Easy Houseplants That Don't Require a Green Thumb
Want to add some greenery to your home or office? These easy houseplants don't require you to be a gardener.
They require nothing more than a few hours of indirect sunlight that is bright as well as a clean of the leaves once every few months, and a little of iron fertilizer.
Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palms have a unique appearance and are great for various designs for interiors. They are easy to care for and can flourish with minimal neglect, as long as you don't overwater them. This slow-growing plant is a great choice for new plant owners.
Pony tail palms are characterized by an exotic appearance and thrive in bright indirect sunlight. They also tolerate drought and thrive in warm temperatures. You can leave them in their nursery pots, but it is best to replant into a container that is porous. This allows for better air circulation, and reduces the chance of root rot.
This low-maintenance houseplant is nontoxic to cats, dogs and horses, which makes it an ideal option for homes with pets or small children. It also acts as a natural pest deterrent. It can be susceptible to diseases such as leaf spots and bacterial leaf streaks, which are typically caused by high humidity.
This slow-growing plant needs little fertilization however it is able to be fed on a regular basis in summer and spring with a balanced water-soluble plant food at half the recommended dosage listed on the label. Occasionally, the plant develops offsets ("pups") close to the base that can be removed and planted in a separate area to propagate the ponytail palm tree. The plant doesn't bloom indoors, despite its name. It is therefore difficult to grow viable seeds. The brown leaf tips are common during winter, and should be cut to keep the appearance fresh.
Schefflera
The schefflera is one of the most easy plants to care for. This tropical plant is also called the umbrella-shaped plant. It has green, splayed umbrella-shaped leaves. best houseplants thrive in ideal conditions and can be cut to fit the space. They also help in the purification of the air, making them one of the most popular selections for indoor tropical plants.
Like other tropical plants, schefflera needs bright indirect light to flourish. They can tolerate direct sun for a short time, but too much sun can burn their foliage. If your home doesn't get enough illumination, you could supplement it by a high-output fluorescent light. You can also place your schefflera to a location which receives morning or late afternoon light and filter the light with curtains.
It is best to water a schefflera when the soil surface is dry. Overwatering a schefflera could lead to root rot. If you notice yellow leaves or a droopy appearance, this could be a sign that the plant is not getting enough moisture.
You can also add more scheffleras by taking 6-inch stem cuttings in the summer. Place the cuttings about 2 inches lower in a container of humid Miracle-Gro(r) Indoor Potting Mix. Then, provide the same basic care to encourage new growth.
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema often referred to as Chinese evergreen is a simple houseplant that can handle virtually any indoor environment. Contrary to philodendrons and peace lilies which require a lot of bright light, aglaonema can thrive in dim or medium-light conditions. tall house plants does well under fluorescent lighting. Aglaonema is slow-growing and will begin small enough to fit on desks and tabletops however, it will eventually become a floor plant.
You can pick from a variety of colors and patterns for leaves of the glaonema. Aglaonema Lucky Red has leaves with a green and hot pink hue, while 'Siam Aurora" has dark green leaves with pink veins.
Aglaonema plants can tolerate more intense indoor lighting conditions. However the more vibrant and varied varieties might require a bit more light. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight because the harsh sunlight will burn their delicate leaves. If you are growing an aglaonema at work, make sure to cover the window. This will block the harsh sunlight.
Like other no-fuss tropical plants, aglaonema thrives in warm temperatures but isn't able to withstand sudden cold breezes. Water aglaonema on a regular basis, but be cautious not to overwater it. The best way to gauge the time to water is to place your finger into the soil; if it feels dry, then the plant is in need of more water.
Calathea
Calathea is also known as Goeppertia or Pinstripe, is an exotic foliage plant that is simple to grow indoors. It is native to thick rainforests and jungles in which it is a tree in shady places. This makes it adaptable to bright indirect indoor light. It is essential to keep it out of direct sunlight as it can cause the leaves to burn and the markings to fade. The best way to avoid this is to move it around or protect it from direct sunlight, which is accomplished by covering windowsills with a sheer curtain.
Calatheas like temperatures that range from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and thrive in humid climates. They prefer shaded sun because they're used to dapples rather than constant sunlight. It is for this reason that a window that faces west or south might be ideal, but it should be shaded to prevent direct sunlight.
If a calathea has its ideal conditions it will be fine with a very basic watering schedule. It is recommended to water it regularly, but it is not essential to keep the soil wet. Sticking your finger into the soil will help you determine when it is time to water. In the summer and spring, you should also use fertilizer that is diluted.
best houseplants trailing foliage of the Pothos, or Epipremnum aureum This tropical houseplant is one of the easiest to take care of. It is a favorite choice for hanging baskets and macrame planters, but it can be trained to climb a trellis or climb up the wall. This fast-growing vine is very tolerant of conditions which makes it a good option for novices or experienced indoor gardeners.
Pothos leaves come in many shades and patterns. The most well-known cultivars are 'Golden Pothos', with its yellow and green variations and 'Neon' with its bright chartreuse-colored leaves and 'Marble Queen' that is gorgeously marbled with white. Pothos is easily propagated from stem cuttings that can be grown in either soil or water. To root a stem cut a 4-6-inch length of a healthy stem that has a few leaves and just below the leaf node. Place the cut in a glass of water or vermiculite that is moist that will grow roots within some weeks. The rooted cutting should be placed in a small container with potting soil.
Pothos plants prefer a warm location with indirect but bright light, though they can tolerate low light conditions. It should be watered when the potting mix is dry. Feed it with liquid fertilizer for houseplants every six to eight weeks. Avoid cold drafts because they can harm the leaves and slow growth. If the Pothos plants become pot-bound, remove the old potting soil and repot the roots in fresh soil.
Peperomia
Peperomia plants are a great choice for novices because they perform well with minimal maintenance, and they are easy to cultivate as an indoor plant. They are native to South America, and they prefer areas with shade. However they don't require direct sunlight. They also prefer warm temperatures.
Peperomia is available in various shapes and colors. Some varieties have interesting variations. Peperomia arryreia, which is also known as the watermelon peperomia is named because its leaves resemble a watermelon rind. Other varieties that are popular include P. polybotrya, which has large, drop-shaped leaves. Then there's P. caperata, which has deeply quilted leaves that are slightly crinkly.
potted house plants are propagated through cuttings of the stem, or leaf-petiole cuts. When propagating with cuttings, it is best to use sharp, clean scissors and select mature plants that do not have buds or flowers. Cut the stem of the plant using the bottom 3 4''-4'' of leaves and remove any leaves below the leaf node that is the lowest.
Plant peperomias in fertile potting soil, or an organic mix that is rich in nutrients. They do not need to be fertilized, but may benefit from a light fertilizer every month or so, applied lightly around the edges of the plant. Overwatering can cause peperomias to become sluggish. A good rule of thumb is to let the soil dry completely before re-watering.