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Are you searching for the best houseplants that start with the letter I for your home, office and indoor garden decorations? If you are, then this article is specifically for you.
Growing houseplant in the comfort of your home has lots of benefits such as the scent and beauty that it brings wherever it is kept. However, we have selected the best houseplants that are perfect for your space.
We will also give you reasons why you should go for them as well as the characteristics and best ways to not only care but also maintain them.
3 Best Iconic Houseplants That Start With I
Among all the houseplants that start with the letter I, there are three which are not just rare but also special and beautiful to behold. It can suit perfectly any space in your home. These iconic houseplants include
1. Ivy Plant
This houseplant is also known as English Ivy or Hedera helix. It is an evergreen perennial that’s classified as a woody vine. It is mostly used as ground cover and spreads horizontally. Also, it has a climber that is due to its aerial rootlets which allows it to climb to 80 ft high.
It has an insignificant greenish flower, but it is grown for its evergreen leaves rather than its flower. Additionally, it is considered an aggressive grower with different invasive areas. If you should try out this plant, it is best grown in the spring season.
Most importantly, it is toxic to humans and animals. So keep it within the reach of your pets or children. However, if consumed, reach out to your doctor immediately.
Ivy Plant Care Instructions
To care for your ivy plant, you have to follow these maintenance tips. It will not just help your plant go bloom but also keep it healthy.
A. Light Conditions
Ivy plants tend to thrive best in part shade to full shade. Also, it grows indoors when placed in bright indirect sunlight during summer and some direct sunlight in winter.
B. Suitable Soil Mix
This plant will do best when it is grown in a potting mix that’s loose and well-drained. However, this plant will thrive in poor soil with a wide range of pH levels, it will still do best in average loamy soils.
C. Watering Routines
Whether indoor or outdoor, ivy plants will prefer evenly moist but not soggy soil. So make sure that your soil has good drainage as it can’t stand overly wet soil.
However, before you water your ivy plant, always check the soil texture and be sure that it is dry before adding another round of watering.
D. Temperature & Humidity Requirements
Ivy plants grow best in temperatures between 70°F and 90°F. It helps to keep the evergreen leaves steady. However, avoid cold winter or high summer heat as it is not tolerant to this plant.
Furthermore, in some areas and with some species of ivy, it’s possible to keep potted plants outdoors in winter, and new growth emerges from the stems in spring.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Feed your plant with a 20-20-20 fertilizer or a 2-2-2 organic formula every two weeks during the spring and summer months. However, ensure that you avoid feeding your plant when it is faced with a stressful situation such as in a hot environment, or cold or dry soil as it will only result in more harm.
F. Pruning
Prune your ivy plant when necessary, especially in spring. This can be done through the use of clean and sharp cutting shears. Trim off any dead cells or cover plants in the spring. It will help to keep them manageable and prevent bacterial leaf spots.
Hard pruning every few years helps revitalize the plant. However, if your ivy is already climbing one of your trees, be careful while removing it. Do not just rip a vine off, which could hurt the tree’s bark. Instead, cut each vine where you find it coming out of the soil at the base of the tree, where it begins its ascent.
G. Repotting
Repot your plant once a year especially if your ivy plant is small while the larger plant can be repotted every two years.
However, when repotting, you just do so with new potting soil to ensure adequate nutrition. Older plants that can use a boost often can be revived by simply replacing the soil in the same container.
H. Propagation Methods
The best method of propagating your place is through stem cutting. This must be done after pruning your plant. However, follow the steps below to propagate your ivy plant with no stress.
a. Use healthy stems that are 4-5 inches long. Put the cut ends in water and wait for the roots to develop.
b. Transfer the stems to a pot and plant the grown ones as covers naturally spread when stems contact the soil and take root.
c. Cut the rooted stems and dig them up to move them to a pot or a different garden location.
I. Common Problems Of Ivy Plant
The most common problem of the plant is the infestation of pests such as aphids, spider mites, mealybugs and other pests.
You can get rid of them by spraying them off the leaves or plant with water and controlling them further with neem oil or insecticidal soap. You can use homemade remedies such as a mixture of fish soap and water or baking soda.
