One popular choice for houseplants is the Spider Plant, whose scientific name is Chlorophytum Comosum. This is because they are very easy to care for, and are also quite attractive. While it is possible to over or under water them, as with any plant, they are very tolerant of varying conditions. They are very hardy, and can survive for many years in your home.

Spider Plants’ leaves are long and narrow, and come in several variations, from dark green with yellow stripes to speckles and other types. They grow quickly and have many leaves, making them visually interesting plants to add to your home.

Unlike many other plants, they still grow well when root bound, meaning that you will need to repot them less frequently. As long as you keep the soil relatively moist, your Spider Plant should grow well. You can even go several days without watering them at all, as they are very tolerant of a range of environments.

However, there is one ailment to watch out for with Spider Plants. If the tips of the leaves become brown or spotted, you should change the type of water you give them. The chlorine and fluorine sometimes found in city water can damage the plant, so if the leaves are turning brown, switch to rainwater or purified water.

Not only can they tolerate varying amounts of water, but they are also tolerant of varying amounts of light. Although they do best in indirect sun, they can also withstand very bright sunlight for hours. They do particularly well in areas that stay around 65 degrees, but can go down to 55 degrees at night, because they are naturally used to a nighttime drop in temperature.

Spider Plants also tolerate a range of soil types, and are not demanding when it comes to fertilizer. While you should not overdo it or neglect them, applying fertilizer once in the Spring and once in the Summer is fine.

During the summer months, they grow beautiful, small, star-shaped flowers. These white flowers grow on a stalk that will grow to be three feet long. While they have this stalk, be sure to stake it if it is bending or learning excessively.

Spider Plants are particularly well suited for hanging baskets, especially as older plants which have produced many leaves. However, they grow quickly and can outgrow such pots, so you may have to divide the plant and repot it every couple of years. In a basket, they can grow to be several feet wide, and two feet tall even before the flower stalk grows.

Spider Plants, in addition to centerpiece dracaena plants, can be an easy way to add interest to your interior environment. Just like the Lucky Bamboo, they are very tolerant of a range of conditions, and are very beautiful plants. They can be found in any nursery, and are a perfect choice for the beginning gardener.

Unless you have a great number of windows, many areas of your home are probably considered low light areas. Generally this is defined as being eight feet or more away from a large window, with no direct light. Many areas of the typical home do not reeive enough natural light. However, you can still grow beautiful houseplants in these areas! There are many plants which will acclimate to low light conditions. They do not require high levels of care, although you should spray them with water occasionally to wash accumulated dust off their leaves. Here are some of the best low-light plants for your home:

Cast Iron Plant, or Aspidistra elatior, is a foliage plant with long, dark green glossy leaves. It has a reputation for growing under even the worst light conditions, and is not particular about temperature or water conditions, either. Watch for mealybugs, mites, and scales, which are known for attacking this plant. You should divide and repot this plant in the spring, when its roots have outgrown the pot.

Zebra Haworthia, another choice for low-light planting, is a succulent plant with white spotted leaves. These thick leaves form rosettes and tube-like flowers that hang on long stalks. It is a small plant, making it an ideal choice for container gardens or small spaces. It should be watered thoroughly, and night temperatures should be around 55 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be repotted when it has outgrown the existing pot, in a well-drained porous soil mixture.

Chinese evergreen is another good low-light houseplant. They can even be grown in water, with no soil. There are many varieties with interesting color patterns, which can add variety to your plant selection. The temperature should not fall below 60 Fahrenheit at night. When the plant becomes root-bound, you should repot it.

Snake plant, or Sansevieria trifasciata, is an African plant with thick leaves banded with yellow or dark green. Older plants sometimes grow spikes of yellow or white flowers in greater light conditions. The soil should be sandy with some peat moss, and the plant should be fertilized every 3 to 4 months. You should water this plant thoroughly when the soil is dry to the touch.

Split leaf Philodendron is a climbing plant with large leathery leaves. It requires support, such as a pole or lattice, but can easily be cut back to keep it within the space you have. Soil should be kept damp, and this plant prefers humid conditions and temperatures above 60 degrees.

