Day by day we are getting closer to updated technology. However at the same time we are loosing contact with Mother Nature. What could be better than bringing warmth and comfort of nature home, as house plants! But are you wondering what types of plants you can grow in your home easily and at minimum cost? Well this blog post is the answer.
As in a city we lack much expanse, I chose our compact balcony and our rooms for gardening.
To be very frank, I am a forgetful-waterer. Thus, I was very cautious in selecting plants that require minimal care. Cause I can not let plants die. And hurray! I have been successful so far.
Here I am sharing what types of plants you can grow easily at your home. I will also detail all dos and don’ts that I learnt. Let us enjoy effortless gardening with these tips.
1. CROTON
It is otherwise called ‘rush foil’. Croton is a tropical plant that prefers warm atmosphere and humidity. It has brilliant glossy foliage bearing yellow, red, purple and green shades. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors.
When I first brought Croton plant I did not have any clue that it will magnify charm of the house so much and it will be a focal point of attraction wherever it is kept.
It is furthermore colorful and vibrant when kept in direct sunlight for 6-8 hours a day, extra sunlight will dry out leaves
Tips to grow :
- If persistently exposed to less sun light then leaves turns green. It can be grown in shade or indoors where it can get indirect sun.
- It has need of watering weekly or daily depending on situation. The soil should not be left desiccated for long.
- It requires fertilization once a month.
- Croton can acquire spider mites. Use soap water to cleanse it and wipe the leaves if it gets infested.
- Croton doesn’t like to be moved.
- It has a plant juice that can be poisonous to pets when ingested.
So if you are wondering what types of plants will call for less care and attention and at the same time gorgeous too, then Croton is the spot on choice.
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2. DRACAENA
Dracaena, alternatively called as ‘Song of India’ is one of the most sought after plant to grow indoors and outdoors. It is a bushy plant and has spectacular foliage, with light as well as dark green patterns on the leaves.
The name Dracaena is derived from Greek word Drakaina, that means ‘female dragon’.
Tips to grow :
- Dracaena is a sub-tropical plant. It flourishes well in low to medium light in indoors, or indirect sunlight in outdoors.
- It is easiest to grow plant which can strive well even when watered once a week and fertilized once a year.
- Leaves when cleaned intermittently with damp cloth breathe better and look more appealing.
- It is pest resistant in general, but sometimes can get infested with mealy bugs. In case of infestation, need to apply pyrethrin based insecticide spray.
- Dracaena may be noxious to pets if ingested.
Recent NASA studies prove that it also detoxifies air.
If you are wondering what types of plants will be alluring, will purify air, will need least mothering and won’t die even if neglected for long then this is the plant you should opt for.
3. ALOEVERA
Aloevera is an undemanding plant acquainted to dry and desert condition. It is an ornamental plant with medicinal as well as cosmetic benefits. Aloevera is one of the easiest to grow plant for forgetful waterers.
Tips to grow :
- It has stout leaves because of which it needs watering hardly once a week or once in 2 weeks.
- Fertilising once a year is enough.
- It should be positioned in a bright and sunny area in both indoors as well as outdoors.
- The pot should have holes to drain surplus water. The soil should be dry before subsequent watering. Too much sunlight or too frequent watering or stagnant water may kill the plant.
Aloevera can be used for decoration. Gel inside leaves of the plant is useful for alleviating rashes, wounds or burns. It cures acne as well.
Thus if you are wondering what types of plants will be easiest to grow and have additional medicinal advantage then aloevera is the answer
4. SUCCULENTS
If you are looking for best indoor plants with lowest maintenance then succulents top the list. Succulents are a set of plants with juicy stems, leaves and roots. There are varieties of succulents based on their size, color and pattern.
These plants are hugely in demand these days as these are trouble-free house plants, best for forgetful gardeners.
Tips to grow :
- Succulents are perennial plants which can endure desert conditions for days.
- These can be grown in exteriors as well as interiors.
- Bright sunlight is vital for its growth, but overexposure will dry out its leaves.
- In indoors it should be grown in a well draining pot, most preferably in desert- dweller soil.
