Add Colorful House Plants to Your Home
Bring a vibrant look to your home without having to rely on flowers. These houseplants that have vibrantly colored leaves are easy-to-grow.
potted house plants to the philodendron snake plant or peace lily pinstripe plants display bands of color that cover long, elongated leaves. These tropical houseplants thrive in low lighting conditions.
Croton
The vibrant, varied markings of croton leaves provide visual interest to nearly any space. This exotic houseplant is famous for its fiery colors however, its variety of shapes and sizes make it stand out.
This exotic plant can be grown either indoors or outdoors. The leaves are narrow and covered with reds, greens, purples and yellows making an array of colors.
This croton is known for shedding its leaf color when it is exposed to cool temperatures and drafts, so bring it inside during cold snaps. It is also susceptible for insect activity. Inspect often and spray horticultural insecticides if needed.
Fittonia
Fittonia is an eye-catching plant with striking deep green foliage, contrasts with white, pink or red veining. It can bring brightness to a dark space and is particularly captivating when it is placed in an planter.
It thrives in humid and warm temperatures, just like many tropical houseplants. Keep it in a cool space, away from drafty windows and heaters that could dry out the air.
It thrives in well-drained potting soil, and it must be regularly repotted. If it begins to appear like it's straggly, trim the tips to encourage bushier growth.
As with most tropical plants nerve plants require a weekly application of a liquid fertilizer designed for house plants during the growing season. A balanced fertilizer 5-5-5 diluted to half strength is effective. It is also a great choice for a humid environment, so mist the leaves or introduce a humidity tray to maintain the humidity levels around it.
Calathea
These exotic house plants are beautiful centerpieces for tables, regardless of whether you pick the calathea with its bright green pinstripes or the peacock that has dark purple, dark green and silver brush marks. Additionally, their large oval leaves make excellent floor plants when placed on low plant stands. Calatheas like humid air (between 50 and 80 percent humidity) however, they do not thrive in moist soil. They thrive in a potting mixture comprising 2 parts coco coir, 1 part peat and a little orchid bark.
Water calatheas weekly when their top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Using rainwater that has been filtered instead of tap water will prevent the buildup of salts and other chemicals from the water which could cause damage to the plant. This is especially important during the winter months when the plant's growth slows. This is also a good time to feed your plant with a liquid fertilizer diluted to 1/2 strength.
Red-edge Dracaena
The Red-edge Dracaena will give your home a tropical feel. It is often mistakenly referred to as to be a palm. It has slim stems and multiple canes with clumps that are thin green leaves, which are trimmed in yellow or dark red.
It is easy to cultivate and thrives indoors, like all dracaenas. They prefer indirect light and bright but are tolerant of lower lighting conditions. They prefer a well-draining pot mix, but might require occasional fertilization. Common problems include root decay, brown edges or tips and insects.
These plants are known for their ability to purify the air. According to NASA's Clean Air Study they are especially effective in eliminating the benzene (produced by cigarette smoke, synthetic materials and car exhaust) as well as formaldehyde, xylene and trichloroethylene from the air. It is also easy to propagate by cuttings. This can be done anytime during the growing season. Simply dip them into rooting hormone, and then put them in a pot with water-soaked soil.
Aluminum Plant
Pilea cadierei (commonly known as aluminum plant or watermelon pilea) is a tropical houseplant which grows as an unmounded mound of quilted green leaves with distinctive silver stripes. It's an extremely striking and easy-to-grow plant, but it can also be susceptible to spider mite infestations.
It likes indirect light, warm temperatures and moderate humidity. The temperature should be in the range of 60-75 degF (16-23 degC).
It's a low-maintenance plant that likes soil that is moist, but the top quarter inch of the soil should be dry before watering it again. In the growing season that is active in the spring and summer, water often enough to keep the soil moist. Water less frequently during dormancy in winter and fall. It is recommended to apply liquid fertilizer each month during the growing season. Stem cuttings are an easy way to propagate vegetatively this plant. The roots are easily placed in a mixture of peaty soil and loamy.
