The Most Common House Plants
Nothing is able to brighten the room like a plant. If you're just beginning to learn about the world of houseplants, it can be difficult to determine which plants will thrive at your home.
We asked experts in the field to share their favorites common house plants, from fashionable newcomers to classics and tried-and-true varieties. Get your watering can out and get reading for ideas for your greenery!
Peace Lily
This popular plant is also known as Cobra Plant or Peace Lily. ( potted house plants ) It was the most sought-after plant in many online furniture and home decor websites in 2023. low maintenance house plants is not a surprise, considering the beautiful appearance of this houseplant and its air-purifying properties.
The peace lily has long been a staple for anyone who is looking for an attractive houseplant that is easy to take care of. The bracts (which are technically not flowers, but bracts which are white) appear in the spring and fade in the fall. However, a few sprays of water and you'll be rewarded with blooms again in the autumn.
These plants prefer a warm environment, with temperatures between 68 and 85F during the day, and dropping to 10 degrees at night. The soil should be moist, but not sloppy. Indoor lighting that is filtered can help them grow. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause burns to the leaves. Make sure to water the plants regularly but do not let the soil dry out completely. This can cause root decay.
If your peace lily begins to appear yellow, it's likely that you're overwatering. If you're unsure of how often to water your peace lily one good rule of thumb to follow is to water it when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. Filter or distillate if you want to keep the amount of chlorine to a minimum.
Browning of leaf tips is a common issue with peace lilies. This could be due to sunburn, but it is more likely to be the result of too much fertilizer. To fix it, water the soil until the water runs out of the drainage holes. After six months, stop fertilizing.
Many people believe that their peace lily is dying when they see flowers that are green and no new flower buds. The reason for this is that if the plant was fertilized to flower and it was given too high levels of nitrogen, which can hinder the plant's ability to produce flowers. To correct this issue, switch to a fertilizer that is lower in nitrogen and more in phosphorous. Also relocate your peace lily to a more bright location to encourage blooms. If this doesn't work, you could try a different variety of peace lily or even a different type of fertilizer.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are popular since they are easy to care for and produce many baby "spiderettes". When mature, these can be removed and rooted to form new plants (known as "Spider Plants"). This makes the Spider Plant a great choice for those who are new to houseplants, because it's extremely durable and can tolerate a small amount of neglect.
The original Spider Plant, Chlorophytum comosum is a perennial grassy plant with long leaves in a variety of colors, including yellow and stripes. Each year, it produces flowers that produce tiny white plantlets that can be cut off and rooted. The long, stiff stems of this plant create a stunning display when grown in hanging baskets.
Similar to the Peace Lily Like the Peace Lily, the Spider Plant is a tolerant plant that can thrive in most light conditions. However, it will require bright indirect sunlight to keep its variegated leaves in good health. It is best to avoid direct sunlight, as the variegated Spider Plant can burn in such light. It is also essential to keep soil moist but not soggy. The soil should be just wetted enough to allow droplets of water to fall from the leaves into the container.
A good tip for avoiding soggy soil is to make use of a smaller pot that has the potting mix that drains quickly, or make your own. Spider Plants are also a good candidate for basic, all-purpose fertilizer. However it is not recommended to over-fertilize your plants because this could cause salt to build up in the soil.
The Spider Plant purifies the air in your home by removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde. It is recommended to put the plant in an area where there's a lot of sunlight and that it can absorb these chemicals and assist to eliminate them through its foliage. The plant can be combined with other plants to further improve the air quality inside your home. It's even been shown to lessen odors such as smoke and cooking smells.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig, also known as Ficus lyrata is the plant of the moment thanks to its gorgeous violin-shaped leaves. It's a tropical species that thrives in warm, humid conditions and it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to this plant for their homes because it can grow quite large and adds visual interest to any room.
This popular plant is susceptible to mold and other fungi. It's essential to keep an eye on the plant and watch for these issues, especially in the case of soil that's been in use for several years. Regularly changing the soil is also essential to keep the plant healthy and decrease the chance of contracting an infection.
Overwatering a fiddle-leaf fig one of the most common mistakes. The fiddle leaf fig is native to rainforests and is accustomed to being submerged in water and then dried out. It is important to water sparingly and allow the soil to completely dry between waterings.
It's also important to keep the plants clean from dirt and other particles which could clog the leaves and hinder photosynthesis. The best method to do this is by cleaning the leaves with a damp cloth on a regular basis. This will keep your plant healthy plant and also keep pests away.
There are a handful of serious issues that could happen to a fiddle-leaf fruit, aside from mildew or fungus. It is important to watch out for scale insects as well as other pests that commonly attack house plants, such as aphids and mealy bugs. Also, keep an eye out for thrips that could cause yellowing of leaves.
You can also mist the fiddle-leaf with a spray to increase the humidity in your home. This is particularly beneficial in winter, when indoor air tends to be drier. It is recommended to mist the plant early in the morning, so that the moisture can have a chance to evaporate before sunset.
Dracaena
Dracaenas are a popular house plant variety that thrives in a variety of indoor environments. They tend to be low-maintenance and slow-growing, but certain varieties (such as 'Lemon Lime' dracaena) provide cheerful colors that brighten up shaded areas of the home.
good house plants lanced leaves of the dracaena come in a variety of colors and patterns. This gives it a unique, rustic and modern look. Certain dracaenas come in solid forest green colors and others have white, yellow, or red stripes. The leaves are also curved to create a tree-like appearance.
Like many tropical plants, dracaenas can live in a shaded or indirect environment. Keep in mind, though that a lack of sunlight may result in the loss of variegations, as well as other defining characteristics.
Avoid over-watering the dracaenas because this can cause root rot as well as other problems. Allow the soil to completely dry before watering it again. If you notice that your plant is wilting, plant, try moving it to a more sunny area or misting the leaves with plain water to increase the humidity of the air.
Pests are not a major issue for dracaenas. However, it is important to examine the plants on a regular basis to ensure they remain healthy. Aphids are insects with no wings which can squeeze the juices out of the stems, buds, and leaves of the dracaenas. This stunts their growth and reduces vigor.
There are also mealybugs and scale insects, that are covered with cottony materials. These pests can suffocate the dracaenas when they are not controlled. They accomplish this by sucking the sap from the leaves.
The propagation of dracaenas is simple and simple via cuttings of the tip, which can be taken year round. To start new plants, cut a tip that is 8cm in length and above a node of the parent plant. Place the tip in a jar of water on a window and refresh the water regularly. After a few weeks roots should appear and the plant can be planted into fresh, free-draining soil.
Dracaenas can be prone to fluoride. It is therefore important to use only non-fluoridated water. It is also a good idea to fertilize your plant with a 'Houseplant'-branded feed every four times during spring and summer, reducing this frequency slightly in the winter and autumn.