Choosing Indoor House Plants
When choosing your house plants, be sure to look for healthy, healthy roots and foliage. Check the leaves to see if there are any signs of disease or pests.
Many indoor house plants are easy to maintain and can take low light conditions. Snake plant (also called Sansevieria or Mother-inlaw's tongue) and yucca elephantipes and coccoloba are examples.
Cast Iron Plant
The cast iron plant (Aspidistra elatior) is a tough and durable houseplant with long leaves that are about 2-3 feet tall. It thrives in shade and dimly lit conditions and is a great choice for rooms with no natural light. Its dimension makes it an ideal accent plant. It can make a big statement without taking over a room. This easy-care plant thrives in soil that drains well, and in areas with only a little direct sunlight. It can withstand various climates. Be careful not to overwater to prevent root rot. If your cast iron plant's leaves turn yellow, this is an indication that it was exposed for a prolonged period to direct sunlight. Add more filtered lighting or relocate the plant to a more shaded area.
A variety of cultivars offer an array of striking colors and patterns for the foliage. Gold Spike and Goldfeather both have yellow stripes that run through their green leaves. Hoshi-zora's metal cast plant leaves are speckled with yellow to white dots, giving it the appearance of being airbrushed. The snow cap cast iron fern (Aspidistra crassula) is a different option, with its year-round white variegation that gives it the appearance of being covered with a snowfall.
Indoor cast iron plants require little maintenance, but you might have to trim the leaves to maintain the shape of the plant, or to remove any dying or dead leaves. You may also need to trim the roots periodically if the clump gets too large for its pot. Fertilize indoor plants at least once a month using an all-purpose liquid fertilizer in spring and summer, following the instructions on the product label. Outdoor cast iron ferns require less frequent feeding, but you can use a general liquid fertilizer during the spring, when they begin growing again.
Snake Plant
Snake plants (Sansevieria), despite their large leaves, are actually elegant and soft. They are one of the most adaptable house plants. They can tolerate low light levels and even occasional droughts. They also help to keep the air inside your home healthy, absorbing carbon dioxide as well as toxic substances such as formaldehyde and benzene.
If you decide to go with a variegated 'Mother-in-Law's Tongue' or the tall, green 'Goldband Sansevieria laurentii These plants look fantastic as table centrepieces or on a desk. They can also be placed on top of a fireplace indoors or on a window sill so that they can receive sunlight throughout the day.
Apart from the over-watering and freezing temperatures, snake plants don't suffer from other problems when kept inside. They're slow-growing and don't require to be regularly repotted, however should they grow out of their pots, use pots that have a high percentage of perlite or sand in order to keep the soil from becoming too saturated.
If you choose to repotte your snake plant, dig it up from its old container with a sharp knife and then put it back in the same depth it was previously placed in. Fill the rest of the pot up with the potting mix made for succulents and cacti.
It is recommended to keep snake plants out of reach of pets and children as the leaves are poisonous if consumed. The saponins are potent enough to cause nausea and vomiting in both humans and animals. To ensure you are on the safe side, you should always wear gloves when handling the plant. You should also remove any berries that are on the stems to avoid ingesting them.
Succulents & Cacti
Cacti and succulents are fascinating plants that can bring character to any room. They're adapted to help conserve water in dry (xeric) environments. A lot of them are fascinating or even grotesque designs with colorful flowers. This makes them appealing to an array of gardeners.
If they are grown outdoors in warm climates, or kept as houseplants, cacti and succulents are excellent companion plants. They are often mixed together in low bowls to create gardens. They can be planted in sunny windows for bright light. Be aware that these plants thrive best in bright sunlight and at least six hours of bright light each day.
The prickly-pear cactus, commonly known as the agave, is a well-loved houseplant. It can be used for landscaping as well. Other varieties include agave mammillaria and echeveria. These plants multiply by creating clusters around the mother plant that produce tiny cacti that are baby-sized and gaining them the name "hens and chicks".
Some people use "cactus", as a synonym to describe all succulents. However, the word cactus actually refers to a specific family of plants belonging to the genus Cactaceae. In reality, cacti are only one of the 60 families of succulents that can be found all over the world.
Like all succulents and cacti they require to be kept in a container with a drainage hole. They don't like soil that stays wet and can turn rotten or grow in a distorted manner in conditions that aren't well-lit. In addition, cacti and succulents require minimal maintenance compared to other houseplants. They can be grown indoors, and can be relocated outside in summer. However, they should only be kept in a shaded space as intense light can cause burns to the stems and leaves.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciciosa, or Swiss Cheese Plant, is one of the most popular houseplants of the moment. It is an evergreen vine with large, fenestrated leaves, with splits and holes. It is an excellent choice for indoors because of its tolerance to high light and low humidity.
Monstera plants thrive in warmer climates. However, they need to be brought inside during winter months when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Monsteras will not thrive in regions below this temperature. If you intend to bring them inside, make sure to thoroughly inspect the plants for pests prior to moving them. Examine the soil, and then wipe off the stems and leaves. Repot the plant if needed.
Indoors, Monstera deliciosa likes bright to medium indirect sunlight. Direct sunlight can cause burns to leaves and affect the overall health of the plant. Avoid placing your plant next to heating or air conditioning vents because they could dry out the leaves. Water regularly making sure the soil is moist but not soaking. Utilizing filtered or bottled water is the best option particularly if your house has hard water. A humidifier can help to increase the humidity of your home.
Consider adding tall house plants to the pot after you have planted it. This will allow your plant to grow higher up the pot once it has established itself. This is a great way to add height to your space and can also draw positive energy from the ceiling into the spaces below. For fengshui, the Monstera plant is associated with deep bonds and honoring elders and revered individuals. It brings luck, luck, and prosperity to those who keep it healthy. In Chinese customs, it is a symbol of longevity.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf is one of the most popular plants available. Its unique shape, elongated and showstopping leaves make it a striking addition to any room in your home. It is important to remember that this plant requires more attention and care than other plants. This tropical beauty is a native of an environment that is rainforest-like, so it needs bright sun and high humidity in order to thrive.
When watering, it is important not to overwater your FLF since this can lead to root rot and other problems. Water your plant every week or every 10 to 14 days. If you do water, make sure you soak the soil until it's drippy and drain out the excess moisture before you put the fig that you grew with fiddle leaves back in its pot.
This plant is also sensitive to cold temperatures and could be damaged by drafts. Be sure to prevent this by putting your ficus in a place that is warm and sheltered from drafts. Misting your fig's fiddle-leaf leaves with a spray bottle each day will help to maintain hydration, and keep the leaves fresh.
In general, a fiddle leaf fig will be able to indicate when it's time to drink water. "The best method to determine if your plant is thirsty is to poking your finger into the soil," Mast says. "If you feel moisture at about halfway up your knuckle then your fig is good go." If the soil is dry to the surface, it's time for soak it in water.