Peace Lily is a plant which comes in many varieties available at garden centers or nurseries. The size of this plant varies greatly, meaning there is likely one to fit your needs. In higher light conditions, it will produce long-lasting, creamy white flowers. Soil should be slightly moist at all times, and temperatures should not drop below 55 or 60 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy, is a popular hanging foliage plants, and it can also be trained to grow upright on poles. You should keep the temperature warm, and the soil slightly moist at all times.

English Ivy comes in many varieties and grows well in low light conditions. Varieties come with different leaf shapes, colors, and sizes. Ivy can tolerate temperatures as low as 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

Screw Pine, or Pandanus veitchii, is a shrub with white-striped, swordlike leaves. This plant prefers humidity, as well as temperatures above 60 degrees. You should allow soil to dry out between waterings, and repot only when rootbound. The plant propagates through suckers that grow out from the base of the plant.

Grape Ivy usually comes in hanging basket or table plant forms. This vine has small, glossy green pointed leaflets and tendrils. Guides on care of Grape Ivy say that this peace lily cultivar enjoys high humidity, and new growth is usually covered with a strange white felt-like substance, which will disappear as the new growth reaches maturity.

Indoor plants in interesting pots can be a beautiful addition to your home. Many people buy plants, only to leave them in their original nursery containers! These plastic containers are not only ugly, but they also make it hard for your plants to thrive. Most houseplants need special plants to allow their roots room to grow. When you are searching for new pots for your houseplants, there are several types of materials that you can consider.

Terra cotta pots are very popular for indoor plants. These plants have a warm, orange-tan color when unpainted. These porous clay pots usually come with one hole at the bottom with drainage. For most plants, you should also purchase a terra cotta saucer to catch drainage water. You can also find unique terra cotta plants which are glazed, or paint your own.

Another popular choice for re-potting houseplants is a ceramic pot. These are very attractive, and they come in a variety of colors and styles to fit your dcor. Ceramic pots come glazed, and are made in a variety of sizes. Make sure to notice whether there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot. Some ceramic pots do not come with drainage holes, so you’ll have to choose suitable plants for these pots.

Resin pots are a good choice if you are concerned about terra cotta or ceramic pots breaking. Resin is a type of plastic, and it comes molded into pots with a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes. There are resin pots available to fit any style. Most come with pre-drilled drainage holes, but if not, you can drill your own. If your pot does have drainage holes, of course, you’ll need to select an appropriate tray to catch the draining water.

Galvanized metal plant containers are a unique choice, which can lend a casual, country mood to your home. Galvanized metal containers are usually bucket or tub-shaped. Galvanized metal is a special kind of metal treated to prevent rust, making it an ideal material for many plants such as ficus benjamina. While many garden centers keep a variety of galvanized pots on hand, you may find a larger selection at a feed and tack store. Although many do not come with drainage holes, you can drill your own in the metal. If you do use it for a landscape tree or a plant which requires drainage holes, be sure to place a tray underneath it to catch drainage water.

When choosing an indoor plant pot, no matter what material you select you will be able to find a style and color to fit your dcor. All of these types of plant containers are made in a variety of sizes, so you will be able to find one that is suitable for your space. You should purchase your plants at the same time you choose pots, so that you can match plants to appropriate pots. Plus, you will have more reason to transplant your new plants into their new pots right away.

Bringing a few houseplants into your home is a very easy and extremely pleasurable way to add some life to your home’s environment. If you are very keen on gardening, why not place a few in each room of the house? Nothing could be better than being surrounded by lush greenery and beautiful blooms. You will be pleasantly surprised at the comfort and peace that will encompass you.

Not only do most common houseplants require relatively little maintenance to bring you beauty, they also have the benefit of ensuring that the air inside your home is cleaner.

Some of us have experienced disappointments with our choices of houseplants. No matter what we do, they seem doomed to fail. After a few attempts, most people in this situation will reach the conclusion that their house isn’t “right” for indoor plants, or they do not possess a green thumb and they give it all away.

