If I had to restrict to a genus (by analogy with the Bromeliaceae), I'd choose Araceae. Definitely. Without the Araceae, I'd have no:

Anthurium (flamingo flower)
Spathiphyllum (peace lily)
Dieffenbachia
Aglaonema (Chinese evergreen)
Philodendron
Monstera (split-leaf philodendron)
Homalomena
Epipremnum (pothos)

And if I had to limit myself to a single family, I'd go with Aglaonema.

But let's hope it never comes to that.

I'd have to go with any one of the jungle cacti. Rhipsalis, Epiphyllum, Selencereus, Hylocereus, Schlumbergera, Lepismium, Hatioria. I've forgotten some I know, but these are wonderful plants and very easy to grow. I have over 110 of these easy plants.

I love Bromeliads too, they are gorgeous. I also really enjoy Philodendrons & Aglaonemas, but I dont know if I could pick just one!

Jen

I think if I could only have one family I'd probably die. But if I survived the awful shock of even Thinking about doing away with all the plants that don't fit into one family, then I guess I'd have to choose one of my already favorites that have a lot of very different members, like begonias, or gesneriads, or aroids--large and small, hardy and only-possible-in-a-terrarium and then if you hold your mouth just right--- I like to be challenged, and I like plants that do well even when I don't do anything but admire them now and then. I like big plants and tiny plants and weird plants and beautiful plants. Funny, as much as I love plants there are some plants I just don't want to bother with--but not many!

It's not a big contributor of house plants, and I don't actually have any right now, but the first thing that comes to mind is Rosaceae. Various growth habits, some pretty flowers, plenty of tasty fruit.
Mint would be a tempting choice, but I'm not sure how many herbs I can eat.

I do have one family of plants, all of them are part of my family, lol!!
Okay I will have to go with Philodenderon. Now I have to go buy another houseplant in order to get over the terror of thoughts of just one type of plant.

My favorite plants seem to be the aroids.

Diefs, chinese evergreens, pothos, peace lilies, arrowheads... If I'm not mistaken they're all aroids.

If I had to pick just one of those, I think it would be multiple types and colors of pothos. They're so pretty, reliable and way underrated.

LOL...micke, you're right. I had the urge today to go to the local garden center - because I can go and buy whatever I want. Like many of you, I love Aroids too. That's a group of plants that I would sincerely miss. And like you mentha, I also love those jungle cacti. 110?? Good lord...how do you care for so many??

Greenelbows, I'm the same way. As much as I also love plants there are many that I do not like at all.

Easy breezy....HOYAS!
Gabi

STRELITZIA!!

Nicolai, Alba, Reginae-all good friends of mine. I scored my first Nicolai today...I cant begin to tell you how rare it is around these parts.

Micke, LOLOL..go by a plant..

This is really a difficult question..I wish you would have asked for top 3 families..Guess I'd have to say, Citrus..Toni

hoyas, and the epiphytic types of plants in general, though I have a little of everything. I love alot of different cacti and succulents too, but don't always have the right growing conditions so don't have many.

Araceae...and if I could choose only one genus, it'd be Philodendron.:)

GH

cane begonias

but I still wouldn't be satisfied.

Susan

Not sure I could do it either, 'cuz I do like my Aroids, but probably Asclepiads...hoyas, dischidias, ceropegias.....

I would mine would be hoyas....or gesneriads.. I dont think I can pick between them....lol'

Tracy

I change my vote! I forgot about my beloved Hoyas and my huge snake plants. Ok, I cannot pick one : ) How about top 5?

Jen

What a scary thought.....

But..... I have to go with Gesnariads. Lots of variety in growth habit, foliage and flowers. Easy to propagate and trade with others. Wonderful community of collectors. Yup, has to be Gesnariads primarily for the wide variety.

You would still have to tear a heck of a lot of plants out of my arms with me kicking and screaming to get me to that point though.

Gesneriads! Is there anything else. lol ;o)

Euphorbias for me! But what (and who) would I be without my Peperomias? Couldn't part with my Crown of Thorns collection, though - and if I could ONLY have Euphorbias, just think of how many different kinds I would have, since I wouldn't be constantly distracted buying every other darn thing!

That would have to be plants in the crassulaceae family. But I sure would miss all my tropicals. Glad I don't really have to make that decision.

Pepperomia..I have a couple questions about COT's..Do you have the small and large flower varieties? If so, I'm sure your small flowers blooms most of the year, right? Can you tell me if the large flower does the same?
Last summer I had a 1 1/2-2' large flower w/bi=colored flowers..it was outside,.of course we had tons of rain and it drowned..I was devestated..Anyway, I have 2 10"H large flower COT"S..other than leaves there aren't any flowers..Is this normal? Are they still too young to bloom? Although the small flowers bloom at a young age. I've seen them sold at stores, 6" tall loaded w/flowers.

Question 2..I was given 2 variegated COT cuttings..the woman who sent them said they'd probably die since she didn't take proper care of them and they'd been sitting in her yard for months..I planted the two, about 5" tall, into a 4" pot..one died..the other is hanging on. I've removed the dead COT's..My question is, since I place C&S's outside in summer, should I place the Var COT's outside or keep indoors where I can keep an eye on it? Also, should I water a bit more than normal? (not sopping wet but moist)? I'd really want this plant to live, but don't know how to keep it going..If you have an answer, I'd appreciate all the help I can get..
Karen, (my dear C&S expert)lol, if you happen to read this thread, can you chime in..thanks..Toni