The Most Successful Best House Plants Gurus Do Three Things
The Best House Plants for Beginners
A houseplant can improve oxygen levels, reduce dust and pollutants and improve the quality of air in your home. And caring for one can be a great source of satisfaction--it's even proven to improve your mental health.
Which house plant is right for you? Experts gave us their recommendations.
Marble Queen Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is among the most well-known house plants, thanks to its heart-shaped leaves and gorgeous white variation. It's also one of the easiest to maintain which makes it a good option for those who are new to gardening. Like other tropical plants, thrives in all light conditions. However, it prefers moderate amounts of bright indirect sun. It can also grow in a lower light or complete shade. It also thrives in humid conditions and soil that is a little acidic.
The plant can tolerate missing waterings so long as the soil doesn't dry out completely. Overwatering is among the most frequent causes of death for houseplants. If you're not sure, stick your finger in the soil to see if the soil is moist. If not, you should water the plant. If the leaves change color, it's probably due to the absence of sunlight or too much direct sunlight, or it could be a sign of fungal disease.
Unlike most plants, pothos is able to be tolerant of air pollution, including ozone and Volatile Organic Compounds. It's a great choice for kitchens or bathrooms where it can to filter the air.
This plant is susceptible to pests and disease just like other plants. It's best to treat issues quickly so that they don't get spread throughout the home. Pests like thrips and mealybugs are most common on this plant. Keep your Marble Queen Pothos well-watered, and it'll be less likely to attract these insects.
Trim best houseplants to keep your plant looking nice. This will keep the leaves full and marbled and also prevent the vines from growing too long. The stem tips can be used to propagate plants.
If you want to encourage your Marble Queen to grow by giving it something to cling on. This could be a moss-covered trellis or rod, or perhaps a piece of string. Remember to spray the moss or any other support, with water as part of your regular irrigation routine to help it grow faster.
Monstera
The Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera delica) is also called the Monstera plant is among the most popular houseplants in the present. The leaves of the plant have holes that are natural called leaf fenestration. These can give a tropical feel to any space. It is easy to propagate, simply by cutting it and growing it in a water solution.
Monstera deliciosa can grow quickly and you may have to pot it up every few months. Take a few leaves and plant it in a potting soil that is well-drained. Be sure to use a well-ventilated pot and add ingredients like perlite or lava rocks for increased soil aeration if needed.
The evergreen vines are simple to maintain as houseplants, provided they receive bright light and adequate humidity. They're content to climb a trellis or a vine downwards and are easily trimmed to form they prefer in a particular way. You can mist a Monstera using a water spray bottle to increase the humidity in its leaves.
Monsteras are not a succulent, despite its name. While succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that hold water however, monsteras have tinier heart-shaped leaves with fenestrations. Monsteras can withstand dry climates, but require more moisture and humidity than succulents.
It's important to note that, even though the fenestrations of monstera leaves make them look like they could be consumed, they aren't safe to consume. This plant's fruit, stems and leaves contain oxalic acid which can cause throat and mouth irritation when consumed.
Blank suggests that those who have achieved the fiddle-leaf figure move on to a Monstera to get a better feel for how easy it can be to plant indoors. "A monstera can be adapted to a variety of conditions," says Blank. It requires a warm, humid and humid environment, but can withstand lower temperatures.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the most durable house plants available. It's slow-growing and tough and can withstand a variety of conditions. It is able to thrive in dark areas and isn't averse to low humidity. It's also kind to people who aren't paying attention, and requires only sporadic waterings to survive. The leaves of the tropical succulent may mature in lime green, black and purple or a combination of both colors.
You can reproduce the ZZ plant by splitting its rhizomes, which are the root-like tubers on the bottom of each stem. Lift the plant out of its pot and divide the rhizomes. Trim them a little before placing them in new pots. You can also grow new ZZs from stem cuttings with two leaves that are about an inch long. Plant the cuttings in an urn that is 50/50 mix of multipurpose soil and perlite. Place them in an area that is warm. It may take up to a year for the cuttings to produce a new plant.
Despite being one of the most difficult house plants, certain things can cause it to die. This includes excessive watering, direct sunlight and dry soil. The best way to prevent these problems is to only water the ZZ plant when its soil feels dry. If the soil is damp, it's fine to leave it that way. The plant stores water in its rhizomes which means it can go for several weeks without watering.
The plant is not a pest magnet, but it is susceptible to rot and fungus. The best way to prevent these issues is to regularly remove old and dead foliage from the plant. Keep it away from pets and children, as the leaves and stalks can cause irritation when eaten.
The ZZ plant can be utilized as an air purifier to remove benzene-toluene xylene as well as other volatile organic compounds from indoor environments. It also can absorb volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. low maintenance house plants makes the ZZ plant a great option for apartments and offices that aren't well-ventilated.
Parlor Palm
Palms have a long tradition as indoor plants, and for good reason. They can be planted in various temperatures and lighting conditions. They also give a lush, tropical feel to your home. The chamaedorea, also known as parlor, palm is no different. The plant (also known as the neanthe bella palm) is native to Central America, and it's getting more and more popular for its versatility. It thrives in bright, filtered light, but can also grow well away from windows and in lower-light spaces that face north or east, such as rooms. It is a slow-growing plant so it can take up to a year to reach its maximum height of 2-6 feet.
If you're looking to stimulate growth, fertilize the plant on a regular basis with a balanced liquid fertilizer. It needs a well-drained mix and Bridget Zazzara, retail indoor and seasonal plant manager for Logan's Trading Company, recommends using the same potting soil as you would use for succulents and cacti. Choose soil that drains well and has a pH between 6.1 and 7.8. good house plants can also add a few sphagnum moss to enhance the soil structure and water retention.
Parlor palms are attracted by an environment that is humid So, make sure to keep them out of areas with drafts and mist the leaves daily to ensure that the humidity levels remain constant. You can also install a humidifier into your home. If your palm in the parlor becomes rootbound, you can repot it in the spring. It's important to not overwater, though, as the plant is susceptible to root rot. Water the plant only when the top inch or so of compost is dry to the point of contact. Water more frequently in warm weather, but less frequently in the winter.
The palms are attractive for bees. However, keep them away from pets and children. The needle-like leaves can be poisonous and be ingested. They also attract mealybugs. These insects appear as fluffy, white small blobs that are hidden beneath the leaves. They can be difficult to eliminate. If you spot them, clean off the bugs using a cotton bud or cloth coated in insecticides that contain fatty acids or plant oils.