Green Thumb... of Death

I've been reading a lot about air-filter plants lately. Having finished painting, I wanted to liven up my apt with green plants and fresher air. So I poured over websites searching for low-light low-maintenance plants that thrive on neglect.

Here are my findings ordered from most resilient to least resilient to survive my thumb.

Plants for No Light:

• Bamboo palm (Chamaedorea seifrizii)
• Lacy tree philodendron (Philodendron selloum)
• 'Janet Craig' (Dracaena deremensis or compacta)
• Neanthe bella palm / Table palm / Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
• Zz Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
• Lady palm (Raphia palm)
• Philodendron - ceylon gold

Plants for Low-Light:

• Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
• Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina)
• Ivy
• Rubber plant (Ficus robusta)
• Kentia palms / Thatch palm (Howea forsteriana)
• Cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior)

Plants for Bright Light:

• Ponytail palm / Elephant foot palm
• Jade plant

So I bought two of the most seemingly resilient plants: ivy and peace lily. On the 1st day I brought them home, they were started to droop. On the 2nd day, the tips turned brown. And on the 3rd day, the leaves turned yellow.

I watered the plants, and tried every trick in the book to make sure not to overwater. Still, death was a knockin'.

Finally, I was about to pour out the peace lily into the tub but forgot and left it sitting in there. The next morning, it came back to life! I'm guessing it appreciated the extra humidity, the much brighter sunlight and the shelter from drafts. So now, anytime I want to shower, I've got to move my plant out of the tub!!! LOL!

I guess it is about location, location, location.