From the Ground Up: These plants are easy to grow at home

Green plants inside your house are a great way to keep your spirits up and get a start on spring.

Remember, though, that houseplants need three things to thrive: light, water and well-drained soil. Finding the place in your home where a plant will thrive usually means finding a place where the light is right.

If you want to keep it growing nicely, you may have to let go of where you want the plant and find a place where the plant is happy.

Remembering to water houseplants is often the most difficult part for many.

In winter, the air in our homes is especially dry. Since most houseplants are tropical, you also may need to increase the humidity with a pebble tray or by misting.

Still, the biggest mistake made with houseplants is actually overwatering.

A plant may look dry and brown, but that could actually be caused by too much water instead of too little.

Throw out the schedule and water plants when they are 90 percent dry to the touch. Or get a water meter.

Because houseplants are out of their natural element - the ground - and in pots, drainage is another issue. Most plants don't like sitting in water, so you will need a tray under each plant to catch the water, and a light soil that drains easily.

Here are some houseplants to enjoy this winter:

' Spider plants: These plants are attractive and take very little maintenance. Spider plants produce many baby plants that will continue to grow in a jar of water or soil and serve as starters to new spider plants. These plants need to hang, like from a hanging basket or on a pedestal.

' Dracaena: This plant looks like corn, and is in the corn family. It does well in medium light.

' Sansevieria: Want to brighten a dim corner? Grow a snake plant, also called sansevieria. It blooms with little light and will tolerate dryness.

' Pothos: Pothos looks like philodendron but it's a nice bright yellow. It will tolerate low light, but will be more variegated in brighter light.

' Croton: Croton has fleshy variegated leaves with gold, pink and orange tones. It does well in low light and tolerates dryness.

' Lucky bamboo: It may not be truly lucky, but lucky bamboo is fantastically easy to grow. Plant it in a pebble-filled container of water in medium light and watch it take off.

All of these plants can be found at local garden centers.

Remember light, water, and drainage will keep your plants looking lovely all year long.

For all houseplant questions, call the Linn County Master Gardener Hotline at (319) 447-0647.

' Jean Murray is a Linn County Master Gardener.