House plants can be an elegant and whimsical way to add a touch of greenery and beauty to your Home Gardens. Not only do they help beat the heat, brighten up a dull corner and purify indoor air, but they’re also great at beating allergies too!
When selecting plants for your garden, there are so many choices – from fresh herbs to vibrant foliage plants. Some of the most popular house plants that should not be missed in any garden include:
Snake Plant
Snake Plants make ideal Home Gardens plants due to their hardiness and ease of upkeep. Plus, they thrive in a range of lighting conditions.
They enjoy full sun but can also thrive in shaded areas. They make a great addition to rooms with stairs or dark hallways since they don’t mind drafts and even thrive in low light settings.
Keep your snake plant looking its best by regularly pruning it. Trim back any leaves that have faded or fallen off, and remove any that are leaning over the side of the pot.
Cunningham recommends encouraging new growth and tidying up your lawn to promote aesthetic appeal. Furthermore, any damaged or rotting leaves should be removed so the roots have a chance to regenerate.
Repotting your snake plant every two to four years is recommended, especially if the plant has outgrown its original container.
Repotting Your Plant To repot, choose a plastic container no larger than 1/3 the size of your plant’s root ball and fill it with fast-draining potting mix such as Miracle-Gro(r) Cactus, Palm & Citrus Potting Mix.
Water your snake plant when the top inch of soil dries out. Be careful not to overwater, as that could lead to root rot and pest issues.
Snake plants often experience waterlogging, leading to root rot and eventual death.
Another frequent issue is leaf curling, which can be caused by thrips. To prevent this, spray the leaves with neem oil or vegetable soap. They’re also vulnerable to pests so having a regular routine of monitoring the plant and cutting away any damaged or curled leaves is beneficial.
ZZ Plant
The ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an easy-to-care-for houseplant that requires little care to thrive. Its hardy rhizomes store water, making it the ideal choice for those with limited time for gardening.
ZZ plant benefits include its adaptability to various lighting conditions, ease of propagation and remarkable resistance to pests and diseases. However, proper care must still be taken in order to extend your ZZ plant’s longevity.
Propagating ZZ plants is easy; just divide its swollen underground rhizomes into several pieces or take a leaf or stem cutting and grow a new plant from that part. Propagation of the ZZ plant requires minimal effort and will give you many more plants at much cheaper costs than purchasing them from stores.
Another way to propagate ZZ plants is by cutting it from a healthy plant and rooting it in water. Once these rhizomes have been placed into a container with suitable soil mix, roots will begin growing within six to nine months.
If your ZZ plant begins to look overgrown or untidy, prune it regularly for a healthy and balanced plant. Pruning helps regulate the growth of the plant and may even help protect it from disease pathogens.
In addition to its hardy rhizomes, the ZZ plant is highly tolerant to a range of temperatures and humidity levels. In fact, it’s considered a moderately humid houseplant, needing only average humidity levels and normal room temperature for flourishing.
Rubber Tree
Commonly referred to as the rubber tree, this low maintenance houseplant is beloved for its resistance to pests and diseases. Not only that, but it’s an excellent air purifier and has even been proven to improve human health!
No matter which variegated variety or more traditional green and white-striped plant you select, its bright tropical look will be sure to please. Variegated varieties like pink-veined ‘Ruby’ or creamy-white-margined ‘Doescheri’ require bright light so make sure that area gets plenty of exposure.
Water the Rubber Tree regularly; it requires a moisture level of approximately 50%. You can water it once or twice a week depending on when in the year and how much light is reaching the plant.
If your plant’s leaves turn yellow or wilt, this could be indicative of too dry a soil condition and need for more water. Overwatering can cause root rot, stunted growth and dropping or wilting leaves.
Another issue is an infestation by spider mites. These insects lay their eggs in dry soil and can cause leaf drop, discoloration of foliage and wilting.
One effective solution to combat this issue is applying an organic pesticide such as neem oil to your plant.
Finally, if your plant is showing signs of leaf drop or wilting, relocate it to a cooler location or adjust its lighting conditions. Cold drafts can exacerbate these symptoms.
You can propagate a new Rubber Tree by taking cuttings. Make sure the branch is at least six inches long, with three or four leaf nodes. Either dip the bottom end of the stem in rooting hormone or plant it in gritty compost for best results.
Cast-iron Plant
The Cast-iron Plant is a durable indoor houseplant that can withstand irregular watering schedules and low light levels. With its evergreen leaves and graceful stems, you can add visual interest to any room – especially if you need greenery or want to inject some color into your Home Gardens.
Though not particularly difficult to care for, this plant does need some basic upkeep in order to stay looking its best. This includes checking the soil’s moisture level, feeding it regularly with either granular or liquid fertilizer, and providing it with sufficient humidity levels so that it thrives.
As its name implies, the Cast-iron Plant thrives in moderate temperatures and moist soil. Cold temperatures below 50 degrees can be detrimental to its growth, while temperatures above 50 degrees can cause it to suffer or die.
If your Cast-iron Plant is looking dull or has yellowing foliage, try using a high-quality liquid kelp or fish emulsion fertilizer to revitalize it. Be sure not to overfertilize though as overfertilizing can cause leaf burn and may even result in death!
When transplanting your Cast-iron Plant, try to keep its roots intact. Avoid cutting too deeply as this could cause root rot and be detrimental for your plant.
Pruning the plant should only be done during the spring and summer, using sharp scissors. Over time, this plant can become leggy, so regular trimming helps ensure its strength.
Aspidistra elatior is an incredibly resilient and long-lived plant, capable of living up to 50 years with proper care. By watering regularly, providing indirect sunlight exposure and misting for added humidity, you can ensure your plant stays healthy and content for years to come!
Philodendron
Philodendrons are a popular and reliable house plant that can add beauty to any garden. They thrive best in partial sunlight and come in an array of colors, sizes and shapes.
These plants are easy to care for and require little attention. Many can be propagated from cuttings or air layering, providing you with a convenient way to expand your indoor planting space.
Stem cuttings are the quickest and simplest way to start a new plant, but they can also be rooted in either water or soil. Depending on the species, cut the stem cutting into two- to three-inch sections and submerge in water or moist potting soil until roots sprout.
Vine-type stems may require rooting at either their base, in the leaf node where leaves were attached, or on self-heading varieties by taking away top leaves and allowing the roots to develop.
Repotting is essential every few years to maintain the health of your plant, and the best time to do this is in late spring or early summer. Repot your plant into a larger pot with ample drainage holes and replace the original potting soil with new.
It is essential that the new potting mix you use for your houseplant roots is well-draining, lightweight and airy. Any specialized houseplant potting mix should do, but for optimal drainage it is recommended you amend it with perlite or peat moss.
In addition to repotting, your philodendron requires frequent watering and a balanced fertilizer designed specifically for houseplants. They do not like being overwatered, so test the moisture level with your finger and only water when dry.
