skip to main content

Low light/low maintenance plants

8 years ago

Hey Everyone!

For several years I have had cascading pothos plants perched on the tops of my kitchen cabinets. Looked beautiful! Every week I faithfully climbed on top of my countertops to reach up and water and trim the plants. I am getting too old and fragile to do this so often! I have been unsuccessful in finding a suitable substitute decor for the 16" above the cabinets. I am looking for suggestions of LOWER maintenance plants than pothos - if I only have to water monthly, that would be ideal! Is there such a thing? I won't do artificial. Suggestions and photos very welcome. Thank you in advance!

Featured Answer

Maria Elena (Caribbean - USDA Zone 13a)

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

L,

Sansevierias are an excellent recommendation & come in many different varieties, including cylindrica. Gooseneck wand watering is another excellent idea! I have to share my first thought, which was Chinese Evergreen ... very low light, very low maintenance plants that keep their variegation regardless of poor lighting.

LL

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

arthurm2015
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Why have you posted your question on an orchid forum? For what it is worth, have you tried a Spathiphyllum aka Peace Lily?
aviolet6
8 years ago
Try the houseplants forum. And a sansevieria (snake plant/ mother-in-law's tongue).
Related Discussions
Ice plant or other low maintenance plant?
Q
Comments (4)
I have some monstrously large (over 5 foot tall, maybe 6 or 7 foot wide) jade plants (crassula) that I NEVER EVER water. They get rained on during the winter, but when the rain stops, that's it. They bloomed this year, and the leaves are still very fat and happy. When you first plant your new plant, it will need to be watered every now and then until its first winter. Then it should be fine. in el cerrito
...See More
Low-maintenance plants for west-facing ocean balcony in Miami?
Q
Comments (3)
What about crown of thorns? The common variety blooms all year for me and requires minimal care even in a pot. Does fine with that amount of light. I think it's probably salt tolerant at that level. Also, maybe russelia equisetiformis (firecracker plant). Would look pretty draping over a pot on the balcony. May not bloom well if sun is too little though. Succulents such as aloe, kalanchoe of all types, probably some rhipsalis in baskets. I'll keep thinking. Anna
...See More
Low Maintenance, Low Water Ground Cover
Q
Comments (1)
How large an area? there are quite a few things that, once established, do not need a lot of water. Christmas ferns, epimedium, pachysandra, hellebores, mondo grass, arisaemas, arum italicum, skimmia, sarcoccoca, brunnera, corydalis, disporum, euphorbia robbiae (aggressive and spreading and deer resistant)! All of these are deer resistant. hakonechloa, heuchera, rodgersia, tiarella.
...See More
Low light/low maintenance plants
Q
Comments (2)
I heartily concur with every one of Glen's recomendations. Especially the Zamioculcas zamifolia, also called ZZ plant. I have a big one, and it more or less lives in lighting conditions that would kill anything else. It is a slow grower, and I do move it to a sunnier spot during the darkest months of winter... not because I have to, but because I feel like it deserves at least a little love, and then it puts out a couple new shoots for me. And I water it about once a month, give or take.
...See More
L
Original Author
8 years ago
Apologies All...I don't know how this question posted to the Orchid forum (my error obviously!) Please disregard. It has been moved to the house plants forum as appropriate!
James _J
8 years ago
Since your here. Have you looked at a pump sprayer with a long wand. I think I've also seen things that hook up to the sink faucet with a long goose neck for watering hanging baskets. Maybe some type of reservoir up top that you would fill every so often.
L
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi James...what an excellent suggestion - thank you! I will look into that. Reservoir is a brilliant idea!

Related Stories

FALL GARDENING Great Design Plant: Low-Maintenance Allium Cernuum

By Curtis Adams

Nodding onion is a Mid-Atlantic native bulb with beautiful midsummer blooms

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Low-Maintenance Calliandra Eriophylla

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Pink, puffy flowers of pink fairy duster transform the lacy foliage of this desert native in spring

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Rosa Banksiae a Low-Maintenance Beauty

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

This thornless, disease- and insect-resistant rose brings showers of white or yellow flowers to the spring garden

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 7 Low-Maintenance Lawn Alternatives

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Turf isn't the only ground cover in town. Get a lush no-grass lawn with clover, moss and other easy-care plants

CURB APPEAL Entry Recipe: Low-Maintenance Meets Contemporary Curb Appeal in Canada

By Annie Thornton

A neighborhood-appropriate mix of textures and colors invites visitors to linger as they approach

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Luminous and Low Maintenance in New Orleans

See the new build that replaced a hurricane-ravaged house, beginning a new chapter for a retiring couple

KITCHEN CABINETS 9 Ways to Get Low-Maintenance Kitchen Cabinets

Save valuable elbow grease and time with these ideas for easy-to-maintain cabinets

GARDENING GUIDES Alpine Plants: High Performers at Low Altitudes Too

By Matt Kilburn

So Heidi and the goats aren't your neighbors. Alpine plants can be lovely and low maintenance on difficult sites beyond the mountains

SUCCULENTS Amazingly Low-Maintenance Picks for Outdoor Planters

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

Turn to succulents, cacti and ornamental grasses to keep your summer watering and care to a minimum

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS 7 Low-Maintenance Countertops for Your Dream Kitchen

By Christine Tusher

Fingerprints, stains, resealing requirements ... who needs ’em? These countertop materials look great with little effort

Sponsored

EK Interior Design

5 Reviews

TIMELESS INTERIOR DESIGN FOR ENDLESS MEMORIES

More Discussions

My first keiki!

2

Will Orchid stem regrow? NEWBIE

7

New spikes and terminal spike on orchid.

12

Orchid root rot

1

Orchid - Roots vs. Stems?

5