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Once-hip plants like the fiddle leaf fig have become mainstream in home design catalogs. Others, however, like raven ZZ or philodendron birkin, have fallen out of fashion, yet some new varieties have recently made an impactful comeback.
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1. Fiddle-Leaf Fig
Fiddle Leaf Ficus lyrata, one of the hottest houseplants on the market today, makes a stunning statement piece and can be challenging to keep alive due to its tropical rainforest origins in Africa, where its habitat thrives under warm, moist conditions; unfortunately most homes do not provide such conditions for its survival.
Fiddle-leaf fig trees are resilient plants and can withstand most conditions, yet to keep them healthy requires bright indirect lighting and regular watering. Fiddle-leaf figs do best in medium relative humidity environments and prefer well-draining loamy soils, with no direct sunlight directly hitting their leaves; to ensure the best performance, use a moisture meter to monitor soil moisture levels at all times and water when the top inch of soil dries out and avoid overwatering which may lead to brown spots and root rot; additionally, fertilize your fig every month during its growing season for best results!
Revolve the fig plant every few days so that different areas of its leaves face the light source to prevent leaning and promote even growth. Finally, dust its leaves periodically with a damp cloth for maximum photosynthesis absorption.
If you’re uncertain of your ability to care for a fiddle-leaf fig properly, it might be beneficial to purchase one grown in a commercial greenhouse. Such plants typically receive strong chemicals and fungicides to combat infections. Once at home, however, its roots will no longer benefit from such treatments, increasing the risk for problems like root rot.
2. Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum, commonly referred to as spider plant or ribbon plant and “hen and chickens” (shared with Dracaena sanderiana), is a fast-growing tropical evergreen houseplant with long green leaves striped in white that makes for an easy care beginner plant. Hang baskets make an excellent way to display its trailing foliage. Studies have proven it purifies indoor air by eliminating harmful formaldehyde gas emissions – a perfect addition for any living room or bedroom.
This plant needs bright indirect lighting for best results and prefers to dry out in between watering sessions. Direct sunlight should be avoided to protect its leaf edges from being scorched, while low light levels could reduce their variegation.
Your plant should be watered whenever the topsoil feels dry to the touch, usually every 4 or 5 days. Use rainwater or distilled water for best results, and try not to overwater as this could cause root rot.
Regular misting with a spray bottle will help your spider plant maintain the humidity levels it requires for optimal growth. Fertilize monthly during spring and summer with water-soluble fertilizer; brown leaf tips are common, but if growth appears slow, try pruning back some plantlets so energy can focus on creating new development instead.
Mature spider plants produce “siderites” at the ends of their long, stiff stems, which can be used to propagate more plants. Growing them from seed is also easy, although, for optimal germination results, they must be planted in warm and moist soil. Another method for propagation involves separating and planting mature plant sections; this approach yields hardy and healthy spider plants.
3. Cactus
Cacti are symbols of resilience and power in the desert environment, representing resilience against adversity. Cacti are popular houseplants because they tolerate neglect well and are difficult to kill – making them perfect for beginner gardeners! Plus, their variety of shapes, sizes, and flowers make cacti uniquely decorative houseplants!
Cactus plants are succulents, meaning that their thickened fleshy parts have evolved to store water. Cacti are no different; like other succulents, they conserve water by opening structures called stomata at night instead of during the day when it would otherwise evaporate away to evaporation. Furthermore, their stems are coated with waxy substances to seal out moisture from outside, and they possess spines – modified leaves that act like protective armor against herbivores, collect dew or fog moisture, and break up evaporative winds.
Cacti are typically long and thin plants, although some smaller specimens can fit comfortably in your hand. Their shapes vary between cylindrical or spherical with often-ribbed surfaces or jointed arrangements and covered in spines ranging from microscopically soft feathery filaments to wickedly sharp scales or barbs that range in hardiness from micro to barbed sharp. Most don’t branch or have many leaves.
Some cacti, like the saguaro, can grow quite large, while others, like the prickly pear, can be grown in containers. Native Americans used cacti fruits and stems as food, medicine, and tools and for ceremonial rituals such as feasting. Pima Indians would steam flower buds to consume tuna cactus fruit that tasted similar to watermelons, while Pima water is sometimes finished to prevent dehydration or serve as a homeopathic treatment for urinary tract infections or angina.
4. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera has long been revered for its soothing, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties since Cleopatra’s time. The clear gel inside its leaf has long been used to ease sunburns, skin irritations, insect bites, and psoriasis symptoms; additionally, it’s often included in cosmetic products to condition hair as well as moisturize, condition, and reduce frizz. Aloe also aids in healing cuts, burns, and scrapes while alleviating arthritis and dermatitis symptoms.
Like most succulents, aloe stores water in its leaves to make it an easy plant to care for indoors. Still, bright indirect lighting and regular watering are necessary; overwatering is the primary cause of aloe plant death, so let the soil dry out between watering sessions to maximize success. Aloe can be grown both as an indoor houseplant in warm climates as well as a year-round outdoor plant in zones 9 to 10. To grow aloe indoors in warm temperatures or outdoors in zones 9-10. Indoors near an east or south-facing window with bright indirect lighting while outdoors, a sunny spot will provide ample indirect lighting while protecting it from direct sunlight during harsh times of the day for year-round outdoor growth.
Home plants not only add color and fragrance to your space, but they can also improve air quality. Through photosynthesis, plants pull carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere while emitting oxygen back in, helping remove harmful toxins. Studies have revealed that some common indoor plants, like peace lily and philodendron, can even remove formaldehyde fumes produced from foam insulation, plywood particle board waxed papers, facial tissues, permanent press clothing, and wood products from your environment.
5. Plectranthus
Plectranthus, also known as Spur Flower or Cuban Oregano, is an extensive genus of 350 distinct foliage plants that add texture and color to any garden and make excellent houseplants. Easy-to-grow varieties thrive indoors as well as outdoors in climates that don’t get too hot or too cold for them; best results occur when planted outside their hardiness zones but can quickly be brought indoors before frost occurs.
Plectranthus, a member of the mint family, is an adaptable plant used for both medicinal and herbal applications. It produces essential oils – monoterpenoids such as citronellol can be especially helpful in treating respiratory ailments – while providing valuable vitamin A and C benefits, making this an excellent addition to indoor or outdoor spaces alike.
Care of Plectranthus Plectranthus thrives best in well-draining soil with moderate fertility and dappled shade, although their exact temperature requirements depend on species. Most species prefer cooler weather with shorter days of sunlight. When active growth commences in early spring or summer months, water freely and fertilize at least monthly while simultaneously keeping soil dry over winter months. When propagating via division or stem-tip cuttings during any month, trailing species such as Plectranthus ciliatus ‘Drege’ or Plectranthus coleoides ‘Nico’ can be cut back down to ground level when necessary in summer.
Plectranthus makes an ideal addition to hanging baskets due to its trailing habits, providing an alternative solution to vines such as ivy. A popular form called the Periwinkle plectranthus or Plectranthus verticillatus ‘Ochre Flame’ features avocado-green leaves edged in lime with an undulating lime margin and produces lavender pink blooms during winter. Other varieties, like the Mentholaratum plant (silver Swedish Ivy), feature heart-shaped leaves that release an aromatic fragrance when touched upon.