Martha_Stewart_Living_-_February_2016_USA__

EASY

Big on impact but not high-

maintenance, agaves range

in size from very compact

to large (varieties such

as Agave desmettiana ‘J o e

Hoak’). These architectural

plants can tolerate dry soil.

TIP Most agaves are heav-

ily barbed, so keep them

away from young children

and pets.

The zebra plant (Haworthia

attenuata) is the epitome

of easy: Forget about it for

weeks and it will still be

chugging along. It prefers

bright light (though even

that is negotiable) and dis-

likes constantly wet grow-

ing conditions. Give it a

snug container, and water

once every two weeks.

TIP Don’t expect acrobat-

ics—it is ultra-slow-growing.

Echeveria ‘Black Prince,’

like all members of the

stonecrop family, is a snap

to grow. In late autumn

and winter, red flowers may

emerge if ‘Black Prince’ is

given a bright south-facing

window. Water it sparingly,

and give it well-drained

potting soil.

TIP When echeverias

become leggy, break off a

rosette with a short stem;

root it in soil for a new start.

With cascades of tiny ellipti-

cal green leaves, a string of

bananas (Senecio radicans)

will become a conversa-

tion piece. It’s slow-growing,

so start with a mature

plant. Allow the soil to dry

out between waterings.

TIP It’s poisonous when

eaten, so keep it out of

reach of pets and children.

INTERMEDIATE

Among the most prolific

plants, kalanchoe ‘Mother

of Thousands’ makes prop-

agation a snap. Simply snap

off a rosette to give away

to friends. Although it loves

bright light, that’s not a

deal-breaker. Overwatering,

however, can be a killer.

TIP Kalanchoes are toxic

to dogs and cats.

If you are a notorious ne-

glecter, Cereus uruguaya-

nus is a safe bet. In fact, if

you water too frequently, the

stems will rot. Give this

column cactus as much sun

as you can muster in your

window, turn it often, and

watch it slowly bolt upward.

TIP Rotate the plant to keep

it from leaning.

ADVANCED

Not only is calamondin

orange (x Citrofortunella

microcarpa) compact, but

this citrus hybrid produces

fragrant flowers followed

by a bountiful crop of

fruit. Give it warm temper-

atures and a generous

container with organic pot-

ting soil that’s kept moist

but not soggy.

TIP Fertilize throughout

the year.

Whether you favor Mam-

millaria, Opuntia, or Oreo-

cereus, all cacti thrive

under similar growing con-

ditions. Give them full,

bright light, water them

every two weeks at most

in winter, and cramp their

roots in a tight container

with heavily drained pot-

ting soil (by adding plenty

of sand).

TIP Don’t grow on a window

that is opened and shut of-

ten, to avoid being pricked.

Created by Lorna Aragon,

Todd Carr, and Jaspal Riyait

Special thanks to Costa Farms

(costafarms.com) and Four Winds

Growers (fourwindsgrowers.com)

EASY

Zebra plant

INTERMEDIATE

Cereus

uruguayanus

ADVANCED

Oreocereus

celsianus

ADVANCED

Opuntia

microdasys

albispina

ADVANCED

Mammillaria
backebergiana

EASY

String of

bananas