10 Unexpected Best House Plants Tips
best houseplants for Beginners
A houseplant can improve the levels of oxygen, lessen dust and pollutants, and improve the quality of your indoor air. The care of a plant can bring you great satisfaction, and it's been proved to improve your mental health.
Which house plant is right for you? We talked to experts for their top choices.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the most sought-after house plants, thanks to its heart-shaped leaves as well as stunning white variation. It is also easy to care for and is an ideal choice for novices. Pothos, like many tropical plants thrives in different light conditions. However, it prefers moderate amounts of bright indirect sunlight. It can also grow in lower levels of light or in complete shade. A moderate amount of humidity in the household and a soil mix that is slightly acidic work well for this plant, too.
So as the soil is not allowed to dry out completely, this plant is tolerant of not getting watered, even though excessive watering is a common cause of death for houseplants. If you are unsure you can test your finger with the soil test: Stick your finger a couple of inches deep into the soil to determine whether it's moist. If not, it's time to give a watering. If the leaves are changing color, it could be due to too much sun or a lack in sunlight. It could be a sign there is a fungal disease.
Like most plants, pothos is able to tolerate air pollution, including the ozone layer and volatile organic compounds. It's also a good option for a bathroom or kitchen, where it can help in the removal of air pollutants.
Like many other plants like it, this one is susceptible to pests and diseases. It is best to tackle issues quickly so that they don't get spread throughout the home. Thrips and mealybugs are among the most frequent pests found on this plant. Keep your Marble Queen Pothos well-watered and it will be less likely to attract these pests.
To keep your plant looking its best Trim the tips of your stem often. This will keep the foliage full and marbled, and will prevent the vines from growing too long. These stem tip clippings may also be used to help propagate new plants.
If you wish for your Marble Queen to get taller, encourage it to climb by giving it something to cling to. This could be a moss rod, houseplant trellis, or even strings. Be sure to spray the moss or any other support, with water as part of your regular routine of irrigation to help it grow quicker.
Monstera
The Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera delica), also called the Monstera plant is among the most sought-after houseplants of in the present. The leaves are decorated with natural holes -- known as leaf fenestration -and can add an exotic feel to any room. It is easy to propagate simply by cutting it off and growing it in a water solution.
Monstera deliciosa is a fast-growing plant, and it will need to be repotted every few months as the roots develop. Take a few leaves and then repot the plant in well-draining potting soil. Make sure your container is well-ventilated and add perlite or lava rock to the soil for aeration, if necessary.
As house plants they can be easily cared for when they are given enough sunlight and humidity. They are happy to climb up the trellis or grow downwards. You can easily modify them to your taste by pruning. You can mist a Monstera using a water spray bottle to increase the amount of humidity in its leaves.
Although it is called that, a monstera is not a succulent. Monsteras are distinguished by their small, heart-shaped leaves that feature fenestrations. Succulents have fleshy, thick leaves which store water. Monsteras are tolerant of dry climates, however they require more water to thrive than succulents do, and so they must be maintained at the right temperature and sufficient humidity.
It is important to remember that, although the fenestrations on monstera leaves make them appear as if they could be eaten, they are not safe to consume. The fruit, stems and leaves of this plant are laced with toxic oxalic acid and can cause pain to the throat and mouth if consumed.
For those who've already mastered the fiddle leaf fig Blank suggests moving to the monstera to get a feel for how easy indoor gardening can be. "A monstera is very adaptable, and can be used in a variety of conditions," she says. It needs a warm, humid climate, but it can also tolerate lower temperatures.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant is one of the most durable house plants. It's slow-growing, tough and can survive a variety of conditions. It can thrive in dark places and isn't averse to low humidity. It is also tolerant to forgetful owners and only requires sporadic waterings in order to survive. The leaves of this tropical succulent can be lime green, purple-black or a mixture of both as they grow.
It is possible to propagate the ZZ plant by cutting its rhizomes. These are tubers that resemble roots on the bottom of each stem. Remove the plant out of its pot and divide the rhizomes. Cut them back a bit before placing them in new pots. You can also plant new ZZs by using stem cuttings with two leaves that measure approximately an inch long. Place the cuttings in a pot containing an equal mix of perlite and multipurpose soil. Place them in an area that is warm. It may take up to one year for the cuttings of the plant to grow.
Although it is one of the toughest house plants, certain things can cause it to die. These include overwatering, direct sunlight and dry soil. The best method to avoid these issues is to water the ZZ plant when its soil feels dry. It's okay to leave the soil damp. The plant can go for weeks without watering as its rhizomes store water.
The plant isn't a magnet for many pests, but it could be susceptible to fungus and rot. The best way to avoid these problems is to regularly remove dead and old foliage from the plant. It's also important to keep it away from small children and pets because the stems and leaves could be irritating if they are eaten.
The ZZ plant is a great air purifier because it can assist in removing toluene, benzene and xylene from indoor environments. It's also able to absorb volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. This makes the ZZ plant an ideal choice for offices and apartments that don't have adequate ventilation.
Parlor Palm
Palms are a very popular indoor plant, and for good reason. They bring lush, tropical vibes to living spaces and can take on a variety of lighting conditions as well as temperatures. The chamaedorea, also known as parlor palm, is no exception. The plant (also known as the neanthe bella palm) is native to Central America, and it's becoming more popular due to its versatility. It thrives in bright filtered light, but can be a great choice for windows and in spaces with less light, like east or north-facing rooms. It's a slow growing plant and it could take up to a year it to reach its maximum height of 2 to 6 feet.
If you want your plant to grow it can be fertilised each month with a balanced liquid fertiliser. Bridget Zazzara is the retail indoor and seasonal plant supervisor at Logan's Trading Company. She recommends using a well draining mix. Choose soil that drains well and has a pH between 6.1 and 7.8. Add a little sphagnum moss to enhance the soil's structure and retain water.
Keep your parlor palms clear from drafty areas, and mist their leaves daily to maintain humidity. You can also install an air humidifier to your home. If your palm in the parlor is becoming rootbound, plant it again in the spring. It's important to not overwater the plant, however, since the plant is susceptible to root decay. Water the plant as soon as the top inch or so of compost is dry to the surface. Water more frequently in warm weather, and less frequently in the winter.
They are attractive to bees, but ensure that you keep them away from pets and children. The needle-like leaves can be poisonous and be consumed. They also attract mealybugs. These insects look like fluffy white blobs that are located on the underside of leaves and can be difficult to eliminate. If you spot them, clean them off using a cotton bud or cloth that has been soaked in an insecticide that contains the fatty acids or plant oils.