So you’ve moved to a new house. Yay! Everything`s all settled. You`re so excited that you want to do housewarming right away! You’ve got the bed, tables, and your favorite couch in their places now. Even your beloved cat has a new catnip area now. New and freshly painted walls and much cleaner to look at.
Still missing on something? Does it look off? Now you`re looking at the flustered and plain wall, right?
Most probably you missed adding green on your new house.
Most of the people would never consider putting a plant inside their house since it needs more maintenance than the other plants that grow in your yard outside. Well, let`s break that myth.
With these 13 houseplants that are so aesthetically efficient and packed with a whole lot of health benefits! Plus, you might want to change your idea on how these houseplants that we are dreading to plant these low-maintenance plants thinking of how tedious to grow them.
Before we go ahead and start introducing these, let’s see what are the benefits that we are getting by having these on our households.
Air-Purifying Benefits
Alright, some of us may not be aware but these house plants that we see inside the mall and public offices are put due to the purpose of air purification. Most—well, scratch that, all the house plants offer great health benefits. House plants, and any other plants, for the fact, they filter these toxins and harmful gasses that are underlying on the air that we breathe.
Indoor air is the worst air that we breathe because of the toxic gasses that are constantly circulating inside without ventilation. Though cleaning may help this is not a guarantee that the cleaning can do the job.
Some air contaminants may still be present and could harm your health in a long run. House plants can revitalize as well as energize the whole room aside from the fact that they have some awesome air purifying benefits!
How These Plants Help Us
Plants get the toxin, or shall we say… absorb first the air contaminants and convert this into their food. In a nutshell, house plants get the nasty air and convert it into fresher one!
Decorating Tool
For top-notch interior designers, the easiest way to add a pop on their monochromic and minimalistic designs is the plants. It`s a very quick touch-up shortcut that adds a pop of color and dynamic on any houses. It`s easy on the eyes as well!
Let`s look now for these plants that won`t die on us.
Aloe
Okay. So, Aloe is on our top list. Why? We may never expect that this plant will be a good plant inside the house, right? But it is. Anyway, Aloe is a succulent that creates a very big impact when placed in any area of your house. Could be used for a centerpiece or can be put on the kitchen countertop. Had burns while cooking? Cut an Aloe, it would help.
Maintenance: These plants are so forgiving that it grows best in a dry soil and could even withstand humid temperatures.
English Ivy
These plants create a dramatic, timeless and nostalgic aura. Can be put on a wooden furniture, maybe a material from a driftwood or a texture of driftwood perhaps? These plants looked so beautiful when it goes trailing on the furniture. The leaves are small and shiny with a dash of pale green skirting around the edges. By the way, these plants help our air inside the house breaks down benzene and trichloroethylene.
Maintenance: This plant strives on a slightly cooler environment and moist soil.
Ficus
Ah, the ever beautiful Ficus tree. Unique and striking to look at. Has shiny leaves with pale green at the edges that can cheer up even your worst of a day.
Maintenance: Likes to be watered. I mean, thoroughly. But strives best on dry soil and likes to be soaked in full sun.
Peace Lily
We’ve seen it on weddings, on a fine office and maybe on rich people`s houses. These lovelies are so elegant with its yellow rod wrapped by white curvy single petal that looks good with the contrast of its dark leaves. Thinking that this plant is all about beauty? Peace Lily breaks down benzene and trichloroethylene!
Maintenance: Wondered if you can put it in a room or part of your house that`s away from the window? Sure, you can! These plants strive best on a low humidity and fairly few lights. Soil should be moist, thoroughly.
Tillandsia
Uncommon. Never heard. But this plant is an air plant. What`s making this plant stands out from the rest? Well… this plant does not live in the soil! It feeds on air, sunlight and water.
Maintenance: Mist once or twice a week. Soak under water once a week. Put it in an area with a lot of indirect sunlight and open air. Then that`s it. You can take your coffee now.
Orchids
Alert: Stop raising your brows on this. Contrary to the myth, this plant doesn’t need our excessive care. Don`t kill this plant with kindness. It only needs a constant follow-up. There`s no need to hover on his beauty always.
Maintenance: These plant needs to be watered 5-12 days. Fertilized only once a month! How does that this fact break your beliefs?
Kalanchoe
After Aloe, we got another succulent on the house! Has a thick green leaf with vibrant pink flowers. Very cute and easy to look at. Resistant to almost all diseases. Can be a great gift for a friend with a brown thumb!
Maintenance: Like any succulents. It loves sunlight and doesn`t need to be watered all the time. But when water, it needs to be done thoroughly.
