Especially this winter, the looming clouds and darkening days can make anyone down in the dumps. However, there is a natural alternative! Indoor plants are a great source of happiness and supplemental oxygen in your household. Not everyone is the gardener of the village, though. These following plants are great for the beginning green-thumb or the not-so-green-thumb. Most importantly, some of these indoor plants can make your pet sick, and it’s important to keep an eye if you have animals in the house.
Also named the “Golden Pothos,” this plant is one of the most iconic indoor plants for its ivy-like features. This plant grows toward the nearest light source and in a vine-like direction, making the indoor plant extremely beautiful. To accompany its beauty, the Devil’s Ivy is extremely hardy. You forget to water your plant for the day? No worries!
The Spider plant gets its name from the web-like leaves that grow from the center of the plant. This plant, too, holds a hearty nature and can go days without water. Be cautious! The Spider plant is one of few on this list that can cause sickness for your pets, so it may be one to keep on a higher level or out of reach from pets.
Bamboo has been used by humans for over 7,000 years. Why not add a little bit of Asian history to your household? The best part about bamboo, like the other plants, is that they require little to no watering or maintenance! Be sure to water the plant once a week to ensure that it does receive some water as all plants require water to thrive. Bamboo can also be a fun household project! Bamboo grows in a passive state. Meaning that if you leave the bamboo, it will grow vertically. However, you can add zip ties or rubber bands to the pre-existing stalks. The bamboo will grow in whatever direction it is shaped into.
What this indoor plant lacks in outward beauty, it makes up for in air purification. The dracaena is one of the best plants for converting CO2 into O2 and purifying the air in your household. This purification process pulls toxins from the air, which the plant stores in its roots rather than being breathed in throughout the household. Also called the ‘Snake Plant’, this African-native plant tolerates extremely low light and water thanks to its aired roots.
Looking for something beautiful and edible? The Yucca, native to Latin America, has edible roots frequently incorporated into dishes. If roots are your cup of tea, the beauty of the Yucca plant offers more than enough appeal to keep around the house! This ‘tiny palm tree’ gives anyone the feeling of being on the beach or in a tropical location. The origin of this plant allows for extremely low watering. However, make sure you keep this plant near the light as it thrives on high-light and sun exposure.
The ZZ plant, also known as the Zanzibar gem, is well-known for its bright-colored, oval-shaped leaves. ZZ plants are known to be easy to care for and perfect for a home or office setting. Furthermore, they are grown in moderate lighting, which is perfect for a home plant. If you are one that typically forgets to water your plants, the ZZ plant might just be the one for you, as it only needs water every few weeks. Additionally, these gems are not prone to insects, which is definitely a plus for an indoor plant.
The Nephroloepis exaltata, commonly referred to as a Boston fern or sword fern, is a common houseplant that can grow up to seven feet tall in its native habitat, though its typical height indoors spans to three feet. This plant is normally found in Africa, Polynesia, the West Indies, Mexico, Florida, Central America, and South America. While it is better off in moist, humid environments, the Nephrolepis exaltata thrives in a kitchen or bathroom area. Additionally, if you like to hang plants in a basket, this plant might just be your next best purchase.
Looking for a cute and easy to care for plant? Look no further; the Pilea often referred to as the Chinese money plant, is an adorable option to add to your indoor plants. While it is popular for its perfectly round, bright green shaped leaves. Pilea can be a difficult plant to get your hands onto since it is typically not grown in a nursery, so finding them on Amazon, Craigslist, or eBay might be your best bet. However, these plants are very simple to care for, with no direct sunlight and watering when the soil is completely dry. While they are often known to collect dust, you will want to make sure to wipe off your Pilea plants leaves every once in a while.
If you are a fan of tropical locations, this plant might be another great option to add to your indoor plant collection. The Monstera adonsonii, also known as the Swiss cheese plant, gains attention due to its large shaped leaves that develop holes, resembling a Swiss-cheese plant. These plants are native to tropical locations in Central and South America, where there are many tropical trees above them, so they need indirect sunlight to grow best. For best results, you will want to make sure to not let your Monstera adonsonii dry out.
Another perfect plant to add to your indoor plant collection either in your home or office happens to be a succulent. These little guys are perfect as houseplants, as they need some sunlight, are very easy to care for, and often are not bothered by house pets. Their stems are very thick, which causes them to hoard water, making your life easier during the watering process. Succulents come in many different sizes, shapes, and colors, so don’t be fooled if you find or receive a totally different looking succulent. Succulents thrive in bright, indirect sunlight and can be put outside in the winter months. However, if you live in a colder environment, such as the North, you will want to keep your plants in the brightest light possible to avoid the plant from getting too cold.
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