Indoor Plant Parent Guide

 Houseplants 

This pandemic has surely made a lot of people 'Plant Parents'. Gardening became a form of self-care during the coronavirus pandemic. During long lockdowns, people also used plants as a distraction from other stresses and as a way of filling suddenly lacking socialisation. Online plant communities became vibrant, positive corners of social media during anxious and difficult times, some of them got sick, some lost their jobs or some lost their loved ones. So taking care of a plant also gave a lot of people a sense of control over some part of their life.

Indoor plants are popular because they are relatively easy to take care of, provide health benefits and can be used in a variety of indoor decor themes. Indoor plants are a great option for those who have little yard space for an outdoor garden or for those who live in climates with severely cold winters. Indoor plants should be an essential component of every interior design. Greenery brightens up indoor spaces and is known to have mood-boosting qualities.

So below we'll see two types of plants, one which can grow and survive in low light conditions and second, which requires bright light conditions to grow.

Low-Light Indoor Plants:

Pothos(money plant)

The most common household plant and easy to grow. Pothos is very popular due to the fact that it can be grown in water or in dry soil. Cuttings can be taken from a mother plant and rooted in water and kept in water as a houseplant. This is convenient for placing a pothos plant in hard to reach areas in a jug of water where it can remain untouched as long as water remains in the jug. The long stems trail or climb by aerial roots that adhere to surfaces, making this a versatile choice for hanging baskets, plant stands, and bookshelves. Best of all, pothos is one of the top houseplants for improving indoor air quality, making home and office environments cleaner. Pothos are also the air purifiers.

Sansevieria (Snake Plant)

If you’re new to plant ownership or are simply looking for an easy-care houseplant, a Sansevieria is the plant for you. These hardy plants remain popular because of their adaptability to a wide range of growing conditions. They can withstand full sun and handle low light, though they will do best in indirect sunlight. And because Sansevieria are native to the arid deserts of West Africa, they do not require much water, especially in the winter. If you are the kind of person who forgets to water plants, then the Sansevieria could be the perfect match. Unlike most other plants, it can withstand drought as it exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide during the night, which prevents water from escaping through evaporation.

Spider Plant

Despite their creepy crawly name, spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are among the most popular houseplants to grow. These hardy plants will survive less-than-perfect conditions, and they are stunning when you can mimic their native tropical environment. These plants grow slender, gently arching leaves that can stretch from around 1 to 1.5 feet long on average. The leaves can be green or striped green and white. Mature plants regularly send out long stems that bear small, star-shaped flowers. Once the flowers fall off, tiny plantlets form in their place, which ultimately grow their own roots.

Lucky Bamboo 

Though the name of this plant is lucky bamboo which is not a bamboo but rather a type of Dracaena. Often, you will see people growing lucky bamboo indoors in their offices or low light parts of their homes. This is because lucky bamboo needs very little light. It grows best in low, indirect light. That being said, when you grow lucky bamboo inside, it does need some light. It will not grow well in near darkness. Most people growing lucky bamboo indoors will also have their lucky bamboo growing in water. If your lucky bamboo is growing in water, make sure to change the water every two to four weeks.

Peace Lily 

The peace lily, also known as the spathe flower or white sails plant, is the common name for several species in the Spathiphyllum genus. It's one of the most popular houseplants, and for good reason This plant is attractive, shade-loving specimen makes an elegant, aromatic addition to your houseplant collection.  Young peace lilies take between three and five years to reach maturity, growing dark green foliage and producing their signature white blooms in a little over one year. What appears to be a fragrant flower, the large white petal shaped like an upright leaf, is actually a large spathe. This thick spike houses lots of tiny flowers that can grow up to 6 inches long and 4 inches wide. Both the spathe and the spadix (the protruding inner rod) do an excellent job at purifying the surrounding air, which is one of the many reasons that peace lilies are a great option to grow as indoor plants.

Bright Light Indoor Plants:

Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

The Fiddle Leaf Fig, also known as the Ficus lyrata, graces the covers and photos of many design publications, bringing drama and height, and tying entire rooms together with its tall stature and enormous, elegant leaves. What some people don’t realise is that Fiddle Leaf Figs need to be positioned directly in front of a window despite where you’ve seen them in photos. Fiddle Leaf Figs should be placed in front of a window that will receive direct morning or afternoon light. Like with most other plants, Fiddle Leaf Figs do require some general maintenance. If you’re wanting your Fiddle Leaf Fig (or any tree) to begin to grow branches, you can do a couple of things. Try giving your plant more light first. Trees naturally grow branches, and if they’re receiving a lot of natural light, they’ll have more energy to potentially spend on creating branches. 

Aloe Vera 

Aloe vera is also known as the first aid plant, as its sap is used to soothe burns, scalds, sunburn, skin irritations and insect bites. Cut away a leaf at the base, cut down its length and rub the sap directly on to skin.

Aloes look good on their own but combine really well with other succulents and cacti in a bright spot. In summer, you can put your aloe outside. It may produce a yellow tubular flower, but it’s mostly grown for its attractive shape. Aloe vera plants need bright light, so they do best in south or west-facing windows. Growing aloe vera houseplants is not only easy but can also provide your family with a plant that can help treat minor burns and rashes. Now that you know a little more about how to care for an aloe vera plant, you need never be without this lovely and helpful plant.

Rubber Plant 

Rubber trees, formally ficus elastica, can be enjoyed as either medium-sized house plants or grown to become focal point, beautiful indoor trees. If you’re patient enough to grow your own, plants that start out younger when you buy them adapt better to indoor living than starting with a more mature plant. They can grow to impressive heights within a few years, especially if you put the plants outside during the summer. Keeping the plants in small pots will restrict their growth, if you want to keep them smaller. Rubber plants don’t like to sit in water, so a well-draining soil is important. Rubber plants like bright light and a lot of it, but not direct sunlight. A sunny spot shielded by a sheer curtain is often perfect for rubber plants. 

Croton 

Crotons are often vivid and bright foliage of yellow, orange and red colour. Crotons are native to the humid tropics, so they will appreciate frequent misting or a boost in humidity from a pebble tray or humidifier, as well as plenty of bright sunlight to encourage growth of brightly colored leaves. The more bright sunlight a Croton receives, the more colourful their foliage. If they are in a spot with less sunlight, new leaves will emerge with more green. When considering croton growing, check the variety you have purchased to determine the light needs of your specific variety. Some varieties of croton need high light, while others need medium or low light. In general, the more variegated and colourful the croton plant, the more light it will need. 

Jade Plant 

Jade plants (Crassula ovata or C. argentea), also known as lucky plants or money plants, are a favourite houseplant thanks to their adaptability and attractive, gem-like green leaves. With a bonsai tree-like growth habit, these charming and easy-to-propagate plants can grow well in any area of your home with bright, indirect light. Jade plants can beautify your space for years with the right conditions and a little routine care. Jade plants are succulents that grow best in dry conditions with bright light, low humidity, and cool temperatures. Plant your jade in fast-draining soil like a potting mix formulated for cacti or succulents. The common pests mealybugs often infest the plant's leaf so it's important to treat the plant if infested with such or else the plant won't survive.