Don’t Buy These Houseplants You’ll Probably Kill

Over the past few years, houseplants have become such an integral part of our interiors that it’s easy to forget that they are actually living creatures that require certain conditions to grow. And while some plants can adapt to a variety of conditions, others are a bit more resilient and prone to die if they don’t get what they need. Here are a few examples of houseplants that can be difficult to keep alive, even for experienced gardeners.

Houseplants that are difficult to keep alive

Looking for a new houseplant? You can avoid this:

Boston fern

It seems that ferns do not require much care, but Boston ferns are quite demanding when it comes to their living conditions. Specifically, they want your home to mimic their native environment – a tropical or subtropical rainforest – which means high humidity, pleasant temperatures, and plenty of filtered sunlight. And while there are tropical plants that are a little more flexible when it comes to growing conditions, Boston ferns aren’t one of them.

Fig leaf violin

In theory, this tropical mini tree would probably look great in your home, but that’s assuming you can survive. Fiddle fig trees are notoriously picky : they need direct sunlight, but not all the time; some humidity, but not too much; and the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Trees also cannot stand drafts, require a constant temperature of 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and are not very flexible in their requirements.

pink grapes

This plant has bright green leaves and uniquely shaped bright pink flowers that add color to any decor, but it’s also quite demanding. The biggest problem with pink grapes is that they have to live somewhere with at least 90% humidity, which, for your own good, hopefully isn’t the case in your home.

In addition, the temperature should be between 64.4 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit during the flowering period, from May to August. It takes quite impressive climate control to keep temperatures in that range and at least 90% humidity during the summer months. You might want to consider a plant that is a bit lower maintenance.

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