very slow growing plant for west-facing window?

[kvet]

Hi:

Family member doesn't like to care for plants, but wants a small plant to put in a west-facing window that gets quite a bit of sun from about 2pm to sunset. Doesn't want plant to grow quick, just very very slow.

If succulent, any idea which? Or something else?

This family member dislikes aloe and spider plants, and already has a few MIL tongues.

I suggested the new lego plants, but that was rejected.

[WaterWitchin]

Windowsill or hanging?

[Orchidaceae33_36]

I think a christmas or easter cactus may work well for this. As long as they are cared for wll they make some magnificent blooms and dont grow too fast.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

My wife grows African violets in a west window. They require specific watering technique but aren't difficult once you understand when to water.

[Paphluvr]

Take a look at hoya's. They have attractive flowers, some have attractive foliage and the flowerers can be fragrant. Minimal care, too.

[kvet]

Ooo hoyas, those are super easy, and the various christmas cactuses, excellent. Not sure about AVs, what I've read they take a lot of work, but will explore.

WW: it's sort of a ledge that you can sit on. I can see about getting a photo of the space. Right now it is covered in laundry.

[WaterWitchin]

It sounds like something low care is wanted by the family member. I'd go with ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), one of the jade plants with smaller leaves (can't remember name offhand, but fingernail size leaves), a Gollum Jade Crassus Ovata would be nice.

IF you want very slow growing, low care, any of those would fill the bill. The jade or crassus ovata both lend themselves well to bonsai culture and you can really whack at them if need be, although very slow growing. I have a pony tail palm that's in a 4" wide pot and it's at least ten years old.

The "Easter/Christmas" cactus or Hoya would do well, but neither are very slow growing and would need to be hung. African violets... not quite as fast growing, but needs repotting every year and watered on schedule or self-watering pot. Not a plant for someone who doesn't want to fuss with it.

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:32 PM ----------

PS I just saw a really nice Crassus ovata on Etsy a week or so ago. I can find it if you'd like.

---------- Post added at 01:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:34 PM ----------

Or mail you a jade start, if you wait until spring.

[Leafmite]

For a family member with a brown thumb (killed the aloe plant and every other plant she tried to grow), I bought a LSU purple fig tree and a seven-inch self-watering pot that came with those coco-fiber soil disks. The family member was able to follow the directions and plant it in the pot. It has lived two years, now. Sometimes this plant is neglected and not given water and it loses its leaves but it always has recovered. It even produced figs this past fall. The pot-size keeps it small.

Some figs need a cold period or will not do well in a small pot but the LSU purple fig and the 'Petite Negra' fig are two that are perfect for growing indoors all year.

[kvet]

WW: the family member has the two common jade plants in the garden already (the one with little leaves and the regular one), however, the gollum one seems to be acceptable to him, thanks

I forgot about the palm you mentioned, we call it the bottle palm here. Growing up, mom had a couple and they did grow very slow. Interestingly enough, she put it in the ground about 10-15 years ago. It's over 10 ft tall now.

Leafmite: fig idea is interesting, will need to examine height available as well. Figs are deciduous, though, right?

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by kvet

WW: the family member has the two common jade plants in the garden already (the one with little leaves and the regular one), however, the gollum one seems to be acceptable to him, thanks

I forgot about the palm you mentioned, we call it the bottle palm here. Growing up, mom had a couple and they did grow very slow. Interestingly enough, she put it in the ground about 10-15 years ago. It's over 10 ft tall now.

Leafmite: fig idea is interesting, will need to examine height available as well. Figs are deciduous, though, right?

Bottle palm is Hyophorbe lagenicaulis. Ponytail palm is Beaucarnea recurvata; takes almost five years for a 1' tall plant to double in size.

You could easily grow LSU fig tree outside. Yes, it's deciduous. Not exactly a slow grower, and not really a window sill plant.

You could also do a Desert Rose (Adenium obesum). Easy to prune, very slow growth, and bonus... flowers! I just started this year growing a few, and they're really a fun plant.