Additionally, your plant can also be affected by bacterial leaf spots and root rots which tend to appear on the plant foliage. However, the best remedy is to remove the affected areas and safeguard the remaining plants by spraying them with a 10-to-1 mixture of water and vinegar. You can also treat the unaffected parts with fungicide.
2. Iris Flower
Iris flowers have around 300 varieties in the Iris genus. These famous flowers are available in two different forms which are those that grow from rhizomes and those that grow from bulbs.
It has a unique feature that blooms make up of two different kinds of petals, falls and standards. The falls form the lower petals, which droop downward or fall while the standards are the upper three petals of the flower.
Additionally, the iris varies greatly in size, from the smallest dwarf variety, which only grows to 6 inches tall, to the tallest variety which is up to 4 feet tall.
Furthermore, Irises show their famous flowers in the early summer, while some are in the second time in the late summer. However, they are known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds and make perfect-cutting flowers.
Iris Flower Care Instructions
Different species of these plants require slightly different methods of maintenance. However, these are the basic maintenance and care for your plant.
A. Light Conditions
It thrives best in full sunlight. However, some of the other varieties tend to tolerate partial shade but not too much shade as it will cause them to have low flowering.
B. Suitable Soil Mix
The best suitable soil mix is a rich well-draining soil. They enjoy growing in moist soil. However, you should avoid overwatering the plant as it will cause damage to your plant. Additionally, grow your plant on a raised bed as it will allow for optimal water drainage.
C. Watering Routines
Since iris flowers love both moisture and well-draining soil, they will need to consistently water your plant deeply. However, while doing so, ensure that you avoid overwatering the soil thereby causing the root to rot.
D. Temperature & Humidity Requirements
Based on the different varieties of the plant and its growing zone, it is a hardy plant that can tolerate any temperature and humidity level. On the condition that the soil is well-draining and they get the right amount of water and sunshine.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
It prefers a rich soil, and compost that makes a perfect amendment. Loosening the soil in the spring and adding a healthy layer of compost or fertilizer will help give your irises the nutrients they need to grow healthy and bloom their flowers.
Optionally, you can use a well-balanced fertilizer for flowers. However, be careful not to use too much nitrogen as it will cause your plant to rot. Furthermore, these fertilizers must be fed to your plant before each bloom.
F. Propagation Methods
The best method of propagation is through division. However, you will know when it is time to divide when you have fewer blooms or rhizomes popping out of the ground. Follow these basic steps to propagate your iris plants:
a. Wait for 6 to 8 weeks after your irises have finished blooming. Then, with a garden fork or shovel, slowly work around each plant to loosen the rhizomes or bulbs.
b. Gently lift the iris out of the ground and shake out the dirt.
c. Once the dirt is removed you will be able to see the rhizomes or bulbs. You will find smaller rhizomes spreading from the larger mother rhizome. Some may come away naturally while others will need to be cut. Either way, divide these smaller rhizomes and toss any old, shrivelled rhizomes.
d. Once you divide the rhizomes and remove any that are spent or diseased, simply plant the divided iris plants in a new location.
3. Impatiens
This is one of the most popular bedding plants with a brightly-colored, profuse bloom and its ability to grow in shady areas.
They grow more often as an annual where their spring-to-fall blooming seasons fill the garden with colours. Additionally, they bloom in different varieties of colours which include white, red, pink, violet, coral, purple, and yellow.
Furthermore, it is mostly found in the northern United States and areas with similarly cold winters. However, the traditional time for planting impatiens is in the spring when the danger of frost has passed.
Impatiens Care Instructions
Grow this plant, you can find them there where all of them are grown from nursery seedlings that are already near flowering maturity. Their care tips include
A. Light Conditions
They thrive in a partial sun location or shady location. They’re among the relatively few readily houseplants off on required
B. Suitable Soil Mix
Grow impatiens in well-drained soil enriched with organic material and prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH range of 6.0 -6.5. The soil must drain well to avoid becoming soggy from the frequent watering that impatiens require.
C. Watering Routine
Impatiens need at least two inches of water per week. However, when the temperatures average consistently above 80°F, you might have to double that amount.
