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However, do be aware that too much light can be just as bad as not enough -- different plants have radically different preferences for how much light they like, and how strong the light should be. The first houseplant I ever killed was a Devil's Ivy -- one of those supposedly unkillable plants that require very little water and maintenance. I placed it an area that got too much direct Arizona sunlight and voila -- a month later it had burnt to a crisp, and into the trash it went. Make sure you do a little research to find out what sort of light conditions your plant prefers; read the tag that came with your plant, or do some research online.

The same is also true of humidity preferences … it IS possible to kill a plant by giving it too much water. Most plants labeled low-maintenance shouldn't be watered until the top of the soil feels dry to the touch. When you do water them, add only enough until you see the water running out of the holes in the bottom of the pot. If there's only a little excess water sitting in the saucer, it'll evaporate off just fine, but too much will just sit there causing the roots to rot. If you do add too much water, pour off the extra.

Essentially, the important thing to keep in mind is this: think about where your plant normally grows in nature, because those are exactly the sort of conditions you'll want to replicate, as much as possible anyway, when you bring it into your home.

foolproof foliage

Looking for plants that you can ignore when you go on vacation (or, uh, just plain forget) and they'll still be alive when you get home? Check out these kill-resistant houseplants for the plant-care-impaired, all of which can go a week or even more without watering, and should be easy to find anywhere that sells plants.

For low-light rooms…

Philodendron: This vine-y, climbing plant has lush, attractive foliage and can grow quite tall. It's a good way to fill out a dim empty corner of your pad.
Devil's Ivy/Pothos: These plants grow in a long vine, and their heart-shaped leaves get larger the farther out they get from the pot. You can let this plant crawl along the top of a bookshelf or a north-facing windowsill, as it's happy in anything from near-dark (although some light is necessary) to moderate sun (you'll get deeper colored foliage in these conditions).
Cast-iron plant (Aspidistra): A saloon staple during Victorian times, this plant doesn't get its name for nothing - it's remarkably hard to kill. The leaves are dark green and glossy.
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans): Another classic Victorian plant, this is the rare palm that does okay without much light. It's a good choice when you're looking to inject a big dose of the tropical into a dreary room. Give it plenty of space, as it grows tall and wide.

keep on skedaddling folks!

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