How To Tell The Good And Bad About Best House Plants

The Best House Plants for Beginners

A houseplant can boost oxygen levels, decrease pollution and dust, and enhance the quality of your indoor air. In addition, caring for it can be a great source of satisfaction--it's even been proven to boost mental well-being.

Which house plant is the best for you? We asked experts for their top choices.

Marble Queen Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum Aureum) is a popular house plant due to its heart-shaped leaves that have stunning white color. It's also one of the easiest to maintain and is a great option for people who are just starting out. Like other tropical plants, pothos thrives in all kinds of light conditions, however it prefers moderate amounts of bright indirect sunlight. It can also thrive in a lower light or complete shade. It also thrives in humid environments and soil that is a little acidic.

As as the soil is not allowed to completely dry out it is tolerant of missed waterings, though overwatering is a common cause of death in houseplants . If you're unsure, put your finger in the soil to see whether the soil is moist. If not, you should water the plant. If the leaves become yellow, it's most likely due to a lack of light or too much direct sun or an indication of fungal disease.

Pothos, unlike many plants, can tolerate the effects of air pollution, such as ozone. It can be utilized in the bathroom or kitchen to purify the air.

This plant is susceptible to disease and pests as are other plants. It is best to deal with problems as soon as possible, so they don't spread. Thrips and mealybugs are among the most commonly found pests on this plant. Maintaining your Marble Queen pothos well-watered and fed will keep these insects away from attacking it in the first place.

Trim the tips of the stem regularly to keep your plant looking great. This will help the marbled foliage remain full and keeps the vines from becoming too long. These tips of the stem can be used to propagate plants.

If you'd like to encourage your Marble Queen to develop by giving it something to stick to. This could be a moss trellis or rod, or even string. Be sure to spray the moss or any other support with water as part of your regular irrigation regimen to help it grow faster.

Monstera

The monstera plant (Monstera Deliciosa) is commonly referred to as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is one of the most sought-after house plants. The leaves are dotted with natural holes known as leaf fenestrationand can give an exotic look to any space. It's easy to propagate through cutting and growing it in water which makes it a great choice for beginners.

Monstera deliciosa is an extremely fast-growing plant, which means it may need to be relocated every few months as its roots expand. Take a few leaves and then repot the plant in a well-drained potting soil. Make sure plants house is well-ventilated and add perlite or lava rocks to the soil for Aeration, if needed.

As house plants they can be easily maintained provided they get enough light and humidity. They're content to climb the trellis or climb down and can be easily trimmed to form them if you prefer it a certain way. It's easy to mist a large tree with a spray bottle of water to increase the humidity in its leaves daily.

Despite its name, a monstera is not a succulent. While succulents have thick, fleshy leaves that hold water, monsteras have thin heart-shaped leaves adorned with fenestrations. Monsteras can withstand dry climates, but require more moisture and humidity than succulents.

It is important to know that, even though the fenestrations of monstera leaves make them appear as if they could be consumed, they aren't safe to consume. The fruit, stems, and leaves of this plant are laced with poisonous oxalic acid that can cause painful irritation to the throat and mouth when consumed.

Blank suggests that those who have achieved the fiddle-leaf figure move to a monstera to gain a better understanding of how easy it can be to grow indoors. "A monstera is very adaptable, so it can survive in many different conditions," she says. It requires a warm and humid environment, but it is able to withstand lower temperatures and higher humidity than the typical home.

ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the most durable house plants available. It's slow-growing and tough, surviving a wide range of conditions. It thrives in areas with dark conditions, and is not bothered by low humidity. It is also tolerant to neglectful owners and requires only periodic watering to survive. The leaves of this succulent can be lime green, purple-black or a mixture of both colors as they mature.

Divide the rhizomes of ZZ plant, which are the tubers that look like roots that are located at the bottom of the stems. Lift the plant out of its pot, break off the rhizomes, and trim them slightly before placing them in pots that have fresh potting mix. You can also plant new ZZs by using stem cuttings that have two leaves, each measuring about an inch in length. Plant the cuttings into the pot with an equal mix of perlite and multipurpose soil. Place the pot in an area that is warm. small house plants may take up to a year for the cuttings to produce new plants.

Despite being one of the most durable house plants, there are certain things that can cause the ZZ plant to die, including overwatering, direct sunlight and dry soil. The best way to avoid these issues is to water the ZZ plant only when the soil feels dry. If the soil feels damp it's okay to leave it be. The plant stores water in its rhizomes therefore it is able to go for months without watering.

The plant doesn't attract a lot of pests, but it could be prone to fungus and rot. The best way to prevent these problems is to routinely remove dead and old leaves from the plant. It is also important to keep it away from small children and pets as the stems and leaves can be irritating if they are eaten.

The ZZ plant is a great air purifier, as it can help to remove benzene, toluene and xylene from indoor air. It also has the capacity to absorb volatile organic compounds, including formaldehyde and carbon monoxide. This makes the ZZ plant a great choice for offices and apartments that don't have adequate ventilation.

Parlor Palm

Palms have a long tradition as indoor plants, and for good reason. They provide lush, tropical vibes to living spaces, and take on a range of lighting conditions and temperatures. The chamaedorea, also known as parlor palm, is no exception. The plant (also known as the neanthe bella palm) is native to Central America, and it's getting more and more popular for its versatility. It thrives best in bright, filtered light, but it can also be grown in areas with lower lighting, such as rooms facing east or north. It's a slow-growing plant, so it may take at least a year for it to reach its full height of between 2 and 6 feet.

If you wish to encourage growth, fertilize the plant monthly with an appropriate liquid fertilizer. It needs a well-draining mix, and Bridget Zazzara, retail indoor and seasonal plant manager at Logan's Trading Company, recommends using the same potting soil like you would for cacti and succulents. Find a soil that is slightly acidic to alkaline with a pH range of 6.1 and 7.8, and be sure to add a little of sphagnum peat moss which helps improve the soil's structure and water retention.





Parlor palms thrive in an environment that is humid So, make sure to keep them out of areas with drafts and mist leaves on a regular basis to ensure that the humidity levels remain constant. You can also include an air humidifier to your home. If your palm in the parlor is becoming rootbound, plant it again in the spring. It is important not to overwater, though, as the plant can become susceptible to root rot. Water the plant when the top inch or so of the compost is dry to the surface. Water more frequently in warm weather, and less often in winter.

Palms like these are appealing to bees, but make sure you keep them out of the reach of pets and children. Their needle-like leaves can be poisonous if ingested and are a magnet for mealybugs. These insects appear as fluffy, white blobs under the leaves. They can be difficult to eliminate. If you see them, wipe the bugs off using the help of a cotton bud, or a cloth that has been soaked in an insecticide that contains the fatty acids or plant oils.