Trust us when we say, you will have to try very hard to stamp these plants out.
Epipremnum aureum or more commonly known as: Money Plant or Devil’s Ivy
This plant can literally stand many days of no watering, and can still be revived from the brink of death. It is believed that the reason why it’s called the Devil’s Ivy is because it can’t be killed. Somehow, even in less than ideal conditions, it will find a way to grow and even thrive (in your toilet).
Benefits: Cleans the surrounding air around it, removing all indoor air toxins. Great as an office plant, your Money Plant will tolerate low light conditions, dry habitats and infrequent watering (read: not have to come back on weekends to water it).
Tillandsia ionantha or also known as the blushing bride air plant
By far the most common and easiest air plant you can take care of, the tillandsia ionantha grows like weed in freshly cut grass – fast and thick. An occasional misting or just leaving it to the humid elements of Singapore’s rainy weather will be more than sufficient for this hardy air plant. The biggest enemy to this air plant is rot – so less (watering) is more.
Benefits: It can sit in your pretty geometric terrarium for days without any watering. It can hang anywhere, even in low light conditions and still survive. With ample sunlight, you will get to see red tips and if you’re lucky, even a blossom or three. Flowers give you offshoots, which will grow at the base of the mother tillandsia and hang there for life… literally.
Crassula Ovata or more commonly known as: Jade Plant
This particular succulent is a frequent sighting especially during Chinese New Year, it being believed to bring luck and fortune. Quite impossible to stamp out, even if you’re left with a tiny leaf, roots will sprout from the base of the leaf and eventually, more leaves. It’s a slow grower with very little water and sun requirements, so you can literally leave it there to “collect dust” and it’ll still be green and shiny at the end of the week.
Benefits: Believed to fill up your coffers and provides mental health benefits by nourishing your chi. Belief systems aside, it is also a versatile home remedy used for treating warts, nausea, corns and diarrhoea. We would do a bit more of Googling before eating your plant whole, though.
Fittonias or also known as Nerve Plant
Fittonias come in a variety of colours and shapes, and that’s what makes them the most popular candidate for closed, self-sustaining terrariums. It’s good to note that only hardy, low maintenance plants are great for closed terrariums as you literally don’t do anything to a closed terrarium. Outside of a terrarium though, they love water, so put them in potting soil and empty your watering can – they will love it.
Benefits: They’re fast growers and populate the area quickly; they also don’t require that much light and love steam, so here’s your answer to the perfect bathroom plant.
Tip to note: They grow so fast that repotting might be required, so plant them in a slightly bigger pot for less fuss.
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana or also known as Widow’s-thrill or Flaming Katy
Widow’s-thrill is excellent for bringing a pop of colour to your home or office as they are known to flower relatively easily when compared to other sensitive plants. Their thick, succulent-like leaves support the “flames” and store water and will tolerate (and possibly thrive on) infrequent waterings.
Healthy leaves will also give you new plants if you care to grow a baby out of your Flaming Katy.
Benefits: They rid the surrounding air of toxins and are generally great at brightening up your home with minimal care.
Chlorophytum comosum or more commonly known as: Spider Plant
Spider plants are as about elusive to death as spiders are; or even more so. Hence, care is super easy and they can tolerate a fair amount of abuse too (not saying you should). Other than beautifying your space, they flourish under bright, indirect and infrequent watering sessions. The one great thing about spider plants is that they produce offshoots – spiderettes, if you will – fairly easily. Cut off an offshoot and put them in another pot and soon, you’ll have a forest to enjoy.
Benefits: Nasa has placed this particular species among the top three types of houseplants that are amazing at removing formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, other toxins and impurities.
Tip to note: Spiderettes need plenty of water while growing, but if you can’t really be bothered, you can just let them hang off the mother plant.
