The Most Common House Plants
There's nothing like a beautiful plant to liven up a living room. If you're new to the world of houseplants, it can be difficult to determine which plants will thrive at your home.
We asked the experts of plant care to share their favorite common house plants, from fashionable newcomers to classics that have stood the test of time. Grab your watering can, and read on for ideas for your greenery!
Peace Lily
This popular plant, also known as the Cobra Plant or Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), was the most searched-for plant on many furniture websites in 2023. This is not a surprise, considering the beautiful appearance of this houseplant and its purifying properties for air.
Peace lilies have been a favorite houseplant for many years. They are easy to care for and look beautiful. The white flowers (which technically aren't flowers bracts, but are actually flowers) appear in spring and fade in autumn. It is possible to still see flowers in the fall by applying a few spritzes.
They prefer a warm and humid environment that is warm, with temperatures ranging from 68F and 85F during the day and dropping 10 degrees at night. The soil should be moist but not sloppy. Indoor lighting that is well-filtered will help them grow. Avoid direct sunlight, as it could cause burning to the leaves. Water the plants often, but do not let the soil dry completely. This could cause root rot.
If good house plants is beginning to look a little yellow, you're probably overwatering it. If you're not sure of the frequency to water, a general rule of practice is to water it when the top inch of soil starts to feel dry. Make use of distilled or filtered water in order to keep the chlorine content to a minimum.
Browning leaf tips is another common problem with peace lilies. This can be due to sunburn, but it is more likely a sign of a high dose of fertilizer. To fix it water the soil until the water is able to drain out through the drainage holes. After six months stop fertilizing.
Many people mistakenly believe that their peace lily has died when they see only green flowers. The reason is that if your plant was fertilized for flowering it could have been given too high levels of nitrogen, which can hinder the plant's ability to produce flowers. Switch to a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen content and phosphorous. Place your peace lily in an area that is brighter to encourage blooms. If that doesn't help you, try a new variety of peace lily, or even a new type of fertilizer.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are very popular because they're easy to grow and produce a lot of baby "spiderettes" on their ends. They can be rooted, and removed to form new plants. The Spider Plant is a good choice for new houseplant owners because it's durable and able to tolerate the ravages of neglect.
The original Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum) has long grassy green leaves. It is available in many colors, including stripes and yellow. Every year, it blooms which produce tiny white plantlets that can be cut off and then rooted. If it is planted in hanging baskets, the long wiry stems can produce a impressive and stunning display.
Similar to the Peace Lily, the Spider Plant is a tolerant plant that thrives in most light conditions. It requires direct sunlight, however, to keep its variegated leaves. Avoid direct sunlight because the variegated Spider Plant will burn. It's also important to keep the soil moist, but not soggy. It must be just moist enough to allow water droplets to fall from the leaves and sink into the bottom of the pot.
You can prevent soggy soil by using a smaller pot and the potting mix. You can even make it yourself. Spider Plants are also a good candidate for basic, all-purpose fertilizer. However it is important not to over-fertilize your plants as this could cause salt to build in the soil.
The Spider Plant purifies the air inside your home by getting rid of indoor pollutants, such as formaldehyde. Put the plant in a place with a lot of sunlight so that it can absorb the harmful chemicals and help them escape via its foliage. The plant can be used in conjunction with other plants to further improve the air quality in your home. It has been shown to eliminate odors, such as cooking and smoke smells.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig, formally called Ficus Lyrata is the most popular plant due to its gorgeous, violin-shaped leaves. It is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid conditions and it's easy to see why so many people are attracted to this house plant as it grows quite large and adds visual interest to any room.
This popular plant is susceptible to mold and other fungi. It is essential to monitor your plant to be aware of these problems. This is particularly true in the case of soil that has been in use for a long time. good house plants 's also important to change the soil regularly to ensure the plant's health and reduce the risk for infection.
Overwatering a fig with a fiddle leaf is one of the most frequent mistakes. They're native to rainforest-like environments where they are accustomed to a torrent of water, followed by dry periods, so you need to be careful with your watering and allow the soil to dry completely between waterings.
It's also essential to keep the plants clean from dust and other debris which could clog the leaves and block photosynthesis. This can be accomplished by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth each week. This will maintain the health of the plant and also keep pests away, too.
There are a couple of serious issues that can happen to a fiddle-leaf fig, aside from mildew or fungus. However, it's recommended to keep an eye on the plant for signs of scale insects and other common pests of houseplants like aphids and mealy bugs. You should also be looking out for thrips, which could cause the leaves to turn yellow.
potted house plants can also mist the fiddle-leaf fig with a spray to increase the humidity in your home. This is especially beneficial in winter as indoor air is generally more dry. It is recommended to mist the plant in the morning to allow the moisture to have a chance to evaporate before the evening.
Dracaena
Dracaenas are a well-loved house plant variety that thrives in most indoor environments. They are generally low-maintenance and slow-growing, but some varieties (such as the 'Lemon Lime' dracaena) have bright colors that can brighten areas that are shaded in the home.
The lanced, spiky leaves of the dracaena appear in a variety of shades and patterns, giving it a unique appearance that is both contemporary and rustic in the same time. Some dracaenas are a solid forest green color and others have white, yellow, or red stripes. Leaves also curve slightly, giving it an appearance that is more tree-like.
Like other tropical plants, dracaenas can tolerate a shady or indirect environment. Be aware that a lack of sunlight could cause loss or variation of other characteristics.
Avoid over-watering the dracaenas because this can lead to root rot and other problems. The soil must be allowed to dry out completely before watering again. If you notice that your plant is wilting, move it to an area that is more sunny or mist the leaves with plain tap water to help add moisture to the air.
Pests rarely bother dracaenas however, periodic checks are essential to keep the plants healthy. Aphids are insect with no wings which can squeeze the juices out of the stems, buds, and leaves of the dracaenas. This slows their growth and decreases their vigor.
Scale insects and Mealybugs that have the appearance of cotton and are feeding on the dracaenas. These pests can suffocate the dracaenas if not controlled. They accomplish this by sucking the sap from the leaves.
Tip cuttings are an easy and quick method to propagate the dracaenas. They can be used throughout the year. To start the new plant, cut off a portion of the parent plant that is 8cm long and is above the node. Place the tip in a container of water on a window sill and keep the water refreshed regularly. In a few weeks, roots will appear and the plant can be planted in fresh free-draining soil.
Dracaenas are susceptible to fluoride. It is therefore important to use only non-fluoridated water. It is also a great idea to fertilize your plant using a branded 'Houseplant feed' every four waterings in the spring and summer. This frequency can be decreased in the fall and winter.