House Plants

I'm on a quest for my daughter-in-law in America. I'm not a house plant person so any suggestions I'd be grateful for please.

An outline of what she would like...the plant is for a children's nursery and requirements are non-toxic, thorn free etc. It's for a table top, should be easy to look after and possibly a flowering plant.

 

Saintpaulia (African violet) might be good. It tolerates lower light, flowers pretty much throughout the year and the furry leaves are wonderful to stroke.

If the kids get inspired in plants, it's interesting to propagate from leaf cuttings. Also, there are several cultivars so the family can grow their collection if they wish.

 

Chlorophytum (spider plant) may work, especially compact varieties. They flower occasionally too and form small new plants.

 

Thanks Selleri, two minds with one thought. That was one of two or three suggestions I gave her.

Thanks Alisa. A spider plant tends to trail and probably not ideal with small grabbing hands around.

I suggested any of the herbs but they're not very exciting for under fives.

 

How about an onion.

 

Aloe aristata could also be fun. It prefers a bit stronger light but will survive anywhere and doesn't get leggy like some other succulents.

The attraction is to see it forming side shoots that can easily be rooted in their own little pots and even been given as presents. Kids tend to like that kind of stuff.

It looks great in a shallow bowl planter and even though it's spiky, it's not sharp. More mature rosettes will flower with strange flowers every summer.

 

That reminds me of something I remember from school, Mother of thousands, Bryophyllum, but looking it up apparently its toxic, nobody cared back then you just got told not to eat the plants.

 

The Aloe is a good one @Selleri, thanks.

You're right there @pete. I think the only plant I was ever warned about was Deadly Nightshade - Atropa Belladonna.