Houseplants.

[Southern Star]

Any suggestions for a good houseplant for a narrowboat? I need something which is small and will stay small, will cope with extremes of temperature, will happily survive for a month or so without being watered and which will look attractive all year round. Does such a thing exist?

[Ray T]

One of these?

 

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Edited April 2, 2015 by Ray T

[Southern Star]

Yes, I see your point although I don't consider cacti to be very attractive, I'm thinking more something with leaves?

[ChimneyChain]

We have bonsai tree from ikea that only cost a tenner, just water and sun that's all it needs.

 

Darren

[LoneWolf]

Any suggestions for a good houseplant for a narrowboat? I need something which is small and will stay small, will cope with extremes of temperature, will happily survive for a month or so without being watered and which will look attractive all year round. Does such a thing exist?

 

just get a plastic one

[Bettie Boo]

We have a few house plants on our boat, but I can't think of any what would survive either a month without water & survive a month in winter with no heat.

 

Maybe some nice pots with Rosemary, you could sit them in the front cratch (if you don't have a cover on it) when your not there so it gets the rain and then just bring it inside when your on the boat. They do tend to grow quite quickly, but you can always just trim it back. There are other herbs you could do this with as well.

[Guest]

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=plant+watering+globes&tag=googhydr-21&index=aps&hvadid=25090856046&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4401336726889046663&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=t&ref=pd_sl_8uhxnqai92_b

[Barry]

African Violet?

[tree monkey]

Any suggestions for a good houseplant for a narrowboat? I need something which is small and will stay small, will cope with extremes of temperature, will happily survive for a month or so without being watered and which will look attractive all year round. Does such a thing exist?

Nope is the simple answer, consider an automatic watering system/pot because not much will thrive with no water for a month

[Odana]

Aspidistra. So slow growing it'll stay small. Unkillable.

[Charles]

 

Hen and Chicks (google it)

 

[Ray T]

An air plant?

 

http://www.justairplants.com/

 

"Airplant is the common name for the genus Tillandsia, a member of the Bromeliad family. All Tillandsia can grow without soil as they take all of their water and nutritional requirements through little scales on their leaves, known as trichomes. They are easy to care for just needing air, light and water."

[angeldust]

Crassula Ovata (jade plant/ money plant) - just remember not to overwater it

[tree monkey]

An air plant?

 

http://www.justairplants.com/

 

"Airplant is the common name for the genus Tillandsia, a member of the Bromeliad family. All Tillandsia can grow without soil as they take all of their water and nutritional requirements through little scales on their leaves, known as trichomes. They are easy to care for just needing air, light and water."

Lovely and fascinating plants but don't like lots of light and high humidity, maybe not ideal narrow boat plants?

[cheshire~rose]

You could try house leeks. They like a sunny position so when inside put them in good light but if you are leaving the boat put them outside. If you plant them in a shallow tray with plenty of grit in the compost and give them a thorough soaking once a month they will probably survive. They are less likely to survive if they get waterlogged so soak them and then leave them. If placed in baking hot sun (say on the boat roof) and there is no rainfall then give them a drink once a week

[Cruising Mike]

Spider plants are very hardy but would need watering occasionally. Putting it outside when not on board would solve that problem.

 

They can get big but regular pruning will help. Also the offsprings grown within can be propagated and replanted

[cheshire~rose]

Spider plants would die with the slightest hint of frost outside

[Bettie Boo]

I'm still thinking perennial herbs are your best bet.

 

Put them outside when your not on board, trim back and bring inside for a bit of green when you are back on the boat.

[Cruising Mike]

Spider plants would die with the slightest hint of frost outside

 

Not sure how much time the OP is off the boat, but a simple homemade canopy to cover the plant will suffice.

 

Really the best bet is to buy plastic

[sueb]

Got my plants for the house from tk maxx. Similar problem I wasn't there to water. Still got them they look good