Most of the problems that occur with houseplants stem from a few basic errors: potting practices that are less than perfect, over watering or not watering enough and failing to provide adequate “feed” for the plant. Once these problems have been overcome though, most people manage to be very successful with indoor plants.

The initial point you must realize is that indoor plants do not have the same access to soil drainage as do outside plants. Indoor plants that have too much water will suffer from root rot and the plant becomes very unhealthy. The lesson behind this is to ensure that your indoor plant is placed in a pot that allows for adequate drainage.

How to care for indoor plants includes proper drainage as as important consideration. Ensuring adequate drainage is quite simple. A ficus tree, for instance requires rich, well-drained soils. You should choose a container that has a number of holes in its base, to allow for excess water to drain out on to a saucer. If you have pots without holes, it will be necessary to create a layer of rocks in the base of each pot as an alternative. These rocks will form a drainage “pit” to prevent the roots of the plant sitting in the water.

Another point worth considering is that indoor plants have different soil requirements to outdoor plants. Indoor plant soil can be purchased from garden centers - use this instead of common garden soil from outside.

The last point, but certainly equally as important, is this: Choose a pot that is the right size for your plant. Most plants sold in pots are ready to be transplanted into a larger pot as soon as you get them home as they are already crowded. There are exceptions to this: ferns prefer to be cramped, but a general rule of thumb is that the greater the pot in which you place your plant, the healthier and more attractive they will grow.

Growing Up Strong - Replanting ‘Baby’ Plants

If you’re planning to grow a new plant from a cutting or a graft, you will likely need to replant your infant and give it more room to grow. Replanting should take place when the roots of the baby plant have reached the side of its small container. If you don’t replant quickly enough, your baby plant may become ‘pot bound’. The most viable pot choice is usually 5 inches to allow maximum root space.

Remember to be very careful not to agitate the soil that has collected around the roots of your baby plant. You can use a pointy stick for leverage when removing the baby plant from its crock. Once you’ve successfully freed your little plant, you should immediately place it into the larger crock and continue the replant process.

Greenhouse on the Go

Not everyone has the luxury of owning a greenhouse or garden shed. For those of us who don’t, the portable planting tray is a dream come true. The planting tray is constructed of 6-inch boards, is around two feet by 15 inches at the base. The sides and the back are approximately 9 inches tall while the front is 4 inches tall.

From Seed to Super

There are a variety of house plants that are typically raised from seeds easily; the succulent plants known as Aloe and Rochea, many varieties of cacti and Fuchsia, Eucalyptus, the Phoenix palm, Saintpaulia hybrids, Begonia (semper-florensundB. rex, species of Asparagus, Clivia, Primula malacoides, P. obconica, Solatium, Cyclamen, Opuntia, Solatium capsicastrum, Grevillea robusta, and Passijiora.

Gain Compost-ure

If you’re planning to grow any of the above seeds, you’ll need a high-quality, robust potting soil.

If you plan to use compost, you should consider compost sterilization. You compost must be heated to 180 degrees Fahrenheit in a in a purifying device for ten minutes. Once the heating process is complete, spread the compost on a work surface to cool.

Another method of sterilization is to utilize Chestnut Compound sterilizer. You can purchase this product from most gardening retailer. Chestnut Compound is a chemical in powder form that, when mixed with water and sprinkled over the compost, will act as a sterilizer. You can use this product before or after you’ve planted your seeds and it’s perfectly safe. Even your tiniest seedlings will emerge unscathed. This product can also be used to sterilize seed boxes, pots, and crocks to rid them of any undesired pests. Adequate compost for seeds may also be obtained by sterilizing only the loam prior to adding the sand, fertilizer, and peat.

Compost Prep-work

The components of the soil should be sifted through a strainer with 1-inch mesh and then they are thoroughly mixed. The jars or seed containers should be provided lots of drainage and covered with coarse siftings from the compost mix. The vessels should then be packed with compost (use your fingers to press the compost into place until it is moderately firm), and moistened using a technique wherein the vessels are held in place in a bucket of water.

