Why You'll Need To Find Out More About Common House Plants
The Most Common House Plants
Nothing will brighten the room like the presence of a plant. If you're just beginning to learn about the world of houseplants, it isn't easy to figure out which plants are best suited to your home.
We asked experts in the field to share their favorite common house plants, ranging from trendy newcomers and tried-and-true classicals. Get good house plants watering can out and take a look for ideas for your greenery!
Peace Lily
The plant is known as Cobra Plant or Peace Lily. (Spathiphyllum wallisii) It was the most searched-for plant in many online home furnishing sites in 2023. It's not surprising, given the plant's elegance and air-purifying qualities.
Peace lilies have been a favorite houseplant for a long time. They are easy to maintain and look beautiful. The bracts (which are technically not flowers, but bracts, which are white) appear in spring and fade in the autumn. However, a few sprays of water and you'll be rewarded with blooms again in the autumn.
They prefer a humid, warm environment, with temperatures ranging from 68 to 85F during the day, and dropping to 10 degrees at night. The soil should be moist, but not sloppy. Indoor lighting that is filtering can help them grow. Avoid direct sunlight as it could cause burns to the leaves. Water often however, make sure that the soil doesn't dry completely, since this could result in root rot.
If your peace lily begins to appear yellow, you are probably overwatering. If you're not sure how often to water it, a general rule of thumb is to water it whenever the soil's top inch starts to feel dry. When you water, use the water that has been distilled or purified to keep the chlorine down.
Browning leaf tips is another common problem with peace lilies. This could be due to sunburn, but more often it's due to excess fertilizer. To fix this, flush the soil with fresh water and water until the water drains out of the drainage holes. Then, stop fertilizing for six months.
A lot of people believe their peace lily is dying if they see green flowers but no new buds. The reason for this is that if the plant was fertilized to produce flowers, it may have been given too high levels of nitrogen, which can hinder the flowering capacity of the plant. To fix this, switch to a fertilizer less nitrogen-rich and higher in phosphorous. Also relocate your peace lily to a brighter area to encourage blooms. If this doesn't work, you could try a different type of peace lily, or a different type of fertilizer.
potted house plants are popular due to their ease to grow and produce lots of young "spiderettes" on their ends. When mature, these can be removed and planted to create new plants (known as "Spider Plants"). The Spider Plant is a good option for those who are new to houseplants because it's hardy and can tolerate the ravages of neglect.
The original Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum) has long grassy green leaves and is available in many colors such as yellow and striped. Once a year, it flowers which produce tiny white plantlets that can be trimmed off and planted. The long, slender stems of this plant can make a beautiful display when grown in hanging baskets.
The Spider Plant as well as the Peace Lily is a versatile and adaptable plant that can thrive in most lighting conditions. It does need bright indirect sunlight, however, to maintain its variegated leaves. Avoid direct sunlight as the variegated Spider Plant will burn. It's also essential to keep the soil moist, but not too wet. It should be just damp enough for droplets of water to fall off the leaves and into the bottom of the pot.
A great tip to avoid soggy soil is to use a smaller pot filled with the potting mix that drains quickly, or you can make your own. Spider Plants are also a excellent candidate for a basic, all-purpose fertiliser. However, best houseplants should not over-fertilize your plants since this could cause salt to build in the soil.
One of the advantages of the Spider Plant is that it's recognized for its ability to cleanse the air in your home by removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde. Place the plant in a place with plenty of sun so that it can absorb the harmful chemicals and assist to release them through its leaves. The plant can be used alongside other plants to improve the air quality in your home. It has been shown to eliminate odors, such as smoke and cooking smells.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus Lyrata, also known as the fiddle leaf fig, or Ficus Lyrata is the plant that is trending due to its stunning violin-shaped leaves. It's a tropical plant that thrives in humid, warm environments and it's easy to see why so many people are attracted to this plant for their homes: it can grow quite large and creates visual interest in any room.
The only drawback to this popular plant is that it could be prone to mold and other fungal diseases. It's essential to keep a close watch on the plant to watch for these issues, especially in the case of soil that has been in place for a number of years. It is essential to help the plant stay healthy and lessen the chance of getting sick.
Overwatering a fiddle-leaf fig is one of the most common mistakes. The fiddle leaf fig is a native of rainforests and is accustomed to being submerged in water and then dried out. It is important to water sparingly, allowing the soil to completely dry between waterings.
It's also essential to keep the plants clean from dust and other debris which could clog the leaves and block photosynthesis. The best method to do this is by wiping down the leaves with an damp cloth every week. This will keep the health of the plant and also keep insects at bay, too.
Other than mildew or fungus that may occur there are a few other serious issues that could affect a fiddle leaf fig. It's important to watch out for scale insects, along with other pests that are common to house plants, such as aphids and mealy bugs. Also, be looking out for thrips, which can cause the leaves to turn yellow.
It's also an excellent idea to periodically mist the fiddle leaf figs with a spray bottle in order to increase the humidity inside your home. This is particularly helpful in winter, when the indoor air is less humid. It is recommended to mist your plant in the early morning to allow it to get time to evaporate.
Dracaena
Dracaenas thrive in most indoor environments. They require little maintenance and are slow-growing. Some varieties like 'Lemon Lime dracaena' offer bright colors that bring brightness to areas of shade within the home.
The lanced, spiky leaves of the dracaena come in a variety of shades and patterns, giving it a unique appearance that is both contemporary and rustic simultaneously. Certain dracaenas come in the solid forest green color, while others have white, yellow, or red stripes. The leaves also bend slightly to give it a tree-like look.
Like many tropical plants, dracaenas can tolerate a shady or indirect environment. Remember that a lack sunlight can result in the loss or alteration of other characteristics.
Avoid over-watering dracaenas since this can cause root rot and other issues. Allow the soil to completely dry before re-watering it. If you notice a wilting plant, you can try moving it to a sunny spot or misting the leaves with plain water to add humidity to the air.
Pests are rarely a problem for the dracaenas. However it is essential to examine the plants on a regular basis to ensure they remain healthy. Aphids are insects with no wings that can suck the juices out of the stems, buds, and leaves of the dracaenas. This slows their growth and decreases their vigor.
You can also find mealybugs and scale insects, which are covered in a cottony material. These pests can kill the dracaenas if not controlled. They do this by sucking out the sap from the leaves.
The propagation of dracaenas can be simple and simple with tip cuttings, which can be harvested throughout the year. To establish the new plant, cut a tip off of the parent plant which is 8cm in length and above the node. Place good house plants in a container of water on a windowsill and refresh the water regularly. After a few weeks the roots should have appeared and you are able to pot the plant in a fresh, draining soil.
Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride, so it is essential to make sure you use water that is not fluoridated when watering your dracaenas. It is also a great idea to fertilize your plants with a branded 'Houseplant feed each time you water it in the spring and summer. This frequency can be reduced in autumn and the winter.