EASY
Related to the ultra-easy
English ivy, Fatsia japonica
doesn’t require a whole
lot of interaction. At matu-
rity, it may produce lacy
white flowers, but it’s a slow-
growing specimen. The
foliage is its main attraction.
Water sparingly in winter.
TIP Don’t be afraid to
prune it back; this will lead
to a lusher, fuller plant.For all its exotic beauty,
asparagus fern (Asparagus
retrofractus) is surprisingly
easy to host. In fact, the
roots tend to grow so vigor-
ously that containers
can burst. Hold the line by
root-pruning. To prevent
foliar browning and shed-
ding, water the plant
regularly and keep humidity
levels high.
TIP The stems can be
thorny on these fern look-
alikes, so be careful.When you want a plant that
looks like a miniature tree,
Ming aralia (Polyscias fru-
ticosa) is for you. Althoughit can get lanky, a few
deft swipes with pruners
will make it sprout from
the base. Keep the soil
moderately moist.
TIP This is the ideal candi-
date for a quick, easy bonsai.INTERMEDIATE
Beyond those incredibly
textural, colorful, and
unusually shaped leaves,
rhizomatous begonias,
such as ‘Palomar Prince,’
send up spires of small
midwinter flowers. Give
them warm temperatures
(above 65 degrees at
night) and water sparingly.
TIP Begonia roots grow
outward rather than down—
choose a shallow container.One look at Medinilla
magnifica and who wouldn’t
assume it would be finicky?
Amazingly, this beau-
tiful tropical plant is easy
to cultivate. Warm temper-
atures are preferred (not
below 65 degrees at night),
as well as plenty of water.
The dangling clusters begin
with soft-pink bracts that
become lovely flowers.
TIP More light equals more
flowers. The blossoms
are followed by inedible
purple berries.ADVANCED
The leaves of Stromanthe
sanguinea ‘Triostar’
brighten up in indirect sun
all year. It prefers high
humidity and temperatures
above 65 degrees, but the
trick to preventing leaf-edge
browning is keeping its
soil slightly damp.
TIP If the leaves fold
during the day, that’s a sign
the plant is very thirsty.Ficus benjamina ‘Reginald’
is a spin on the office-build-
ing standby, with yellow-
green leaves among darker
foliage. Its superabun-
dance of leaves has proven
effective in reducing indoor-
air pollution.
TIP A dry atmosphere
combined with dry soil will
cause the leaves to drop,
so water regularly.EASY
Ming araliaADVANCED
Ficus
benjamina
‘Reginald’EASY
Fatsia
japonica