|
HomeTopics...Plant InformationHouseplants
Houseplants: An Easy, Inexpensive Way to Decorate Any HomeHouseplants are a great addition to any home or office. Given the variety of shapes, sizes and colors available, an indoor plant can fit in almost any room in your house.
You should have an idea of where you plan to put the plant before you make your purchase. You may need a tall plant near a window or corner, while a shorter plant might work best on a desk or in a windowsill.
Another important consideration when purchasing indoor plants is the intensity, duration, and quality of light. All plants, including houseplants, have light requirements essential for their survival. Houseplants for low light conditions include the Chinese evergreen, the rubber plant, the snake plant, and the peace lily. For medium light, try the Chinese fan palm or the broad-leaved Indian rubber tree. A pygmy date palm or an elephant foot tree will thrive in brightly lit areas.
When shopping for indoor plants, look for hardy plants that can withstand the unique elements of the household environment. Pothos, aspidistra, aglaonema and dracaena are some of the more durable houseplants. Alternatively, orchids, African violets and ferns are particularly delicate and should be purchased only if you have some experience working with indoor plants.
Small plants make ideal houseplants. Smaller plants are often less expensive than larger plants and, with care, they eventually grow into large plants that can be moved as they get bigger.
Plant Containers If you’re planning to buy a houseplant, make sure that you have a plant container that can properly hold it. A good plant container protects the plant as well as the floor or surface beneath it.The two main types of plant containers are clay flower pots and plastic flower pots. Clay plant containers are more porous than plastic containers and, consequently, lose water faster. However, clay plant containers insulate better and shield against temperature changes. Clay plant containers are best for houseplants with lower water needs.
If you have houseplants that need lots of water or you forget to water your plants, plastic plant containers are a better option. A plastic plant container can also be more durable and less likely to break if you drop it on the floor.
Types of HouseplantsIndoor plants can be flowering or non-flowering and can vary greatly in the amount of care they need.
|
|
Related Products and Services