D. Temperature & Humidity Requirements
They are quite sensitive to heat. If they are kept there for long, they will look wilted. So enjoy avoiding it and top up the temperature level by using a cool-mist room humidifier.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Impatiens will flower best if regularly fertilized with a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks throughout the spring and summer. Another option is a slow-release granular fertilizer used at the beginning of the spring and again halfway through the summer. For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
F. Repotting
It’s generally not necessary to repot impatiens plants, as they are usually discarded at the end of the growing season. However, the best way to repot your plant is to cut back the stems to three inches or so, then give them a sunny location and slightly less water through the winter.
Avoid using fertilizer through the winter months. Although these plants do not go dormant, they are most likely to survive if allowed to slow down their growth for the winter months.
G. Propagation Method
Propagate this plant through stem cutting. This must be done in the fall season. To propagate your impatiens follow these steps:
a. Using a sterile, sharp cutting tool, clip a plant shoot 4-6 inches long, with ample leaves. Pinch off the bottom sets of leaves as well as any flowers or seed pods.
b. Suspend the cutting in water and place it in a bright area but out of direct sunlight. Replace the water frequently every few days as it becomes cloudy.
c. When a good network of roots has developed, plant the cutting in potting soil or a mixture of soil and vermiculite or perlite.
d. Continue to grow them in a bright area out of direct sunlight. Keep the potting soil consistently moist.
e. Harden off the plants to gradually introduce them to sunlight before planting them outdoors.
f. Plant into the garden or in outdoor containers after the last frost date in spring.
H. Common Problems With Impatiens
The common problems of the plant are the infestations of pests and diseases. However, the most troublesome disease is the one caused by a pathogen called Plasmopara abducens.
Another infection is by viruses such as fungi, and rots. These problems are more likely to surface in humid, wet conditions, or where plants are crowded closely together.
Furthermore, it also experiences pest problems such as the infestation of aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies, slugs, snails, and spider mites. Get rid of these pests by spraying water or the use of horticultural oils.
3 Best Unique Houseplants That Start With I
Having discussed the top 3 iconic houseplants, let’s look at the 3 best unique houseplants that you can keep in your home with their features and care instructions.
1. Indigo Plant
This plant is a large, upright perennial with leaves that are grey-green and beautiful long racemes of indigo-blue flowers that usually appear from April till June. It has pea-like flowers followed by black seed pods that can be left on the plant for winter interest.
It can be grown from nursery plants and takes only about a year to reach its full height. However, plants starting from seed can take three to four years to flower. It is best to grow your indigo in spring after the danger of frost has passed. Furthermore, it is important to keep this plant away from humans and animals as it is toxic.
Indigo Plant Care Instructions
Below are the best ways to care for your indigo plants. They include
A. Light Conditions
It thrives in full sunlight and it must be exposed for more than 6 hours daily. These exposures will help to prevent fungal diseases. Without sunlight, the plant will scorch.
B. Suitable Soil Mix
It prefers to be grown on a moderate well-draining soil mix. However, it can still tolerate dry soil once it is well established. The soil must be slightly acidic to neutral.
C. Watering Routines
Water your Indigo plant regularly for the first year. Afterwards, it will do well with about 1 inch of water every couple of weeks.
D. Temperature and Humidity Requirements
It will thrive in the garden in the conditions throughout its hardiness range, zones 3 to 9. It also does equally well in dry and humid climates, provided it gets adequate soil moisture.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Feeding is not necessary for these plants. However, feed it with fertilizer and avoid over-fertilizing as it will cause the plant to get leggy.
F. Pruning
Prune your indigo plant to remove the dead stems either in the late fall or early winter or in the spring before new growth begins. You can also shape the plant by pruning, which is best done immediately after its flowering period is over.
G. Propagation Methods
The best method of propagating your plant is through stem cutting. Below is how to do it:
a. In April to early May, use a sharp pruner to take stem cuttings about 6 inches long, containing at least two sets of leaves and at least one set of leaf buds near the bottom of the cutting.
b. Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone and plant it in a small pot filled with a standard potting mix. Moisten the potting mix.
c. Place the pot and cutting in a plastic bag or another form of plastic covering.
d. Keep the pot in a bright, uniformly warm location, monitoring it frequently and lightly watering it if the potting mix dries out. In about eight weeks, the cutting should be rooted.
e. When the cutting has been rooted, remove the plastic and continue growing the new plant until it is large enough to plant in the garden.
