Don't Buy Into These "Trends" Concerning Common House Plant
Common House Plants
If the leaves of your houseplant appear lopsided or leggy, it's trying to tell you that it needs more lighting. Try moving the plant closer to a window with plenty of sunlight or use a grow light.
Plants that are native to subtropical and tropical regions thrive indoors since they adapt to the hot, dry conditions in homes. These common houseplants are ideal choice for people with limited time and space to plant.
Rubber Tree
The Rubber Tree (Ficus elastica) is a very popular indoor house plant due to its green lush leaves. It is also known for its ability to purify the air in homes and offices. It is an evergreen tree, which means it thrives in warm, humid environments with lots of sunlight and water.
Despite its exotic appearance, this plant is actually easy to take care of. It is essential to keep in mind that this plant can get extremely tall. If you don't want it to become a weed, it is important to cut the stems when they become too long. You can easily do this using a pair of scissors or gardening shears.
This plant can also produce a sticky sap, which is known as latex. This latex is used to make rubber balls and shoes. The ancient Olmec, Maya and Aztec people used to tap on the trees to collect this important substance. The sticky latex of the Rubber Plant is also a natural insecticide. low maintenance house plants can adhere to insects' surfaces and kill them.
The Rubber Tree is tolerant and is an excellent choice for those who are new to gardening. Rubber Trees do not require much pruning in order to maintain their shape. The primary focus of pruning should be to remove dying or dead branches and leaves, and to trim the plant when it becomes too tall.
potted house plants in the maintenance of a healthy rubber plant is water. This is especially important during the hottest summer months which is when the plant is at its most active. One way to figure out the amount of water to give a rubber plant is to look at the levels of soil moisture. If the soil starts to dry out, this is a sign that it is time to water the plant once more.
Like other plants that are cultivated, the Rubber plant may be propagated by cutting off a stem and planting it. This method is most effective when you soak the stem in the rooting hormone prior to planting. Air layering is another way to propagate Rubber Plants. To do this, cut one small branch from the plant and place it in moss. It will naturally grow around the stem.
low maintenance house plants , also known as Chlorophytum Comosum is named for the long, stiff plants that hang from the mother plant, as spiders do on webs. It is among the most popular indoor plants because it is a breeze to grow, and thrives almost anywhere. It's also regarded as a "hardy" plant because it is able to withstand a wide range of conditions.
A common use for the spider plant is to serve as an air purifying houseplant in offices and homes. It has been proven effective in removing harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air. It can also help get rid of airborne allergens, such as mold spores, dust mites and pet hair, which can cause allergic reactions.
When indoors, spider plants do best in bright but filtered light with a high humidity and warm temperatures. They can tolerate a little shade, but are better for brighter windows that are protected from direct sunlight. They don't require as much watering as other plants, and a light misting with a hose can provide sufficient moisture. They are sensitive to chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals in tap water. This may cause browning of leaf tips.
Spider plants, like many other houseplants are susceptible to pest infestations such as spider mites and whiteflies. To decrease their numbers clean the leaves regularly and wash the soil between. A periodic repotting may be required, particularly when the roots begin to grow out of the top of the container.
A healthy spider plant is likely to produce "pups," or offshoots that can be removed from the mother plant to make new plants. Additionally healthy plants are more likely to produce tiny flowers that can be removed or pressed into compost to become their own new plants. However, it's important to note that fertilizing doesn't stimulate flowering in spider plants.
Weeping Figure
Weeping fig (Ficus benjamina) is a common indoor plant that has a graceful shape and lush foliage. The tree is popular for its beauty, and is frequently used to create bonsai.
The weeping fig grows slowly and requires certain conditions to flourish. It is ideal for rooms that are bright and have lots of indirect sunlight. It can be grown outdoors in warmer climates. The tree is often employed in indoor gardens to improve the air quality. The ficus plant has the ability to remove certain contaminants from the air, like formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Depending on the variety of weeping fig, its leaves can be either green or variegated. Certain cultivars are distinguished by wavy leaves, whereas others have pointed leaves. Some weeping fig plants can grow to over six feet tall, but they can be pruned to a shorter height.
Ficus benjamina is able to be propagated by stem cuttings. This requires gloves as the plant releases irritating sap when cut. The stems can be removed and put in water which will allow them to grow roots. After a few weeks the cutting can be transplanted to the larger pot.
To ensure proper growth, young weeping fruit require regular irrigation. However the plant is susceptible to too much water and requires a well-drained soil. A soil that is too wet could cause root rot. Avoid using too much fertilizer, as this could also harm the tree.
The weeping fig is an enormous feeder and needs to be regularly fed throughout the growing season. The plant requires a light trim every couple of years to keep it looking fresh and attractive.
The weeping fruit is produced in its second to third year. The medium-sized fruit is edible and can be used in everyday meals. The fruits should be washed before consuming to remove any pests. Fruits have a lot of nutritional value and can be dried to use later. The fruit is delicious and can be consumed either raw or cooked.
Peperomia
Peperomia (pep-er-oh-mah) plants have thick, fleshy leaves that store a lot of water. They are available in a variety of shapes and colors including silvery green and emerald. Some, such as the ripple peperomia, and pellucida, have leaves with puckered edges that look similar to frilly fabrics. There are also variegated types of peperomia, which have creams and whites on their leaves. Peperomia flowers aren't common but they are generally spindly spikes of brown and greenish white. These flowers aren't appealing and hinder the overall look of the plant. Peperomia plants are also simple to grow, thriving in the house, and thrive in the conditions that are common in homes.
In nature, peperomias live as epiphytes or even lithophytes growing on trees and other living things that live in the rainforest's understory. This makes them a great houseplant as they don't need bright sunlight to flourish. They are usually seen as hanging or cascading plants however they can also grow as bushy or upright plants.
The leaves of Peperomias are a source of medicinal benefits and are used in topical applications to soothe burns and rashes, insect bites, and other skin problems. The dried leaf powder is mixed with oil to make a salve that can be used on the skin. It can also be added to bathwater to soothe and moisturize.
While Peperomias don't require a lot of care they thrive in areas that are somewhat secluded. They prefer warm temperatures and moderate to high levels of humidity. They also require lots of indirect lighting, so a location in your home that is a few steps from a window that faces the west or south is the best choice. The sun's rays that are brighter can cause a burning effect on the leaves, and insufficient light can result in less vibrant foliage.
They aren't a fan of being overwatered. According to the houseplant and gardening site Bloomscape excessive watering can result in mushy leaves and yellow stems. To avoid this, allow the soil to dry between waterings.
If you overwater your Peperomia remove any affected leaves and repot in fresh, well-drained soil. It is important to water slowly and thoroughly to reduce the chance of overwatering in the future.
