Guest Author - Sue Walsh

Think you’ve got a black thumb? Try these plants, which are guaranteed easy to grow:

Aloe: No kitchen should be without one of these hardy succulents. The gel inside the long spear like leaves is wonderful for minor burns and cuts. They like bright indirect light and somewhat cool temps, but they will thrive just about anywhere provided they have well draining soil and are watered sparingly (let the soil dry out between waterings).

Zonal Geranium:These hardy plants are at home in the ground, in windowboxes and containers, and will flower year round on a sunny windowsill. Cut them back frequently to keep them bushy and make sure the soil is kept moist (but not wet).

Swedish Ivy: This plant is extremely hard to kill. All it needs is moist soil and bright indirect light. It roots in water almost overnight and can grow in it quite happily. It makes a gorgeous hanging plant and will tolerate a fair amount of neglect.

Strawberry Begonia: Despite its name, this plant is not related to either strawberries or begonias. It gets its name from its leaves, which look like those of a Rex Begonia, and from the runners it produces, which look like strawberry plants. The runners have baby plants on them, which can be rooted to make new plants. They do well in low to moderate light and prefer the soil to dry out to an inch or more below the surface before watering.

Cast Iron Plant: Like its namesake, this plant can stand up to just about anything. It has dark strap like leaves with cream variegation that grow on short stems. It is quite happy in low light and doesn’t mind the dry air of our heated homes in the winter. It even tolerates infrequent and/or erratic watering.

Philodendron: This plant is the most popular of all houseplants, and for good reason, but it will also do well on decks and patios provided it is protected from direct sunlight. It grows quite happily in moderate indirect light and can tolerate a fair amount of direct. It does prefer moist soil and appreciates having its leaves dusted every so often.

Tradescantia: Also known as Wandering Jew, this plant has long leaves with green stripes and accented by shades of purple, pink, white, and even silver. All they need is bright indirect light and regular watering (let the soil dry out between waterings).

These plants are great for beginners and black thumbs. Once you're confident growing them, the door is opened to an endless variety of plants for you to chose. So go for it and reap the rewards of gardening. You won't regret it!