Once you've amassed a few plants that are thriving, you may want to have some fun with their display. Here are a few ideas to help you get the maximum enjoyment out of your new housemates.

 

Go for group therapy. One lowly geranium or ribbon fern can look a bit sad sitting all by itself on a table. But a bunch of plants nestled together will give your space a pop of color or turn an overlooked corner into a serene setting. Tray tables or plant stands that use trays are a smart option. You can display several plants at once, while elevating them to window level. Then, if you need to move the plants to the sink or outside, just carry them right on the tray.

Fix your feng shui. If you have a superstitious side, like me, you may believe that plants can bring good fortune. With feng shui and plants, I figure: It can't hurt, so why not try it? Some green groupings that the Chinese believe to be lucky: Any round-leafed plant - jade, geranium, prayer plant, etc. place in the southeast corner of your home is supposed to boost your fortune. In fact, jade plants are thought to be so beneficial they're nicknamed "money trees" - good thing they're easy to grow too! To be more successful at work, place any plant in the east, south, or southeast corners of your office. Plants that have dead or dying leaves are thought to bring down the energy level. Makes sense: Who wants to live with a bunch of brown leaves? If you choose the easy growers in this book, your plants will probably look healthy much of the time. But do trim away any old, wilted foliage.

Plant a rock garden. A smart way to amass your African violets (or any other plant): Place a collection of them on a tray covered in pebbles. Pour water into the tray so the rocks are almost submerged. Then, set the plants on top. This trick helps to keep them moist when the air is dry. It can also be an attractive, Zen-like arrangement.

Set up a window box - indoors. While window boxes are often used to lend curb appeal to the outside of a home, these versatile planters are perfect for displaying a collection of houseplants on the other side of the pane. Window boxes are available in an array of materials - wood, metal, stone, terracotta - and styles ranging from country to formal. Everyday plants like pothos and heart ivy look much more attractive when they're dressed up in an antique copper planter. Tall, flowering amaryllis seem even more striking when you plant three or four of them in a ceramic or wooden window box. Mix up several houseplants or herbs to create a mini indoor garden. You can use brackets to hang the window boxes indoors, or just place a planter on a sunny sideboard.

Excerpted from "37 Houseplants Even You Can't Kill" by Mary Kate Hogan. Copyright © 2007. Reprinted by permission of Sterling.