15 Things Youve Never Known About Common House Plants

The Most Common House Plants

Nothing is able to brighten the room like the presence of a plant. If you're new to the houseplant scene it can be a challenge to know which plants are best suited to your home.

We asked experts in the field to share their favorites common house plants, ranging from modern-day newcomers to classics that have stood the test of time. So grab your watering container and check out this article for greenery ideas!

Peace Lily

This well-known plant, also known as the Cobra Plant or Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum wallisii), was the top searched plant on numerous furniture websites in 2023. It's not surprising, given this set-it-and-forget-it houseplant's beauty and air-purifying capabilities.

The peace lily has been a popular choice for anyone who wants an attractive houseplant that is easy to care for. The white flowers (which technically aren't real flowers, but bracts) appear in spring and then fade in fall. You can still get blooms in the fall with the application of a few sprays.

They prefer a warm, humid environment, with temperatures ranging from 68 to 85F during the day, and dropping by 10 degrees at night. The soil should be moist, but not sloppy. Indoor lighting that is well-filtered will aid in their growth. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. Make sure to water the plants regularly but do not let the soil dry out completely. This can cause root rot.

If your peace lily begins to appear a bit yellow You're probably overwatering it. If you're not sure of the frequency to water it, a general rule of practice is to water it whenever the soil's top inch starts to feel dry. When you water, make sure to use distilled or filtered water to keep the chlorine at a minimum.

Browning leaf tips is another common problem with peace lilies. This could be due to sunburn but more often, it's the result of excessive fertilizer. To get rid of this problem, flush the soil with fresh water by watering until the water drains out of the drainage holes. After six months, stop fertilizing.

Many people mistakenly believe that their peace lily has died when they see only green flowers. If your plant was fertilized to bloom, it could have received too much nitrogen. This hinders the ability of the plant to produce flowers. To fix this, you should switch to a fertilizer lower in nitrogen and more in phosphorous. Move your peace lily into an area with more light to encourage blooms. If this doesn't work, you can consider a different kind of peace lily or even a different type of fertilizer.

Spider Plant

Spider plants are very popular due to their ease to cultivate and produce lots of young "spiderettes" on their ends. These can be rooted and separated to form new plants. This makes the Spider Plant a great choice for first-time houseplant owners, as it's very hardy and can withstand a slight amount of neglect.

The original Spider Plant, Chlorophytum comosum, has long grassy leaves with a variety of colors including yellow and stripes. Each year, it blooms which produce tiny white plantlets that can be trimmed off and rooted. The long, slender stems of this plant be beautiful when hung in baskets.

Like the Peace Lily Like the Peace Lily, the Spider Plant is a pliable plant that thrives in all light conditions. It will require bright indirect sunlight however, to maintain its variegated leaves. It is best to avoid direct sunlight, since the variegated Spider Plant can burn in the light of this type. It is also important to keep the soil moist but not too wet. The soil should be just wetted enough to allow droplets of water to fall off the leaves to the container.

A good tip for avoiding soggy soil is to make use of a smaller pot that has pots that drain quickly, or make your own. Spider Plants are also a ideal candidate for a basic all-purpose fertilizer. However it is important not to over-fertilize your plants because this can cause salt to build up in the soil.

The Spider Plant purifies the air inside your home by getting rid of indoor pollutants, such as formaldehyde. Put the plant in a place that receives plenty of sunlight so that it can absorb the harmful chemicals and help them escape via its foliage. This plant can be used together with other plants to enhance the air quality in your home. It's even been shown to eliminate odors, such as smoke and cooking smells.

Fiddle Leaf Fig

The fiddle leaf fig, formally called Ficus lyrata, is the most popular plant due to its beautiful, violin-shaped leaves. It's a tropical species that thrives in humid, warm conditions and it's easy to see why many people are drawn to this house plant: it can grow quite large and creates visual interest in any room.

The one drawback to this plant is that it could be prone to mold and other fungal diseases. It is crucial to keep an eye on your plant to look for these conditions. This is especially important if you are using soil that has been around for several years. It's also essential to change the soil on a regular basis to ensure the plant's health and decrease the risk of infections.

One of the most common mistakes you make with a fiddle leaf fig is overwatering it. The fiddle leaf fig is a native of rainforests and is accustomed to being filled with water, and then dried out. You should water sparingly, allowing the soil to completely dry between waterings.

It's also important to keep the plants free from dirt and other particles which could clog the leaves and hinder photosynthesis. This can be accomplished by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth each week. This will keep the health of your plant and help keep pests out.

There are only a few serious issues that can happen to a fiddle-leaf fig, aside from mildew or fungus. It is essential to keep an eye out for scale insects as well as other pests that commonly attack houseplants, like aphids or mealy bugs. Also, be on the lookout for thrips, which could cause yellowing of the leaves.

You can also mist the fiddle-leaf with a spray to increase the humidity in your home. This will be particularly helpful in winter when indoor air is generally dry. It is recommended to mist your plant early in the morning so that it can have time to evaporate.

Dracaena

Dracaenas are a well-loved house plant that thrives in all indoor environments. small house plants require little maintenance and are slow-growing. Some varieties like 'Lemon Lime dracaena are bright and vibrant, which brighten shaded areas within the home.

The spiky, lanced leaves of the dracaena are available in a variety of shades and patterns that give it a unique appearance that is both contemporary and rustic in the same time. small house plants are solid forest green, while others feature yellow, red, or white stripes. Leaves also curve slightly, giving it an appearance that is more tree-like.

Like many tropical plants the dracaenas thrive in indirect light and can tolerate a somewhat shaded area. Be aware, however, that a lack of sunlight could cause the loss of variegations, as well as other defining characteristics.

When caring for dracaenas avoid over-watering the plant as this can lead to root rot as well as other issues. Let the soil completely dry before re-watering it. If you notice that your plant is becoming wilted and wilting, move it to an area that is more sunny or mist the leaves with tap water that is plain to add moisture to the air.





Dracaenas are not often plagued by pests, however, regular checks are essential to keep the plants healthy. Aphids that are not wingless suck juices from the leaves, stems, and buds of dracaena plant, slowing their growth and decreasing their vigor.

You can also find mealybugs and scale insects, that are covered with a cottony material. These pests can kill the dracaenas when they are not kept under control. They accomplish this by sucking out the sap from the leaves.

Tip cuttings are a simple and simple method of propagating the dracaenas. They can be taken all year. To propagate new plants, cut a tip that is 8cm in length and above a node on the parent plant. Place the tip in a jar filled with water on a window sill and then refresh the water frequently. After a few weeks, roots should have appeared and you are able to pot the plant in a fresh, draining soil.

Dracaenas can be prone to fluoride. Therefore, it is essential to use only non-fluoridated dracaena water. It is also a great idea to fertilize your plants with a branded 'Houseplant feed each time you water it in spring and summer. This frequency can be decreased in the fall and winter.