Today, homeowners use indoor plants to boost the aesthetics of their living room area.
Indoor plants can help you cut down your monthly budget, particularly if you grow edible indoor plants.
Not to mention, indoor plants enable you to harvest plentifully all year round. Nevertheless, not all plant species can survive in containers indoors.
So, before you start growing indoor plants, take time to understand the various plant types that thrive indoors.
Some of the best indoor plants you can grow.
The rubber Plant
This plant is a hardy plant with green, lustrous leaves. It grows well in clay planting pots and can grow as an indoor tree.
The rubber plant thrives under indirect light and requires constant watering, especially during summer.
During winter, the plant needs watering at least once a month or once every two weeks. Consequently, this plant is an ideal option for anyone with a tight schedule.
Ultimately, indoor plants help clean the air and create a natural feel in your space. Also, indoor plants brighten up a dull living area and enhance air quality.
But remember that each plant type is different. Thus, it is essential to take good care of your houseplants if you want them to thrive.
Mass Cane
More than 50% of cooperate offices have this plant in their indoor spaces. Mass cane adds a natural feel to your space and can grow to be 1.8 meters tall.
The plant contains long leaves with creamy, light-yellow stripes cascading through them. As a result, they provide distinctive aesthetics for your indoor area. It is important to note that the mass cane is a large plant.
Therefore, it is a perfect option for large spaces. The mass cane plant makes an excellent indoor plant because it can survive in areas with low light.
Even so, gardening experts recommend placing the mass cane under indirect bright light. So, consider putting the plant next to your window. Additionally, water it at least once a week to keep it in good shape.
Swiss cheese plant
The first plant you can grow indoors is Swiss cheese. These plants are popularly known for their excellent aesthetics. They have large green leaves that create a focal point in your indoor space.
Swiss cheese plants are highly adaptable and complement any indoor space. They thrive in shady areas, making them an ideal indoor plant.
You can clean this plant using a wet, clean cloth. The leaves of the Swiss cheese plant also incorporate unique holes that make them more appealing.
Moreover, these plants do not require a lot of maintenance. All you have to do is water them and feed them during spring and summer. However, note that Swiss cheese plants are climbers. Thus, it would be best to create a trellis or temporary wall for support.
Peace lily
The Peace lily also has properties that make it an excellent indoor plant option. The plant has dark green leaves and generates white flowers that grow up to 65 centimeters high.
This plant thrives in bright indirect light; thus, you can place it directly opposite your living room window.
Peace lilies need watering at least once a week during hot months. Nonetheless, peace lilies do not bloom in soil with too much moisture. Always give them some time to dry before watering them again.
Moreover, note that peace lily is poisonous. Subsequently, keep the plant far away from pets and children. Otherwise, they may get tempted to chew it, and this can lead to severe stomach upset.
Zanzibar Gem
The next plant that you can grow indoors is the Zanzibar gem. This plant has a high lifespan and can survive in long periods of drought.
As a result, it is an excellent choice for homeowners with hectic schedules. The hardy plant has lustrous leaves that boost your indoor space aesthetics.
Unlike most plants, the Zanzibar gem does not require constant watering. The plant actually thrives when neglected. But this plant takes longer to grow.
Moreover, the plant grows in areas with bright but indirect light. Placing the Zanzibar gem under direct sunlight can lead to leaf burn.
You can use fertilizer to promote the growth of this plant or whenever you notice bulging in the roots. Ultimately, the Zanzibar gem is a perfect addition to your indoor space.
Bromeliad
Bromeliads also make a great indoor plant option. These plants are simple to maintain and are highly adaptable. Besides, the aesthetics offered by bromeliads are breathtaking.
They don’t require a lot of light and can grow in shallow pots. Even so, these plants need constant watering, especially during hot months. But ensure the soil does not become too soaked with water. Otherwise, your bromeliads won’t grow as expected.
Bromeliads are not heavy feeders. Therefore, you only need to use a little amount of fertilizer to facilitate their growth.
Devil’s Ivy or Golden Pothos
Devil’s ivy is a popular pick. A good percentage of homeowners love putting this plant in their indoor space because it requires low maintenance.
Golden pothos plant also offers exceptional aesthetics. Consider growing them in your hanging baskets or planting pots. The leaves of this plant have a heart shape and are creamy green.
This plant can survive in almost any condition. They can stay without water for a long time and don’t need fertilizer to grow. Therefore, you spend minimal time and effort caring for the devil’s ivy.
If you often have a tight schedule, devil’s ivy is one of the best indoor plants you can choose. Keeping the plant in perfect shape requires you to water at least twice a week and prune during summer or spring.
Anthurium Andraeanum
Anthurium Andraeanum is one of the most popular indoor plants that originates from Columbia. It has dark green leaves and produces outstanding pink, red and white flowers with a heart shape.
But the flowers only last for 14 days. This plant needs indirect light and can grow up to 45 centimeters long. Also, with this plant, you need to keep the soil moist at all times, except during winter.