- The whole idea is to soak the soil with abundant water till excess water evacuates through holes in the pot. Water the plant when the soil is completely juice-less.
Too much dampened soil with excess retention of water can rot its roots.
- Miniature new plants will grow beside the mother-plant that can be replanted in another pot to prevent overcrowding.
- Some succulents necessitate fertiliser once a year and some don’t even need it.
If you are the person pondering what types of plants will be easy to perpetuate, adorable and will thrive well and do not die when unmaintained then succulents won’t disappoint you.
5. SANSEVIERIA
It is a unique easiest to grow succulent that is modern and contemporary in look. It is one of the best indoor plants.
Sansevieria has thick, long and tough leaves having light and dark green horizontal patterns on it, along with yellow edges, hence it is otherwise called ‘Snake Plant’. It is cheekily called as ‘Mother in law’s tongue’ as it is grown in almost every household.
It seems chic when kept in a white ceramic pot in living room or bedroom.
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Tips to grow:
- It can be kept indoors, in balcony or can be grown outdoors too.
- Sansevieria is versatile as per its requirements. It can put up with low, medium or bright light.
- Sansevieria can survive in dry as well as humid condition. It grows in summery as well as chilly temperature.
- Frequent watering and stagnant water is the only way to kill the plant. It requires watering once in 2-6 weeks depending on the condition.
Sansevieria plant can thrive in case of extreme neglect and grows splendid if taken care of.
- It also propagates with ease.
Sansevieria takes unfavorable toxic gases inside and releases oxygen chiefly at night, so keeping one of these plants in your bedroom is a healthy option.
Hence if you are newbie in gardening or you need plant that looks modish and sustain weeks without watering or you are a frequent traveler who stays away from home most of the time then Sansevieria is a perfect pick for you.
6. AERECA-PALM
This is a genre of palm that can be placed both indoors and outdoors. It has got gorgeous green feathery fronds with hundreds of leaflets that will add an edgy and classy look to your living room.
One peculiar thing about Areca palm is, if grown in pot , it grows up to 6 feet, but when grown outdoors it can be as tall as 30 feet.
Usually it is potted in a sizable pot, not too large though, to restrict its height . The crowded roots prevent the plant to enlarge in size.
Tips to grow :
- The soil must be moist in summer and spring, and can be allowed to dry a bit in winters. It necessitates daily watering.
- Being a tropical plant it needs humid condition to flourish fully.
- Time release fertilizer pellet should be used once a year.
- Areca palm should be re-potted every 2 years to remove old age soil. It clings to life up to 10 years.
‘NASA clear air study’ suggest that Areca-palm breathes formaldehyde and rest venomous gas inside and purifies air.It humidifies air as well. Hence in terms of air purification it is one of the best indoor plants.
Hence if you are willing to keep a plant that will add beauty and well-being to your home then assuredly you should get an Areca palm plant.
7. MONEY PLANT
Money plant is the customary house-plant grown in almost every household.
In Feng-shui , it is believed to bring wealth, fortune, prosperity and harmony to home. For a beginner it the basic and easy-peasy plant to grow.
Money plant has got winsome heart shaped leaves with different shades of green. This plant grows as vine, hence rightfully called as “Devil’s vine” or “Devil’s ivy”.
Tips to grow :
- It can be grown in soil as well as water in a pot/ bottle/ jar.
- It favors well draining soil i.e. half of potting soil mixed with half of river sand.
- Money plant does not need recurrent watering; only once a week or once in 10 days watering is enough.
- Home-made fertilizer or compost fertilizer or time release fertilizer once a year is great. If using liquid fertilizer, it should be used once a month.
- Putting a straight stick will help it grow encircling it. The growth is swift.
Thus if you have a starter in gardening , this plant should be unquestionably your first choice.
This is list of some of the best indoor plants that I have successfully grown so far. Now these plants are nothing less than family members to us.
Is this helpful to you? Share your own experience too on what types of plants you have got in the comment box below.
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September 13, 2022 at 5:49 pmYes, it’s helpful
September 29, 2022 at 6:27 amI am really glad to hear that.