If you plan to grow more than one or two plants at a time, it's likely that most of them will fall under the category of "foliage." These may not be as showy as flowering plants, but they are the base that make those flowers look so good. These are easily grown and are not hard to take care of if you know a few simple things about them.

First and foremost, foliage plants are the backbone and basis for almost every garden or flower arrangement. This is because without the green and plant-filled background, all you have are flowers and dirt. They usually are not season-specific, showing green all year round. This makes them ideal ground cover as well. There are literally thousands of varieties grown today.

Your choice of foliage will be determined by climate, space, size and shape of leaves, and the overall size of the plant. Once you know these things, you can pick some plants and begin planting them. Whether it's in containers, on a patio, or in a garden, you'll find that foliage plants are relatively easy to put into the soil and even easier to care for.

A tremendously popular foliage plant is the rubber plant (aka "rubber tree") that seems to be ubiquitous to very home and apartment. These plants are very easy to care for and require little maintenance or work on your part. Just pick the proper-sized pot, water occasionally, and ad nutrients rarely and the rubber plant will thrive. Many foliage plants are similar in their care and needs.

Sansevieria is a widely known plant, usually called the "Snake Plant." It lives and grows easily at room temperature and requires almost as little maintenance as the rubber plant. They are beautiful and need little sun to do well. You can propagate this plant by making cutting of the stems and allowing them to sprout roots in water.

Another popular species is known as the "Wandering Jew," or Tradescantia or Zebrina. These are smaller versions of the same plant, which have long and narrow pointed leaves. They are very decorative and hardy and are popular basket plants that can add a splash when you are building a container garden or building garden steps outdoors. They hang well and enjoy partial sun and warm temperatures indoors or in shaded garden areas. They sprout purple and white flowers every spring.

All of these plants and many, many more are great indoor foliage that can ad a splash of life to any room or become the background for a great flower box.