The plant also blooms when it feeds from fertilizers that are high in phosphorus during summer and spring.
Mother-in-law’s Tongue or the snake plant
The snake plant is one of the most common indoor plants you can grow. The leaves of this plant are sharp-pointed, hence the name mother-in-law’s tongue.
The plants can grow up to two meters and survive in all kinds of weather. They are highly adaptable and can survive in dry conditions for a long time.
Even so, you should place the plant under direct light for some hours a day. Also, snake plants take a longer time to grow. When watering the plant, ensure the soil does not get soggy.
Maidenhair Fern
The Maidenhair Fern can be a great add-on to your indoor living space. These plants have tiny, green leaves that spread across a wide surface area.
The leaves of the Maidenhair Fern look fragile but are highly adaptable. These plants grow well in areas with a lot of light and warmth.
You can create a custom design container for placing your Maidenhair Fern. Also, ensure the area surrounding the plant is humid.
The best tips for maintaining indoor plants
Although most houseplants are highly adaptable, you need to take good care of them. Doing this will help them grow to their full potential. Let’s look at some of the best ways of maintaining your indoor plants.
Understand the light conditions of the plant:
Different indoor plants require varying levels of light. Take time to know what your houseplant needs.
For example, when growing the Zanzibar gem, do not expose them to too much direct light. Otherwise, they would burn.
On the other hand, when growing tomatoes as your indoor plant, you need to expose them to sunlight for at least eight hours a day. Understanding the light requirements of the plant helps you boost the durability of the plant.
Moreover, note that light requirements vary depending on the season and climatic conditions. But generally, most indoor plants are highly adaptable and can thrive in areas with less light.
You can always tell your indoor plant needs light when it becomes leggy. Yellow, wilted leaves will show that your plants are receiving too much light.
Choose the right container:
Before you start to grow your indoor plants, it is crucial to select the right planting pot/container.
First, consider the size of the planting pot. Will it be able to accommodate your houseplant?
Some indoor plants grow larger than others, hence require extra space. If you have such a houseplant, get a container that is big enough. Also, if you want to grow more plants, get a large planting container.
Furthermore, consider the color and material of the planting pot. Remember, the planting container should complement your indoor living area.
Feel free to customize the planting pot so that you can boost the aesthetics of your indoor space.
The majority of homeowners love using galvanized buckets for their house plants. However, you can use pots and containers uniquely designed for planting purposes.
Use good-quality potting soil:
Choosing the right planting soil and seed planting depth will help your plants grow healthy and fast. When it comes to houseplants, garden soil is not a good option.
It is bulky and has poor water retaining properties. Always use sieved potting soil for indoor plants. This soil facilitates proper aeration and feeds the plants with nutrients.
But where can you find high-quality potting soil?
Most seedling manufacturers and nursery owners sell potting soil. Visit them and ask them for the best potting soil for your plants.
Constant watering:
Almost all plants need water. So, you have to keep watering them from time to time. Even so, it depends on the type of houseplant you have.
Some need watering once a month, while others need watering every two to three days. Regardless of the case, never allow the soil to become wet or soggy. Failure to do so can lead to rotting.
When you water houseplants, give them time to dry before you can continue watering them.
You can always know when your houseplant needs water by inserting your finger in the first two inches of the soil. If you feel the soil is dry, water the indoor plant from the bottom.
If the planting pot is light when you lift it, your plants need water. Even so, always check the plant requirements before you begin to water it.
Feed the plant and prevent pest attacks:
Like outdoor plants, indoor plants also need nutrients to grow. Use the appropriate fertilizer to facilitate the growth of the plant.
Some houseplants will need phosphorus fertilizer, while others need calcium/ nitrogen-rich fertilizers. Ensure you know all the requirements of your plant.
Additionally, keep monitoring the condition of your plant from time to time. This way, you’ll be able to determine whether the plant has pests or diseases.
Once you identify pest infestation or diseases, use the right pesticides or fungicides to treat your plant. Alternatively, you can protect the houseplant from pests and diseases using natural pesticides.
Increase humidity and prevent drafts:
Most indoor plants grow well in humid areas. Indoor living areas are often dry because of heaters and air conditions.
So, consider placing a tray with pebbles beneath your indoor plant. Then, pour water on the pebbles to keep the area humid.
Also, you can put your indoor plants in the bathroom or kitchen, where the humidity is likely to be high. Avoid placing your plants on doorways, staircases, or drafty windows.
Keep plants clean:
It is essential to keep your indoor plants clean. Use a clean wet cloth to wipe the leaves of these plants from time to time.
Leaving dust to accumulate on your plants will affect light penetration and attract pests.
Why grow indoor plants?
Indoor plants provide a wide array of benefits. They make spaces more beautiful and serene.
Some of the best indoor plants you can grow include calla lilies, devil’s ivy, snake plant, Zanzibar gem, bromeliads and peace lilies. Always choose the plant that caters to all your requirements.