GARDENING: Linn Mills

     Rooms with indoor plants generally are thought to be more attractive, more healthful and classier than places without plants. Research indicates they may reduce pollution indoors. Indoor plants, like furniture or wall coverings, can absorb light and noise. They definitely serve to soften the visual lines of the indoors, especially of offices and stores.
      In a conversation with my co-worker Aggie Roberts, known as "The Plant Lady" to thousands of Las Vegas schoolchildren, she noted that the first steps are to select plants that will remain healthy and those that require low maintenance.
      She said a favorite is the pothos. This popular hanging or creeping plant has large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves that are variegated green and yellow. As roots grow along its stem, the plant can be trained to climb up a totem pole. Pothos is tolerant of low light conditions, but thrives in filtered light. Always allow the plant to dry between waterings. This plant can be propagated by taking stems and tip cuttings.
      Another good choice is the dracaena family. This plant can be grown indoors as a shrub or tree. Roberts believes that the best varieties are Janet Craig, the fragrans or corn plants and the marginata. All will survive in low light levels but do grow best in filtered light. Allow the plant to dry thoroughly between waterings. These varieties can be propagated from tip or stem cuttings.
      Roberts' choice as a good plant for beginners to grow is the Chinese evergreen, a bushy plant with lance-shaped or oval leaves with patterns of grays and creams. The multitude of color patterns makes this plant attractive. It requires low to medium light. Allow the media to dry before thoroughly watering, but be careful not to overwater. Remove any yellow leaves that form by cutting them at the base of the stalk. Remove any flowers that appear in order to conserve the plant's energy, especially if you want new foliage growth. Propagate by cane cuttings or tip cuttings.
      "One of the most durable plants is the cast-iron -- it is quite able to survive neglect in care and low-light conditions," said Roberts. A medium-sized, bush-form plant, it has dark green leaves that are leathery, oblong and shiny. They will grow 20 inches long and 3 to 4 inches wide. They have no stem or stalk. The brown to dull purple, bell-shaped flowers are only rarely seen. They are produced at the soil level and are usually hidden by foliage. This plant will take extremely low light. Do not place it in direct sun. Separate by division to get more plants growing.
      The syngonium, or more commonly called nephthytis or arrowhead vine, has variegated silvery white or solid green arrowhead-shaped leaves with long stalks. The leaves are lobed and become more segmented as they mature. Bright, filtered sunlight is recommended. Direct sun will burn the leaves. Water thoroughly and allow it to dry between waterings. This plant is propagated by tip cuttings.
      Roberts said a plant that can really tolerate neglect is the sansevieria or snake plant. This stemless plant grows upright with long, slender, thick, fleshy, erect leaves. The sword-shaped leaves grow in a spiral form to 4 feet long and about 2 to 3 inches wide. Mature plants flower with a white to green fragrant bloom. This plant will tolerate most light conditions, from low light to bright filtered light. Always water thoroughly and allow to dry completely between waterings. To propagate, divide the clumps with a sharp knife and separate the clusters in order to repot. Leaf cuttings can be taken, slicing leaves cross-wise into 2-inch-long pieces.
      A versatile plant that all beginning indoor gardeners should grow is the spathiphyllum or peace lily, which is also sometimes called the spathe flower. The long, narrow leaves are shiny and dark green and curve gently downward. The plant will produce tall, erect flower stalks with a showy white flower called a spathe and a 2- to 3-inch spadix (a clublike stalk bearing tiny flowers) in the center. The flower may emerge in spring, summer or early fall. Low to medium light is the best. The plant is propagated by dividing clumps of stems. Roberts' healthful hint: Remove the spadix, which contains pollen, to keep the pollen from shedding on the leaves. As the flowers fade from white to brown or green, remove the entire flower stalk from the base.
      Learning opportunities. Two programs are set for the Desert Demonstration Gardens, 3701 Alta Drive. Have you ever tried to grow plants with their roots in an artificial medium instead of soil? This is known as hydroponics. If you are interested in this type of planting, attend a class presented by master gardener Carolyn Babbs at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Master Gardener Guides are sponsoring a class for children ages 5 to 10 only entitled "Deadly Links," which will feature the long-reaching consequences each time pesticides are used and how this affects our daily lives at 9 a.m. Saturday. All children must be accompanied by a responsible parent who will remain on the premises during the entire program. For more information, call 258-3205.
     
      Linn Mills is a horticulturist for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension.