Decorating Tip: Plants, plants, plants
If you are looking to breathe some new life into your home, bringing actual new life through plants may be just what you are looking for! Not only do plants add a wonderful pop of color but some plants actually help to purify the air. According to Healthline, Plants are also known to:
- increase mood and productivity
- enhance concentration and memory
- reduce stress and fatigue
Here are 5 common species of houseplants that are beautiful and easy to take care of:
1. Anthurium
Showy flowers give bright color for eight weeks or more each year to anthurium (Anthurium andraeanum, also known as flamingo flower). Flowers typically are red, but you can find hybrids in shades of pink, lavender, white and even green. Anthurium flower blossoms make superb cut flowers because they last a long time. Note that the pretty, heart-shape leaves contain toxic sap, so make sure pets and children do not ingest them.
Size: To 2 - 3 feet high and 2 feet wide
Growing conditions: Medium to bright light with no direct sun; 65 - 80°F; evenly moist soil (barely moist in fall and winter)
2. Snake plant
This carefree, tough succulent grows almost anywhere. Snake plant (Sansevieria spp.) tolerates neglect but responds nicely to good care. Leathery, sword-shape leaves grow edged with yellow or white. Snake plant is great for beginners, but experienced houseplant growers also love it for its dramatic upright form. When grown in bright light, it sends up a tall stalk of greenish fragrant flowers. The dwarf rosette varieties make nice desktop or tabletop plants.
Size: To 6 - 48 inches high and 6 - 36 inches wide
Growing Conditions: Low to bright light; 60 - 85° moderately dry soil
Pictured: Variegated snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata 'Laurenti')
3. Dracaena
A large group of popular foliage plants, Dracaena (Dracaena spp.) display long, straplike leaves variegated with white, cream or red. Use young plants on tabletops. Larger plants require floor space, where they make striking specimens or work well in foliage groupings. Maintain plants at less than 6 feet by lopping off the top of the plant; within weeks a pair of new shoots will appear just below the cut.
Size: To 1 - 10 feet high and 1 - 3 feet wide
Growing conditions: Medium to bright light; 65 - 75°F; barely moist soil
Pictured: Corn plant (Dracaena fragrans'Massangeana')
4. Philodendron
One of my favorites, this durable foliage plant (Philodendronspp.) has long been the backbone of indoor gardening. The popular heart-leaf philodendron has slender stems with leaves up to 4 inches long. Philodendron is easy to grow, easy to propagate (just root from stem tip cuttings) and adapts well to almost any indoor setting. Try small specimens in dish gardens and mixed baskets. The plant's low light tolerance makes it a good choice for bookshelves and for draping over the sides of a large piece of furniture. Note that leaves are poisonous to pets and people if eaten in large amount.
Size: To 1 - 10 feet high and 1 - 6 feet wide
Growing conditions: Low to bright light; 60 - 80°F; moderately dry to evenly moist soil
Pictured: Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum oxycardium)
5. Spider plant
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)looks striking in a hanging basket or on a pedestal, with its "babies" overflowing the pot. Most plants are the cultivar 'Vittatum', which has a white stripe down the center of each leaf, though all-green plants are also available. Brown leaf tips, which are common with spider plants, are due to contaminated water, usually from fluoride, or to overfertilization, low humidity or dry soil conditions. Trim damaged leaves with scissors. Use rainwater or distilled water if your tap water is fluoridated. Spider planta help to clean the air of formaldehyde and xylene.
Size: To 6 - 12 inches high and 6 - 24 inches wide
Growing conditions: Medium to bright light; 65 - 75°F; evenly moist soil
Pictured: Variegated spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum')
Make sure you do your research before bringing new plants into your house. Some species of plants can be toxic to pets and children if indigested in large amounts.
There are so many fun planters out there as well so have fun with it and enjoy all of the benefits of bringing "new life" into your home!
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