"The Potted House Plants Awards: The Best, Worst, And The Most Bizarre Things We've Seen

· 6 min read
"The Potted House Plants Awards: The Best, Worst, And The Most Bizarre Things We've Seen

How Potted House Plants Improve the Quality of Air

Introduce potted houseplants to the house to improve the air quality. Certain plants, like snake plants or Mother-In-Law's Tongue, reduce the levels of indoor ozone and remove VOCs that trigger asthma and allergies.

If your houseplant appears stressed or has signs of being too large for its pot It's time to repot it. Select a bigger pot and add fresh potting mix.

Boston Fern

Boston ferns (Nephrolepis Exaltata) are a popular houseplant with lush green fronds. They add an exotic feel to any room. These plants are famous for their ability to purify air as well as their ability to reduce pollution levels and increasing the humidity of homes.  tall houseplants  are therefore a great addition to bedrooms where they can improve sleep and reduce allergies symptoms.

This plant needs indirect light and moderate temperatures. It isn't a fan of direct sunlight, cold air or drafts. It is recommended that you mist the plant regularly to increase the humidity, especially in areas with lower humidity. It doesn't require a lot of pruning and fertilization, however, the fronds can turn brown and dry when the plant is watered too much or kept in a dry climate.

In the wild, this plant is found in forests, where it grows in damp, slightly acidic soil in shaded areas. It is not tolerant to extreme cold or heat, but is hardy between USDA plant zones 9 and 11. It also thrives in humid conditions. It is best placed close to a bathroom or kitchen.

This is one of the easiest to care for potted ferns. Repotting is only required when the roots begin to wrap around the container's base. Repotting should be done late in the spring. The old potting mixture can be used as a fertilizer (use the sodium nitrate solution or Clay's Fertilizer). The fern is thought to be low maintenance because it doesn't grow rapidly and is not prone to diseases or pests.

Ponytail Palm

The ponytail palm (Beaucarnea recurvata) is also known as the elephant's foot plant or bottle palm grows in tight bunches of green ribbon-like leaves that are reminiscent of a ponytail. It is among the easiest plants to care for since its swelling stem stores water. It can last for weeks without watering. It is safe for pet and children.

Ponytail palms thrive in bright environments however, they can tolerate moderate levels of light. They must be kept in a draining pot that has dry soil. Repot them only if the roots begin to grow around the pot, and a new pot is needed, but don't overcrowd the roots.

It is important to water them regularly and allow the soil to completely drain between waterings. Overwatering can lead to the stem to rot, and also yellow the leaves.

Ponytail palms are susceptible to pests like mealybugs and spider mites. These pests can be controlled with soaps and horticultural oils.  houseplants near me  is also possible to develop fungal issues and stem rots.

Areca Palm

Areca palms are simple to care for and grow so long as they are surrounded by plenty of light. These plants thrive in warm climates and are suitable to be planted outdoors or indoors, but they should have a decent level of humidity. You can tell if your plant is lacking in moisture by noticing leaves that are yellowed or tips that are brown.

Water your areca palm when the soil's top inch is dry to the touch, but do not allow the compost to get waterlogged. Ideally,  houseplants near me  should use distilled or rainwater to water your plants as they are sensitive to fluoride in hard tap water.

Repot your palm every two to three years or when you notice that the roots are overcrowded. It will also remove any salt deposits from fertilizer that have accumulated in the pot and hinder the plant's growth.

house plants online  are said to cleanse the air by absorbing harmful gases. According to NASA's Clean Air Study these plants are efficient in removing toluene as well as formaldehyde. These are toxins that can be released from paints, dyes and solvents as well as from exhausts from vehicles, tobacco smoke, wood and paraffin burning stoves and more. Inhaling these gases could lead to headaches dizziness, fatigue irritation, and even liver damage when in high doses. The palm of the areca is a great method to reduce these toxic gases in your home and office.

Dragon Tree


Dragon trees (Dracaena Marginata) are stunning as a stand-alone plant, or combined with other plants on an indoor plant stand. They are among the few tropical houseplants which can withstand different levels of light and temperatures. They can tolerate low humidity and dry indoor air, which would kill the majority of plants. Just be sure to avoid excessive watering, which can cause root rot.

A slow-growing exotic, the Dragon plant's slim stem is complemented by the crown of sword-like leaves, with red edges. It's the perfect option for smaller spaces. These houseplants are easy to care for. They tolerate dry and dim light in average room conditions.

Repot only when the roots are crowded. You can tell by the rate of growth and the color of the roots. The most obvious sign is if there is minimal or no new growth.

It's perfectly normal for your Dracaena to shed dead leaves as it grows and gets older. It is also beneficial to clean the plant by trimming the long straight stems with a sterile pair of pruning shears. Before using the shears sterilize them with the help of a rag that has been that has been soaked in hydrogen peroxide or ruby alcohol. Due to the saponin content of this plant and other members of the family, it is moderately toxic to cats if eaten. Poisoning symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, and crying. They can cause weakness, an increase in heart rate, and loss of appetite.

ZZ Plant

ZZ plants are a favorite houseplant. They are frequently seen in offices and homes since they are easy to care for and attractive. They also help keep indoor air fresh. They are a great option for rooms that may be too small for other plants. They are slow growing and attain a height of between 2 and 3 feet. Their dark green glossy leaves reflect light, brightening the space. They add a tropical feel to rooms and are a major component of Feng Shui.

They thrive in medium-to-bright indirect light however they can also be tolerant of lower lighting levels. They are fairly tolerant of low humidity and dry air which is why it's rarely required to mist the leaves or soil. If the plant begins to lose its vigor, however, it may require repotted to an even larger container. To ensure the plant's health it is essential to remove any yellow or brown stems and leaves.

Overwatering the ZZ plant can lead to root rot. Water the plant as soon as the top soil feels dry. This usually happens every couple of weeks or so. Unlike some other plants, these plants do not need frequent fertilizing, but they could benefit from a few spray on the foliar area using the liquid plant food. Spraying neem or other natural pesticides on plants that exhibit signs of pests will help keep them healthy.

Tillandsia

The Tillandsia (also known under the name Bromeliads), is a vast group of plants with over 650 different species. There are so many species to choose from that it's almost impossible to find one to fit your home decor preferences. They are a popular choice for terrariums, but can also be used to highlight magnets, driftwood and wood. They thrive in light, warm and indirect sunlight. After a few years they will begin to flower. This is a sign that you've been taking good care of them, but it also signals the end of their life because they only bloom only once. After this point, it begins to lose its energy and slowly decreases before fading away. This is normal and a part of the process of growth. When the flower spikes stop blooming the mother plant will produce offsets, or 'pups.' These can be trimmed and treated in a separate manner.

Tillandsia is able to be grown outdoors in an potting mix that is soilless in zones 9 to 11 in terms of hardiness Most homeowners tend to grow them indoors due to the fact that they are easy to maintain. They are epiphytes, which means that they do not have extensive roots. Instead  big house plants  absorb water through the leaves. This makes them very prone to overwatering and eventually rot. It is recommended to mist your plants with filtered, room temperature water at least once a week. If you live in an area with high humidity it is recommended to do this more frequently. If they appear dehydrated, their leaves will curl and shrivel.