Gardening is one of the most enjoyable activities you can engage in. It’s a great way to get outdoors and get some fresh air. It can be good physical activity and it’s a wonderful way to spend time with your family. It’s even been proven to be therapeutic and can lower stress and blood pressure. With all these benefits it’s no surprise that more people than ever before are developing green fingers.
Unfortunately, we aren’t all blessed with climates that afford us the luxury of having a blossoming garden all year. Luckily though there’s a lot of ways for you to take the good points of gardening and move it indoors. Houseplants are a wonderful way to decorate your home and impress your houseguests. This article will take you through the best houseplants and tips for keeping them thriving.
Best indoor houseplants
According to Whatforme.com, Not all plants are suitable to be kept indoors and there are several varieties that just can’t thrive in those conditions no matter what you do. If you want beautiful, flowering and impressive houseplants then you need to choose wisely. There are a number of different houseplants to choose from, but the list below gives you some solid choices which are fairly easy to maintain:
- Pothos
Pothos are the traditional plant seen in offices on desks and for good reason. They are green, lively but not hard work. These plants start small but will quickly develop sprawling vines which is perfect if you have the room, but easy to trim if you don’t. Pothos has been shown to have stress-relieving properties and help you relax, which is exactly what you want from a good indoor plant.
- Dracaena
Dracaena are really attractive, but low maintenance. They grow tall with large leaves that are noticeable but don’t overpower a room. These plants are great for those who are out a lot working, or just don’t have the time to care for plants. They don’t have flowers but they’re distinctive and attractive.
- Spider Plant
Spider plants get their name from the leaves which resemble the legs of spiders. They have a very wild, jungle-like feel to them which can add a lot to a room and will instantly grab people’s eyes. Despite the wild nature they don’t need much to survive and are reasonably low maintenance. Just bear in mind that these can grow fast and may need to be pruned back regularly.
- Rubber Tree
Rubber trees are the perfect choice for those who are guilty of neglecting their plant life. They are great because they don’t need regular watering, they don’t need much sunlight and in fact, they don’t need much at all. Despite being extremely low maintenance they are still remarkably attractive. Small, but noticeable, the rubber tree makes an excellent houseplant.
- Peace Lily
Peace lilies are well known for their scent and the flowers they produce. They’re slightly more high maintenance than other varieties of houseplants, but definitely worth the extra effort for something which will improve the whole look and feel of your home.
Tips for keeping your houseplants thriving
Getting the right indoor houseplants is important and once you’ve settled on your choices you should make sure you consider the following:
- Water appropriately
We all think about watering our plants, but what you might not realize is that overwatering plants can be much more harmful to them. Indoor plants are generally using a lot less soil and therefore there is less space for water to drain through. Before you think about watering them you should check how damp the soil is and if it’s still moist then wait a few hours.
- Get the right light levels
Everyone knows that plants need light to photosynthesize and create the food they need to live. This can be a real challenge indoors as not all your plants will have access to enough natural light. The easiest solution is to place your plants as near to windows and natural light as possible, however, if you are willing to spend a bit more then you can opt for artificial bulbs. It’s worth researching your specific flower types before investing and making sure you’re giving them exactly what they need.
- Limit the fertilizer
A lot of indoor plants are Winter plants which mean they are more dormant. This means they are less likely to need the volume of nutrients that fertilizer can offer so you should really avoid using it. Instead of fertilizer you can consider specific types of soil supplements as needed, these are generally accessible through any garden center of plant specialists.
- Pruning
Whether caring for indoor or outdoor plants you need to make sure you’re pruning effectively. Trimming your old leaves, branches and other excess bits will let new growth come through. This is especially important for indoor plants as there won’t always be other factors, like wind, helping with this process.
- Consider the humidity
The air around your plants has a profound impact on its ability to grow and thrive. Indoor plants can often get too warm in the heat of a house. You should consider controlling the heat as much as possible and also making sure there isn’t too much moisture in the air. A good dehumidifier can make a real difference in helping your houseplants thrive.
- Fresh soil
Most of your indoor plants will be in fairly small plant pots with limited amounts of soil. The nutrients and goodness in this can quickly be used up and this can mean your plants start to droop and die. You should consider replacing, or partially replacing, your soil every couple of months to keep your plants thriving.
Indoor houseplants are a great way for anyone, even those without gardens, to develop their green fingers. It’s also a great way to encourage your family and loved ones to appreciate nature, and maybe help them develop green fingers of their own.
Indoor plants have been proven to give you health benefits and can transform a house or flat into a home. Hopefully, this article has given you the tips you need to get started and encouraged you to get some houseplants and transform your home.