If you’ve recently moved into a new home or are just looking to ‘spice up’ and renovate your current one, it’s likely that you’ll first turn your head towards scenic features that can set your indoors off nicely. One of the first features that will come to mind is – well, the most likely reason that you’re reading this blog – indoor plants.
Across the world and in all different cultures, there’s a variety of reasons why homeowners choose to ‘green’ their living space up. Some simply enjoy the aesthetic, others feel it easier to breathe with fresh oxygen exchange in the room, and particularly in the Eastern world, certain superstitions such as Feng shui give credence to plants that have a longer life and ‘good energy’ about them.
1 – Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Spathiphyllum / Pixabay
We’re starting this list with a plant you’ve likely come across in more homes you’ve visited than not. Peace Lilies are one of the most popular household plants due to a fair mix of being simple to care for whilst still turning into something beautiful.
Peace Lilies grow with indirect light, meaning that they do not need clear access to the sun like most plants, allowing you to place them in more areas around the house. Furthermore, they are one of the cheapest house plants out there regardless of where in the world you are, and in Eastern cultures, they are praised for their positive Feng shui.
Keep in mind that peace lilies prefer a warm environment – The average house temperature should do just fine. However, if your home is particularly cold or uninsulated, you may need to consider a greenhouse or other special plant-orientated room in order for this plant to survive.
2 – False Shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)
Oxalis triangularis / Pixabay
More commonly known as “Purple shamrock” for their color, this house plant is another common choice both inside and outside of neighborhood homes, traditionally seen in hanging baskets.
What makes false shamrock so popular is its reaction to the atmosphere around it – The leaves, growing buds, and flowers all open, expand, or close up depending on how light or dark the area is.
This plant is best kept near a wide window in order to receive a fair amount of direct sunlight. It should also be put in soil that drains well, as this is a plant that will need a little more watering than others.
3 – Madagascar Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata)
Dracaena marginata / Flickr
This exotic plant comes in all shapes and sizes depending on which environment it is placed in. For instance, dragon trees that are placed outside can grow up to roughly six meters in height, but when placed inside as a houseplant, it will grow up to just two meters at most.
Madagascar dragon trees are ideal for those whose home is not habitable for most other plants, as they can thrive in both cold and warm temperatures as well in direct sunlight and darker areas alike. The versatility of this plant certainly makes it one worth considering – It’s both striking and easy to take care of.
However, if you have cats, dogs, or any other pets in your home, you’d best avoid this plant as it can damage a mammal’s digestion system if consumed.
4 – Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata)
Dracaena trifasciata / Pixabay
Here’s a plant that’s healthier for your home as opposed to simply improving the aesthetic – Though it still looks just as beautiful as others. Snake plants are popular throughout many homes located near industrial areas due to their ability to absorb toxic pollutants in the air, making for a much cleaner and fresher home.
Furthermore, studies have also revealed that some of the pollutants removed by snake plants include xylene and toluene, both of which contribute to cancerous growth within the body.
Although they are still relatively cheap in more economically developed areas, they may not be so easy to come by in areas where medical advancements are restricted, as their cancer limitations make these plants quite valuable in those underdeveloped areas.
5 – Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
Crassula ovata / Pixabay
If you want something simple to add a little bit of aesthetic to your home, but you really don’t have the free time to be tending to it, then jade plants are just for you – They only need to be watered once every two to three weeks!
That being said, do also keep in mind that jade plants still need four hours of sunlight per day, so as long as you’ve left in a habitable spot, then there’s really not much else to do other than check on it frequently to ensure it hasn’t become stunted. It requires far less attention than other plants, so don’t worry too much if you go several days without looking at it.
Like snake plants, jade plants are also good at removing certain toxic pollutants from the air, and they also bring about positive Feng shui.
6 – Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Aglaonema / Pixabay
Often regarded as one of the most beautiful house plants on Earth for its mosaic pattern, the Chinese Evergreen starts off as a neat little feature on a desk, but as it grows, it ends up becoming a formidable corner feature in a living room and completely steals the attention of guests.
And no, you don’t need to worry about waking up one morning and suddenly seeing your Chinese Evergreen has outgrown your desk – These plants can take up to 1 or 2 years to grow to full height, meaning that you’ll notice the growing long before it starts to become an issue and can easily re-pot it.
Putting aside their long lifespan, another huge pro of this plant is that it thrives in artificial light sources just as well as it does in natural sunlight, giving you a great many more places to put it. You can also water it at your own rate, being on a daily basis or even as scarce as once a week – This is a beautiful plant that works around your home and your lifestyle, making it our top pick of all the house plants on this list.
Overall…
Which plants suit your house best will ultimately depend on your work schedule (availability to water them) and your home’s general aesthetic. For instance, if you live in an apartment, it’s unlikely you’re going to want a large Chinese Evergreen taking up a significant amount of space despite how pretty it may be.
Always think carefully before choosing a plant and ensure that you have all the resources needed to nurture it, including access to sunlight, watering cans, soil, and perhaps even fertilizer. If you’re ever uncertain, there’s no shame in reaching out to a plant expert either online or at your local gardening center.