Easy Houseplants That Don't Require a Green Thumb
Do you want to add a touch of green to your home or office? Take a look at these easy houseplants that do not require an extensive green thumb.
low maintenance house plants that require minimal maintenance need more than a spot of indirect sunlight that is bright as well as a clean of the leaves once every few months, and a tiny amount of iron fertilizer.
Ponytail Palm
Ponytail palms have a unique appearance and are great for various designs for interiors. They are easy to cultivate and thrive in benign neglect, so long as they don't become overwatered. This plant that grows slowly is a great choice for the first-time plant owners.
Pony tail palms are characterized by a tropical appearance and thrive in bright indirect sunlight. They are also drought-tolerant, and enjoy warm temperatures. They can be left in their nursery containers, but should be transplanted into an open-topped pot, since this will allow for better circulation of air and reduces the risk of root rot.
This low-maintenance plant is safe to cats, dogs, and horses. It's an excellent choice for homes with pets, or children. It is also a natural deterrent to pests. However, it could be susceptible to diseases, such as leaf spots and bacterial leaf streak which are often caused by high humidity.
This slow-growing plant needs little fertilization, but it is able to be fed on a regular basis in the spring and summer months with an ad hoc water-soluble plant food at half the recommended dosage on the label. Occasionally, the plant develops offsets ("pups") near the base, which can be removed and planted separately to help propagate the ponytail palm tree. This plant doesn't flower indoors, despite the name. It is therefore difficult to produce viable seeds. The brown leaf tips are common during winter and should be trimmed to keep a fresh look.
Schefflera
The schefflera is considered to be one of the easiest plants to maintain. This tropical plant is also called the umbrella-shaped tree. It has green, splayed, umbrella-shaped leaves. The plants are able to are able to grow quickly in the right conditions and can be trimmed to fit the space. They also help clean the air, making them one of the top options for indoor tropical plants.
Schefflera, as with other tropical plants requires bright indirect lighting to flourish. good house plants can tolerate direct sunlight for a few hours, but too much exposure will burn the foliage. If you're not getting enough light in your home, you can include a high-output light. Alternately, you can relocate your schefflera to an area that receives sunlight in the morning or late in the afternoon but block the light by using curtains.
It is best to water a schefflera when the soil surface is dry. Overwatering a schefflera will cause root rot. If you notice yellow leaves or a drooping appearance this is a sign that the plant is not getting enough moisture.
If low maintenance house plants 'd like to add more Scheffleras to the collection, you can harvest stem cuttings of 6-inches from your existing plants during the summer. Place the cuttings one to two inches below in a pot of humid Miracle-Gro(r) Indoor Potting Mix. Then, provide low maintenance house plants to encourage new growth.
Chinese Evergreen
Aglaonema is an indoor plant that can be found in virtually any indoor setting. In contrast to peace lilies and philodendrons, which require lots of bright light, aglaonema can thrive in dim or moderate light conditions. It also does well under fluorescent light. Aglaonema is slow-growing and will begin small enough to be able to be placed on desks and tabletops, but it will eventually become an entire floor plant.
The leaves of a glaonema are available in a range of patterns and colors, so you can choose one that matches your decor. Aglaonema "Lucky Red" has leaves with hot-pink and green variations, while 'Siam Aurora' has dark green leaves highlighted by pink veins.
Aglaonema plants are tolerant of better indoor lighting conditions. However, the more colorful and varied varieties may require a bit more brightness. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight since the harsh sunlight will burn their delicate leaves. If you're growing an aglaonema in your workplace ensure that you cover the window. This will block harsh sunlight.
As with other no-fuss tropical plant, aglaonema thrives in warm temperatures but can't survive extreme cold drafts. Regularly water aglaonema however, do not overwater it. Place your finger in the soil to determine when to water. If it feels dry, it is time to add more moisture.
Calathea
Calathea is also known as Goeppertia and Pinstripe Plant. It is an easy-to-grow tropical foliage plant. It is a native of dense jungles and rainforests, where it thrives in shady places under trees, making it able to withstand bright indirect lighting indoors. It is crucial to keep it away from direct sunlight because it can cause leaves to burn and the marks to fade. The best way to avoid this is to move it around or shield it from direct sunlight, which is accomplished by covering a windowsill with a sheer curtain.
In general, calatheas like temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. They prefer humid conditions. They prefer filtered sun because they're used to dapples rather than constant sunlight. This is why a south- or west-facing window is a good choice for them, however it is essential to shade it from direct sunlight.
If a calathea has its natural environment it can be thriving with a very basic watering schedule. It should be watered frequently however, not constantly. Instead, a great method of determining the right time to water is to stick your finger in the soil. If it appears dry, it is time to be watered. Additionally, a dilute fertilizer should be applied in the spring and summer.
Pothos
Pothos, also referred to as Epipremnum Aureum is an exotic houseplant that is easy to care for due to its trailing leaves. It is a very popular option for hanging baskets and macrame planters. It can also be trained to climb up the trellis or even up a wall. The fast-growing vine is able to withstand a wide range of conditions. It is a great option for both experienced and novice indoor gardeners.
Pothos leaves are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Some of the most popular cultivars include 'Golden Pothos' with a green and yellow variations; 'Neon', with bright chartreuse leaves; and 'Marble Queen' which is handsomely marbled with white. Pothos is easily propagated from stem cuttings, which can be planted in water or soil. To root the stem, cut a 4-6 inch length of a healthy stem, with a few attached leaves and just below the leaf node. Place the cut in a glass that is filled with water or perlite/vermiculite that has been moistened. Within a few weeks, roots should appear. The rooted cutting should be placed in a small container with pot soil.
Pothos plants are tolerant of low light conditions, but prefer bright indirect light. Water it when the soil in the pot is dry, and feed it with a liquid houseplant fertilizer every six to eight weeks. Avoid cold drafts as they will harm the leaves and slow growth. If your Pothos plants are pot-bound, remove the old soil and repot them in new soil.
Peperomia
Peperomia plants are a great choice for beginners as they require little care and are easy to grow indoors. They are native to South America and love shaded areas, but don't require direct sunlight. They also prefer warm temperatures.
Peperomia comes in different colors and shapes. Certain varieties come with intriguing variations. Peperomia argyreia is sometimes called the watermelon peperomia due to its leaves that resemble to the watermelon's rind. Other popular types are P. caperata with its heavily quilted, crinkly leaves and P. polybotrya, which has large, drop-shaped, leaves.
Depending on low maintenance house plants , Peperomias can be propagated from cuttings of the stem or leaf-petiole cuttings. It is recommended to choose mature plants that do not have flowers or buds. Cut a stem off the plant with the three lowest 3 4''-4'' of leaves and remove any leaves below the leaf node that is the lowest.
Plant peperomias using a fertile potting soil, or an organic mix that is rich in nutrients. They don't need to be fertilized, but may benefit from a light fertilizer every month or so, applied lightly around the edge of the plant. Watering peperomias with care as they can turn excessively swollen if they are overwatered. A good rule of thumb is to let the soil dry completely before watering again.