Rubber Tree/ Plant
We are basically planting a tree inside our house if we are talking about this plant. The leaves are deep green and the sheen is exceptional. If you want to have or control the growth of this plant, you may want to prune long stems. But on a focal point, this plant looks astounding. Still, this tree looks boring? This tree can filter a range of nasty, harmful toxic in the air such as formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia!
Maintenance: This plant loves bright sunlight. Strives in medium temperature.
Anthurium
Ever seen that waxy red flower with shiny dark leaves? Very tropical-looking and exotic to look at. But do not be fooled, this plant doesn`t need excessive care.
Maintenance: Keep the soil moist, but not soaked. Keep it in a cool room.
Spider Plant
Sometimes called as Airplane plants. If you take notice, this plant`s leaves looked like a spider`s legs. It looks like a clump of grass with pale green to yellow strip at the middle. That has tiny white flowers on the stem that is quite arched. This small but incredible plant can remove formaldehyde and carbon monoxide!
Maintenance: Can be put in a cooler room or in the humid room. This house plant is the toughest among the class. Can withstand different temperatures and most versatile. Soil should be moist.
Snake Plant
You might take a step back when you hear this plant`s another name. Mother-in-Laws Tongue! Has a white or yellow around the edges and leaves stands in upright position. Just like your mother-in-law’s tongue, this plant is a hardy plant. This resilient plant can remove most toxins that are present in the air and most likely, still able to grow where other plants might die and wither.
Maintenance: Can live on both opposite temperatures. Water should be dry but allow a thorough watering.
Cactus
This may not be the usual plant that you like to have on your house but these plants had already earned their keep when it comes to versatility and toughness. After all, cactus makes as all reminded that anyone can stand and be able to be independent!
Maintenance: Water thoroughly. Cactus grows best in a slightly dry soil.
Ferns
This plant has a variety of green colors. From pale to a rich green that can add a dash—oh, a splash of colors on your house that`s not reachable by sunlight. Great for rooms that have dim lightings.
Maintenance: Generally, most ferns can live in whatever environment. But some preferred to be put on dim areas and should be in cooler places. Soil should be kept damp but not overwatered.
Areca Palm
This palm is for people who want to have a tropical vibe on their houses. Like the rubber tree, this plant can grow up to 7-8 feet! Areca Palm can create a striking look once put into a room. Areca palm is one of the top 10 lists that NASA recommends putting in our home. Due to its extensive air-purifying properties, this plant is used mostly in large, air conditioned buildings!
Maintenance: One of the low-maintenance plant. The best works under an indirect light and requires to be watered every week or so. Watering should be done thoroughly and the soil should be kept dry.
Reminders
- Prior getting what plants, you would like to have, take consideration around where you shall put these plants on your house. Make research if you want to know how these plants should be kept and maintained.
- When planning to plant any indoor plants, do consider finding a suitable pot prior to planting! Every plant deserves a well-drained soil and pot. Do not overwater plants and allow to dry and thoroughly absorb first the water before you go ahead and water again. Excess moisture of plants can actually be a good breeding space for molds and insects that might ruin your beloved plant!
- Do not always move the plant. This might not be obvious, but moving plants too much can cause stress on the plants. Thus, having a growth stunt. Reminder: Move when necessary.
- Prune the plant always. Pruning allows you to have a control on where and how big do you want your houseplants is. Pruning is considered grooming in garden language. Basically, if you notice that you have a dead, yellowish-brownish leaves, all you need to do is prune it.
- Always, always, do not forget to create or get a pot which has a good drainage capability. Getting a nice pot plate to put it on the pot would protect your carpet from unwanted dirt stains on your carpet as well as preventing mess due to watering!
- Do not put or pour anything other than water. The recommended liquid that can put on your water for the house plants is rainwater and distilled water. Pouring a coffee or anything that is not allowed can attract your plants to ants and bugs.
- Should you want to add a fertilizer on your plant to maximize its function and work to its full potential, you can add a fertilizer of your choice and which is compatible for the plant that you want. Do take in mind that abuse of this will take a serious toll on the plant.
- Since these plants are so wonderfully forgiving, they deserve a spot or a holder. Don`t limit yourself to the traditional looking pots. There are a lot of self-help videos online that provides you a wide array of material that you can use. Either recyclable or not, it pays to go beyond your limits. Show off your creative prowess!
Why do we settle for buying an artificial air purifier when we do have these plants to do the job much more efficiently? Instead of using the electrical which requires electricity and makes more noise? Plus having plants inside our houses can give us a vibe of being near to nature, thus providing us a lot of positive energy as well as reduce in an incidence of asthma.
Some of us may not notice that the best alternatives for our problems are just under our nose, but then again, it`s a great thing to know that this topic that we’ve tackled today answered our questions. Now, we have an option if we go to artificial or natural. But whichever the case is, we’ve already provided all-natural, 13 plants that can help beautify your new home!
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