Plants can be kept both indoors or outdoors, however, it depends on the species you choose. Some of the ones meant for indoors will die quite quickly if left outside, and vice versa. The trick is to match them with the perfect light conditions. It is undoubtedly a good thing to keep plants in the home or office, as there are numerous advantages such as those mentioned here
Many questions surround this topic, especially around first-timers. Questions such as what type of plants to keep? How to care for them? And if you can kill a cactus, for instance.
Indoor plants are the topic of this conversation. Besides having qualities that boost one’s mood, plants, when kept indoors have an assortment of benefits including helping you to focus and a general aesthetic appeal.
If you are one of those newbies with lots of questions, the below basic guide on how to take care of your plants indoors and which ones to choose should get you off to a good start.
Top 10 Plants That Can Be Kept Indoors
Peace Lily
Not only do they look peaceful but they are one of those plants that can be left alone untouched for days and nothing will go wrong with them. Their dark green foliage and large white flowers make for a beautiful centerpiece or even in any corner of any room. Keep them in a shady spot and water them occasionally and it will be a happy camper.
Dracaena Fragrans or Corn Plant
A good plant to have that needs minimal attention is the corn plant. These do not need too much light and kept be housed in a pot in a shaded area. These can also sometimes sprout small white flowers, but not always. They grow too tall lengths and are a strong species of indoor plants.
Snake Plant
Going by various names, such as, “Saint George’s Sword”, “Viper’s Bowstring hemp”, and “Mother-in-law’s tongue”, this is one of the most popular plants you will find in almost every home. Perhaps because it is a hardy plant, that most first-timers and experts with green thumbs, choose to keep them or perhaps it’s because they can be kept in your bathroom as well, and don’t shy away from humid conditions.
These are one of those plants that has been studied to release oxygen into the air and keep the air purifier, as per NASA’s study on plants which you can find on their website: https://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2019/cg_7.html they do not need much watering and can be left alone for long periods without them withering away or suffering from loneliness.
They can help you sleep, as well as focus and keep the environment and air clean so you can breathe without any harmful toxins surrounding you.
Kentia Palm or “Big Ken”
Some plants can be kept indoors and require the least maintenance and this is one of them. The Kentia palm, famously known as “big ken” is not a difficult plant to keep and enjoys both shades as well as indirect light. It does however grow to heights so space is essential.
If you are looking to cover one of the empty corners in your lounge or bedroom, the narrow base and full height with long leaves will do the trick. It doesn’t take up too much space on the floor as well. The shadows cast by the arching leaves look magnificent against a bare wall.
Tips for Growing Indoor Plants – Do’s and Don’ts
Recognizing the Plant Needs Water
One of the main things to keep track of when growing indoor greens is to check that they have enough water, not too little and not too much. What you don’t want to do is overwater them as their roots can start to rot, neither do you want to under-water them as they will dry out and their leaves will go brown.
The best way to give them enough is to pour the water through a jerry can or watering jug into the soil while holding it over a sink, and letting the water run through till the bottom and out the end. This can be done once or twice a week depending on the weather. During summer twice, a week may be the way to go.
The Right Amount of Light
Photosynthesis which is a natural process that takes place when plants convert light into energy is essential for their health. Except for succulents and desert plants, that need direct sunlight indoor ones can do better with indirect light. If you have a window facing West, it can achieve this.
Plants like Pothos, ZZ plants, and snake plants thrive in indirect light. Sometimes if your country has harsh winters, and artificial light may be helpful to provide this. You cannot use a normal house light bulb as it is not hot enough for them. However, LED lights are a good source.
Potting Soil Should Be Right
The third item to keep aware of is the soil you use. Sometimes when you get your plants delivered from online stores such as Planted Pot they will have the best soil, which is a mixture of fertilizer as well, but other times you may not be aware of the type of soil that’s inside your delivery and the plants may die after a few days.
It is a good idea to transfer the plants into fresh and healthy soil so they grow properly and get the nutrients they need to survive. You need the ideal balance of ventilation, water and soil. Mixtures that include perlite, vermiculite and shredded pine tree barks will help with this.