Make sure the bucket is not overfull of water; the purpose of this technique is to allow the water to rise up through the compost. For bamboo plant seeds, the water used is usually hotter than the usual. When the surface of the soil grows damp, set the pot aside and allow to drain for several hours before you resume planting your seeds. Plant the seeds very shallowly and then cover them with sifted compost. The size of the seeds will determine how deep they are to be planted. Tiny seeds like Begonia, only need a dusting of hoary sand, but larger seeds should be planted to the depth of their largest dimensions.

Just like caring for a new bamboo plant, utmost care for the seeds is needed to preserve the good condition of the seeds. Cover the containers with glass and paper for shade.

Use a label to elevate one side of the glass to allow air to your seeds.

You should turn your glass every day to prevent the condensation from falling back onto the soil and causing decay. When the seedlings become visible, remove the paper and begin ventilating the containers. The glass should remain elevated on one side. Most people use a plant label to prop the glass. Increase the angle of the glass to allow more air gradually until it can be removed completely.

You have probably heard how easy it is to grow houseplants or an indoor garden many times. I’m sure you’ve been regaled with how simple it is to do. If you’re afraid you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry. All the talk you’ve heard about how easy and simple it is was true. You can grow indoor plants easily. You just need to know a few basic things about how to do it right.

Growing houseplants is very easy and requires only that you be interested in doing so and have a willingness to learn about it. Anyone can build birdhouses, fix a flat tire, sew their own clothes, or do just about anything else if they really want to. Houseplants and indoor gardens are no different. Once you learn the basics, you can plunge in and enjoy watching the fruits of your labor bloom.

Even if you live in a basement or in the Arctic Circle, it’s possible to grow indoor plants using some technologies available on the market. Things like hydroponics and UV lights can work wonders with even the most limited spaces when it comes to growing indoor plants or gardens.

The rules for gardening are not hard-and-fast and results will usually vary from person to person, garden to garden. Indoor planting is no different and this is one of the charms of doing it: every plant, every room, and every gardener is different, every time. When you grow a successful plant in your home, you’ll feel a thrill knowing that it did well because of your skill and ability and not because you can read directions and color by numbers.

The choices of plants, configurations, and arrangements are limitless, so this is where your imagination can really shine. It’s all about your personal taste and what you think will look good in your home, plus a little experimentation. There are a few guidelines to follow as far as growing and caring for the plants, however, and we’ll cover that next.

Knowing your plant’s preferences to light, humidity, soil, watering, and so forth is the number one skill to learn in order to successfully grow indoor plants and gardens. When deciding what kinds of plants or seeds to get, these are the factors that need to be considered, along with the intended location of the plant and how much time and energy you’ve got to care for it. Most plants do well in most areas, with a few exceptions for exotics or specialty plants.

Consider the space you want the plant to occupy. What kind of window does it have and which direction does that window face? North- and east-facing windows mean not much light will get to the plant daily, so low-light and perhaps colder weather plants are a good choice here. The opposite is true for south- or west-facing windows. This time, Schefflera arboricola and other varieties of arboricola which prefers higher light is suitable here. Knowing how much light it will get is paramount to choosing the right plant for the situation.

Now consider how humid or dry your home and the room the plant will occupy is. Bathrooms and kitchens tend to be more humid than other rooms in the home, so take that into consideration when looking at plants. Whatever your climate and home’s conditions, though, there will be plenty of plants to choose from.

So have fun and plant an indoor garden or houseplant today!

Leaf cuttings are a very popular method of plant propagation, and they can be made in several ways. Many house plants, including African Violets and Gloxinia, are propagated by cutting a leaf where it joins the stem, and planting this leaf in the starting soil mixture. Within just a few weeks, roots will start to grow at the point of the cut. Then, the new plant should be transplanted into a regular potting soil mixture.

With other plants, such as Sansevieria, with long pointed foliage, you should cut the leaves into four inch sections, and set these sections right end up in a starting soil mixture. From the lower cut, roots will soon form.

Rex Begonia, another popular houseplant, is propagated using still another way of leaf cuttings. With a razor, make cuts across the heavy veins on the leaf’s underside. Then place the leaf face up on the starting mixture. Use toothpicks or pins to make sure it contacts the soil, and new plants will soon form at the cut marks.