H. Common Problems Of Indigo Plant
Common problems of these plants include fungi and pests. Fungus diseases such as leaf spots, powdery mildew, and rust can occur if grown in crowded, damp conditions. So ensure that you provide your plant with good air circulation and environment.
Furthermore, pests like weevils can affect your plant. To get rid of the plant, spray Insecticidal soaps or use neem oils on the affected areas.
2. Iceland Poppies
Iceland poppies, also known as Papaver nudicaule, are perennials that thrive in subarctic regions but are often planted in the same fashion as annuals in warmer climates.
They produce feathery foliage and hairy or fuzzy flower stems. Their tall stems are leafless and sport brightly coloured flowers, each plant with four papery thin, silky, and ruffled petals. A specific variety of poppy, Arctic poppies can range in colour from red to pink, orange, yellow, and even white.
Furthermore, grow the seeds in their permanent outdoor space in late winter or early spring. However, they are very slow-growing plants that germinate from seed fast, they can take a while to bloom and usually start in late spring into early summer. Beware of this plant as they are toxic to humans and animals
Iceland Poppies Care Instructions
Iceland poppies are cold-hardy plants, even with their delicate-looking blooms. These perennials are also excellent deer-resistant plants.
A. Light Conditions
They prefer plenty of sunshine. However, they can be grown in partial shade.
B. Suitable Soil Mix
They thrive in rich, well-draining soil. So be mindful of watering as it can help to minimize any damage.
C. Watering Routines
This plant appreciates a consistent watering schedule. However, avoid overwatering them. Additionally, it’s also important to avoid spraying water on the flowers and leaves, as the weight of the droplets can damage the delicate blooms. Endure that you water your plant closely to avoid any problems.
D. Temperature & Humidity Requirements
They are hardy plants and enjoy cooler temperatures. They do not handle heat or humidity well, and warmer climates pose a problem for this perennial.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
Iceland poppies will appreciate a consistent and frequent fertilizing schedule. Use a well-rounded, balanced fertilizer such as 20-20-20 to give your plants the nutrients they will need to produce their beautiful silky flowers.
Most importantly, how often you fertilize your plant will depend on your soil. For instance, if you already have rich soil, you may only need to fertilize once or twice. If not, your poppies will appreciate consistent food, perhaps every other week or so.
F. Common Problems Of Iceland Poppies
While growing your plant, keep an eye out for any poppy blight on your plant or leaves. To get rid of this pest, you can use fungicide to kill them and also, trim away weathered parts of the plant.
3. Itoh Peony
The Itoh peony flower is a hybrid of common herbaceous peonies and tree peonies, also known as the intersectional peony. Their flowers have enormous, long-lasting blooms and strong stems, as well as dark green, lush, deeply lobed foliage that lasts until autumn.
With blooms that can spread up to 8 inches across, Itoh peonies are available in a variety of vibrant colours including yellow, coral, pink, red, and white. The foliage grows fairly quickly, these are relatively slow-maturing plants, and seedlings may require three or four years before they begin to bloom.
Furthermore, peonies are mildly toxic to dogs, cats, and horses due to the presence of phenol in the leaves, roots, and stems.
Itoh Peony Care Instructions
Care and maintain your plant through the steps below:
A. Light Conditions
The Itoh peony’s foliage will grow densely in full sun, but its flowers will typically last longer if the plants enjoy some light shade.
B. Suitable Soil Mix
They grow in rich, and well-drained soil. However, they react badly when planted in dense, water-retentive soil. Make sure to amend with plenty of organic matter if your soil is not porous.
C. Watering Routines
Water your plant lightly twice a week no more than 1/2 inch at a time. However, avoid drowning or overwatering the soil in order to avoid diseases and infestation of pests.
D. Temperature & Humidity Requirements
Itoh peonies are known to be cold-hardy, surviving winter temperatures below minus 25°F. This plant works well in warmer climates and they do not do well where winter temperatures stay above freezing, since they require a cool period to reset themselves for blooming the following spring.
Furthermore, it tolerates a range of humidity levels, though prolonged cool, humid conditions can encourage fungal diseases.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
When fertilizing your Itoh peonies in the spring and summer months, use a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. The fall feeding is best done with a 5-10-10 formulation. However, Itoh peonies seem to particularly enjoy foliar feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer.
