Types Of House Plants: The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly

Types of House Plants

With its emerald-green leaves that are flecked with pink and orange Croton is a striking house plant. It is tolerant of lower levels of light and requires less water than other plants. It is also able to filter formaldehyde out of the air.

Pothos is another easy-to-grow houseplant with its heart-shaped, slim leaves. It can survive in dim lighting, but it prefers the bright indirect sunlight and frequent watering.

Aroids

Many common house plants, such as monsteras, philodendrons and ZZ plants fall into the Aroid family (Araceae). This group of plants, originally swamp dwellers, thrives indoors because they are easy to maintain.

They need a moderate amount of light, higher temperatures and high levels of humidity. During the growing season, they also require fertilizer. Aroids are admired for their varied foliage and ability to tolerate bright and dim lighting. They tend to flower less frequently than other house plants but when they do it’s typically spectacular, Schiavone said. The majority of aroid flowers have spathes, which are a petal-like structure that attracts pollinators and a spadix, which is the actual flower or inflorescence. The flowers have a pleasant smell and may be heated to increase the volume of chemicals that attract pollinators.

You may have seen aroids posted on Instagram, in movie backgrounds or as curtain patterns. They are easy to grow and stylish, which is why many people have them in their home 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 a favorite in feng-shui because it can ward off negative energies. It can grow quickly and is a great option for beginners or those who want to bring some drama to their home decor.

Bromeliads

Bromeliads may look tropical however they are easy to grow. The epiphyte, also known as an air plant, doesn’t require soil and can be glued to trees and home even be glued to things or be planted in soil that is shallow. Its vibrant colors and intriguing textures make it a popular decoration choice. It is also a low-maintenance plant which is resistant to serious pests.

The bromeliad genus is home to an array of species and cultivars suitable as house plants, ranging from sword-shaped, spiky leaves of Aechmea to the brightly colored flowers and bracts of Billbergia and Neoregelia. The most widely utilized cultivars are the red-centered, speckled Guinea and the broad-leafed morado with a pink center. The plants usually bloom in the fall or late summer and their stunning bracts may last for months.

As houseplants, they are often grown in a potting mix. However some of the more tropical species, like Guzmani and Tillandsia are glued to logs and moss or nestled in coconut shells and don’t need any soil whatsoever. As houseplants, they are usually placed in a potting mix although some of the more tropical species such as Tillandsia or Guzmani can be glued to moss and logs or buried in coconut shells and don’t require any soil at all.

Bromeliads can tolerate drought better than other indoor plants. However, they still require regular watering. Water them regularly during warmer weather, and twice a month in cooler temperatures. You can fertilize them regularly with a well draining plant potting mix like the Palm or orchid potting soil.

Cacti

Cacti are one of the most durable and tough of all the house plants. They range from squat, spiny forms to tall and lanky columns, or even thorny ornamental balls. Many cacti are native to desert habitats but they thrive in containers in a variety of environments. Some cacti bloom only rarely and require special attention.

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

The slender, delicate pads of the Candelabra Cactus (Echinocactus cochlaniformis) are dotted with spines that are spaced out at regular intervals to create an attractive shape. The plant can be cultivated as a houseplant and produces white flowers in the spring and summer.

The Fairy Castle Cactus, Morenoa Cristata, is a cactus with multiple stems that resemble castle spires, or turrets. The cactus can grow to 6 feet (2 meters) in the wild and blooms in the evening. This cactus needs bright, filtered sunlight. It should be kept in an area that has good circulation and a temperature that is warm. Drafts can cause it to shrivel. Repot this cactus each year or more often when the pot becomes too small. This is a great plant for those who are new to gardening, because it doesn’t require any water or fertilizer. The spines also deter pets and children from eating it.

Ferns

Ferns appear tropical and are easy to grow. In nature, ferns thrive in shade under tree canopies. But, they require some light to thrive indoors. Plant them in medium or indirect light and avoid windows facing south or west, which can cause them to scorch.

Pinnae are the leaflets of numerous ferns. They come in different sizes and configurations which makes it easy to recognize the species. They also have a unique vascular structure in which the protoxylem is restricted to the xylem’s lobes. This is like the water-conducting cells in other plants. This allows ferns to absorb moisture and nutrients from the air, which is crucial for growth.

The fronds on a lot of ferns are covered with tiny hairs called trichomes. They protect from many predators. The hairs are unicellular multicellular or glandular. They may secrete toxic fluids or fragrant scents or even produce waxy substances that give fronds a sheen and color.

Ferns aren’t heavy feeders and can benefit from being allowed to dry out between waterings. Overwatering can cause the fronds to become yellow or brown, and even lead to root rot. If your ferns are drying out too fast, mist them more often or put them on a tray of pebbles with water. If your home is dry, a humidifier may aid.

Succulents

Succulents are popular houseplants because they thrive in a variety of different conditions. They grow in the desert, on cliffs by the sea and in humid forests in the wild.

There are many varieties of succulents and each is distinct in its appearance and care requirements. They share a few common traits like fleshy leaves or stems that store water smaller root systems than other species, and a rosette arrangement of leaves. They are also more drought-tolerant than other species. However, they might not tolerate direct sun.

The aloe vera plant is a well-known example of a succulent. The common house plant is capable of growing quite large and can produce bell-shaped blooms on occasion. Snake plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata), a common succulent, adds height and architectural interest to any space. Both plants can be cultivated from cuttings of leaves or stems that have been callused.

The blue glow of the agave is a different succulent that looks attractive in hanging baskets or a wall planter. The vibrant color of the foliage makes it an excellent decoration for any space. It is also easy to maintain. It requires sunlight that is filtered and slightly moist soil, as do other succulents. It is recommended to avoid overwatering during winter, as this can cause rot.

Woody Evergreens

Conifers such as spruces and pines are among the most commonly used woody plants with evergreen leaves. Deciduous trees and shrubs include junipers and arborvitaes. The latter two varieties have needle-shaped leaves. The woody evergreens have toughened tissues known as bark, which is made from a material known as xylem. It is used to transport water and nutrients throughout the plant.

Some woody evergreens are popular house plants for indoor house plants plants since they don’t require a lot of maintenance. Pachira aquatica is a great example. The stems that are braided are topped with an edging of leathery green and white-striped leaves. The plant grows rapidly and can reach eight feet tall in a decade.

A dracaena or dragon tree is a different low-maintenance option. The best houseplants ones are Dracaena marginata, from Madagascar, with its bent stems and rosettes with narrow leaves; Dracaena sanderiana, the ribbon plant, with its slender, sword-shaped leaves that are shiny green with white stripes; or D. Wilsoniana, the weeping Serbian spruce, with an elongated habit and silvery blue needles.

Other evergreens with woody foliage are great houseplants. They include schefflera, with typical broad-leafed leaves; the ficus, also known as banyan tree, whose fronds be several feet tall; and the false castor plant, also known as Philodendron delicium, with its pretty heart-shaped leaves, which are cut into lobes. All require the use of a large pot as well as ample indirect sunlight. In general, evergreens are more hardy than deciduous plants, but they are susceptible to damage by freezing temperatures.