You need to get a pothos (Epipremnum aureum). Get several of them, in fact. These are the greatest plants ever. They are unkillable. They require hardly any light. You can tell if they need water because they start to shrivel and wilt, but they will always bounce back even if you let them go for several weeks. Seriously, I have returned from long vacations to find them looking dead -- just add water and presto! The next day they are fine. If you put them on the top of a table or bookshelf, their leaves will grow downward into a nice long trail. Very pretty. Also cheap. You can get them in any grocery store, though you will find bigger and shinier ones at nurseries. They make great hanging plants for porches too; I have found nothing else that I can keep alive in the summer in those pots except for my beloved pothos. Fake ivy and ferns are totally unnecessary (and btw, if you put real ivy in a pot of water, it is pretty hardy too).

You might take a look at Logee's list of indestructible house plants

http://www.logees.com/Indestructible-House-Plants/products/238/0/3

The most low-maintenance plant I've had is zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant. It can go a month without water and needs very little light.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for those of you opposed to fake plants, what do you recommend instead? assume very little natural sunlight in the house and no green thumb (which are both reasons people use fake plants)

No plants in the house. Fresh flowers.

Yes, because everyone has room in their budget to replace flowers every week.

Plus, if they're grown in some previously arable land in Mexico and then flown up here, it's bad for the environment and for farmers.

You often find beautiful ones on the Joss and Main and One Kings Lane websites. Not cheap but look beautiful.

I agree that most plants need less maintenance than people think. We inherited a giant rhododendron when we bought a house. I'm talking 8+ feet tall thing. It stood there for 2 months before we moved in and is doing A-OK. Who do you think waters plants in the wild?

You could do a preserved topiary:

http://forevergreenart.com/home/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=108

Anonymous wrote:There is no need for fake plants. If you think you are getting a nice "look" without the maintenance you are wrong. It looks cheesy. SkiP it and just don't do plants. Decorate with something else...

I agree. I have a plant in my office that I sometimes forget to water for weeks at a time (while I go away), and it is still thriving (okay, it looks a little wilty sometimes, but then I know to water it). Fake plants only make you look cheesy.

There is no need for fake plants. If you think you are getting a nice "look" without the maintenance you are wrong. It looks cheesy. SkiP it and just don't do plants. Decorate with something else...

Go to American Plant on River in Bethesda. I am HORRIBLE with houseplants, but they recommended some plants that need minimal sun and very little car. I've managed to keep them alive for a few months now, and if I can, anyone can.

I have seen some fake orchids that look pretty realistic...however, they are quite pricey.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:An orchid from Trader Joe's is $12.99 and will last for months. A single potted orchid on a coffee or side table is all you need.

It lasts for months if you take care of it. For some of us, that is a challenge. I even tried the ice-cube thing recommended on HGTV. I forgot to add another after 3? 5? days and it died. The $12 dollar orchid lasted just over 2 weeks. My fake ferns and ivy have last years and I only have to remember to care for them when I have company. I get out the small hand vacuum, turn it to blow instead of suck and blow off the dust. Done. I have greenery instead of brown dead things.

Eek. Really? There are a LOT of easy to care for houseplants out there. All they need is water maybe once a week, and ambiant light. We've had several for years -- maybe even a decade -- and they look just fine. It's not that hard. Seriously, fake plants?

Anonymous wrote:An orchid from Trader Joe's is $12.99 and will last for months. A single potted orchid on a coffee or side table is all you need.

It lasts for months if you take care of it. For some of us, that is a challenge. I even tried the ice-cube thing recommended on HGTV. I forgot to add another after 3? 5? days and it died. The $12 dollar orchid lasted just over 2 weeks. My fake ferns and ivy have last years and I only have to remember to care for them when I have company. I get out the small hand vacuum, turn it to blow instead of suck and blow off the dust. Done. I have greenery instead of brown dead things.

An orchid from Trader Joe's is $12.99 and will last for months. A single potted orchid on a coffee or side table is all you need.