For the most part, besides African Violets and Christmas Cactus’, I have very few houseplants. I love houseplants and have always wanted to have more but, childcare. Having kids in my house all day left me nervous about having plants as many of them can be poisonous if eaten. So…I didn’t really keep them on the main floor of the house and didn’t ever pursue having more except for my African Violets which I keep upstairs.
Then awhile back I visited my sister’s house. She has AMAZING plants. Her plants are really to be envied. I wish I had taken pictures and shared them with you. Next time I go, I’ll ask her if I can. Seriously, the plants are amazing.
That got me thinking that maybe being I don’t have childcare full time and a lump of my grandchildren are getting past the point I have to worry about them eating plants, I would slowly start getting a few plants. Hmm.
Well, what do you know it. The next time I was at the thrift store, the big leafy plant in the white pot was there. Pot and plant together was $5. I thought that was great and bought it.
I know nothing about the plant so if you know a name or care instructions, please pass that along to me.
The next time I went to the thrift store… there was this plant that was in pretty tough shape. I’m guessing it’s some variety of succulent. Again, if you know anything feel free to pass the info on. It was $2. Not a great looking plant but in my price range so I brought it home, transplanted it and planted all of the leaves that broke off too. We’ll see if it can overcome and live.
This had me very excited as I was sure getting plants would be super expensive…but so far, I have a tiny investment. YAHOO!!
When I was at my sister’s she had an amazing Swedish Ivy. My mom always had one and knowning Judy’s green thumb, this might be one she has nutured since she got a slip from our mom. Judy ended up giving me some starters. I had them in water for a bit and already the roots are growing so while I was potting the thrift store plant, I decided to pot it too. The pot isn’t my favorite and won’t be it’s permanent pot but this one was handy as it was the pot the succulent type plant was in when I bought it from the thrift store.
Here is my Swedish Ivy…
So after thinking I might add some house plants to the mix, I have three new plants, just like that. I call that serindipity!!
I’ve had a couple of people ask about my African Violets and how I did in the trading of leaves. When I offered to trade, I mostly had people who wanted leaves and I really got very few in return. I think maybe six total.
From those leaves, I’ve gotten two plants. Here they are…
This one just started blooming. YAHOO!!
A wonderful blog reader sent me two African Violets from the Violet Barn. This is one. It’s a trailing violet which is very different from a regular African Violet. It’s in full bloom right now and so pretty. Thanks so much!! It’s in my west window where I wash dishes. I just love looking up and seeing it.
I’m on a missing to do better with my plants. I want a few more and I want to currate them a little better. Fingers crossed that I can follow through.
I’d love any plant starts, recommended places to purchase plants or plant advice that anyone wants to share.
That looks like a pothos plant. They are easy to care for, and they do surprisingly well in low light areas. Enjoy.
Looks like your basic philodendron. They will take lots of abuse. Low light. Water whenever. If they get leggy, trim them off and stick in water and they will root. Enjoy!!
Pathos plant
The first plant you showed is a pothos ….it is similar to a philodendron. Very easy to care for!
I love African violets and am getting better at taking care of them. I really like your trailing violet. I e never seen those before.
Enjoy your blog-especially the cross stitch updates!
The plant in the large pot looks like either a philodendron or pathos. You can tell which is which based on how they leafout. This site is pretty good with explaining the differences. https://piantica.com/do-you-have-a-pothos-or-philodendron-how-to-spot-the-differences-and-identify-your-plant/
The first plant is a Devils ivy golden pothos. They are very hearty and easy to keep alive. The second picture looks like a jade plant, but I could be wrong.
just be very careful not to overwater the succulent or it will rot at its base. It likes lots of light – an east or south window would be best. The pothos will go all over your house if you let it.
I don’t know much about plants but I think the first one is a philodendron.
Jo you sent me three leaves and two took. I’ve emailed you earlier with pictures- I in return sent you 3 or 4 leaves – gosh the one that is flowering bluish purple looks like the plant I sent leaves from. I took this from my mothers home when she passed in 2010. It is still growing great. The first plant you purchased from the thrift store is a Pothos. Very easy to grow and you can take cuttings from it. You tube probably will show you how to propagate. The second one is a donkey tail sedum. Succulent yes! It will hang over the side. I’ve had quite a few and love them. Great choices! Linda
Your second plant from the thrift kind of reminds me a a donkey tail or burro’s tail. But I could be totally wrong since I don’t do plants. Enjoy them!
I agree, Sarah. Thought it was Jade at first, but all those small “leaves” say otherwise. Basic succulent care that you can search, Jo – but try to not handle much, because those small leaves often fall like rain when handled. I knew of one plant like this – grew to about 3 feet long hanging in a sunny window!
I vote pothos on the first plant, and the second one looks like what my mom always calls burro’s tail, so maybe. Good luck!
How do you pack plants to mail? I have one in water now, already rooted and ready to share. I’d love to send it your way.
Wrap the root ball in a wet paper towel, then wrap the in seran type wrap. Put the whole thing in a zip lock capturing air as you seal. Place in a box cushion with crumpled paper and send. Be sure to mark the box to be opened right away on reciept and let Jo know to look for it. Hope it works! Becky
Becky,
This is exactly right. This is how we send plants from our plant nursery that we used to have. We used to send bare root all the time all over the US. Great instructions!
I have my mother’s African violets. They are 20+ years old. If you would like some starts tell me how I need to send them to you. I would be happy to share.
Karen…Just clip a leak off at the center of the plant wrap in a paper towel and mail them. Can you believe it’s that easy??
