Although green is my favorite color and "natural" is probably the word that best describes my style, I'm not quick to express my love for houseplants ... probably because most die before I can write a decent post. But with you, Philodendron Selloum, I'm going public. There's no plant so forgiving, so adaptable, or so stylish.
I'll admit that when picking houseplants, I'm pretty shallow and only get them for their good looks. In the past, this has not worked out so well for my ego. I mean the only thing more depressing than a house with no plants at all is a house with a new plant dying a painful death on your dining room table. That is what failure looks like. There have been a few happy exceptions to my terrible track record— Long lasting, Easy Care Plants For Black Thumbs — but even those lasted just a few months. However, the Philodendron Selloum is a different story altogether.
I bought a large plant for a whopping $12 from Home Depot last winter, and kept it indoors in a room that gets a decent amount of filtered afternoon sunlight. When the weather warmed in April, I moved it outdoors in full sun where it thrived throughout the spring, summer and early fall without me doing a single thing except watering it once a week. During that time, I snipped cuttings and placed them indoors where they lasted for months (!) without even changing their container. At this time I was practically ready to marry the plant. It came back indoors in late October where it has happily moved from room to room depending on my mood. I water it about once every week and a half, and it has seemed to thrive in every room, even those with relatively low natural light. Aside from continuing to sprout new leaves like a champ, it generally brings an upbeat tropical vibe to any space that it graces.
And, as it turns out, it's not only a pretty, easy-care rockstar, it's also on NASA's shortlist of best air-purifying houseplants. So basically, there is no reason you shouldn't go out and invite one of these beauties into your life.
(Images: Leah Moss)
100 DIY Ideas for the 3-Day Weekend
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Flatwa...
On Saying No to Paleo: Why Eating Isn't One Size Fits All
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
Yes! They're amazing. I did find that mine really enjoy a little feeding from time to time as well as a root trimming, but they will live on without either.
safe for cats? I want more houseplants but I have no idea what is and isn't safe for cats if they decide to eat some. All I have now are a few cactuses since my cats avoid them and they're hard to kill.
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants?plant_toxicity=toxic-to-cats
this is on the ASPCA list as being toxic to both cats and dogs so be sure to put out of reach.
http://www.aspca.org/Pet-care/poison-control/Plants/tree-philodendron
the ASPCA has a pretty extensive list of what is and isn't safe for cats/dogs. It is great that you are being conscious of this. I had a cat eat a toxic plant and thankfully survived but I racked up almost a grand in vet bills. http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/
Toastercat- you just read my mind! I also have cactus for the same reason. Unfortunately, the kitties ganged up on it last week and threw the poor plant on the floor.
Our cats don't eat and generally ignore our house plants, but periodically take a whim that a certain plant must die. Those are the days I come home to either dirt spread all around the living room or a vase of flowers tipped over. Jerks do it about two or three times a year.
I love houseplants but my cats devour every single one I had (including cut flowers, too). If I put them in the places too high for them to reach, they are too high for us (humans) to enjoy! I've tried having "cat grass" inside, but that's just their appetizer before moving on to my other plants. Any cat owners have suggestions? I don't love the look of a cactus, myself, but that seems to be the only alternative?
Aww, that's too bad the cat grass doesn't work for you - I've found that it does generally keep my cats away from the other plants. However, they do also like my ponytail palm - which according to AT is safe for cats! http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/nontoxic-house-plantskeeping-y-137830 Maybe if you just grow one of those for your furbabies? Mine tend to like the fresh growth from the top!
My cats avoid my aloe (which is technically also a cactus) that is toxic to cats, but it's placed in a spot they aren't allowed (nor want to go) which is in the window above the kitchen sink. Also, the big tough stalks aren't something they are too interested in anyway.
You could try spraying the plants with Bitter Yuck (I've had better luck with it than Bitter Apple). Just be warned, it's potent stuff--if I so much as pick up the bottle and then eat something with hands ages afterward I can still taste the stuff (even a good scrubbing doesn't seem to help if I've been spraying it).
My biggest problem is that our girl cat loooves to scratch the trunk of our yucca. It's slowly dying a sad, pitiful death and the plan is to replace it with something trunk-less to take away the temptation.
Can anyone give me the link/description for the bench in the top picture? Much appreciated!
When bitter apple didn't keep my last dog from scratching at the rug, someone suggested clove oil. It worked like a charm. The only reference I found related to cats is a natural products company that uses it on an anti-lick bandage for both cats and dogs so it might be worth a try. It is a strong smell but mostly makes it smell like you have been baking.
@toastercar, I find it quite easy to kill cactuses! ;^) (Over-watering...)
I think there are cats that will try to eat any plant, and cats that ignore most of them, so the latter are probaly ok with even some counted as "toxic".
my cat get enough of my ponytail palms. i figure it's a win-win, she gets green in her diet and my palms don't overtake my apartment.
I have one of these, and I love mine too! Philos are so easy to keep alive, and come in a lot of different varieties. I have at least ten of them around my house (six or seven different varieties), and they seem to thrive no matter where I put them!
A very welcoming room. The sconces are charming.
nicknyc10k, I bought the same table at Crate & Barrel, but 5,years ago. Try Environments.
Meant "Environment Furniture", 352 Bowery.
crate and barrel: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/seguro-rectangular-coffee-table/s220012
we really love this table. We've had it for about 4 years, and it still looks f=great even in our busy dog friendly kid friendly house
Your room is beautiful!
My home is full of green plants, I believe they bring in a positive energy.
https://plus.google.com/100889127121423734144/about