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Quiz: Picking the perfect plant for you
There are thousands of species of plants. How can you tell which one is best for you?
Monday is National Houseplant Appreciation Day — a good a time as any to find a shrubbery soul mate. Answer a few quick questions for our recommendation for your new flowery friend.
1. When you’re not at school, what do you enjoy doing?
A. Snuggling with my cat or teaching my dog a new trick.
B. Watching fashion videos on YouTube and TikTok.
C. Playing video games online with friends.
D. Tending to my growing collection of plants, obviously.
2. How would your friends or teachers describe you?
A. Friendly, reliable
B. Outgoing, bold
C. Quiet, low-maintenance
D. Focused, consistent
3. What’s your favorite subject at school?
A. Science — especially units about living things
B. Art or music
C. Anything STEM!
D. I can’t wait to get to college to enroll in botany.
4. Favorite color?
A. Orange, like my cat
B. Rainbow
C. Electric purple, like my PS4 controller
D. Earthy greens
Mostly A’s: spider plant
A spider plant. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)
You are likely a pet or animal enthusiast. Choose a plant that won’t harm your furry friends, such as the spider plant. Chlorophytum comosum grow long, skinny leaves that are green or white-and-green striped.
According to The Spruce, when they’re fully-grown, these popular houseplants can be 2 feet tall. They also often sprout “babies” or pups — if replanted, these can grow into their own fully-formed spider plants. Keep yours in a hanging planter with indirect sun and lightly moist soil.
Mostly B’s: orchid
An orchid purchased at Trader Joe's grocery store that has rebloomed is pictured on March 4, 2021. (AP Photo/Ali Kaufman)
You’re known for your style and fashion sense. Adopt a plant that’s as flashy as you, like something from the Orchidaceae family. Orchids have tall branches that feature colorful blooming flowers. Different kinds of orchids have different shaped petals — some are ruffled while others are more angular.
If your new orchid is in bloom, try to leave it alone. Once the plant finishes blooming, trim off the old flower and repot it in orchid potting mix — its roots like to mix with moss and bark. Then put it somewhere with strong light, and let it dry out between watering.
Mostly C’s: snake plant
A snake plant. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)
OK, gamer. You need something that won’t mind hanging out in your dimly-lit room, where you can’t have glare hitting your TV or computer screen. Try the snake plant, dracaena trifasciata, a resilient plant that will survive in almost any light conditions — or watering conditions, just in case you forget.
The leaves of this plant are long, stiff and grow straight up. Some even grow to 12 feet tall! Water it monthly in the winter and more often in the summer. Although it prefers indirect light, it will adapt to even dark corners.
Mostly D’s: fiddle-leaf fig
A fiddle-leaf fig. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)
First plant? Please. You have a growing jungle inside your home. You’re ready to adopt the finicky fiddle-leaf fig — a plant notorious for being sensitive and particular about its growing conditions. But with your green thumb, you’re up for the challenge.
The ficus lyrata is a tree with a thin trunk and huge leaves. Indoors, it can grow to about 10 feet tall. These figs like bright, filtered light — too much sunlight will burn the leaves, and too little will slow growth. Find the right spot, then rotate it every once in a while so it grows evenly. It’s particular about its water, too, so watch closely to see if your fiddle-leaf is trying to tell you it needs more (wilted, faded leaves) or less (dropping leaves) water.
Comments: molly.duffy@thegazette.com
A spider plant. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)
An orchid purchased at Trader Joe's grocery store. (AP Photo/Ali Kaufman)
A snake plant. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)
A fiddle-leaf fig. (Molly Duffy/For The Gazette)
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