Why Popular House Plants Will Be Your Next Big Obsession
Popular House Plants For a Tropical Touch
The heartleaf Philodendron makes a great choice for those who wish to add a tropical feel to their home. The leaves are easy to care for and will tolerate low light.
The spiky calathea, also known as the peacock plant has beautiful leaves. Calatheas, like many other popular houseplants are easy to cultivate however they require light that is filtered and soil that drains well.
Ponytail Palm
The ponytail palm, Beaucarnea recurvata, is a beautiful plant that is easy to care for. It has become one of most sought-after house plants in recent times. This species, which appears like palms is actually a succulent. It thrives in dry conditions. It can withstand for weeks without watering since its trunk is expanded. It is a wonderful plant for people who live in cold climates or have a busy schedule. It is also known as a bottle palm or elephant foot palm.
Ponytail palms thrive in warm indoor environments and can tolerate cold temperatures. In summer, they prefer bright spots with indirect sun for warmth and to avoid burning the leaves. However, they can be adapted to full sunlight exposure in warmer climates and can grow outdoors as landscape trees in a frost-free region. When they are grown indoors, they can grow to 6 inches or more in diameter and can be propagated by offsets that develop at the base of the trunk.
The ponytail palms require only a little water and thrive in the same draining soil as succulents, cacti and others. Clay pots are a good choice for this as they can draw moisture away from roots. If your ponytail palm is root-bound, you can pot it into a container that is only two inches larger than its trunk. To avoid shock, gently move it to the new container. Fertilize your cactus plants every once or twice per season by using a liquid cactus fertilizer at half strength.
Schefflera
The genus Schefflera includes many house plants that are popular and have leaflets that look like umbrellas. The more common varieties, like Schefflera actinophylla and Schefflera arboricola, produce elongated leaves with up to six leaflets that gracefully drop from the central stem, which gives the plant its infamous name. The smaller variety, Areca catechu, produces a similar leaf shape but with smaller leaves, which are typically decorated with yellow or cream. Both varieties are not just beautiful, but they also act as natural air fresheners as well as deodorizers.
This tropical plant is an easy-care houseplant and thrives with relatively high humidity. It can tolerate moderately warm temperatures, but will not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations or drafts. It is prone to numerous illnesses, including bacterial and fungus leaf spots. To prevent these problems, keep the soil damp and don't overwater and make use of a peat moss-based potting mix. Wait until the top inch or two of soil is dry before you water your plant once more.
You may need to feed your plant more frequently in the event that it exhibits signs of nutrient deficiency, such as yellow or wilted leaves or tips that are brown. You can add liquid fertilizer or slow-release pellets into water. Regularly trimming your schefflera will encourage new growth and leaves.
Areca Palm
Palms are a staple in tropical climates and make beautiful house plants for their green fronds that remain all year round and blend well with a variety of interiors. They can be grown as a centerpiece or in pots for a natural look. They also provide a lot of interest to corners or entranceways and are an excellent way to lighten up a dark spot in the home.
In their natural habitat areca palms thrive in the rainforest and are naturally adapted to hot temperatures and high humidity. The areca is sensitive and may burn if exposed to sudden bursts freezing temperatures. It is essential to keep indoor palms away form drafty windows, heaters and air cooling units.
It is crucial that areca palms get plenty of light. They do not like low or moderate light, so make sure to place them in a very bright location with some direct sunlight as well.
Areca palms require regular watering, but they should not be left to overwater. Overwatering can lead to fungal diseases and rot. The soil shouldn't be wet, but should be moist. It should be allowed to dry between waterings. If your soil isn't dense and loamy, you can improve it with some builder's gravel or peat moss bark. This will create an even more drained, richer mixture.
Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides also referred to as the pancake plant, Chinese money plant or coin plant, is a flowering perennial belonging to the nettle family. It's grown primarily for its unique, round, UFO-shaped leaves. It's a houseplant that grows quickly and is easy to propagate and care for.
This houseplant thrives in medium light conditions. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight because this could cause burns to its beautiful leaves and cause other issues. Set it in a window that is exposed to a lot of indirect sunlight.
To prevent the Chinese money plant from becoming lopsided, turn its pot by about a quarter each week or more. This helps all the leaves get equal amounts of sunlight. It's also a good idea to fertilize it every month using a balanced liquid plant food that is diluted to half strength.
The Chinese money plant is tolerant of low levels of humidity. If you notice the leaf edges becoming crisp this is a sign that you should increase the humidity.
The plant is a fan of Feng Shui, where it's believed to boost prosperity and wealth. It's also a great plant to have around the office since it's been shown to improve productivity of employees and decrease stress. It's also safe for pets and children. Share your greenery! You can find this plant at local nurseries and garden centers, as well as in the majority of large-box home improvement stores and supermarkets with a garden section.
Majesty Palm
Majesty palms (Ravenea Rivularis) have tall frosts that make beautiful additions to any home. These tropical plants also possess the ability to purify air. Due to their high humidity requirements and increasing demands, they are difficult to maintain.
Majesty palms, just like other indoor plants, require well-drained soil that is evenly moistened. It's best to water them regularly however, not too frequently. Regular fertilization can also benefit the plant.
When watering a palm with majesty, make sure to sprinkle the water over the entire surface of the soil. Avoid watering the plant directly on its crown at the base as this can cause decay and damage to the new fronds.
Majesty palms thrive in a pot that is 2-3 inches larger than the root ball. The plant will also appreciate an area with a good drainage because it is susceptible to root rot. Drain rocks can be placed in the bottom of the container to improve drainage. Repot a Majesty palm every two years or when the roots are extending out from the drainage hole at the bottom of your pot.
Majesty palms are vulnerable to aphids, spider mites and scale insects. To keep these pests out it is important to spray your plant with mild soap and water solution. Majesty palms are also sensitive to low humidity, making it crucial to ensure they are in a place with a good air circulation.
Peperomia
The Peperomia is a great houseplant for novices because it doesn't require much watering. It is a tropical species from the rain forest and prefers moderate humidity and warm conditions. It thrives in humid places such as terrariums and brightly lit bathrooms, as well as misted areas inside the home. It can be left outside in the summer, but bring it inside when temperatures drop.
Lindsay Pangborn, an expert of the gardening site Bloomscape recommends watering only when the top 2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. She recommends using chopsticks to aerate the soil before watering so it can reach all parts of the roots. Aeration can prevent the onset of rot and promotes more extensive root growth. Peperomias aren't in a hurry when it comes to feeding and can be fertilized biweekly with a general-purpose fertilizer that is designed for houseplants.
The leaves of peperomias are distinguished by a unique texture. They can be smooth or crinkled, with grooves and ridges as well as variegated or spotted. Some also feature patterns that resemble the appearance of the watermelon rind or ripples of emerald. common house plants can be cleaned by wiping them with a damp cloth in order to remove dust from crevices, especially in species with ripples or grooves. If you notice swelling on the leaves of the peperomia plant, this could indicate the presence of a problem. You should treat the plant with an insecticidal detergent.