The Most Common House Plants
There's nothing like a beautiful plant to bring life to a room. If you're just beginning to learn about the world of houseplants it can be difficult to determine what plants will thrive in your house.
We asked plant pros to share their most-loved common house plants, from fashionable newcomers to classics that have stood the test of time. Grab your watering can, and read on to get ideas for greenery!
Peace Lily
This popular plant, which is also called the Cobra Plant or Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), was the top searched plant on a variety of furniture websites in 2023. It's not a surprise given the plant's elegance and air purifying properties.
house plants online has been a popular choice for anyone who is looking for an attractive houseplant that is easy to maintain. The white flowers (which technically aren't real flowers however, they are bracts) bloom in spring and fade in autumn. However, a few spritzes of water and you'll be rewarded with blooms in the autumn.
These plants prefer a warm and humid environment with temperatures that range from 68F and 85F during the day, dropping 10 degrees at night. They grow best when the soil is moist but not sloppy, with light filtered indoor lighting. Avoid direct sunlight as it could burn the leaves. Make sure to water the plants regularly, but don't let the soil dry out completely. This can cause root decay.
If your peace lily starts to look yellow, it's likely that you're overwatering. If you're unsure of how often to water it, a general rule of practice is to water it when the soil's top inch begins to feel dry. When you water, use water that is distilled or filtered to reduce the chlorine.
Another issue that is common to peace lilies is that they begin to brown at the leaf tips. This can be caused by sunburn, but is more likely to be the result of a high dose of fertilizer. To remedy this, flush the soil with fresh water by watering until the water drains from the drainage holes. Then, don't fertilize for six months.
house plants online believe that their peace lily is dying if they see flowers that are green and no new buds. The reason is that if the plant was fertilized for flowering and it was given too much nitrogen, which inhibits the flowering capacity of the plant. Change to a fertilizer that has less nitrogen and phosphorous. Also move your peace lily to a brighter place to encourage blooms. If this doesn't work, you can try a new variety of peace lily, or even a new kind of fertilizer.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are a favorite because they're easy to grow and produce a lot of baby "spiderettes" on their edges. These can be rooted and separated to form new plants. This makes the Spider Plant a great choice for new houseplant owners since it's extremely sturdy and can tolerate a small amount of neglect.
The first Spider Plant, Chlorophytum comosum is a perennial grassy plant with long leaves with a variety of colors including stripes and yellow. It produces tiny white plantlets which can be cut and planted. The long, slender stems of this plant be beautiful when grown in hanging baskets.
The Spider Plant, like the Peace Lily is a versatile and adaptable plant that is able to thrive in all lighting conditions. However, it requires bright indirect sunlight to keep its variegated leaves in good health. Avoid direct sunlight as the variegated Spider Plant will burn. It is also essential to keep soil moist, but not soggy. The soil should be just moist enough to allow droplets of water to fall from the leaves and into the container.
You can avoid soggy soil by using smaller pots and potting mix. You can also make it yourself. Spider Plants are also a good candidate for basic, all-purpose fertilizer. However it is not recommended to over-fertilize your plants since this can cause salt to build in the soil.
The Spider Plant purifies the air inside your home by removing indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde. It's recommended to place the plant in an area that receives plenty of sunlight in order that the plant can absorb those chemicals and help to eliminate them through its foliage. This plant can be used with other plants to improve the air quality of your home. It's even been shown to lessen odors like cooking and smoke smells.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
The fiddle leaf fig, also known as Ficus Lyrata is the plant of the moment thanks to its gorgeous violin-shaped leaves. It's a tropical species that thrives in humid, warm environments and it's easy to see why so many people are drawn to this house plant: it can grow quite large and creates visual interest in any room.
The only downside to this popular plant is that it may be susceptible to fungal and mold diseases. It is essential to keep an eye on your plant to be aware of these issues. This is especially true when you have soil that has been around for a long time. It's also essential to change the soil frequently to ensure that the plant is healthy and decrease the risk of infection.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make with a fiddle leaf fig is overwatering it. They're native to rainforests which is where they are used to a deluge of water that is followed by dry periods, which is why it is important to be careful with your watering and allow the soil to dry out completely between waters.
It is also essential to keep the plants free from dirt and other particles, which can clog up the leaves and block photosynthesis. The best method to accomplish this is wiping down the leaves with an damp cloth on a regular basis. This will keep the health of the plant, and keep insects at bay, too.
Apart from the occasional fungus or mildew, there are few other serious issues that could affect a fiddle leaf fig. It's important to watch out for scale insects as well as other pests that commonly attack plants in the home, such as aphids or mealy bugs. Also, be looking out for thrips that can cause leaves to yellow.
It's also a good idea to occasionally mist the fiddle leaf figs with spray bottles to increase the humidity in your home. This is especially beneficial in winter, when indoor air is generally drier. It is recommended to mist your plant early in the morning hours so that it will be allowed to evaporate.
Dracaena
Dracaenas are a popular house plant that thrives in all indoor settings. They require little maintenance and are slow-growing, and certain varieties such as 'Lemon Lime dracaena' offer bright colors that bring brightness to areas of shade within the home.
The lanced, spiky leaves of the dracaena are available in various shades and patterns that give it a unique style that is modern and rustic at the same time. Some dracaenas have the solid forest green color and others have red, yellow or white stripes. The leaves also curve slightly, giving it a more tree-like appearance.
Like a lot of tropical plants, dracaenas thrive in indirect sunlight and can tolerate a shaded area. Be aware that lack of sunlight may cause loss or variation of other characteristics.
When caring for dracaenas, avoid over-watering the plant since this can lead to root rot and other issues. houseplants near me should be allowed to dry out completely before watering again. If you notice that your plant is dying and wilting, move it to a more sunny area or mist the leaves with tap water that is plain to help add moisture to the air.
Pests are rarely a problem for dracaenas. However, it is important to examine the plants on a regular basis to ensure they are healthy. Wingless insects called aphids can suck juices from the stems, leaves, and buds of dracaena plant, slowing their growth and decreasing their vigor.
Mealybugs and scale bugs that have the appearance of cotton, can also be found feeding on the dracaenas. These pests can suffocate the dracaenas if not controlled. They do this by sucking the sap from the leaves.
The propagation of dracaenas can be simple and simple via cuttings of the tip, which can be harvested throughout the year. To start a new plant, simply cut a tip off of the parent plant that is 8cm in length and above the node. Place the tip in an jar filled with water on a window sill and keep the water clean. After a few weeks roots will appear and the plant will be potted on into fresh free-draining soil.
Dracaenas are sensitive to fluoride, so it is essential to only use non-fluoridated water when watering your dracaenas. It is also recommended to fertilize the plant with a feed branded 'Houseplant' every four waterings during the spring and summer months, but decreasing this frequency slightly during the fall and winter.