Waffle Plant
Hemigraphis Alternata, also referred to as the purple waffle plant, has a metallic green-purple leaf with the unique surface of a puckered. It grows well in hanging pots or the terrarium. It can also be grown outside, however it is less tolerant of cold temperatures than some other house plants.
Hemigraphis alternateta thrives in bright indirect sunlight with high humidity, much like it does in its natural equatorial rain forest. To recreate the environment it is possible to mist your Hemigraphis alternata regularly using distilled water spray or place it on a pebble tray that is filled with water that has been filtered to increase the humidity.
Hemigraphis Alternata can be pruned when it becomes large. This will encourage bushy growth and improve the appearance of. Use an insecticide, or a mixture of warm water and Neem oil to kill mealybugs if it is susceptible. Hemigraphis Alternata can be propagated by stem tip cuttings ranging from 4 to 6 inches taken in the spring and summer.
Rex Begonia
Begonias are hardy plants that thrive indoors, particularly those with showy leaves. The Rex begonias are distinguished by their veining and ruffling, along with splotching and streaking, with an assortment of white, green silver, reds and pinks.
These colorful plants need a regular watering schedule. Water the plant whenever the soil's top inch is dry to the touch, and avoid pools of water that could cause root rot.
To add a soft texture to your soil mix 50% normal potting soil with 25 percent peatmoss, orchids bark or coco coir. This mix will also help the begonia retain water. If best houseplants notice a problem with mildew that is powdery, reduce your begonia's watering and move it to a brighter place to rid it of the mold. There may be mealy bugs on your begonia. The soaking of a cotton ball in alcohol will help remove them.
Alocasia
Alocasia "Black Velvet" is alocasia with bold, green-black leaves with prominent veins that look like scales. The undersides of the leaves have a whitish, or even a purple tint. This creates a striking contrast with the foliage. This variety is suitable for growing indoors all year long or outdoors during the summer in zones 4-8.
This tropical beauty thrives in bright indirect light that prevents scorching of the leaves. The ideal light source is a bright, sunny window, however many varieties can tolerate filtered or dappled light.
The soil should be moist, but not soggy. good house plants , a light all-purpose fertilizer should be applied. Avoid feeding the plant in winter when it is in dormancy. Watch for brown or mushy roots that may be a sign of a deficiency in nutrient. Alocasia is vulnerable to root rot, which could be fatal.
Bromeliad
Bromeliads provide an element of color to rooms where many house plants may struggle. They're tropical and thrive best when a humid and moist environment is provided. They can be grown easily by following a regular schedule and their vibrant colors are able to bring life to dull spaces.
They produce large, vibrant "flowers," called bracts, that are actually specialized leaves that attract pollinators. The plant's true flowers are hidden inside bracts, and appear only after the flower has been fertilized.
As the plant grows, it will produce offshoots which look like miniature versions. These babies can be propagated into new bromeliads. potted house plants need the same care as the parent plant, which includes watering. Avoid using tap water that is hard to water your plants. It could cause the leaves to turn spotted. Instead, use rainwater or water that has been filtered. This is especially important for bromeliads that are in the pot.
Hedgehog
The hedgehog is a tiny mammal belonging to the Animalia class. The nocturnal animal is cool with quills that do not cause any harm. They are among the oldest mammals on earth and have a distant ancestry with pigs and Shrews.
They are omnivores in wild, eating frogs, snails, eggs, and toads in addition to mushrooms, grass roots as well as fruits and other vegetables. If frightened or threatened, the hedgehog rolls itself into a ball of spin and only predators who are strong are able to break it open.
If you spot a hedgehog that is rooted in the ground, you can put it back inside its nest or cover the area with natural materials. If you need to remove it from its habitat and put it in a large container away from your bedroom. Give as much shelter as you can. They must be kept in an environment that is warm (73-80 degrees).
