Home is Where the Plants Are
There's no doubt that plants freshen up a space, whether it be an office or a house. For those who are new to plants, test your green thumb with some of the best indoor house plants from this article.
Plants will brighten up your home, and help purify the air in your house.
3 Benefits of House Plants
Adding plants throughout your home comes with many benefits. Yes, they take time and a bit of work to keep alive, especially if you plan on propagating them, but it's a fun hobby with many benefits. Let's take a look at some of the amazing reasons you should buy some new house plants:
- Better air quality. Plants will help improve the air quality in your home. Through photosynthesis, plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which effectively improves air quality. Plants also release moisture through a process known as transpiration, which can help add humidity to indoor spaces. This is especially beneficial if your home has dry air.
- Reduced stress. Just having plants around help people feel more at-ease and calm. It's a similar feeling to when you go out hiking and disconnect from the "real world." Having little bits of nature around can help boost your mood.
- Attentiveness. Studies have shown that being around plants can help people concentrate and pay better attention to tasks, such as studying.
The Low Maintenance Ones
1. Snake Plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata)
A real fan-favorite, the Snake Plant is up there with one of the best — and easiest — indoor house plants to keep in your home. Not only is it stunning to look at, but it is also one of the most oxygen-producing indoor house plants in the world, which of course, is a massive benefit! The Snake Plant is an excellent air purifier and can absorb harmful toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon dioxide.
In terms of maintenance, the Snake Plant thrives in either full sun or full shade and minimal water — bizarre, right? Overwatering it can cause it to rot, so watch how often you do water it. Be sure to keep the leaves dry and allow their soil to dry up entirely between water days. During winter, reduce watering to once a month.
2. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum)
The Spider Plant is a great choice for you if you are new to indoor house plants. It’s typically a hanging plant that is incredibly adaptable if it has been over or under-watered. It grows best in partial sunlight or low-light conditions. It produces more chlorophyll than most indoor house plants, which ultimately means more oxygen!
If its soil is dry to the touch, then it is time to water your Spider Plant, but do not overwater it! It’s still susceptible to rotting roots if its soil gets soggy. Pay attention to its leaves; if they get droopy, then your Spider Plant has been overwatered.
3. Succulent (Echeveria Preta)
Naturally, succulents are one of the best indoor house plants for obvious reasons. The succulent, Echeveria Preta, in particular, is a wonderfully low-maintenance house plant to look after. If your home is filled with lots of natural light, then this succulent is ideal for you! Echeveria thrives on sunshine and requires very occasional watering.
The best part about this succulent is that it is 100% non-toxic and pet friendly, whereas many other indoor house plants are not. One thing you have to promise yourself with any succulent is not to overwater. We know it is tempting to water them regularly with your other indoor house plants, but Echeveria only needs watering every three to four weeks — so restrain yourself!
4. Pothos Ivy (Epipremnum Aureum)
Pothos Ivy is another indoor hanging house plant that is super easy to take care of! It thrives in low light conditions and only needs water every two weeks. In addition to its low maintenance, Pothos Ivy is a great indoor house plant for purifying the air by removing toxins and producing the extra oxygen that we need. For any beginners out there, this indoor house plant is ideal for you.
One of the greatest things about Pothos Ivy is that you can cut and replant it multiple times to produce more plants! It grows really fast, though, so be sure to add in some occasional preening time to help it stay leafy and luscious.
The High Maintenance Ones
5. Rattlesnake Plant (Calathea Lancifolia)
Possibly one of the most beautiful indoor house plants, the Rattlesnake Plant is notably the prima donna among its plant families. Looking after this indoor house plant is not for the faint of heart and requires a seasonal green thumb to keep it well and alive!
To keep it vibrant in its coloring, place it in a spot with bright yet indirect sunlight. Water it once a week, checking the soil is at least dry halfway down in between watering days. As it is a high-maintenance indoor house plant, the Rattlesnake Plant calls for purified water on its soil to keep its leaves thick and deep green!
6. Fiddle-Leaf Fig (Ficus Lyrata)
Many of us recognize the Fiddle-Leaf Fig indoor house plant as it has been seen in design magazines and social media platforms continuously over the past few years. It’s part of the Ficus family and is loved for its unique silhouette. Despite its ever-growing popularity, the Fiddle-Leaf Fig is an incredibly difficult indoor house plant to keep alive.
If it has too much sunlight, its leaves will go brown and start to wither miserably. If it has too little sunlight, the Fiddle-Leaf Fig simply will not grow. And if inspiration spontaneously strikes and you are planning to rearrange your living room, think again. The Fiddle-Leaf Fig is terrible at adapting to new environments, so it will need to stay put!
Great Gifts for Mother's Day
House plants are a great gift idea for Mother's Day. They are not only beautiful and decorative, but they can also provide numerous health benefits. House plants help to purify the air, boost mood and reduce stress, making them the perfect gift for any mom who could use a little extra TLC.
Plants are great for sprucing up your space, but there are more options! Check out some DIY home décor ideas.