F. Repotting
Itoh peonies have large roots, so, when potting, be sure to choose a container that’s a minimum of 18 inches wide and deep.
The pot should also have excellent drainage. Though they can tolerate some cold, it’s recommended to move your container plants indoors for the winter, when they will need as much sunlight as you can provide.
G. Propagation Method
The best method of propagating is through division. Follow the steps below:
a. In the early spring before active growth has started, dig up the entire root ball with a shovel.
b. Rinse off the roots so you can see the root ball clearly, then divide the plant into pieces with a sharp knife, cutting through the crown. Make sure each piece has a least one strong root and three to five eyes exposed at the top of the crown.
c. Plant the pieces in new locations, with the eyes just below the surface of the soil. It’s best to plant quickly rather than storing the roots for too long before replanting.
H. Common Problems Of Itoh Peony
Itoh peonies are much more resistant to the common problems that plague common peonies, but you may still encounter some of these problems which include:
a. Several types of beetles, especially chafer beetles and Japanese beetles, can feast on the plant’s buds and flowers. You can hand-pick the beetles off the plant, or use almost any pesticide to control them. A good non-toxic option is neem oil.
b. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that coats leaves with a whitish-grey powdery residue. While unattractive, it is seldom deadly. Prevent the disease by watering through ground-level soaking rather than overhead spraying, which can splash the ground spores onto the plants.
You can also coat the plant with neem oil when it first leaves out and prevents the disease from gaining a foothold.
c. Botrytis is a potentially deadly fungal disease. It can be treated by repeatedly removing affected plant parts, or with heavy doses of an appropriate fungicide.
3 Best Indoor Plants For Specific Purposes
Below are the 3 best indoor plants that you can grow in your home for some specific reasons. They include:
1. Indoor Palm Plants
These are excellent houseplants as they can be tolerant of less-than-ideal growing conditions. Many will put up with your occasionally forgetting to water, though they definitely don’t like to be sopping wet, a common reason they’ll die.
They are generally divided into two categories, based on the shape of their boldly textured foliage. Palm leaves, or fronds, are either fan-shaped (palmate) or feather-shaped (pinnate). Most are slow-growing indoors and can range from tabletop versions to large floor plants. Because they are root-bound and can only repot them every few years.
Indoor Palm Plant Care Instructions
A. Light Conditions
Most palms prefer bright light near an east- or south-facing window. North-facing windows may be too dark in most of the country, especially in wintertime. However, many palms can adapt to lower light levels. So, if your room is completely dark, you invest in an inexpensive LED grow light. Furthermore, if a window gets lots of intense light, especially west-facing windows, diffuse the light with a sheer curtain or blinds to divert direct sunlight.
B. Suitable Soil Mix/Water Routines
Palm plants are susceptible to root rot when exposed to too much moisture, indicated by yellowing leaves. Keep your containers adequately drained of excess water to ensure healthy growth. Avoid letting the soil get too dry the leaves will develop brown tips if you wait too long to water. Grow it in well-draining potting soil.
C. Temperature & Humidity Requirements
They need more humidity than the typical climate inside your house, especially in winter when it’s extra dry. They basically are most comfortable in the same humidity levels that are, which are around 40 to 50 per cent. Boost humidity levels by placing palms on a shallow tray of moist travel or you can group lots of plants together in the same space because plants transpire, or emit moisture. So, the more plants you grow near each other, the happier they’ll be.
D. Fertilize Requirements
They don’t need much. Give them a slow-release palm-specific fertilizer, which contains micronutrients such as iron, manganese and zinc, which are critical for a healthy palm. Feed just once or twice a year and only during its growing season in the spring and summer.
E. Pruning
Pruning off dead brown leaves can help keep your palm thriving. Be careful not to over-prune your palm because the fronds are among the plant’s main sources of nutrition they also offer protection from the elements. Additionally, avoid cutting the top off of your plant because it will cease to grow.
F. Common Problems Of Indoor Palm Plants
They are prone to mealybugs and spider mites but can be treated with insecticidal soaps to keep these pests at bay.