Growing your very own plants through leaf cuttings and other propagation methods is very rewarding. You can grow your own indoor garden for the price of just a little work, and reap tremendous rewards. You can grow many new plants from the leaves of your old plants. Plus, many people have found gardening to be a relaxing activity, a reward in and of itself.

When you are making leaf cuttings to increase your indoor garden, the plants from which you are cutting leaves are also benefiting from the trim. In order to keep your plants beautiful and healthy, you should pinch, prune, and cut back the plants when appropriate. Particularly in low light conditions, as found in many homes, plants tend to grow tall and leggy, with little foliage at the bottom of the plant. To make your plants full and even from the base to the top, you’ll need to cut them back to encourage growth in the right directions. Trim back any shoots that do not fit with the overall shape of the plant.

Particularly if you are a new gardener, the idea of cutting off healthy branches, leaves, and even flowers and how to care for your plants will make you nervous. However, these measures must be taken if you want the overall plant to be healthy and proportionate. Pinch off shoots that are not growing in the correct place, allowing your plant to spend its energy growing in the right directions. Even if this shoot has buds or flowers, it should be removed. By pruning your plant, you can reasonably control its growth. Although some plants will grow properly without help, like the African violet they requires exactly the right amount of sun, light, and water, among several other conditions. The vast majority of your houseplants would greatly benefit from pruning and cutting back, and you can use the leaves you’ve cut to grow new plants.

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It is rather surprising the number of people who will purchase an indoor plant from a nursery and then leave them in the plastic pot they came in. So, what’s wrong with that? Simple! These pots were not designed to be permanent homes for the plants. Indoor plants require appropriate containers that allow room for their root system to expand and develop.

The Terra Cotta Pot

The most commonly used indoor plant pot is one that is made from terra cotta, meaning “baked earth”. This style of pot is made from clay that has a high nutrient content. The clay is formed into the desired shape and fired in a kiln. If left unpainted, the pot is a rich orange color.Such pots can be given a unique painted treament by you. Alternatively, you can purchase from a wide range of pre-glazed pots. Most pots have a central drainage hole in the base of the pot, so you will also require a matching saucer to catch any overflow of water from the pot.

Sturdy, Strong Ceramics

A ceramic pot does not come unglazed as it does not have the same attractive qualities as a terra cotta pot. The glaze adds to the strength and durability of the ceramic as well as being decorative. There is an enormous range of styles, sizes and colors of ceramic pots available for purchase from a number of specialty stores including nurseries and craft stores. Because many of these pots do not come with a drain hole, it is wise to choose them only for plants that do not require drainage.

Resin or Plastic Materials

Worried about breakages? A great alternative to terra cotta or ceramics, resin or strong, flexible plastic pots are made using special molds to create a huge range of styles, shapes, sizes and colors. Resin’s flexibility and ability to be colored in an almost infinite range of shades allows you to choose a pot to suit your home’s decor.

Galvanize Yourself

Galvanised metal containers are ideal for the person who is wanting to achieve a relaxed “country” atmosphere in their home. The galvanising process prevents the pot from rusting. Whilst there are purpose-built galvanised plant pots available, you may consider hunting around for a truly “rustic” piece such as a tub or bucket. The advantage of these pots is that drainage holes can be drilled as required into the base and a tray positioned under it to catch the overflow.

So you can see that there are many styles of “homes” for your new plants like for example the yucca plant, so be sure to purchase the pot at the same time as the plant and don’t forget the proper plant care. You won’t have any excuse then for not “re-housing” the plant!

Image by Getty Images via Daylife

Color is what makes a house a home, and your family will enjoy taking care of indoor plants as well. If you want to find additional benefits for houseplants, think about the quality of air that house plants are going to add, and the colors, the feel of living things all around you - it is all an outstanding feeling.

