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Nurserymen now offer a vast assortment of houseplants chosen for their multi-hue buds and foliage. The most prominent issue with these plants though is the owner’s lack of knowledge in how to care for them leading to the plant’s demise. Stakes placed in plants offer notes that help the new owner and/or inexperienced gardener better understand the plant’s requirements to thrive in its new environment. By following the instructions for placement, care and maintenance, your houseplant can be something you enjoy for years to come.

Houseplants native to tropical climates do require special care and expertise, so starting with something listed in the “easy-to-grow-plants” is ideal for the novice. This will help you learn the in’s and out’s of cultivating and in turn better prepare you for more challenging plants.

There is a range of tropical native houseplants that can be grown inside the home. Although they were once thought to only grown in a greenhouse, recently they are more popularly used as accents in home decorating. If you’re in the learning stage, you should be careful with this variety. Climate can not be ignored. Some plants can hold up in dry heat better than others that might prefer a more moderate atmosphere. Those that flourish in warmer temperature are the most desirable for beginners.

The construction and texture of foliage help you determine which plants respond well indoors. Plants with thick, fibrous leaves are made to release less moisture. The slower the release of moisture, or transpiration, the more suitable the plant is for the indoors. This slower release rate is accomplished through sunken breathing pores, officially known as stomata, and substantial outer cuticle, or skin. The plant watering requirements are lower also.

Examples of the plants such plants are the Christmas cactus, Sansevieria, more popularly called the “snake plant” or “mother-in-law’s tongue”, and Hoya, named after the botanist, Thomas Hoy. Poor choices that you should steer clear of, because of the foliage’s rapid transpiration and thin leaves, are the Maidenhair Fern, Coleus, Cyclamen and Fuchsia. All require a humid environment which is not conducive to the indoors. Even if you were to add moisture to the atmosphere, it will ruin your furniture.

Extend the life of your houseplant, whether it be one you have purchased or a gift or a gift from a friend, by investigating and becoming well versed in its care and maintenance. In return, you will soon be a seasoned gardener with a home full of stunning foliage and flowering houseplants.

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This entry was posted on Monday, September 29th, 2008 at 7:26 pm and is filed under Garden. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.