Nothing brightens up a living space quicker than some well-placed plants. Unlike cut flowers, they don't have an expiry date and you can take pride in watching your plants grow. Not sure where to start? Here are some ideas for plants that you can easily grow in your apartment or house…
Before you buy here's how to choose plants
While it's tempting to just pick whichever plant catches your eye, there are a few things to consider before buying an indoor plant. You should first decide which rooms and areas you would like to have plants, taking into account their light levels. Don't get plants that require bright light levels if your home doesn't get much direct sunlight. Meanwhile, get low-light plants for places like your bathroom. You should also take into account whether there are plants you should avoid buying due to toxicity. Some plants can pose a risk to small children, while many popular plants are poisonous for cats and dogs.
Now that you know what to consider, here are some popular choices for indoor plants:
Love palms/Parlour palms
The love palm is the perfect palm to grow in your home if you're looking for something easy to care for that won’t quickly outgrow a small pot. This slow-growing palm does well in low to medium light. It's also not too thirsty, only needing water once its soil is dry.
ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, commonly referred to as the ZZ plant, is an easy-to-care-for plant that does well indoors. In fact, Plantify describes this hardy plant as one that practically thrives on neglect. Unlike most hardy plants that you may be used to, the ZZ plant still grows bright green leaves without needing a lot of water or light.
Air plants
Air plants describe a family of plants (Tillandsia) that don't require soil to survive. This means that you can keep them on bookshelves, mount them on wood, or display them in empty vases -- along with a variety of other display options. They do however require indirect sunlight and occasional baths to keep them healthy. They are also small on size, meaning that they are better used as accents rather than a feature or main decoration for a room.
Moth orchids
Orchids are popular indoor plants due to their striking flowers and appearance. Phalaenopsis orchids, also known as moth orchids, are often recommended for beginners since they don't require the same deft hand and knowledgeable care as other orchids varieties. Even this specific type of orchid has a rich aesthetic variety to choose from, including different colours and sizes.
Peace lily
A peace lily is an attractive and easy-to-grow plant with large white flowers. It also doesn't require much light or water to survive. While not a true lily (with true lilies being extremely poisonous to pets), the peace lily is still not recommended for pet owners due to compounds in the plant that can cause irritation and burning if bitten or ingested by pets.
Hawthoria
If you're looking for an indigenous plant that is water-wise, pet-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing, hawthoria are small to medium succulents that can thrive indoors. Their unique appearance make them a great option for indoor plants. The zebra hawthoria in particular is a popular choice for plant lovers. Just make sure your plant has fast-draining soil and lots of bright light.
It is great to add pretty plants into your living space, but plants in the home provide more than just as easthetic features, plants increase air quality in your home as they convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. More plants means cleaner air environment.
