Houseplants not only brighten up your home, but also offer multiple benefits, from purifying the air to boosting your mood. If this is your first time buying a plant, or you’re just looking for a green addition to your life, there is a plant out there that will be just right for you. From the beauty to the care, here are the top eight houseplants I would recommend.
Aloe
Aloe plants is a plant that is commonly known for its medicinal properties. It helps with burns, cuts, dried skin, and much more. The aloe plant is a type of plant known as a succulent. It means it doesn’t need as much care as any other plant would. Aloe’s are native to low precipitation rates, meaning they don’t need to be watered often. They can be put in indirect light so they don’t burn.
Note: You can tell you need to water succulent plants when the limbs begin to feel squishy. The limbs of a succulent should be firm.
Spider Plants
Spider plants are an easy, non toxic plant. The leaves of the plant are thin, but plentiful. This plant has thick roots, allowing it to withstand inconsistent watering. Spider plants also have this unique ability to produce mini versions of itself known as spiders. They can be cut off and repotted to make a new plant!
Peace Lilies
Peace lilies are a beautiful plant that are easy to take care of. They are perfect for people who tend to over water their plants. Peace lilies contain dark green leaves and can produce a white like flower. These plants thrive in bright, but indirect lighting and can even tolerate low light areas. They are a tropical plant known for their air purifying qualities, making them an excellent addition to your bedroom. They are easy to take care of and can live for multiple years. However, make sure to keep these plants away from any living thing, pet or child, that may want to take a bite out of it. These plants are safe to have sitting around, but not for digesting.
Bamboo
Bamboo plants are a decorative plant that need little care. You barely need to water them and they are nearly impossible to kill. Whatever you do, and I cannot emphasize this enough, DO NOT PLANT IT OUTSIDE! Unless you want the bamboo to take over your property.
Snake Plant
Snake plants, native to western Africa, are hardy plants. They can go months without watering and still be alive. These types of plants are extremely beneficial as a houseplant. They are one of the few plants that are able to convert CO2 into oxygen, overnight. Snake plants are perfect air purifying plants, and are a wonderful addition to your bedroom. They are available in various different colors and sizes. Some can be mere inches, while others can be multiple feet tall. Make sure to keep in the corner of your room that gets low light, this avoids leaf burning. Like a few of the other plants, these are also toxic to digest. Ensure if you have an animal or small child at home, that they do not eat this plant. Otherwise, these plants are one of the easiest to raise.
Philodendron Vines
Philodendron vines are quite the popular choice when it comes to house plants. They are easy to take care of plants that can grow to great lengths. There are over 480 different species of philodendron vines, giving you a variety to choose from. They are mainly chosen for their aesthetic appeal and the minimal amount of care needed. These plants are adaptable, depending on their environment. You can actually see a great example of philodendron vines in Ms. Maynard’s classroom.
Money Tree
The myth behind the money tree is that it brings the owner luck. These plants are very sensitive if they are not taken care of properly. To ensure your money tree is well taken care of, make sure to follow these steps. Keep the tree in bright, indirect sunlight. Water the plant when the top inch of the soil is dry, meaning every one to two weeks, depending on the condition of the environment. When watering the plant, make sure to allow it to drain any access water. These plants are prone to root rot. Misting the leaves of the plant daily is another beneficial factor. However, they are a nontoxic plant that is said to bring you prosperity.
Monstera
The monstera, also known as the Swiss Cheese plant, is a tropical plant that is commonly kept as a houseplant due to its enormous appearance. Some versions of this plant can be variegated. The variegated plants have a different appearance compared to a normal monstera. The leaves of the plant can contain white spots, and sometimes, a whole leaf can be a different color. This plant is native to the rainforests of Central America. Make sure to keep this plant in a humid and warm environment. It doesn’t like to be overwatered, as it can lead to root rot. In order to get the effect of holes in the plant, make sure to keep it in the light. Monsteras make good house plants because of their appearance and their requirements. Something to keep in mind is these plants are toxic to humans and pets alike. Make sure that these plants are kept away from anything that may try to ingest them.
Those are the top eight houseplants I would recommend. When taking care of these plants, when you are watering the plants to allow the water to filter through the plant. I would recommend watering your plants in the sink and allowing the water to drain before putting them back in the pot. This prevents root rot, a common problem that plant owners face. If you don’t have the time to water your plant, try putting ice cubes on the surface of the soil.
