25 Surprising Facts About Types Of House Plants

Types of House Plants

Croton is a striking indoor plant with its emerald-green leaves which are flecked in pink and orange. It is tolerant of low light levels and requires less water than other plants. It can also help filter formaldehyde from the air.

Pothos is another houseplant that is easy to grow with its heart-shaped, slender leaves. It can tolerate dim light, but it prefers the bright indirect sunlight and regular watering.

Aroids

A variety of common house plants such as pothos, philodendrons, monsteras and ZZ plants belong to the Aroid family (Araceae). This group of plants, originally swamp dwellers, thrives indoors because they are easy to maintain.

They require moderate amounts of light and warm temperatures as well as high humidity. During common houseplants growing period they will also require fertilizer. Aroids are valued because of their variety of foliage and their ability to withstand bright and dim lighting. Schiavone states that they tend to flower less frequently than other houseplants but when they do, it's generally spectacular. The majority of aroid flowers have spathes, which are a petal-like structure that attracts pollinators and a spadix, which is the actual flower or inflorescence. The flowers are often accompanied by sweet scents and are sometimes activated by heat which causes the increase in volatilization of chemicals that attract insects to pollinate.

You may have seen aroids posted on Instagram, in movie backgrounds or as curtain patterns. They are easy to grow and fashionable and this is the reason why so many people have them in their home plant collection. The tropical aroids like Monstera Deliciosa (also called the Swiss cheese plant) are available in a range of colors, sizes and shapes. This aroid has a strong feng-shui reputation because it repels negative energies. It is easy to grow and is ideal for beginners or those who want to add drama to their interior decor.

Bromeliads

The tropical-looking bromeliad plant may look difficult to grow, but it is actually one of the most simple house plants to care for. The epiphyte, also known as an air plant, does not require soil. It can be affixed to trees, glued to objects or planted in shallow soil. Its vibrant colors and intriguing textures make it a popular decorative choice. It is also a low-maintenance garden which is resistant to serious pests.

The bromeliad genus has many species and cultivars suitable as house plants, ranging from sword-shaped leaves of Aechmea to the vibrantly colored bracts and flowers of Billbergia and Neoregelia. Some of the most commonly used cultivars are the speckled, red-centered Guinea and the broad-leafed, pink-centered 'Morado'. The plants usually bloom in the fall or late summer and their beautiful bracts last for months.

As common houseplant , they are usually planted in a potting mix. However, some of the more tropical species such as Guzmani and Tillandsia are glued to logs and moss or placed in coconut shells and do not require any soil at all. They are typically placed in a potting mixture, although some of the more tropical species such as Tillandsia or Guzmani can be glued to moss and logs, or buried in coconut shells and don't require any soil in any way.

Bromeliads are tolerant of drought better than other indoor plants. However, they require regular watering. They are a good choice for watering each week during warmer weather and approximately twice per month during cooler temperatures. You can fertilize them regularly with a well draining potting mix such as the Palm or orchid potting soil.

Cacti

Cacti are one of the most durable and tough of all house plants. They range from squat, spiny forms to tall and lanky columns, or even ornamental balls that are thorny. Many cacti are native to desert habitats, but they thrive in containers in a variety of conditions. Some cacti bloom only infrequently and require special care.

They can also reflect and trap light. They may have scales, too. The thorns of the Dinosaur Back Plant (Mammillaria hahniana) look like skins from dinosaurs and this cactus could reach up to 36 inches in height.

The thin, finger-like pads of the Candelabra Cactus (Echinocactus cochlaniformis) are covered with spines at regular intervals for a distinct appearance. The plant can be grown as a houseplant and produces white flowers in the spring and summer.

The Fairy Castle Cactus, Morenoa Cristata, is a cactus with multiple stems that resemble castle spires or turrets. In the wild, this cactus may reach 2 meters (6 feet) tall and blooms during night. This cactus needs bright filtered sunlight and should be kept in a warm space with good circulation. This can lead to shrinkage. This cactus should be repotted every year or more frequently in the event that the container becomes small. This is an excellent plant for beginners because it doesn't require a lot of water or fertilizer, and the spines are generally enough of a deterrent to deter pets and children from chomping on it.

Ferns

Ferns look tropical and are easy to grow. In nature, ferns grow in shade beneath tree canopies. However, they require some light to thrive inside. Avoid windows that face either west or south because they can burn ferns. Instead, put them in indirect or medium sunlight.

Pinnae are the leaflets of a variety of ferns. They are available in various sizes and configurations making it simple to recognize the species. They also have a unique vascular structure, where the protoxylem is restricted to the lobes in the xylem. This is similar to the cell that conducts water in other plants. This allows ferns absorb moisture and nutrients from the air.

The fronds of a majority of ferns are covered by tiny hairs, called trichomes, that protect from predators of all kinds. The hairs are unicellular multicellular, or glandular, and can release toxic fluids, or emit fragrant aromas, or produce waxy substances that give fronds a shiny and vibrant color.

They don't require much water and may benefit from a little drying out between waterings. Overwatering can cause the fronds to turn brown or yellow and could cause root rot. If your ferns are drying out too quickly then mist them more often or put them on a tray with water. A humidifier can also help in the event that your home is dry.

Succulents

Succulents are one of the most popular house plants because they thrive in a variety of environments. In nature they grow in deserts, seaside cliffs and humid jungles, so they can be found in any climate in our homes.





There are a variety of succulents each with its own unique appearance and needs. But, they do have common traits like fleshy stems or leaves that are designed to store water smaller roots than other plant types, and a rosette-like arrangement of leaves. indoor house plants tend to be more drought tolerant than other plants, though they might not be able to tolerate direct sunlight.

The aloe vera is a well-known example of a succulent. This common household plant can grow quite large and producing bell-shaped flowers on occasion. Snake plant (Sansevieria Trifasciata) is a popular succulent is a tall and attractive interest to any room. Both are easy to grow from stem or leaf cuttings, and will require to be re-used before they are planted.

The blue glow of agave is another succulent that looks attractive in hanging baskets or a wall planter. The vibrant color of the foliage makes it an excellent accent to any home. It is also very easy to care for. It requires sun filtered and slightly moist soil similar to other succulents. It is advisable to not overwater during winter, since this could cause the plant to rot.

Woody Evergreens

The majority of woody plants with leaves that are evergreen are either conifers like pines and spruces, or deciduous trees or shrubs, such as junipers (Juniperus) and arborvitaes (Arborvitae). The latter two have needle-shaped foliage. Woody evergreens are covered in a toughened material known as bark. It is composed of a substance known as the xylem, and it transports nutrients and water through the plant.

Some woody evergreens are excellent house plants, since they require little care. The money tree, Pachira aquatica, is a good example. Its braided stems are topped with an edging of leathery green and white-striped leaves. The plant is fast-growing and can reach eight feet in in 10 years.

A dracaena or dragon tree is a different low-maintenance option. Dracaena marginata from Madagascar is a low-maintenance option. It has twisted stems and rosettes of glossy, narrow leaves. Dracaena Sanderiana, also called the ribbon plant, has sword-shaped shiny green leaves that have white stripes.

common houseplants that are woody make excellent houseplants. They include schefflera, which has typical broad-leafed leaves, ficus (aka banyan trees) with its fronds that can grow to several feet high; and the false-castor plant, also known as Philodendron delicium that has heart-shaped, slashed-into-lobes leaves. All require an enormous pot and bright indirect sunlight. In general evergreens are more durable than deciduous ones, however they can be damaged by freezing temperatures.