Your African violets are beautiful! I agree with the earlier post that the first plant is a Philodendron or pathos. There is a slight difference between the two. I also believe the second plant is a jade plant. A jade plant needs plenty of light – like 4 hours of natural light during the day, but not too much. Good luck with your plants.
My African violets bloom all winter as long as I give them PLANT FOOD(FOR AFRICAN VIOLETS) once a month!
I agree about the pothos plant – here’s a fact sheet from U of Wisconsin:
https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/pothos-epipremmum-aureum/
I also thought the the second one might be a jade plant.
LOVE the trailing violet – so pretty!!!
Just as a point of reference, you can find research-based info on many plants by searching for the name and adding “university extension” in the search bar. That will usually bring up lots of info from different universities.
Doing a reverse search can sometimes help in identification – or so I hear; I haven’t done it yet, but have friends who have success with it. Enjoy your plants!!!
I enjoy seeing your African violets and the trailing one is stunning. You are off to a good start with some new plants.
I am so thrilled that your violets are doing so well.
Jo, I’m sorry I don’t live near you or you would hv some to- die–for house plants that are almost too easy to grow & be beautiful. Succulents are not the easiest to grow. Problematic as to water, too little/too much. There are lots of ferns that are eady care. Water 1x week, out under tree in summer on a table, no need to spray. Good going wth your violets, lovely. Enjoy the plant view you are growing.
The succulents should be watered only once a week and do not touch the water to the leaves .I am not a plant person but I’ve managed to keep one alive for a while now
Second thrift store plant looks like a jade plant.
I think the second plant is a jade. Very easy to grow, just don’t overwater.
I have more African Violets than I know what do do with. I keep propagating them and they grow like crazy. Enjoy yours.
Learn something new every day. I thought the first one was a heart leaf philodendron. They are easy to grow, tho’ I can’t take credit for keeping mine alive, my husband has the green thumb. Mine is descendant from a planter my sister brought to the hospital when my youngest was born (and he just turned 36). It is huge. It doesn’t like to change spots. Find a place where it thrives and leave it there. It has had different spots in the house a few times over the last 36 years but seams to like it best in the west facing window (there are big trees out on the hill which block a lot of the sun). It is my Jeremy plant (my son’s name). I also have been ferny type plants in the east facing window over the kitchen sink that came from planters when my Granddaughter got her wings, my Grandmother passed and my Uncle passed (my Calypso plant, Granny Plant and Uncle Raymond plant). They seem to thrive also. Typically, anything that stays alive when you get a planter with many varieties in it are the easiest to grow and thrive without being high maintenance (like Orchids). Good luck! Your African Violets are lovely.
Goodness, fellow readers, send this woman some violet leaves/cuttings!! With all she does for us! Jo, I can send you any number of cuttings! Just let me know!
I only have 2 houseplants. Both philodendrons but different varieties. They are planted in the same pot and they are from our 2 Mother’s funerals. About twice a month I give them about 4 to 6 ounces of cold coffee and they’ve perked up since a friend told me philodendrons like the acid in coffee.
You were correct. The second plant is a succulent and planting the pieces and leaves should make more plants. I do know someone who killed succulents but you have to work really hard to do that Just don’t over water.
The first one is philodendron. Very easy care. Also if a piece breaks off put it in water and it will root. Anyone who has coleus you can get a cutting and it roots very easily. You see them in gardens all summer but I always take cuttings of my favorites and they stay in water till they root and then I pot them up. Beautiful purple flowers.
I bring about 100 plants in every fall and put them in my basement. There is one picture window but no direct sun so they elbow each other for light from the first frost to the last frost and then they all go back outside.
If you have IKEA they have a wonderful not very expensive plant section. I have a huge ficus benjamina that I need to air layer because it is too tall to fit through the door and also I will get a second plant. I love gardening. You picked excellent starter plants. Poinsettia are poisonous to people and pets. Also oleander has no remedy for the poison and it causes skin rashes. Stay away.
All the best,
Margaret
Jo, I’m not good with plants. My niece gave me an African violetfr my birthday in June. I’m happy to say it’s still alive and growing in August.
I zoomed in on your photo, Jo, and thought I could see a faint variegation in some leaves? If so, it looks like a Scindapsus (Epipremnum aureum), common name Devil’s Ivy. Being in light will help with the variegation. We used to use them a lot when planting up arrangements; they can either be grown as a trailing plant, or grown up a moss pole as a climber. I love your trailing African Violet :-)
The second plant is what my mother in law called hens and biddies or hens and chicks. It is a succulent and each leaf that drops has the potential to make a new plant if left in the soil. They do not need a lot of water. I do not know the official name. I have an ap on my phone called Picture This. You can take a picture of any plant and it will tell you what it is. I think it may have an annual fee, but if it does, it’s not much. I use it all the time.
I was thinking the first plant to be a philodendron and it seems that is the consensus reading through the comments. The second “sickly” plant is a jade plant I believe although terribly misshapen. The pot it was in prior to you transplanting it was part of its health problem, they want a clay or terra cotta type pot as they are a succulent. They don’t like to have wet feet as my mama used to say and a clay or terra cotta (non-glazed) pot will assure that along with proper potting soil. You can look up care of Jade Plants on Houseplants.com.
Waiting for a breakdown of our third SAL, or direction to where I may have missed it? I’m really wanting to get started on it but with no direction as to which section we are beginning with I’m about ready to just start in my usual starting place and go from there. Doing my best to be patient, though. ;)
I use an app on my phone to identify plants and get info on how to care for them. Since I’m not very good at identifying plants, I find them very helpful.
Thank You so much!
Thanks Brenda! I worked for a greenhouse grower of potted flowering plants for indoor and outdoor for 16 years.
Pre children I had about 4 or 5 books for my plants. Google is a good place to start looking for information