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sailorboy1 · 01-11-2018, 08:09

I would like to have some plants inside the boat. Something to give some green and a little of the outdoor smell maybe. I'm not a big plant person and the last indoor one I had was a cactus as it needed every little attention. So any recommendations for those in the plant know for some good inside the boat plants? I guess it would require some attention as I have lots of time available.

Tayana42 · 01-11-2018, 08:57

Mold seems to do well in boat cabins. Easy to care for. Almost grows on its own.

Fiveslide · 01-11-2018, 09:47

I would look for low light plants. We have some that do well inside, Golden Pothos from the Solomon islands is one doing the best in our house. Don't get something that loves sun, it won't like being in a sailboat at all times.

Macblaze · 01-11-2018, 09:47

Pothos are almost unkillable. Seems to me that I remember Rick Moore (of YouTube fame) having one that was all around his cabin.

Spider Plants also tolerate low light and much abuse.

Philedendrons are a low light plant as well...

And check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NASA_Clean_Air_Study to see what will help keep your toxic crap to a minimum.

Herbs generally don't do well without a lot of light , but i always have some dying around the boat since they are generally cheap and really tasty.

Hardhead · 01-11-2018, 10:09

I agree 1000% regarding the Pothos plant. The cut stems will also readily re-root, if just planted in soil and kept moist. They are not the prettiest plant to my eye, but are much better than nothing, and they are the hardiest plant I've ever seen. I'm not completely sure they are of this earth. Crabgrass will die out long before they do. They need almost no light, and can survive for months without water. If you let it grow along a shelf, etc, in the cabin it will really spread out and travel. Not much outdoors smell though-

Bill O · 01-11-2018, 10:17

Air plants stuck/glued onto a board. No smell per se, but a perfect low/no maintenance plant for in the tropics.
Could look at bromeliads or orchids for a pop of color, but these may need to go outside from time to time.

Bill O.

toddster8 · 01-11-2018, 10:28

Plants and soil are two things that customs really throws a fit over. At least when entering the US. Everything is supposed to go through an official quarantine facility. But they don't seem to care about rocks. I have found reasons to declare quite a range of materials as "geological samples."

AndyEss · 01-11-2018, 10:55

I like fresh herbs for my cooking, so basil and rosemary come to mind. You'd have to move them in and out though for more sun.

Mike OReilly · 01-11-2018, 10:58

We grow herbs and sprouts on the boat. Does that count?

The herb pots get moved outside when we’re stable and sunny. Otherwise they are down below. They’re green, and make the place smell yummy.

The sprouts live down below all the time. The little garden is constantly in leafy bloom … at which time they get eaten

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Paul L · 01-11-2018, 11:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by toddster8

Plants and soil are two things that customs really throws a fit over. At least when entering the US. Everything is supposed to go through an official quarantine facility. But they don't seem to care about rocks. I have found reasons to declare quite a range of materials as "geological samples."

And in most any country with a serious entry procedure.

Vasco · 01-11-2018, 12:45

Grows well up here in Canada even with our short season.

BlueChicago · 01-11-2018, 12:55

My suggestions (remember, you are getting what you paid for).

Assuming that these will need to be shade loving plants, I would go for the neglect-tolerant:

A Mother-in-law's tongues
Bromilidads
or Philodendrons

Or...

If you are willing to be regular/consistent with watering and repotting, you could be successful with a Moth orchid (Phalaenopsis hybrid), like those you find at the big box hardware stores (and just about anywhere else these days). They have been hybridized to be in bloom almost 4 months (or more) out of the year.