The Most Common House Plants
Nothing can liven up a space like a plant. If you're new to the world of houseplants, it can be hard to figure out what plants will thrive in your home.
We asked experts on plants to share their top common house plants, from modern-day newcomers to classics that have stood the test of time. So grab your watering can and read on for some greenery ideas!
Peace Lily
This popular plant, which is also known as the Cobra Plant or Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), was the most searched for plant on a variety of furniture sites online in 2023. It's not a surprise, given the plant's elegance and air-purifying qualities.
The peace lily has been a favorite for anyone who is looking for a beautiful plant for their home that is easy to take care of. The white flowers (which, technically aren't true flowers however, they are bracts) appear in spring and fade in autumn. But, a few sprays of water and you'll be rewarded with blooms again in the fall.
They prefer a humid, warm environment, with temperatures ranging from 68 to 85F during the day and dropping to 10 degrees at night. They thrive when the soil is moist, but not sloppy and has filtered indoor lighting. Avoid direct sunlight as it could cause burns to the leaves. Water the plants often but do not let the soil dry completely. This can cause root rot.
If your peace lily is beginning to appear a little yellow It's likely that you're overwatering it. If you are unsure what frequency to water your peace lily the best rule of thumb to adhere to is to water when the top inch or so of soil feels dry. When you water, make sure to use distilled or filtered water to reduce the chlorine.
Another common problem with peace lilies is the browning of leaf tips. This could be due to sunburn, but more often it's due to excess fertilizer. To fix this, flush the soil with fresh water and water until the water drains out of the drainage holes. Then, you shouldn't fertilize for six months.
Often, people think their peace lily is dying when they see green flowers and no new buds. If your plant was fertilized in order to flower, it could have received too much nitrogen. This hinders the ability of the plant produce flowers. To fix this, you should switch to a fertilizer that is less nitrogen-rich and higher in phosphorous. Also, move your peace lily to a brighter location to encourage blooms. If that doesn't help, you can experiment with a different variety of peace lily or even a different type of fertilizer.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are popular since they're easy to maintain and produce a lot of babies "spiderettes". When mature, these can be removed and rooted to create new plants (known as "Spider Plants"). The Spider Plant is a good option for new homeowners because it is durable and can tolerate the ravages of neglect.
The original Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum) has long grassy green leaves and is available in various colors, including yellow and striped. Every year, it flowers that form tiny white plantlets that can be cut off and rooted. When cultivated in hanging baskets, the tangled stems can make a full and beautiful display.
Like the Peace Lily like the Peace Lily Spider Plant is a versatile plant that will do well in most light conditions. It requires bright indirect sunlight however, to keep its variegated leaves. It is recommended to avoid direct sun, as the variegated Spider Plant can burn in the light of this type. It's also essential to keep the soil moist, but not too wet. It should be just damp enough for droplets of water to fall off the leaves and fall into the bottom of the pot.
One tip to avoid soggy soil is to make use of a smaller pot that has the potting mix that drains quickly, or you can make your own. Another thing to be aware of is that Spider Plants respond well to basic, all-purpose fertilizer--though you should not over-feed them since this can lead to salt build up in the soil.
One of the advantages of the Spider Plant is that it's known to purify the air inside your home by removing indoor pollutants, such as formaldehyde,3. It's recommended to place the plant in an area that receives plenty of natural sunlight and that it can absorb these chemicals and assist to eliminate them through its foliage. The plant can be utilized in conjunction with other plants to further improve the air quality inside your home. It has been proven to lessen odors like smoke and cooking smells.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus Lyrata, also referred to as the fiddle leaf fig or Ficus lyrata is the plant du moment, thanks to its beautiful violin-shaped leaves. It is a tropical plant that thrives in warm, humid conditions. It's easy to understand why so many people are attracted to this house plant as it grows quite large and can add visual interest to any room.
This plant is susceptible to mold and other fungi. low light houseplants is crucial to keep an eye on your plant to be aware of these issues. This is especially important in the case of soil that has been in use for a while. It is also essential to keep the plant healthy and reduce the chance of getting sick.
Overwatering a fiddle-leaf fig one of the most frequent errors. The fiddle leaf fig is native to rainforests and is accustomed to be filled with water, and then dried out. It is recommended to water it sparingly and let the soil completely dry between waterings.
It's also important to keep the plants clean from dust and other debris, which can clog up the leaves and prevent proper photosynthesis. The best way to accomplish this is cleaning the leaves with an damp cloth every week. This will help to keep the health of the plant and keep insects at bay, too.
There are a couple of serious issues that can happen to a fiddle-leaf fig aside from mildew or fungus. It is essential to watch for insects that cause scaling, and other pests that are common to plants in the home, such as aphids or mealy bugs. You should also keep an eye out for thrips which can cause yellowing on the leaves.
You can also mist the fiddle-leaf fig with sprays to increase the humidity in your home. This is particularly beneficial in winter, when indoor air is drier. It is best to mist the plant in the morning, so that the moisture can have a chance to evaporate before sunset.
Dracaena
Dracaenas are a well-loved house plant variety that thrives in most indoor environments. They tend to be slow-growing and low-maintenance. However, some varieties (such as the 'Lemon Lime' dracaena) provide cheerful colors that can brighten areas that are shaded.
The spiky lanced leaves of the dracaena can be found in a variety of shades and patterns. This creates a unique, modern and rustic look. Some dracaenas have solid forest green, while others feature yellow, red or white stripes. Leaves also curve slightly giving it an appearance that is more tree-like.
Like many tropical plants the dracaenas thrive in indirect light and can tolerate a somewhat shaded area. Remember that a lack sunlight may cause loss or change of other characteristics.
Avoid over-watering dracaenas since this can lead to root rot and other problems. Allow the soil to completely dry before watering it again. If you notice that your plant is wilting and wilting, move it to the sunnier area or mist the leaves with tap water that is plain to provide moisture to the air.
Pests rarely bother dracaenas however, periodic checks are vital to keep the plants healthy. Aphids are insects with no wings that can suck the juices from the stems, buds and leaves of the dracaenas. This can slow their growth and decreases their vigor.
Scale insects and Mealybugs that have the appearance of cotton and are feeding on the dracaenas. If left unchecked, these pests can suffocate the plant by sucking the sap from its leaves.
The propagation of dracaenas is simple and simple with cuttings of the tip, which can be taken year round. To propagate new plants, cut a tip 8cm in length and above a node from the parent plant. Place the tip into a jar with water on a window sill and keep the water clean. In a few weeks, roots will appear and the plant can then be planted into fresh soil that is free draining.
Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride and it is important that you make sure you use water that is not fluoridated when watering your dracaenas. It is also an excellent idea to fertilize the plant with the Houseplant brand of feed every four waterings in the spring and summer months, but decreasing this frequency slightly in autumn and winter.