Gransnet forums

Ask a gran

What plant for my dining room?

(42 Posts)
kittylester Sun 24-Jan-16 16:38:19

But how would I get it off the table Alea? grin

Jalima Sun 24-Jan-16 16:00:36

Peace lilies seem to thrive on the windowsill on our north-east facing landing, as did an orchid we had there for a year or so.
I always manage to kill off cyclamen (and poinsettia).

The peace lilies I had would probably have survived had I not put them out in the garden when we went on holiday - the slugs love them!

Alea Sun 24-Jan-16 15:54:20

As it is a big room with a high ceiling, kittylester, how about "the biggest aspidistra in the world" gringrin

hildajenniJ Sun 24-Jan-16 15:52:23

"Trust me I'm a Doctor" recommend a spider plant or English ivy or a dragon tree for cutting down the formaldehyde build up in your home from using scented products eg scented candles and room sprays. I like houseplants and am going to buy one or two more. I have a huge Christmas cactus which is in full bloom at present.

Greyduster Sun 24-Jan-16 15:52:18

The only plant anyone would trust me with would be a plastic cactus, but i have to agree with those who favour the peace lily. I bought one for my daughter last year and it still looks lovely - cool and elegant. They don't seem to like a lot of light, but are easy to look after.

kittylester Sun 24-Jan-16 15:12:24

Thank you all for your suggestions. I've tried a cyclamen but it didn't like it there, nor did the orchid (I can grow both of them in other places). I have had a streptocarpus (spelling? phone wants to say streptococcus!) which was lovely but can't find any for sale at the moment.

I think I'll try a peace lily!

Auntieflo Sun 24-Jan-16 14:20:49

Not the best person to give advice on house plants, usually I am the kiss of death to them, but, I have managed to keep an orchid alive, and am just waiting for it to grow a new flower spike. Here's hoping that you find something you will enjoy.

rosesarered Sun 24-Jan-16 14:03:53

M&S have fab half price orchids at the moment.I bought two!

Coolgran65 Sun 24-Jan-16 13:33:11

Peace lillies are fabulous. Just an occasional watering. If you leave watering for too long they will still perk up. I have one that is about 8 years old. I always buy them for gifts, B & Q often have good ones in different sizes.

Greenfinch Sun 24-Jan-16 12:45:24

A variety of flowering cactus. My Christmas cactus is in bloom at the moment and looks beautiful.

Teetime Sun 24-Jan-16 12:39:50

A Triffid - it could eat the guests you don't like. smile

TwiceAsNice Sun 24-Jan-16 09:15:55

Cyclamens are pretty especially if you group a few together which would work well in the middle of the table and you can get all kinds of colours so could have a mixed display. They are easy to look after and cheap to buy most garden centres have loads of them at this time of year

suzied Sun 24-Jan-16 09:15:49

Get a lovely vase and treat your self to some flowers with your weekly shop( Aldi and Lidl have flowers from £2.) Fresh flowers always cheer me up. If you want a plant , I would go for a peace lily in a lovel pot, white flowers and glossy leaves and last for ages. IKEA would be my port of call for these, a big one in an elegant pot for under £10.

Gagagran Sun 24-Jan-16 09:12:05

Aspidistra springs to mind kitty. They seem to cope with most locations and temperatures. DH had one in his lab at work which survived many years of benign neglect. Spider plants are another suggestion - they have the benefit of providing "babies" on a regular basis.

Indinana Sun 24-Jan-16 09:10:52

After reading this article you might want to have an indoor lavender or a fern.

rosesarered Sun 24-Jan-16 09:10:33

An orchid would look good, and they are easy to care for and look very elegant too.?

kittylester Sun 24-Jan-16 09:07:58

Since we took the Christmas decorations down our dining room isn't quite right! I've moved stuff round a bit and persuaded dh that we need a new light over the table but it is still missing something which I think might be a plant on the table.

The room is quite big with a high ceiling, windows on two sides, facing north and east, with a little overhead light as well. We pass through it on our way to the lounge and the stairs and it is not particularly warm.

Has anyone any good ideas for an easy to look after plant, please?