10 Houseplants To Brighten Up Your Quarantine Life
With 2020 still chugging along while we are all in quarantine, it can get kind of gloomy inside even though it is starting to brighten up outside. The trees are all full and green, the flowers have all bloomed. The bees are singing. It is so unfair that we can’t join in. But wait, we can enjoy a little nature with beautiful houseplants. Here are 10 houseplants that should brighten up your day in quarantine. They will need a little care, but they are sure pretty to look at.
1. Dieffenbachia Plant
The great thing about the dieffenbachia plant is that it one, does not need a ton of water, and two, it needs filtered sunlight. So, if you have a hard time remembering to water a plant and also don’t have a ton of light in your house, you’re in luck. This plant is the one for you.
When watering the dieffenbachia houseplant, make sure you check for dryness an inch deep before actually watering the plant. This plant should stay at consistent dampness, never soggy.
2. Snake Plant
I hate snakes, but I can deal with this snake plant as it is so cool looking. The leaves hold such amazing patterns and the way they twist together is just like actual snakes. This houseplant also doesn’t need a lot of light which is perfect for any indoor plant.
Water this houseplant sparingly. Make sure to let the soil become dry between watering. Do not get the leaves wet, otherwise, they will start to droop and eventually mold because of too much moisture.
3. Chinese Evergreen
The Chinese evergreen plant is said to be the easiest of houseplants. If you are looking for a variegated one like the one below, it will need medium to bright, indirect sunlight. If none of your windows get great sunlight, these houseplants flourish under fluorescent lighting.
As for the watering of this plant, if you have this plant in low lighting, do not water it too much since the sun cannot soak up the excess water. Wait for the soil to feel dry at least an inch deep and then water thoroughly.
4. Split-Leaf Philodendron
This plant is a beautiful addition to your home as it adds a bit of character with its huge and decorative leaves. This plant does need a lot of sunlight so that the leaves will split. Do not put it in direct sunlight otherwise, it will wilt.
When watering, if you notice water droplets or perspiration on the leaves, then you are overwatering the plant. If you see the leaves browning, then you need to water it some more.
As this houseplant begins to grow, it should be fed with a balanced plant food every two weeks. Dilute the plant food 1/2 the recommended amount on the directions.
5. Neon Pothos Plant
Nothing is cooler than an actual neon plant. It makes me think of the movie Avatar when Jake is in the forest of Pandora while at night, and when he touches the plants, they all turn neon and glow. It is such a beautiful scene.
Anywho, back to plant info. This gorgeous houseplant is a perfect one to have sit on a bookshelf and let the leaves grow down the side. This plant can be trained to grow on a pole or trellis, and the color is so vibrant, it is sure to cheer you up a bit.
What is so great about this plant is it is a natural air purifier. It naturally filters out the bad chemicals within the air. I just need to fill my whole house with this plant.
6. Maidenhair Fern
The Maidenhair fern is so beautiful and the intricacies of its leaves are so mesmerizing. They always remind me of enchanted forests. Maybe that is because I usually see this plant in forests. Who knows.
This plant does love its shade, so, do not put this plant in direct sunlight or even bright filtered light as it thrives in dimmer light. It is ideal to plant this fern in a plastic pot to monitor the moisture of the plant. It does like its water, but don’t let it get soggy or it might start to mold.
7. Chinese Coin Plant
This houseplant is adorable and totally perfect for an Instagram post; however, this plant is super hard to find. Ask your friends, family, and neighbors to see if they may have the plant. Getting a start from one of them is the easiest way to get your hands on this plant. If you can’t seem to find anyone who has it, you can buy one online.
This plant loves the light. Light shade creates larger leaves. Make sure to let the soil dry out between watering. To create a well-rounded look with this plant, rotate it once a week to keep it from looking lopsided.
8. Jade Plant
My dad has one of these plants and they are seriously the coolest. Honestly, they look kind of like a fake plant, but they grow to be beautiful plants. This houseplant would be a great centerpiece for a coffee table.
This plant needs a lot of sun. The recommended amount of time in the sun is four to five hours a day. In the hotter seasons, water the Jade plant regularly so that it is consistently damp, but don’t overwater it. It should be able to drain easily.
Before repotting, make sure the soil is dry. Shake off any excess soil from the roots. Once potted, let the soil stay dry for a week, and then slowly water.
9. Hawthoria Succulent
I am adding this Hawthoria succulent because of its interesting structure, but this goes for most succulents. Succulents are beautiful, aesthetically pleasing, easy to care for houseplants. It is truly amazing the uniqueness of each succulent.
With all succulents, they need a lot of light. They are technically desert plants. Water them every one to two weeks. They are susceptible to rot if you overwater them so be careful.
10. Variegated Houseplant
The Variegated houseplant is a very popular one for its unique coloring and the shape of its leaves. As the picture shows below, these leaves are patterned in different ways and the colors that are mixed with the green can be white, pink, yellow, or even a shade of red.
This plant needs shade as the chlorophyll within the leaves act as a sunblock. If the leaves are exposed to direct sunlight, they can be burned and become droopy.