There are a lot of draws to filling your house with living things. For one thing, they clarify the air in your home, making for healthier, happier lungs. Houseplants can aid with stress and help you sleep. They can help fight illnesses and promote general wellbeing. The list goes on and on. But whether you are looking for one of these incredible benefits, or just looking for some new decor in your home, we're here to help you navigate the confusing world of houseplants with ease. We'll be focusing on a few types of houseplants today, but the options are limitless! As always, the genial staff at Garden Spot Nursery is available to answer any and all of your questions.
The first thing you should consider when you decide to bring house plants into your home is selection. You will need to choose which plants you want based on your lifestyle and how capable you are of keeping up with them. If you work a lot, travel a lot, or otherwise don't spend much time at home, you don't have to sacrifice the joy of houseplants. There are plenty of plants that require little upkeep once settled into their new environment. Your home should be a welcoming retreat each time you return, no matter how long you've been away. If you are home often, and taking up houseplants as a hobby, there are plenty that will require more of your attention. There are even ways you can influence your plants to create a certain aesthetic! Think about how involved you want to be in your plants' lives, so you can choose the ones that will work for you.
If you find yourself forgetting to water your plants, consider succulents! There are hundreds of varieties including a wide range of shapes and colors. Succulents make great indoor plants as they require little moisture, and prefer to dry out between waterings. These babies carry their own supply of water, you just have to replenish it. Think of it like recharging your phone battery. One of our favorite succulents is Aloe Vera, which can be harvested for its numerous medicinal properties. Echeveria is another great succulent with a broad color spectrum, and it can be propagated into many more plants! These succulent "babies" make great party favors!
If you want to go with succulents, focus on drainage. The worst thing you can do for them is allow standing water. Make sure to find a pot with a drainage hole and a saucer to collect the excess. Adding pea gravel to the bottom of the pot can also help keep the soil dry. Check the moisture of the soil by sticking your finger in to the knuckle. If it's dry, give it a drink! Simple!
If succulents aren't your vibe, you might be looking for something with more foliage, perhaps even a flower or two. We have plenty of these in stock at Garden Spot Nursery! A classic and favorite is the peace lily, with its broad leaves and gorgeous white flowers. For a bit more intrigue, consider calathea or dieffenbachia. Both of these feature large, patterned leaves which can thrive in a variety of environments.
For these broadleaf houseplants, keep the soil moist. They will take a bit more monitoring than succulents, as they don't like to dry out completely. Low light is tolerable, but try to find a place in your home that your plants can enjoy some sunlight during the day. Again, don't forget about drainage! Even though these require more moisture, you'll want to be careful of standing water.
If the thought of re-shaping your houseplants fascinates you, check out sansevieria. You may have heard of the popular "snake plant," but did you know that this funky plant has cousins? There are many shapes including some with wider stems, softer stems, even cylindrical stems! In fact, the cylindrical stems are one of the most adaptable varieties. Sansevieria cylindrica is often braided, but there are many other shapes you could form your into! All you really need is
a few twist ties, and you're on your way to a beautiful, intriguing display. Another plant this works great with is guiana chestnut, also known as a money tree.
No matter which houseplants you choose, you're sure to find the benefits to be extensive. The idea of keeping something alive can be daunting, but don't get discouraged and remember that we are here to help! We're sure you'll find yourself more attached to your new friends than you expected, maybe you'll even give them a name.