The Worst Advice We've Been Given About House Plants
Easy-Care House Plants
Inspiring lush greenery into your space by incorporating these easy-care house plants. These plants are simple to grow and require little maintenance. They only need an occasional watering.
These common house plants, ranging from the popular orchids found in big-box stores to the hardy and resilient ficus, will enhance your indoor gardening design. Plus, they clean your air.
- Areca Palm
Palms are excellent house plants, as they are easy to maintain and add a tropical feel to any house. The Areca Palm (Dypsis lutescens, formerly Chrysalidocarpus lutescens) is native to Madagascar and is found in the wild in slightly acidic soil with sandy or rocky topsoil. Also known as the golden cane palm, bamboo palm or butterfly palm, it has a smooth silver green trunk and feathery fronds that appear like butterflies.
Areca Palms are excellent in bringing humidity to the home. They are also effective air purifiers that eliminate toxins and pollutants from the atmosphere. Because of their large surface area the fronds of this plant naturally provide more oxygen to the house than plants with less leaves.
They are tolerant of the majority of conditions, but thrive in warm temperatures and consistent humidity that is similar to those in the tropics. They can be grown outside in USDA zone 10 or higher. They can reach as high as 30 feet at maturity.
To reproduce the plant, gently cut off five or four stems with a sharp knife. The fronds that have been separated should be placed in a pot with two-to-one mix of regular potting soil and coarse sand and make sure to water them thoroughly. Allow the soil time to drain before watering it once more. Palms tend to be moist however they can tolerate some dryness once the plants have established themselves.
- Spider Plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) can be grown in pots or hanging baskets. They look very attractive when mature and are displayed somewhere high where their long, slender shoots decorated with plant 'babies' can be observed. They are also excellent plants to exhibit in conservatories or similar where the'babies' of the plant can hang freely.
It is among the easiest houseplants to grow and can be done even in dim light however bright indirect sunlight can enhance the colour of the leaves and encourage growth. It is a very adaptable plant and can tolerate some harsh direct sunlight in the Summer however, not during the midday hours when it may scorch the leaves. The plant doesn't need much water, making it easy to water it. However it is crucial not to overwater. Take a look at the soil and only water when it is dry. In the Winter the amount of watering should be reduced to prevent the plants from drying out too fast.
The spider plant is a great air purifier that helps eliminate toxins from the air such as formaldehyde and toluene and xylene, which can be commonly found in homes office buildings, workplaces, and homes. They also help reduce allergies by removing pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. This makes the spider plant a great option for those suffering from chronic hay fever or asthma. It's also a nontoxic plant and therefore suitable for pets and children!
- Fiddle Leaf Fig
Popular for its dramatic wavy green leaves, the fiddle leaf fig (ficus lyrata) is a popular option to create a lush jungle-like vibe into a home. A plant this large is a center of attention in a room and looks great against white or neutral, light walls. Fiddle leaf figs look great in contemporary or farmhouse styles, where their size and shape can add to the overall design.
Because it is a tropical plant it requires bright, filtered light to thrive and appear its best. Direct sunlight can cause burns to the leaves and reduce their color. Fiddle leaf figs have the ability to be trained into the shape of a bush or tree shape. A bush-like shape is the default but pruning can be used to encourage branching for an appearance that resembles a tree.
Fiddle leaf figs are found in rainforests and thrive under humid and warm conditions similar to greenhouses. To replicate this environment at home misting the plant every week is suggested. Repotting the plant every two weeks will help with its growth and health.
This house plant is easy to maintain, but it does need constant attention and love in the form of water, food sun, and space. This consistency is hard to maintain, especially if you find yourself in a middle. It is recommended to choose a spot for your plant where you can commit and stick to it.
- Rubber Plant
Ficus elastica is also referred to as Rubber Plant or Rubber Fig. It is a common and fashionable houseplant. It has gorgeous glossy green leaves, and it is believed to cleanses the air by removing pollutants such as formaldehyde from the air.
It is an easy-to-care for plant that is forgiving in lighting levels and other conditions at home. However, it can be quite sensitive and will drop its leafs if conditions are not right. For instance, low leaf growth may be an indication of inadequate light levels. This can be resolved by moving the plant closer to a window or using an indoor grow lamp.
This is a great plant for people who are learning how to take care of plants. It is also one of the easiest house plants to propagate. It is possible to propagate a rubber plant by cutting a hole in the stem and then packing a little damp moss around it. Once the rubber plant has begun to grow it is possible to remove all of the moss. Then you can plant it in a pot using ficus potting mix. It is crucial to keep your soil moist but not soggy. It is also important to clean the leaves frequently. This will stop fungal disease and allow the plant to absorb more sunlight. If you would like, you can spray the plant with misters. However, dripping wet foliage can cause staining to furniture and carpets.
- English Ivy
The English ivy, Hedera helix, is an evergreen vine and is a popular houseplant since it is always green. It can also be used to cover trees and walls, and it is an excellent privacy screen. Philodendron and Pothos are less invasive ivy like plants to think about if you don't want to have an ivy-like plant that is spread across your home.
Remember that English Ivy, if it gets too heavy, could choke out the trunk of a tree. This will reduce the health of the wood as well as increase the chance of fungus decay and disease. It can also cause damage to the bark of mature trees during storms as it pulls and clings to them.
The plant is attractive on its own. There are a myriad of cultivars of this plant, including the various shades of green and variegated varieties that have gray, white, yellow, and cream. Some of these include 'Itsybitsy' that has tiny leaves that look like ivy 'Congesta', with two-sided heart-shaped, two-sided or triangular leaf lobes 'Diana' and 'Fluffy Ruffles', which have birds' feet-shaped leaves that have narrow lobes; 'Curlilocks' and 'Gold Child' with large curly leaves that are wavy or wave-like; and 'Silvery Variegation' and 'Glacier', which have silvery variegations.
Ivy plants love cool indirect light, a well-drained soil. Be sure to protect the foliage from heat vents, drafts and excessive watering. Misting plants frequently prevents dryness and keeps spider mites away. If these pests do show up, treat them as you would with other common houseplant insects like mealybugs and aphids. Neem oil and insecticidal soap are great options for these treatments.
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- Kalanchoe
The kalanchoe tree (KAL- n-KOH-t It is a succulent that blooms that requires minimal care. Its long reblooming period makes it a favorite with florists and plant lovers, who use it to create centerpieces and dish gardens. It is a fantastic gift, since it usually blooms for a long time after the initial display.
Like many flowering plants, they love bright light and good drainage. To avoid https://houseplantalley.com/ on the leaves, allow the soil to dry out between watering. Also, don't let kalanchoes rest in standing water for any period of time, as this can result in root rot. When watering, use only pots and potting mixes that drain quickly, and make sure not to overwater a kalanchoe.
Try exposing them to lower levels of light, that mimic shorter days, just as you would do with a poinsettia or Thanksgiving Cactus. Do this for a month or so and it should start to rebloom.
Like many flowering plants kalanchoes need regular fertilizer that is balanced water-soluble formula. Most potting mixes include some nutrients. However, it is recommended to feed your plant every month from spring until autumn. Pour the excess moisture from an empty saucer that is placed under the pot. It is recommended to mist a kalanchoe with water instead of spraying directly on it as getting the leaves wet may cause a fungal infection known as Rhizoctonia solani or Fusarium root rot.