2. Ice Plant
These plants are warm-weather perennials that come back every year, known for their brightly coloured flowers. The name ice plant derives from tiny hairs on the plant that reflect light in a manner that resembles ice crystals. The foliage is fleshy and succulent-like, and it morphs into a darker colour as fall temperatures drop. In warm regions, many types of ice plants are evergreen.
Ice plants typically begin blooming in spring and continue throughout the growing season. These fast-growing plants are best planted by midsummer in cooler climates, but in hot climates, fall planting is preferred.
Ice Plant Care Instructions
Maintain this plant by providing all these to your plant. They include
A. Light Conditions
Ice plants need a considerable amount of full sun to ensure that they flower profusely. Sun-starved plants tend to get leggy with weak growth. Be sure to provide them with at least six hours of direct sunlight.
B. Suitable Soil Mix
Dry soil with excellent drainage is essential for an ice plant. The plant will suffer under conditions that are constantly moist, and it won’t grow at all in dense clay soil. Sandy and gravelly soils are ideal for this plant. However, the soil does not need to be rich in nutrients.
C. Watering Routines
Once established, water your ice plant sparingly during the growing season. One watering every two weeks should be sufficient during periods when there is no rainfall, though a weekly watering might be necessary during hot weather. Let your ice plant dry out before winter, so it’s not sitting in soil that is too moist. If snow cover is likely in your area, mulch the ice plant with a dry mulch, such as straw, to keep it dry for the winter.
D. Temperature & Humidity Requirements
All types of ice plants are sensitive to cold temperatures. Be sure to check the hardiness range for any new ice plant you’d like to grow as a perennial. If you live in a snowy climate, winter mulching might be recommended. They grow best in dry climates.
E. Fertilizer Requirements
It can be helpful to add compost or a slow-release fertilizer made for flowers, following label instructions, when planting. Ice plants can also do well with no feeding whatsoever.
However, container-grown ice plants are likely to need feeding, as the soil nutrients in pots become depleted more quickly than in garden soil. Weak growth or a lack of blooms can be signs that feeding is necessary.
F. Repotting
Ice plants will grow well in any well-draining potting mix, such as a mix formulated for succulents or a mixture of standard peat-based potting mix and sand or fine gravel works well. Any type of pot works well, provided it has good drainage root rot can quickly develop if the roots get waterlogged. A thin layer of fine gravel placed over the potting mix will help keep the leaves dry.
If growing ice plants in containers, move the pots into a sheltered, frost-free location for the winter. They can be kept alive indoors through the winter, but do not make great permanent houseplants. Reduce watering in the winter, as the plants tend to enter a semi-dormant period. These plants spread quickly, so it’s typical to divide and repot them each spring.
G. Propagation
They also are easily propagated by division. Not only will this result in a cost-effective new plant, but it also can help to revive a mature plant. The best time to divide a mature plant is in the spring. Here’s how:
a. Dig up the plant, avoiding as much damage to the roots as possible. It helps to moisten the soil beforehand to allow the roots to slide out more easily.
b. Use a sharp spade to divide the plant in half at the roots.
c. Replant each half in a suitable growing site at the same depth the original plant was growing. Gently pat down the soil, and lightly moisten it.
H. Common Problems Of Ice Plant
Aphids and mealybugs can be an occasional problem with ice plants. Look for leaf and stem damage and sticky or otherwise abnormal substances that these bugs leave behind on the plants. Treat small infestations by dabbing with cotton swabs dipped in rubbing alcohol.
6 Best Ways Of incorporating Houseplants Into Your Home
To incorporate your beautifully selected houseplants into your home setting, you can do this by using these six styles. These styles include
1. Fill Your Shelves With Your House Plants
This can simply be done by placing your house plants on the shelves of your home with your other items such as your books and many others. This can add some glow to your space as well as your mental well-being.
2. Layer Plants At Different Heights
You can also place your houseplant in your home according to their different sizes and height. It will help to add some sense of uniformity to your home.
3. Decorate With Indoor Trees To Create A Focal Point
If you are a fan of indoor trees, then this arrangement fits you best as it will add some level of creativity to your space. You can also try it out with your friends or in your office.
4. Place Plants On The Windowsill
You can place your houseplant at your window. This will also benefit your plant as it will help your plant to get enough sunlight, air and water. Also, it will help for relaxation if your houseplant is an air purifier plant.
