I was first introduced to my love of plants through my mom. There were always plants in our home and we had a luscious garden in the front and back yards. I would watch her water them, cut off dead leaves, repot them, you name it. As a child, I never really gave too much thought as to why she always spent so much time nurturing them, I would just get annoyed whenever she would make me work in the garden with her. Baking in the hot sun while pulling out weeds from the flowerbeds wasn't my idea of fun and still isn't. However, I have developed a love for plants myself.
When I moved into my first place, I was excited to have my own plants to take care of and surround myself with. Because my mom had a lot of plants of her own, I begged her to give me a few to put in my space. She obliged and my apartment finally had its very own greenery. However, my lack of experience taking care of plants resulted in all but one dying.
But I wasn't ready to give up, so I begged my mom to give me another shot and now I have an aloe vera plant that I am proud to say is still thriving. With all that being said, I am still learning new things about plants, such as how often you should water them, how to properly pot them (and repot them), and knowing which ones need sunlight to grow and which ones don't. I live in an apartment that doesn't have a lot of natural light coming in so I have been on a mission to find plants that can grow in little to no light. Here are my results:
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The Best Indoor Plants That Can Survive With Low To No Sunlight
English Ivy
Etsy / Theplantchica
Ivy is probably one of the most popular plants that you will find indoors. Not only did I have one in my home growing up, but I would almost always see it in other people's homes as well. Ivy maintenance is pretty easy as it grows better when the soil is more on the dry side.
Snake Plant
Etsy / PlantCraftingCo.
The snake plant is also easy to maintain. You can go weeks at a time without needing to water it and it can improve the air quality in your home.
Maidenhair Fern
Anthropologie
The Maidenhair Fern is one of the plants that you would have to mist with a spray bottle daily, as it can be easy to drown it with water. It also grows better in slightly acidic soil.
Cast Iron Plant
Etsy / 9EzTropical
Though a slow grower, this plant is robust, hence the name 'cast iron' and its leaves are full and healthy. Also known by the name Aspidistra elatior, cast iron plants are an evergreen foilage house plant can survive dry air and forgotten water days, making it a great choice for low-maintenance plant-lovers.
Lucky Bamboo
Plants.com
The Lucky Bamboo plant needs a little light to grow, so placing it near a window would be ideal. You can grow it in soil or water, but if you decide to grow it in water, make sure to change the water every two to four weeks.
Spider Plant
The Spider Plant is great for beginners as it can pretty much withstand anything. However, be sure not to water the soil to the point where it gets soggy or it can lead to root rot.
Monstera
Etsy / RareHousePlants
Also known as the Swiss cheese plant, the Monstera is known for its unique splits in its leaves and stiff roots. It grows best in warmer temperatures and needs to be repotted every year.
Chamaedorea
Home Depot
The Chamaedorea is a palm plant that, with indirect sunlight, can grow up to 4 feet tall. It is also known as being an excellent air purifier.
Sago Palm
Garden Goods Direct
Although the name suggests its a palm plant, it's actually a cycad plant and it can be grown indoors and outdoors. The Sago Palm thrives with little moisture, so water it sparingly.
Chinese Evergreen
Etsy / findusintheforest
The Chinese Evergreen plant can handle a variety of growing conditions as it is tough and easy to manage. However, make sure to check for pest periodically as it can harbor spider mites, scales, mealy bugs, and aphids.
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Originally published on January 26, 2019.
Featured image by Getty Images
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Despite Washington and Asomugha choosing to live a relatively private life for the most part by not sharing images of their family on social media and occasionally attending events together. The rare glimpses they provide to the public showcase that Washington and Asomugha have much in common regarding essential topics.
For example, Washington is highly involved in politics and encourages others to participate by spreading information about various issues and how everyone would be affected.
As for Asomugha, the 41-year-old officially founded the Asomugha Foundation in 2010, years after doing other charity work in Nigeria. According to its site, the organization was created to help "disadvantaged youth and women by providing educational opportunities and mentorship."
