Types of House Plants
With its emerald green leaves that are flecked with orange and pink Croton is a striking house plant. It is tolerant of lower light levels and needs less water than other plants. It can also help filter formaldehyde from the air.
Pothos with its slim, heart-shaped leaves, is an easy house plant to grow. It can survive in dark conditions, but prefers bright indirect sunlight and regular watering.
Aroids
Many common house plants like pothos, philodendrons, monsteras and ZZ plants fall into the Aroid family (Araceae). This group of plants, which were originally swamp-dwellers, thrives indoors since they are easy to maintain.
They require moderate amounts of light, warm temperatures and high humidity. In the growing season, they also require fertilizer. Aroids are highly prized for their varied foliage and the ability to withstand both bright and low light conditions. Schiavone claims that they flower less frequently than other houseplants, but when they do, they're generally stunning. Aroid flowers are typically characterized by a spathe (a petal-like structure) that attracts pollinators and a spadix (which includes the actual flowers, or inflorescence). The flowers are typically accompanied by sweet scents and are sometimes activated by heat which causes the increase in volatilization of chemicals that attract insects to pollinate.
You may have seen aroids in Instagram posts or movie backgrounds, as well as curtain patterns. These plants are stylish and easy to grow and this is the reason they are now a common feature in the collection of house plants. They come in a wide range of shapes, colors and sizes. Some of the most striking are tropical aroids such as the Monstera Deliciciosa, often referred to as the Swiss cheese plant because of its distinctive holes and slits in leaves. This aroid is very popular in feng shui because it is able to ward off negative energies. common houseplant is easy to grow and is perfect for those who are just beginning or would like to spice up their interior decor.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads might look tropical however they are easy to grow. The epiphyte, also known as an air plant, does not require soil. It can be tied to trees or objects and planted in soil that is shallow. Its vibrant colors and fascinating textures make it a sought-after decorative plant. It is also a relatively low-maintenance plant which is resistant to severe pests.
Bromeliads comprise a variety of species, including many cultivars, that can be used as houseplants. They include sharp, sword-like leaves as well as the brightly colored bracts and flowers of Billbergia Neoregelia, and Aechmea. The most commonly used cultivars are the speckled pink-centered, 'Morado, and the wide-leaved red-centered Guinea.' They typically bloom in late summer or fall and their beautiful bracts can last for months.
As houseplants, they are often planted in a potting mix. However some of the more tropical species, like Guzmani and Tillandsia are glued to logs and moss or nestled in coconut shells and do not need any soil at all. As houseplants, they are usually placed in a potting mix but some of the more tropical species such as Tillandsia or Guzmani can be glued to moss and logs, or nestled in coconut shells and don't require any soil at all.
Bromeliads can withstand drought better than most indoor plants. However, they still require regular watering. They should be watered every week in warmer temperatures, and twice a month in cooler temperatures. You can fertilize them on occasion by using a well-draining potting mix such as the Palm or orchid potting soil.
Cacti
Cacti are one of the most durable and robust of all house plants. They can be squat and spiny or tall and lanky columns or even thorny decorative balls. Many cacti are native to desert habitats but they grow well in containers in a variety. Some cacti bloom only infrequently and require special care.
Many cacti have spines to repel predators or assist with water storage Their rounded shapes permit them to trap and reflect light. They may also have scales. The thorns of the Dinosaur Back Plant (Mammillaria hahniana) look like dinosaur skin, and this cactus can reach up to 36 inches tall.
The slender, fingerlike pads of the Candelabra Cactus (Echinocactus cochlaniformis) are covered with spines that are spaced out at regular intervals to create a distinct silhouette. This plant is suitable for indoor cultivation and produces white flowers in the summer and spring.
The Fairy Castle Cactus, Morenoa Cristata, has multiple stems that resemble the castle spires or turrets. The cactus can reach 6 feet (2 meters) in the wild and blooms in the evening. This cactus requires bright and filtered sunlight and should be kept in a warm room that has good circulation. It can cause shrinkage. Repot this cactus every year or more often when the pot becomes too small. This is an ideal plant for novices since it doesn't require much water or fertilizer, and the spines are usually enough to deter pets and children from chomping on it.
Ferns
Ferns are easy to cultivate as house plants, and they provide a tropical look. They are mostly shade plants that thrive in tree canopy in the wild however, they require plenty of light to flourish as indoor plants. Avoid windows facing either west or south as they can scorch ferns. Instead, place them in indirect or medium light.
Many ferns have leaflets or pinnae, in various combinations and sizes, which can be used to differentiate between different species. They also have a distinctive vascular structure that is where the protoxylem is similar to the water-conducting cells found in other plants, is restricted to the lobes of the xylem. This allows ferns to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, which is important for growth.
The majority of ferns have tiny hairs called trichomes which shield them from predators. They can be glandular, unicellular, or multicellular and release toxic fluids, fragrant odors or produce waxy substances that give the fronds a sheen and color.
Ferns don't require a lot of water and may benefit from a little drying between waterings. common houseplants can cause the fronds to turn brown or yellow, and even lead to root rot. If your ferns are drying out too fast you can mist them more often or put them on a tray of pebbles with water. A humidifier could also be helpful when your home is dry.
Succulents
Succulents are one of the most popular house plants because they thrive in a wide variety of conditions. In nature they grow in deserts, seaside cliffs, and humid forests, so they are adapted to living in all climates in our homes.
There are many different species of succulents and each one is distinctive in its appearance and requirements. But, they do share characteristics such as fleshy leaves or stems which are used to store water, smaller roots than other varieties, and a rosette-like arrangement of leaves. They are also more drought-resistant than other plants. However, they may not tolerate direct sun.
Aloe vera is a popular succulent is well-known. The common house plant can become quite large, and it can produce bell-shaped flowers. The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is another common succulent can provide height and architectural interest to rooms. Both plants can be cultivated from leaves or stems that have been re-used.
Another succulent that looks fantastic on a wall or a hanging basket is the agave blue glowing. Its brightly colored foliage is a pleasant feature in any space, and it is very easy to maintain. Like other succulents, it requires filtered light and humid soil. It is advisable to avoid overwatering during winter, as this can cause the plant to rot.
Woody Evergreens
Most woody plants with leaves that are evergreen are either conifers like pines and spruces, or deciduous tree or shrubs, including Junipers (Juniperus) and arborvitaes (Arborvitae). common houseplants have needle-shaped leaves. The woody evergreens have toughened tissues called bark, composed of a substance known as xylem. It is used to transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.
Some evergreens with woody leaves are great house plants, since they require little maintenance. The money tree, Pachira aquatica, is a good example. Its braided stems are topped with a rosette of leathery green and white-striped leaves. The plant grows quickly and will reach around eight feet in height in a decade or so.
A dracaena or dragon tree is a different low-maintenance option. Dracaena marginata from Madagascar is a low-maintenance choice. It has twisted stems and rosettes of narrow, glossy leaves. Dracaena Sanderiana, also called the ribbon plant, has sword-shaped glossy green leaves with white stripes.
Many other woody evergreens also are excellent houseplants. They include schefflera, with typical broad-leafed foliage, ficus, also known as banyan tree, whose fronds can grow to several feet high and the false castor plant, or Philodendron deliciosum, with its pretty heart-shaped leaves that are cut into lobes. All require the use of a large pot as well as ample indirect sunlight. Evergreens tend to be more durable than deciduous trees, but they can still be damaged by freezing temperatures.