Easy Houseplants That Don't Require a Green Thumb
Are you looking to add a splash of green to your home? These easy houseplants don't require you to have a green thumb.
These low-maintenance plants require little more than indirect sunlight that is bright, a wipe of the leaves once every few months, and a little of iron fertilizer.
Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palms are distinctive in appearance and look great in many interior designs. They are easy to care for and thrive in mild neglect, so long as they don't get overwatered. This slow-growing plant is a great choice for those who are new to gardening.
The pony tail palms have an exotic appearance and thrive in bright indirect sunlight. They are also drought-tolerant and enjoy warm temperatures. You can leave them in their nursery containers, but it is better to transplant them into a porous container. This improves air circulation and lowers the risk of root rot.
This low-maintenance plant is safe to cats, dogs and horses. It's an excellent choice for homes with pets, or children. It is also an effective natural pest repellent. It is also susceptible to diseases such as leaf spots and bacterial leaf streaks, which are typically caused by high humidity.
This plant that is slow to grow requires minimal fertilization. However, it can be fed twice as much feed for plants that are water-soluble in the spring and summer. Occasionally, the plant develops offsets ("pups") close to the base that can be removed and planted separately to grow the ponytail palm tree. The plant doesn't bloom indoors, despite the name. It is therefore difficult to cultivate viable seed. In winter the brown leaf tips are quite common and need to be trimmed in order to keep a healthy appearance.
Schefflera
The schefflera (pronounced shuffler-uh) is one of the easiest houseplants to care for. This tropical plant is called the umbrella-shaped tree. It has green, splayed umbrella-shaped leaves. The plants are able to are able to grow quickly in the right conditions and can be cut to fit your space. They also help clean the air and make them one of the most popular choices for indoor tropical plants.
Schefflera, as with other tropical plants requires bright indirect light to flourish. They can tolerate direct sunlight for a couple of hours, but too much exposure will burn the foliage. If your home doesn't receive enough bright light, you can enhance it by a high-output fluorescent light. You can also move your schefflera to an area that gets sunlight in the morning or late in the afternoon but filters the light with curtains.
Water a schefflera only when the soil surface is dry. Overwatering will cause root rot. If you notice yellow leaves or a drooping appearance, this is a sign that the plant is not getting enough moisture.
You can add more scheffleras by taking 6-inch stem cuttings in the summer. Place the cuttings about 2 inches down in a container of moist Miracle-Gro(r) Indoor Potting Mix. Then, provide the same care to encourage the growth of new plants.
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema is a houseplant that can tolerate nearly any indoor climate. Unlike philodendrons and peace lilies that require lots of bright light, aglaonema is able to thrive in dim or moderate light conditions. It does well under fluorescent lighting. Aglaonema is slow-growing and will start out small enough to be able to be placed on tabletops and desks however, it will eventually grow into an entire floor plant.
The foliage of a glaonema is available in a range of patterns and colors, so you can pick one that matches your decor. Aglaonema Lucky Red has leaves with a green and hot pink variegation "Siam Aurora" has dark green leaves with pink veins.
In general, aglaonema plants prefer medium to low light levels but will be tolerant of brighter indoor lighting but the more vibrant and varied varieties might require some more brightness. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, as the harsh sunlight will harm its delicate leaves. If you're growing an aglaonema in your workplace ensure that you cover the window. This will block the harsh sunlight.
Aglaonema, as with other tropical plants that don't require much attention, thrives at warm temperatures. However it can't withstand abrupt cold breezes. Aglaonema should be watered on a regular basis but be careful not to overwater it. Put your finger in the soil to determine when you should water. If it appears dry, it's time to add more moisture.
Calathea
Calathea is also known as Goeppertia or Pinstripe plant is a tropical foliage plant that is easy to cultivate indoors. It is native to dense rainforests and jungles that are surrounded by trees in shady areas. This makes it adaptable to bright indirect indoor light. It is essential to keep it out of direct sunlight, since it could cause the leaves to burn and the marks to fade. The best way to prevent this is to move it around or protect it from direct sunlight, which is accomplished by covering a windowsill a sheer curtain.
Calatheas like temperatures that range from 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, and thrive in humid conditions. They prefer filtered sunlight, because they are used to short dapples of sunshine rather than constant sunlight. This is why a west-facing or south-facing window may work well for them, however it is important to shade it from direct sunlight.
If a calathea is in its ideal environment, it will do fine with a very basic watering schedule. It should be watered frequently, but not constantly. By sticking your finger into the soil will help you determine when it is time to water. Additionally, a diluted fertilizer should be applied in the spring and summer.
Pothos
The trailing foliage of the Pothos, also known as Epipremnum aureum, makes this tropical houseplant one of the easiest to care for. It is popular for macrame planters and hanging baskets, however, it can also be trained to climb up an exterior wall or along a tree. This fast-growing vine can withstand an array of conditions. It is a great choice for both beginners and experienced indoor gardeners.
The leaves of Pothos come in different patterns and colors. The most well-known cultivars are "Golden Pothos," with its green and yellow variegation and 'Neon' with its bright chartreuse-colored foliage, and 'Marble Queen, that is gorgeously marbled with white. Pothos can be easily propagated from stem cuttings that can be grown in either soil or water. To root the stem tip cut a length of 4-6 inches of a healthy looking stem with a few leaves attached and just below the leaf node (the place on the stem where roots begin to form). Place the cutting into the glass, which is filled with water or moistened perlite/vermiculite. Within some weeks, roots will begin to appear. Plant the rooted cutting in a small pot of pot soil.
Pothos plants prefer a warm location with indirect but bright light, though they can be tolerant of low-light conditions. Water it when the soil in the pot is dry and feed it with a liquid fertilizer for houseplants every six to eight weeks. Avoid cold drafts, as they can damage the leaves and slow down growth. If the Pothos plants are pot-bound, remove the old soil and then repot the roots into new soil.
Peperomia
Peperomia plants are a great choice for novices because they perform well with almost no maintenance, and they are easy to grow them as an indoor plant. They are native to South America, and they prefer areas with shade. However, they do not require direct sunlight. They also enjoy warm temperatures.
Peperomia comes in various colors and shapes. Some varieties have interesting variations. Peperomia arryreia, which is also known as the watermelon peperomia is named because its leaves resemble the rind of a watermelon. Other popular types include P. polybotrya, which has large leaves that resemble drops, and P. caperata, which has deeply quilted leaves that are wrinkled.
Based on potted house plants , Peperomias can be propagated by stem cuttings or leaf-petiole cuts. tall house plants is best to choose mature plants that don't have buds or flowers. Cut the stem of the plant by cutting the bottom 3 Take away any leaf that is that are below the lowest node the leaf.
Plant peperomias in a rich potting soil or a nutrient-rich mix. They don't require to be fertilized, but can benefit from a light fertilizer every month or so, applied lightly around the edges of the plant. Watering peperomias with caution because they can become leggy if overwatered. low maintenance house plants is recommended to allow the soil to dry out before watering it again.