5. Arrange Plants Around The Bed
Sounds great right? Arranging your plant close to your bed will help to keep your plant connected to you even when you are fast asleep. Place all your non-toxic plants close to your bed.
6. Group Plants On A Table
Group your houseplants according to their length and features on any table close to you. It will add some accent to your home or room. The best-recommended plant should be an air-purifier with nice flowers and fragrances.
Common Challenges And Troubleshooting Of Houseplants
Below are some of the challenges or problems that plants usually encounter throughout their growing period with their profound solutions. These challenges include
1. Lack Of Adequate Sunlight
The problem of sunlight has oftentimes been one of the major issues with indoor and outdoor plants in general. When the plant isn’t provided with enough sunlight as required, it will cause the plant and the leaves to dry up and die. This is mostly seen when you notice that your leaves have turned yellow and also newer leaves fail to grow to their full size.
Move your plant closer to the window to filter sunlight and enable them to grow back. You can also place them outside for a couple of hours under direct sunlight. It can be helpful.
2. Overwatering
Another challenge is the problem of overwatering your houseplant. If your plant is overwatered, it can cause the root of your plant to rot. However, the key to resolving this challenge is by having a watering routine and mastering them.
Also, it is important that you know the type of plant you are growing and its water specifications. Water more during the fall and spring seasons and less in winter.
3. Root Rot
If your houseplant started showing signs of wilting, worn out or even discolouration, then it is a clear indication that the root of your plant has developed some problems.
However, the best solution to this problem is to stop watering your plant or soil and allow it to completely dry out. Ensure that you are using a pot with drainage holes as it will help to filter out any excessive water from the bottom.
Additionally, you should gently rinse off the roots of your plant and trim away those that are affected. In the case that you find yourself having to trim a significant amount of roots, you might also need to prune off a few of the plant’s actual leaves, as well, which can help to promote the growth of new roots in the plant. Once you’re finished, repot the plant in fresh soil, and in a container with plenty of drainage holes.
4. Nutrient Deficiency
When your plant leaves start to show signs of discoloration, then it could be a sign of a lack of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These essential nutrients can be gotten from fertilizer.
To address this problem, you should add some nutrient-rich fertilizer and also try out some organic solutions on your plant which can also help to boost their nitrogen content.
5. Dry Air
If you notice that plant leaves are browning and slightly drying out, this might be a sign that your houseplant is craving a little bit more moisture in the air.
You can alleviate the problem by making sure that your plant isn’t closed or placed near any heat radiator or heater. Try and mist your plant with water which will help to keep it moist.
Also, you can place your place in a cool-mist room humidifier or a tray with pebbles and water under your potted houseplant. This can only be done if you can’t keep up with the regular spritzing of your houseplant plant.
6. Temperature
Every plant needs to be placed in a room with the preferred level of temperature. When it isn’t as it should be, it can result in some problems with your houseplant. So ensure that you avoid moving your potted plants between different rooms.
FAQs
1. What Is The Most Unique Houseplant?
The most unique houseplants include Pseudolithos and Trachyandra. They are considered rare and have the strangest look.
2. What Is A Beautiful But Smelly Plant?
The beautiful but smelly plant is the corpse flower. It smells like a rotting, stinking corpse. Their base is like an exterior packed with tons of smelly flowers called an inflorescence.
3. What Is The Sweetest-Smelling Plant?
The sweetest-smelling plant that you can find in the garden is the rose flower.
4. What Are Some Fast-Growing Indoor Plants?
Some fast-growing indoor plants include Aloe Vera, Snake Plant, Lucky Bamboo, Jade Plant, Wandering Jew, Peace Lily, Spider Plant, Fiddle Leaf Fig, Maidenhair Fern, Chinese Money Plant, Pothos, Velvet Plant, Dumb Cane, English Ivy.
Conclusion
Growing and keeping a houseplant at the comfort of your home, office as well as other spaces that allow you to admire that wonderful gift of nature is the best step you must take within this season.
There are many interesting plants to pick from. So what are you waiting for to start the journey?. Maintaining and caring for these houseplants requires dedication and consistency.
So make a choice today and start a new adventure into the gardening world. You will love it at the end. For more questions, do well to reach out to us through the comment box below.