You are most likely wondering just how hard it is to care for houseplants. Well, caring for houseplants is actually quite easy. You need dirt, the plant, light and water. Very few plants require any special light, but you might want to read up on the plant you are purchasing if you feel you don’t know much about that one type. Many green plants will need some amount of indirect light, which means as long as you have a window in that room the sunlight will come in and the plant will enjoy it.

If you have never had any types of plants before, you will find that many plants are going to grow slowly. You could have a small potted indoor plant, and it could be a year before you need a bigger pot. You can then use the smaller pot for another house plant that you have. In the living room, you could have hanging plants, plants on the end tables, or on the coffee table. Sometimes if you have large window sills you could even put small pots on the window sill of your living room for a great overall effect.

There are some types of house plants that are going to also produce flowers. If you find that you have a plant, that you want to keep until it flowers, you may be waiting a few seasons. Some indoor plants, such as a Christmas cactus are only going to bloom once a year, and then sometimes it won’t bloom again for two years. It is a wonderful time in the living room where the plants are colorful and many textures of the leaves are available as well.

Perhaps you want something a little different in your indoor garden such as exotic plants. You could choose from plants that are sun loving, desert loving or that are even aquatic. The choices you have are vast and you don’t have to have an indoor garden that is all green hanging type of plants as many people think about, but you can have flowers indoors, or plants that smell like candy.

What you need to watch for are plants that are going to attract insects. Insects are attracted to some plants but rarely. Geraniums indoors are going to attract small white flies. Spider mites are attracted to plants that are overly wet but there are also sprays for all types of little pests that you can use if you would happen to have a little creature in your plants. Don’t worry though the little pests are few and far between for the normal semi warm climates such as the indoors of your home.

Watering is not going to take much of your time at all. Indoor gardens really only need attention once a week or every two weeks depending on the variety of plants that you have chosen. The yucca cane plant is low in the water needs area for example. What you can look for is a calendar in your kitchen or on your computer and make little notes to yourself if you really think you are going to forget for weeks at a time. Otherwise, when you put your finger in the dirt and you find that it is a little dry add a little water and your indoor garden is going to be thriving!

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If you plan to grow more than one or two plants at a time, chances are most of them will be foliage plants. Though they aren’t as showy as the flower bearing varieties, foliage plants can also be quite beautiful. In addition, they are simple to grow, easy to propagate and acclimate well to nearly any indoor environment.

Foliage plants are the backbone of every home garden. With few exceptions they know no seasons, growing and prospering throughout the year. Thousands of species of foliage plants are common and easy to find, and a large number of hybrids extends this variety even further. While planning your indoor garden you have almost an unlimited choice of plant size and shape, leaf form and colour. The two species described here will grow in any part of the country with equal ease and are available everywhere.

Peperomia sandersi is one commonly cultivated Peperomia. It has been called the Watermelon Begonia because the distinctive color and striped pattern of its leaves resemble the watermelons found in the American south. As the leaves of this plant are smooth, shiny and oval-shaped and the stems are red or pink, how it acquired the nickname Begonia is a mystery.

Peperomia is a low growing, bushy plant with fleshy leaves and stems along with being an indoor house plant. Originally found in the jungles of Brazil, these plants like lots of warmth and humidity and dislike exposure to wind or even slight drafts. Place them in partial shade, being careful not to give them too much sun, and provide them with plenty of water and good quality plant food. To keep your Peperomia happy, give it only room-temperature water. Propagate it by stem or leaf cuttings, preferably in the spring when the growth rate is at a maximum.

Pick-a-back Plant, also known as Piggy Back Plant (or by its botanical name, Tolmiea menziesi), gets its name from the curious way that it propagates: new plantlets sprout from the joint where the leaf meets the stem on the parent plant. The pretty, heart-shaped leaves of this species are light green, delicate and grow at the end of long stems. Pick a-back Plant should be well watered and kept in only partial sun.

In its natural state the plantlets root as soon as they touch the ground, so propagation is simple: just place a new leaf-bearing plantlet in a starting mixture and allow it to root. If you prefer you can place the plantlets in water, but be sure to used purified water. A good way to do this is to treat it with dissolved charcoal. The Pick-a-back originates on our own West Coast, growing from California on up to Alaska.