Washington's public remarks regarding her relationship with Asomugha and their family may be rare, but when she does speak about their family, it's all positive.
Kerry On Why She Keeps Her Relationship Private
Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Bronx Children's Museum
In March 2016, the UnPrisioned actress revealed during a discussion panel at SXSW Festival that one of the reasons why she is adamant about remaining private about her union with Asomugha is because she doesn't want the public to make any narratives regarding her marriage.
At the time, it was reported that Washington and the former NFL player were experiencing marital troubles and were allegedly planning on getting a divorce. Washington would shut down those allegations by saying she hasn't and will not share any information about her private life.
"Social media has actually been great for [other celebrities'] relationships with the weeklies or the gossip sites because people say things and they say, 'That's not true!' So I'm thinking in some ways, it's been great because people are able to maintain their voice," she explained.
"It's a little different for me because I don't talk about my personal life. That means not only did I not tell you when I was getting married, it also means if somebody has rumors about what's going on in my marriage, I don't refute them, because I don't talk about my personal life."
Kerry On How She Met Nnamdi And What A Normal Day Looks Like for Their Family
Fast forward to October 2018, the Scandal star gave insight into how she met Asomugha and their family life. During an interview with Marie Claire, Washington shared that she and Asomugha met in 2009 while she was working on the Broadway play Race.
The mother of two told the publication that her life has "completely transformed" since their encounter. "The last time I did theater, it completely transformed my life. That's where I met my husband. I love being with my family. My days off look like homework, reading, and watching stuff. Just hanging out, doing things we love to do," she stated.
Kerry On Nnamdi's Accomplishment
Photo by Jeffrey Camarati/Getty Images
But as time progressed, Washington began speaking a little more openly about her man. In October 2022, Washington gushed over Asomugha and his Netflix project, The Good Nurse, which came out around the same time her film, The School for Good and Evil, was released. While talking to Entertainment Tonight, the star expressed how "proud" she was of her husband.
"I'm really proud of him, I think he's doing amazing work. I'm really excited for his film, The Good Nurse," she said. "It's really exciting to both have really important films at Netflix right now, we feel really blessed.”
Kerry On Why Nnamdi Is Her Soulmate
Washington shared how her love with Asomugha goes beyond the surface after spending over a decade together.
In a March 2023 interview with Marie Claire, Washington explained that she and Asomugha are perfectly aligned because she's allowed to be her authentic self with him.
"I'm in my immediate truth with [him]," Washington said. "Those mirrors are important because they help me get back to myself."
Kerry On The Couple's Upcoming 10-Year Wedding Anniversary
Photo by Bruce Glikas/Getty Images
That same month, Washington expressed that in addition to the many years the couple has been together, and their personal and professional accomplishments, she still finds Asomugha "incredible."
Washington shared this revelation while promoting her latest project, UnPrisioned, in an Entertainment Tonight interview.
"I do have an incredible husband," the actress told ET host Kevin Frazier as she disclosed little to no details about their upcoming plans for their tenth wedding anniversary. "Do you remember how secret my wedding was? How private and secretive it was? That's how the anniversary is gonna be too!"
Kerry On Why She Thinks Nnamdi And Their Children Are A Gift From God
Washington's love and admiration for Asomugha and their family grow increasingly each day, so much so that she uses it as inspiration to share positive messages with her fans.
The 46-year-old revealed during a panel with Al Sharpton at National Action Network Convention on April 12 that she sees her husband and their children as "proof" that God exists and loves her because of the great joy they bring to her life.
"Well, you've met my husband, my husband's amazing. I got a good one. We have three beautiful children. And I think, you know, when I look at my marriage, and I look at my kids, fundamentally, they are proof of God to me,” she said. "Because I know that God loves me to have put those people in my life. And that sense of like, knowing that God loves me. That, to me, is so much of how I make the decisions about the activism that I do and the content that I make."
Regardless of what the public may think about Washington and Asomugha's private union, they are proving with each moment that love can conquer all.
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Feature image by Arturo Holmes/MG23/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue
