Popular House Plants 101 The Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Popular House Plants For a Tropical Touch

If you're looking to give their home a tropical look think about the heartleaf philodendron. These colorful leaves are easy to care for and tolerate low light.

Calatheas, sometimes referred to as peacock plants, have beautiful patterns on their leaves. Calatheas, as with many other houseplants that are popular, are easy to grow however they require light that is filtered and soil that drains well.

Ponytail Palm

Beautiful plant that is easy to take care of The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea Recurvata) has become one of the most popular home plants in recent years. Although it appears to be the palm tree but this species is a succulent that grows well under dry conditions. The trunk's swelling holds liquid, which means it can go for months without watering. It is a great plant for those living in colder climates or have a hectic schedule. It is also known as an elephant foot palm.

Ponytail palms thrive in warm indoor environments and can withstand cool temperatures. In summer they prefer bright places with indirect sunlight to help warm them and avoid scorching their leaves. They can adapt to full sun exposure, however, only in warmer climates. They can also be found outdoors as an ornamental landscape in frost-free areas. When grown indoors, they can reach up to six inches or more in diameter and can be propagated from offsets that form on the trunk's base.

Ponytail palms need very little water, and they thrive in the same soil that drains fast as cacti. A clay pot is suggested to aid in this, as it can wick water away from the roots. If your ponytail palm becomes root-bound, pot it up into a container that is only two inches larger than its trunk. To avoid shock, move it slowly to the new container. Fertilize your cactus plants every once or twice a year with a liquid fertilizer for cactus at half strength.

Schefflera

The genus Schefflera, also known as the Umbrella Plant or Queensland Umbrella Tree is comprised of several household plants that have leaflets that look like umbrellas. The common varieties, such as Schefflera actinophylla and Schefflera arboricola, grow elongated leaves with four to six leaflets that droop gracefully from the central stem, which gives the plant its infamous name. The smaller variety, Areca catechu, produces a similar leaf shape but with smaller leaves that are often decorated with yellow or cream. Besides providing stunning greenery, both varieties can be used as natural air fresheners and deodorizer.

This tropical plant is a relatively easy-care houseplant that thrives in relatively high humidity. It can tolerate moderately warm temperatures but will not tolerate sudden temperature fluctuations or drafts. It is susceptible to a number of illnesses that can cause fungal and bacterial leaf spots. To prevent these problems ensure that the soil is kept dry and avoid overwatering, and use a peat moss-based potting mix. Wait until the top inch or two of soil is completely dry before you water your plant again.

tall house plants is possible to feed your plant more often if it shows indicators of nutrient deficiencies like leaves that appear pale or withered, or brown tips. You can do this by adding liquid fertilizer to the water, or by using slow-release pellets. Regularly trimming your schefflera can encourage new growth and leaves.

Areca Palm

Palms are a staple in tropical climates. They are beautiful house plants for their green fronds which stay fresh all year long and blend nicely with the majority of interiors. They can be grown in pots to add natural beauty to a space or used as a grand centerpiece. They also provide a lot of interest to the entrances or corners and are an excellent way to lighten up a dark corner of the home.

In their natural habitats, areca palms grow in the rainforest and naturally adapt to high temperatures and warm humidity. The areca palm is extremely sensitive and can cause burns when exposed to sudden blasts of cold air. Therefore, it is essential to keep indoor areca palms away from drafty windows, heat sources and air conditioners.

Areca palms need to be exposed to lots of light. They are not tolerant of low/medium lighting Therefore, ensure that they are parked in an area with plenty of direct sunlight.

Areca palms require regular watering, but they should not be left overwatered. Overwatering can lead to rot and fungal diseases. The soil should not be waterlogged, but should be moist. It should be allowed to air dry between waterings. If your soil is not rich and loamy, you can amend it by adding a little builder's gravel, peat moss, or bark. This will create an even more drained, richer mixture.

Chinese Money Plant

Pilea peperomioides, also known as the pancake plant, Chinese money plant or coin plant is a perennial flowering in the nettle family. It's cultivated primarily because of its unique UFO-shaped, round leaves. It's a houseplant that grows quickly and is easy to propagate and take care of.

This houseplant grows best in light conditions. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, since this can cause burning of its gorgeous leaves and lead to other problems. Set it in a window that gets plenty of indirect sunlight.

Rotate the pot of the Chinese money plant by approximately an inch every few weeks. This will ensure that all the leaves get the same amount of sunlight. It's also an excellent idea to fertilize it once a month with an appropriate liquid plant food diluted to half strength.

The Chinese money plant can withstand quite low levels of humidity. If you notice the edges of the leaf becoming crisp it's a sign you need to increase the humidity.

low maintenance house plants is popular in Feng Shui where it is believed to promote prosperity and wealth. It's also a great one to have around the office since it's been shown to improve productivity of employees and decrease stress. Plus, it's nontoxic to pets and children. Give it a go! You can find this plant at local nurseries and garden centers, as well as in most large-box home improvement stores and supermarkets with a gardening section.

Majesty Palm

Majestic palms, or Ravenea Rivularis are characterized by their tall fronds which are a beautiful addition to any home. These tropical plants are also known for their air-purifying properties. They can be difficult to maintain, however due to their ever-growing requirements and high humidity needs.

Majesty palms, like most indoor plants, require light and evenly moistened soil. Water these plants regularly, but not overly. The plant will benefit from regular fertilization, as well.





When watering a majesty palm be sure to pour the water over the entire soil surface. Avoid watering the plant directly at its crown at the base as this can cause decay and damage to the new fronds.

Majesty palms thrive in a pot that's 2-3 inches larger than their root ball. The plant will also appreciate a pot with good drainage, as it's prone to root rot. Drain rocks can be placed in the bottom of the pot to improve drainage. Repot a majestic palm every once a year, or when the roots grow beyond the drainage holes at the bottom of the pot.

Majesty palms are vulnerable to aphids, spider mites, and scale insects. tall house plants is important to regularly spray the plant with a gentle soap and water solution to stop these pests from coming into your home. Majesty palms can also be sensitive to low humidity, so it's important to ensure they are in a location with adequate air circulation.

Peperomia

The Peperomia is a wonderful houseplant for beginners because it doesn't require a lot of watering. It is a tropical rain-forest plant and is a fan of warm climates and moderate humidity. It thrives in humid areas like terrariums, brightly lit bathrooms and in misted areas within the home. It can be kept outside in the summer, but you should bring it inside before temperatures drop.

Lindsay Pangborn, an expert of the gardening site Bloomscape suggests watering only when the top 2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. She recommends using chopsticks to aerate soil prior to watering so that it can reach all areas of the roots. Aeration helps prevent decay and encourages root growth. Peperomias don't have a distinct preference when it comes to feed. They are fertilized two times a week using a general purpose fertilizer for houseplants.

The leaves of peperomias are characterized by a unique texture. They can be smooth, crinkled or with grooves or ridges. They can also be variegated or spotted. Some have a pattern which looks like a skin of a melon or the emerald-colored ripples. You can clean them by wiping them with a damp cloth. This is especially important for species that have ripples and grooves. If you notice swelling spots on the leaves of your peperomia plant, this is a sign of a problem with the plant. It should be treated with an insecticidal soap.