Types of House Plants
Croton is an attractive indoor plant with its emerald-green leaves which are flecked in orange and pink. It tolerates lower light levels than other plants and requires little water. It is also able to filter formaldehyde out of the air.
Pothos, with slender, heart-shaped leaves, is another easy house plant to cultivate. It is tolerant of dim conditions, although it prefers direct sunlight that is bright and regular watering.
Aroids
Araceae is the family that includes numerous common house plants, such as monsteras, pothos and ZZ plants. The swamp dwellers of the past, this group of plants thrives as long-term indoor plants because they're easy to take care of.
They require moderate amounts of light and warm temperatures as well as high humidity. During the growing period they will also require fertilizer. Aroids are admired for their diverse foliage and the ability to withstand both bright and low light conditions. They are less likely to bloom often than other house plants but when they do it's typically spectacular, Schiavone said. Aroid flowers are typically characterized by spathes (a petal-like structure) that attracts pollinators, and spadix (which is the actual flower, or inflorescence). The flowers have a pleasant smell and are heated to increase the volume of chemicals that attract pollinators.
You may have seen aroids on Instagram posts as well as movie backgrounds and curtain patterns. These plants are easy to care for and fashionable and that's why a lot of people have them in their homes plant collection. They are available in a vast range of shapes, colors and sizes. Some of the most striking are the tropical aroids, such as the Monstera deliciosa, sometimes called the Swiss cheese plant for its distinctive holes and slits on leaves. This aroid is very popular in feng-shui because it can ward off negative energies. It can grow quickly and is a good choice for beginners or for those who wish to bring some drama to their home decor.
small house plants with its tropical appearance may look difficult to grow, but it is actually one of the easiest house plants to maintain. The epiphyte, also known as an air plant, doesn't require soil. It can be tied to trees or objects and planted in shallow soil. Its vibrant colors and interesting textures make this a popular decorative plant. It is also a low maintenance plant that is resistant to severe pests.
Bromeliads comprise a variety of species, which includes a number of cultivars, which can be used as houseplant s. They include sharp, sword-like leaves as well as the brightly colored bracts and flowers of Billbergia Neoregelia, and Aechmea. Some of the most commonly used cultivars include the speckled, red-centered 'Guinea' as well as the broad-leafed, pink-centered 'Morado'. These plants typically flower in late summer or fall and their stunning bracts may last for several months.
As houseplants, they are often placed in a potting mixture. However some of the more tropical species such as Tillandsia or Guzmani can be glued to logs and moss or placed in coconut shells and don't require any soil whatsoever. As houseplants they are often grown in a potting mix, but some of the more tropical species like Tillandsia or Guzmani can be attached to moss and logs, or nested in coconut shells and don't need any soil at all.
Bromeliads are among the most drought-tolerant of all indoor plants, however they require regular watering. They should be watered every week in warmer weather, and once every month when temperatures are cooler. They can be fertilized periodically by using a potting mix that is well-drained such as the palm or orchid potting soil.
Cacti
There are one to two thousand different species of cacti, which are among the toughest and durable house plants. They can be spiny and squat or tall and lanky columns or even thorny balls for decoration. Many cacti grow well in containers, even though they are native to desert habitats. Certain cacti flower only occasionally and require special care.
They also reflect and trap light. They could also have scales too. The thorns of a Dinosaur Back Plant (Mammillaria hahniana) look like dinosaur skin and this cactus may reach up to 36 inches in height.
The slender, fingerlike pads of the Candelabra Cactus (Echinocactus cochlaniformis) are covered in spines that are spaced out at regular intervals to create a distinct appearance. The plant can be cultivated as a houseplant, and it produces white flowers in spring and summer.
The Fairy Castle Cactus (Morenoa cristata) has multiple stems that resemble the turrets and spires of a castle. In the wild, this cactus may reach 2 meters (6 feet) tall and blooms during night. This cactus requires bright, well-filtered sunlight. It should be kept in an area with good circulation and a warm temperature. Drafts can cause it to shrivel. This cactus must be repotted annually or more frequently if the container gets too small. This is a great plant for beginners because it doesn't require a lot of fertilizer or water and the spines are generally enough of a deterrent to stop pets and children from chomping on it.
Ferns
Ferns look exotic and are easy to grow. In nature, ferns grow in shade under the canopy of trees. However, they need some light to thrive indoors. small house plants in moderate or indirect sunlight and avoid windows facing the west or south, as this can cause them to become scorched.
Pinnae are the leaflets of many ferns. They come in different sizes and configurations which makes it easy to identify species. They also have a unique vascular structure in which the protoxylem is limited to the xylem's lobes. This is like the water-conducting cells in other plants. This enables ferns to absorb moisture and nutrients in the air.
Most ferns have tiny hairs known as trichomes, which protect them from predators. They can be glandular, unicellular or multicellular and release toxic fluids, smelly odors or create waxy substances to give fronds a shiny and vibrant color.
They don't require much water and may benefit from drying between waterings. In excess watering, fronds can change color, turning yellow or brown, and even lead to root rot. If your ferns seem be drying out too quickly, try misting them more frequently or placing them in a pebble tray filled with water. A humidifier can also help in the event that your home is dry.
Succulents
Succulents are popular houseplants because they thrive in a variety of different 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 a variety of species of succulents, and each is unique in appearance and care requirements. They have a number of common characteristics, such as fleshy leaves or stems that hold water, smaller root systems than some other plants and an arrangement of leaves in a rosette. They are also more drought-tolerant than other species. However, they might not tolerate direct sun.
The aloe vera plant is a well-known succulent. The common house plant can grow quite large and will produce bell-shaped blooms on occasion. The snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata) is another succulent that is commonly used, can add height and architectural interest to rooms. Both are easy to grow from stems or leaf cuttings that will require to be re-used before they can be planted.
Another succulent that looks stunning in a wall or hanging basket is the agave blue glowing. The vibrant color of the foliage is a wonderful accent for any room. It is also easy to care for. It requires sunlight that is filtered and slightly moist soil, similar to other succulents. A good tip is to stay clear of overwatering in winter, as this can cause the plant to rot.
Woody Evergreens
The majority of woody plants with leaves that are evergreen are conifers like pines and spruces, or deciduous trees or shrubs, such as the junipers (Juniperus) and arborvitaes (Arborvitae). Both species have needle-shaped leaves. Evergreens with woody leaves have toughened tissue known as bark, which is made of a material called xylem and transports water and nutrients throughout the plant.
Certain evergreens that are woody are popular for indoor plants since they don't require a lot of maintenance. Pachira aquatica is an excellent example. The leaves, which are braided, are topped by a rosette of white-striped and leathery-green leaves. The plant is fast-growing and can reach eight feet in height within 10 years or so.
Another option that is low maintenance is a dracaena, also known as a dragon tree. Dracaena marginata from Madagascar is a low-maintenance alternative. It has twisted stems with rosettes of glossy, narrow leaves. Dracaena Sanderiana, also called the ribbon plant, has sword-shaped, shiny green leaves that have white stripes.
Many other woody evergreens are excellent houseplants. They include schefflera with typical broad-leafed foliage; the ficus, also known as banyan tree, whose fronds can reach several feet tall and the false castor plant, or Philodendron deliciosum, with its pretty heart-shaped leaves, which are cut into lobes. They all require a large pot and bright indirect sunlight. In general evergreens are more durable than deciduous plants, but they are susceptible to damage by freezing temperatures.