Types of House Plants

With its emerald-green leaves, flecked by pink and orange, croton makes an attractive house plant. It can tolerate low light levels and requires less water than other plants. It can also help filter formaldehyde from the atmosphere.

Pothos, with slender, heart-shaped leaves, is an easy house plant to cultivate. It can thrive in dim conditions, although it prefers bright indirect sunlight and regular watering.

Aroids

Araceae is the family that includes many common houseplants house plants, such as monsteras, pothos and tall ZZ plants. This group of plants, originally swamp-dwellers, thrives indoors since they are easy to care for.

They require moderate amounts of light and warm temperatures as well as high humidity. During the growing season they also require fertilizer. Aroids are prized for their variety of foliage and the ability to withstand both low and bright light conditions. Schiavone says that they bloom less frequently than other houseplants however, when they do, they're generally spectacular. Aroid flowers are usually characterized by a spathe (a petal-like structure) that attracts pollinators, and spadix (which contains the actual flowers or inflorescence). The flowers are often associated with sweet smells and may be heat-activated, which increases the volatilization of chemicals that attract insects to pollinate.

You may have seen aroids posted on Instagram, in movie backgrounds or as curtain patterns. They are easy to care for and look stylish and this is the reason why so many people have them in their house collection of plants. The tropical aroids, like Monstera deliciosa (also known as the Swiss cheese plant) are available in a variety of sizes, colors, and shapes. This aroid is popular in feng shui as it can ward off negative energies. It is easy to grow and is perfect for those who are just beginning or are looking to add some drama to their interior decor.

Bromeliads

The bromeliad plant with its tropical appearance may look difficult to grow however it's actually one of the easiest plants to care for. This epiphyte or air plant does not require soil. It can be tied to trees, glued to objects or planted in shallow soil. Its vibrant colors and fascinating textures make it a sought-after decorative plant. It is also a low maintenance plant which is resistant to severe pests.

Bromeliads comprise a variety of species, including many cultivars, which can be used as house plants. They include sharp, sword-like leaves as well as the brightly colored bracts and flowers of Billbergia Neoregelia and Aechmea. The most commonly used cultivars are the speckled pink-centered, 'Morado, and the wide-leaved red-centered 'Guinea.' These plants typically flower in the fall or late summer and their beautiful bracts can last for several months.

As house plants, they are typically grown in a potting mix. However some of the more tropical species, like Guzmani or Tillandsia can be attached to moss and logs or nestled in coconut shells and do not require soil whatsoever. As houseplants they are often grown in a potting mix, but some of the more tropical species like Tillandsia or Guzmani can be attached to logs and moss or buried in coconut shells and don't require any soil at all.

Bromeliads are one of the most drought-tolerant of all indoor plants however, they still require regular watering. They should be watered every week in warmer weather, and twice every month in cooler temperatures. You can fertilize them regularly with a well draining potting mix such as palm or orchid potting soil.

Cacti

There are anywhere from one to two thousand different species of cacti, which are among the toughest and durable house plants. They can be squat and spiny or tall and lanky columns, or even thorny balls for decoration. Many cacti thrive in containers, despite the fact that they are native to desert habitats. Some bloom infrequently and require special care to keep them healthy.

They can also trap and reflect light. They may also have scales. The thorns of a Dinosaur Back Plant (Mammillaria hahniana) look like dinosaur skin and this cactus may grow up to 36 inches tall.

The Candelabra Cactus's finger-like pads are covered with spines at regular intervals, giving it a distinctive silhouette. This plant is suitable for indoor cultivation and produces white flowers in the summer and spring.

The Fairy Castle Cactus, Morenoa Cristata, has a variety of stems which resemble the turrets or spires of castles. This cactus grows up to 6 feet (2 meters) in the wild and flowers at night. This cactus requires bright filtered sunlight. It should be kept in a place with good circulation and a temperature that is warm. It can be affected by drafts and cause it to shrivel. This cactus must be repotted every year or more often if the container gets too small. This is a great plant for those who are new to gardening, because it doesn't require any fertilizer or water. The spines can also deter pets and children from eating it.

Ferns

Ferns look exotic and are easy to grow. The majority of ferns are shade plants that thrive under tree canopies in the wild, but they still need some light to thrive as indoor plants. Place ferns in medium or indirect sunlight and avoid windows facing either west or south, which can cause them to scorch.

Many ferns display leaflets, or pinnae in various combinations and sizes, which are one way to distinguish between different species. They also have a distinctive vascular structure that is where the protoxylem, similar to the water-conducting cells in other plants, is restricted to the lobes in the xylem. This allows ferns to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air.

Most ferns have tiny hairs called trichomes that protect them from predators. They are unicellular, multicellular, or glandular, and can secrete toxic fluids or fragrant scents or even produce waxy substances that give fronds a shiny and vibrant color.

Ferns don't require a lot of water, and they can benefit from a little drying between waterings. Overwatering can cause the fronds to turn yellow or brown and may cause root rot. If your ferns appear to being drying out too fast, try misting them more often or placing them in a pebble tray filled with water. A humidifier may also help if your home is relatively dry.

Succulents

Succulents are popular houseplants for sale because they thrive in a variety of different climates. They thrive in deserts and on cliffs near the sea and in humid forests in nature.

There are many species of succulents, each with its own distinct appearance and needs. They share some common characteristics, such as fleshy leaves or stems that store water smaller root systems than other plants, and the rosette arrangement of leaves. They are also more drought tolerant than other plants, though they might not be able to tolerate direct sunlight.

The aloe vera plant is a well-known example of a succulent. The common house plant can grow quite large and producing bell-shaped flowers from time to time. Snake plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata), a common succulent is a tall houseplants and attractive interest to any room. Both are easy to grow from stem or leaf cuttings that require a callus before they can be planted.

The agave blue glow is another succulent that looks beautiful in hanging baskets or in a wall planter. The vibrant color of the foliage is a wonderful accent to any space. It is also easy to maintain. It requires filtered sunlight and slightly moist soil, similar to other succulents. It is recommended to avoid overwatering during the winter months, as this could cause rot.

Woody Evergreens

Conifers such as spruces and pines are among the most well-known woody plants with evergreen leaves. Deciduous trees and shrubs include junipers as well as arborvitaes. Both species have needle-shaped leaves. Evergreens with woody foliage are covered in a toughened tissue known as bark. It is composed of a substance called the xylem. It transports water and nutrients through the plant.

Some evergreens with woody leaves are great houseplants, as they require little maintenance. Pachira aquatica is a good example. Its braided stems are topped with a rosette of leathery green and white-striped leaves. The plant grows rapidly and can grow to eight feet tall in 10 years.

Another low-maintenance alternative is a dracaena or dragon tree. Some of the best include Dracaena marginata, from Madagascar with its twisted stems and rosettes of narrow leaves; Dracaena sanderiana, the ribbon plant, with its slender, sword-shaped leaves that are glossy green with white stripes or D. wilsoniana The weeping Serbian spruce, with an elongated habit and silvery blue needles.

Many other woody evergreens are excellent houseplants. They include schefflera, which has typical broad-leafed foliage, ficus, also known as banyan tree, whose fronds can reach several feet tall; and the false castor plant, or Philodendron deliciosum with its beautiful heart-shaped leaves, which are cut into lobes. All require an enormous pot and ample indirect sunlight. In general, evergreens are more hardy than deciduous plants, but they are susceptible to damage by freezing temperatures.