aerial roots. It’s for-
giving if you forget to water.
Chlorophytum comosumINTERMEDIATE
Spider plant
‘Bonnie’INTERMEDIATE
ZZ plant
ADVANCED
Anthurium
‘Jungle Queen’‘Bonnie’ is a snappy,
spiraling new spin on the
tried-and-true variety.
Spider plants also help
filter out formaldehyde
from indoor atmospheres.
TIP If ‘Bonnie’ loses its
curl, remove the straight
sections, or root a replace-
ment curly plant from a
spider type.Tolerant of truly low-light
conditions, the ZZ plant
(Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
needs frequent watering.
Give it plenty of root room,
warm temperatures, and
reliable moisture.
TIP ZZ will eventually
become shrublike in size—
it’s a good investment.ADVANCED
Silver satin pothos (Scind-
apsus pictus ‘Argyraeus’)
is more of a challenge than
other pothos. Worth a little
more care, it has alligator-
esque markings on heart-
shaped matte leaves. Grown
well, it becomes a design
statement when allowed
to shower down. As with
philodendrons, the foliage
tends to grow sparse and
lanky without frequent
pruning. Keep its soil moist.
TIP To create a full plant,
clip off stems and root them
in the container.New anthurium cultivar
‘Jungle Queen’ is a shy
bloomer, grown for its fas-
cinating foliage rather
than the typical flamingo
flowers. Propagated from
seed, the plant displays
exciting diversity. “No two
are alike,” says Costa
Farms gardening expert
Justin Hancock. With
irregular cream or bronze
mottling in each long,
slightly puckered leaf, this
anthurium likes high humid-
ity, moist but not wet soil,
and warm temperatures.
TIP Give it humidity by
keeping it in your bathroom.