Common House Plants
If a house plant's leaves appear leggy or lopsided, it is trying to tell you it requires more light. Try moving it closer to a sun-lit window or a grow light.
Plants from tropic and subtropical regions thrive indoors because they adapt to the hot, dry conditions found in homes. These common house plants make a great choice for anyone with limited space and time to maintain a garden.
Rubber Tree
Rubber Trees (Ficus elastica) with their lush, green leaves, are a favorite indoor plant. It is also renowned for its ability to clean the air in homes and offices. It is a tropical tree, so it does best in humid, warm climates with bright sunlight and plenty of water.
Despite its stunning appearance, this plant is actually quite easy to maintain. It is essential to keep in mind that this plant could grow very tall. If you do not want it to become an overgrown mess, it is essential to trim the stems once they begin getting too tall. This can be accomplished easily using a pair of gardening shears.
Another aspect to be aware of about this plant is that it could produce a sticky sap that is known as latex. It is utilized in a variety ways, such as to make rubber balls and waterproof shoes. The ancient Olmec, Maya and Aztec people used to tap on the trees to extract this important substance. The sticky latex of the Rubber Plant is also a natural insecticide. It can adhere to the surfaces of insects and kill them.
Because this plant is robust and tolerant, it is among the best options for a beginner gardener. Rubber Trees don't require much pruning to keep their shape. The primary goal of pruning is to cut off dead or dying leaves and branches, and to trim the plant when it gets too tall.
potted house plants is the primary element to maintain a healthy rubber plant. This is especially true during the hot summer months when the plant is the most active. The level of soil moisture is a good indicator of how much water is required for to a rubber plant. The soil will begin to dry up after watering the plant.
Rubber plants can also be propagated with cutting a stem and planting. This method is most effective if you place the stem in rooting hormone prior to planting. Another method of propagating a Rubber Plant is through air layering. To do this, you will need to cut off a small part of the plant and then stick it into the moss. The moss will naturally grow around the stem.
Spider Plant
The spider plant, also referred to as Chlorophytum Comosum is named after the long, slender plants that hang from the mother plant, like spiders on webs. It is among the most popular indoor plants because it is a breeze to grow and is able to thrive almost everywhere. It's also considered to be a "hardy" plant due to the fact that it can withstand a wide variety of conditions.
A common use for the spider plant is as an air purifying houseplant in offices and homes. It has been proven effective in removing harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide out of the air. The plant can also help eliminate airborne allergens such as dust mites, mold spores and pet hair, which may cause allergic reactions.
When grown indoors, spider plants do best in bright but filtering light, with a good humidity and warm temperatures. They can tolerate some shade, but are better to brighter windows that are protected from direct sunlight. They don't require the same amount of watering as other plants, and a light misting with a hose can give them enough moisture. They are sensitive to fluoride, chlorine and other chemicals in tap water. This may cause browning of leaf tips.
Like many other houseplants, spider plants are prone to infestation by common pests such as whiteflies and spider mites. To minimize their number, wash the leaves periodically and wash the soil between. A periodic repotting may be needed, especially once roots begin to sprout out of the top of the container.
A healthy spider plant will produce "pups" or offshoots that can be separated from the mother plant to grow new plants. Plants that are healthy will also produce tiny flowers which can be removed or pressed into compost in order to grow their own plants. It is important to keep in mind that fertilizing does nothing to stimulate flowering in spider plants.
Weeping Fig
The weeping fig is an everyday houseplant with a beautiful and dense foliage. The tree is well-known because of its beauty, and is frequently used to create bonsai.
The weeping fig grows slowly and needs a specific set of conditions to flourish. good house plants grows best in bright, sunny rooms that receive plenty of indirect sunlight. It can be grown outdoors in warmer climates. The tree is a popular choice for indoor gardens because it can help to improve the quality of air. The ficus tree has the ability to filter out some air pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene.
Depending on the type you choose the leaves of a weeping fiddle could be variegated or green. Some cultivars have wavy leaves while others have sharper. Weeping plants can be more than six feet tall however, they can be cut down.
Ficus benjamina is able to be propagated by stem cuttings. This involves wearing gloves since the plant releases irritant sap when cut. The stems are then cut and placed in water, where they will start to develop roots. After a few weeks the cuttings can be transplanted to a larger pot.
To ensure proper growth, young weeping figs require frequent watering. The plant is sensitive to excessive water and needs drainage-friendly soil. The soil that is overly moist could cause root rot. Avoid using excessive fertilizer, since it can cause damage to the tree.
The weeping fiddle is a large feeder that must be fed frequently throughout the growing period. The plant requires trimming every few years to keep it looking clean and attractive.
The weeping fruit is produced in its second to third year. The medium-sized fruit is edible and can be added to everyday cuisines as a tasty addition. Before eating, the fruits should be cleaned to get rid of any pests. The fruits have a high nutritional value and can be dried and stored to be used later. The fruit is delicious and can be eaten either raw or cooked.
Peperomia
Peperomia (pep-er-oh-mah) plants have thick, fleshy leaves that can store a significant amount of water. They come in a range of shapes and colors, including deep emerald green and silvery markings. Some, such as the ripple peperomia, and pellucida, have leaves with puckered edges that resemble frilly fabrics. There are also different varieties of peperomia that have creams and whites in their leaves. Peperomia flowers aren't common but when they do pop up they are spindly spikes of brown and greenish-white. These flowers are not attractive and detract from overall appearance of the plant. Peperomia plants thrive in the home environment, and are easy to cultivate.
In nature, peperomias survive as epiphytes or lithophytes growing on trees and other living things that live in the rainforest's understory. They are therefore excellent houseplants since they don't require bright sunlight in order to thrive. They are typically seen as cascading or hanging plants, but can also grow as bushy or upright plants.
The leaves of Peperomias have medicinal properties and are used for applications on the skin to soothe burns, insect bites, rashes and other skin ailments. The dried leaf powder can be combined with oil to create an oil-based salve that can be applied to the skin or added to bathwater to help to soothe and moisten the body.
While low maintenance house plants do not require much attention they are best found in areas that are somewhat secluded. They prefer warm temperatures, and moderate to high humidity. They also need lots of indirect light, which means you should choose a place in your home that is placed a few feet back from a west or south-facing window is the best choice. The brighter sun rays can cause a burning effect on the leaves, and insufficient light can result in less lively foliage.
They don't like being overwatered. According to the website for gardening and house plants Bloomscape, overwatering can cause yellow and mushy foliage. Allow the soil to dry between waterings to avoid this.
If you do happen to overwater your Peperomia remove any affected leaves and repot in fresh, well-drained soil. To minimize the risk of a repeat overwatering, you should water slowly and thoroughly when you do water.