There's A Reason Why The Most Common Potted House Plants Debate Isn't As Black And White As You May Think
How Potted House Plants Improve the Quality of Air
Bringing potted house plants into the home can help improve the quality of air. Certain plants, like snake plants or Mother-In-Law's Tongue, reduce indoor ozone levels and remove VOCs that trigger asthma and allergies.
If your houseplant looks stressed or has signs of being too big for its pot It's time to repot it. Select a bigger pot and add fresh potting mix.
Boston Fern
Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a well-loved houseplant with lush green fronds which add an exotic touch to a room. The plants are renowned for their air-purifying properties, reducing pollution levels and enhancing the humidity in homes. This makes them great additions to bedrooms, where they can help to improve sleep quality and reduce allergies.
This plant needs indirect light and moderate temperatures. It isn't a fan of direct sunlight, cold air or drafts. It is recommended to mist the plant regularly to increase the humidity, especially in climates with lower humidity. It doesn't require much pruning or fertilization however if it's kept in a very dry environment, the fronds can become dry and brown.
In the wild, this plant is found in forests which are characterized by soil that is slightly acidic and damp in areas of shade. It isn't tolerant of extreme cold or heat, however, it is tolerant of temperatures between USDA plant zones 9 and 11. It is also a great choice for humid conditions and is best located near a kitchen or bathroom.
This is among the most easy-to-care potted ferns. Repotting is only required when the roots start to wrap around the container's base. Repotting should be done late in the spring. The old potting mix can be used as fertilizer (use an ineffective sodium solution of nitrate or Clay's Fertilizer). This plant is low maintenance because it doesn't grow fast and isn't susceptible various diseases or insects.
Ponytail Palm
The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata), also called the elephant's foot plant, also known as the bottle palm is a perennial plant that produces tight clumps of leaves that look like ribbons and look like the shape of a ponytail. It is regarded as one of the easiest house plants to maintain because its swollen trunk holds water and lets it go weeks without being watered. It is a good choice for those who have children and pets, since it isn't harmful to or harmful to.
best houseplants thrive in bright spots but can tolerate medium light levels as well. They must be kept in pots with a well-drained, dry soil. Repot only when the roots begin to encircle and surround the pot, but do not overcrowd them.
Make sure to water them thoroughly and allow the soil to completely drain between waterings. Overwatering can cause the stem to rot, and also yellow the leaves.
Ponytail palms are susceptible to pests like mealybugs and spider mites. These pests can be controlled using horticultural oils and soaps. It is also possible to develop fungal issues and stem rots.
Areca Palm
Areca palms are easily maintained if there plenty of sunshine. These plants thrive in warm temperatures and can be grown outdoors or indoors however, they must have decent humidity levels. You can tell when your plant is in need of more moisture by noticing leaves that are yellowed or brown tips.
Water your palm of an areca when the soil's top inch is dry to the touch, but don't allow the compost to become soiled. Ideally, you should use rainwater or distilled water to water these plants since they are sensitive to fluoride in hard tap water.
If you are growing your areca palm in a pot, repot it every two to three years or when the roots feel overcrowded. It will also remove any fertilizer salts that build up within the container and limit the growth of the plant.
Areca palms purify the air, supposedly, by absorbing toxic gases. According to NASA's Clean Air Study, these plants are effective at removing toluene, acetone, formaldehyde, and xylene. These are toxins that may be released into paints and solvents, dyes and solvents as well as from vehicle exhausts, tobacco smoke, wood and paraffin burning stoves, and more. Inhaling these gases can cause headaches dizziness, fatigue, and even liver damage when in high doses. The palm of Areca is a great way to cut down on the toxic gases in your house and office.
Dragon Tree
Dragon trees (Dracaena marginata) look fantastic as a stand-alone plant, or when combined with shrubby and trailing plants on an indoor plant stand. They are one of the few houseplants that are tropical and can withstand a variety of light levels and temperatures. They can also withstand dry indoor air and low humidity, which would kill most other plants. Avoid overwatering as it can cause root to rot.
Slow-growing, the Dragon plant's slim stalk is complemented with crown sword-like leaf that has an edge of red. This plant is perfect for filling in narrow spaces. These houseplants require little maintenance. They thrive in average conditions in the house, and can tolerate dry indoor air and low light levels that can be harmful to most other plants.
Repot only when the roots are crowded. You can tell this by the rate of growth and the color of the roots. The most obvious sign is if there is minimal or no new growth.
As your Dracaena gets older and more vigorous it's common to see dead leaves fall off. It is also possible to tidy your plant by trimming the long, straggly stalks using sterilized pruning shears. Before using the shears sterilize them with a rag soaked in hydrogen peroxide or rub alcohol. This plant, and other members of the same family contain saponins that can be moderately toxic to cats if consumed. The symptoms of poisoning could include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, loss of appetite, weakness and an increased heart rate.
ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are among the most sought-after houseplants. They are frequently seen in offices and homes because they are easy to maintain and attractive. They also help to keep the air in the indoors fresh. They grow slowly, reaching an average height of two to three feet, making them a good alternative for areas where other plants might outgrow their pots. Their dark green shiny leaves reflect sunlight and light up a room. They add a tropical feel to rooms and are also a staple of Feng Shui.
They thrive in bright indirect medium to light, but they can withstand low lighting conditions too. Because they are tolerant to low humidity, it is not necessary to mist their leaves or soil. If the plant begins to lose its vigor, however, it may need to be repotted into a larger container. To keep the plant healthy it is vital to remove any stems that are yellow or brown and leaves.
Like many houseplants like most houseplants, the ZZ plant is susceptible to root rot when over-watered. Water the plant whenever the top of the soil appears dry. This is usually every two weeks. In contrast to other plants these plants don't require frequent fertilization, however they can benefit from a spray on the foliar area using the liquid plant food. If you notice any indications of pests or insects on the plants, spraying them with a natural pesticide, such as neem oil, will help to keep them healthy.
Tillandsia
The Tillandsia genus (also called Bromeliads) is a large and diverse collection of plants that includes more than 650 species. There is a wide selection of plants to match your decor. They are a popular choice for terrariums, but can also be used to highlight wood, driftwood and magnets. They thrive in light, warm and indirect sunlight. After a year, they will start to blossom. This is a good indication that you have been taking care of them but also the end of their life since they only bloom one time. The plant will slowly begin to lose its vigor and eventually end up dying. But don't fret as this is normal and an expected aspect of the process. When the flower spike stops blooming, the mother plant will grow offsets, or 'pups' which can be removed and treated as separate plants.
Tillandsia is able to be grown outdoors in a soilless potting mix for zones 9 to 11 in terms of hardiness the majority of homeowners plant them indoors since they are so easy to maintain. They are epiphytes, which means they don't have a lot of roots and instead soak up water through their leaves. This makes them very prone to overwatering and eventually rot. It is recommended to mist your plants with filtered room temperature water at least once per week. If you live in an area with high humidity it is recommended to do this more often. If they appear dehydrated, their leaves will curl up and shrivel.