Easy House Plants
A slender monstera with its glossy leaves and modern pot adds a striking touch to an area. It's undemanding and happy to be root bound, reducing the need for repotting.
Plants that are matched to light conditions is essential. Avoid houseplants that have leaves that are drooping, soggy, mushy roots, or soggy soil. They might not be salvageable and may carry diseases.
Pothos
Pothos is also known as Devil's Ivy or Rapunzel plant, is one of the easiest to care for plant species for foliage. It thrives in indirect lighting that is dim to bright and is ideal for filling dark areas of the room. It is tolerant to all conditions, and even direct sunlight as long as it is not prolonged. However, if it is exposed to too much sun, it can be swollen and lose its variation.
Pothos can be propagated by the cutting of a stem. Simply cut the length of the vine and remove three or two leaves, cutting it down to 2"-3". Then, place it in a vase of water. It will start growing roots very fast. Make sure to change the water frequently, at least every two weeks. It will establish roots in either water, or potting soil. Once the root system has established (usually in about 4 weeks) then transfer it to a pot with regular houseplant potting soil.
Like all plants, Pothos needs good general fertilizer for your houseplant to keep it healthy. However, it doesn't need to be fertilized as frequently as most other houseplants. It is sufficient to feed the plant once per month in the spring and summer months.
Like all plants, it's essential to avoid placing a Pothos in a drafty area or near a radiator as this can cause its leaves to become brown and shrivelled. If this happens, move it in a brighter part of the house and then fertilize it as usual.
The leaves of a Pothos will tell you whether it needs watering. It's time to water it if the leaf edges have turned brown and dry. If the leaves begin to droop and drop, it's time to water them.
Epipremnum (Pothos), a variety of heart-shaped leaves that are available in green, white or yellow it is available. The most popular varieties are "Marble Queen" with striking white and green variation. Another one that is popular is "Neon," which has green leaves that are yellow and red markings.
The lifespan of a Pothos is about five to 10 years, but providing it the right conditions and routine maintenance, it could prolong its life significantly. It is also extremely easy to propagate, making it an excellent option for those who are just starting out.
Monstera
Monstera Deliciosa, also known as the Swiss cheese plant or split-leaf Philodendron, is a very popular indoor houseplant in temperate climates. It can also be grown outdoors in warmer climates and is a very popular landscaping plant. It is a moderately generous cultivator, and only needs to be watered occasionally to keep the soil damp.
The monstera, which is a member of the Dracaena family is named for its bizarre-looking leaves, which have an odd pattern of holes. It looks like Swiss cheese. These lobes and holes are scientifically referred to as fenestrations. They appear on the leaves as they mature. In the wild, Monstera deliciosa produces fruit. However, it is difficult to make this plant produce fruit in an indoor setting.
Monsteras are not tolerating cold temperatures, and can die if left for longer than an hour. They prefer tropical temperatures that are warm and like those of their rainforest habitats. This makes them a good choice for a conservatory, or any other sunny spot that is cool enough to keep frost out and freezing.
Monsteras are a vine plant that make use of aerial roots to climb through the soil. In the wild, they often attach themselves to trees or rocks after they have grown on the forest floor for a while. This is why many owners of plants add a trellis to their pots as the plant is growing.
The moss pole, which could be constructed using chicken wire or a piece of sphagnum moss that is long-stranded will support the plant and allow it to climb up instead of out of the pot. The pole also helps to deter pests like sap-sucking mealybugs and aphids as well as tiny cigar-shaped thrips which can cause damage to the plant's leaves.
To promote a healthy and vigorous growth of the plant, you should repot it regularly and provide it with plenty of indirect sunlight. It can withstand some direct sunlight, but shouldn't be exposed to harsh sunlight from dawn to sunset. If exposed to direct sunlight, monstera will burn its leaves, and possibly die.
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas commonly referred to as ZZ plant or the ZZ plant is among the easiest plants to care for. It's a great option for darker spots in the house that other plants can't live in, as it will thrive in any light conditions except direct sunlight. ZZ plants can grow to a height of up to one metre, and are best suited to larger pots and plant stands.
The ZZ plant is poisonous and should not be consumed by pets or children. Use gloves when handling the plant as it can irritate your skin. It is believed to cause cancer, however this has not been proven.
Like all succulents, ZZ plants are relatively easy to cultivate and take care of. They don't require much water, however they must be well-watered and the soil should dry between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it's recommended to stay on the side of not needing one inch.
They thrive best in an abundant, free-draining pot mix that contains perlite or sand to improve drainage. They aren't fast-growing house plants and can live for a long time without repotted, but they'll require to be repotted when their roots start poking out of the top layer of soil.
Fertilize your plants throughout the growing season by using the use of a liquid fertilizer which is half strength. This usually happens once or twice a month during the warmer months.
As with any indoor plant, be sure to check for insects such as Aphids regularly. Look for spindly stems that are long and leggy, and yellow patterns or spots on the leaves (see above photo). The leaves are also prone to rot and mold so don't ignore these signs and allow them to get out of hand.
They require a bit of humidity, but they are good at all temperatures. Misting the leaves frequently keeps them free of dust not just for aesthetic reasons, but also to aid them in their function as air-purifying plants.
Kentia Palm
The kentia (Howea) palm is a stunning and simple to maintain plant. It is a favorite plant in houses of the royal and aristocratic since Victorian times. It is able to thrive in poor conditions, including air conditioning, central heating and a lack of sunlight. It is also tolerant to neglect, making it an ideal choice for beginners.
potted house plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. They can tolerate a little shade, but direct sunlight can scorch their leaves. They also don't like draughty places so avoid placing them close to windows that are often opened and closed.
The kentia needs soil mix that is high in nutrients and drains well. To achieve this, a mix of perlite, peat moss and pot soil can be used to create an ideal planting medium. Plant your kentia inside a pot that has drainage holes. potted house plants should be watered thoroughly once the compost's top centimetres are dry. It's important to avoid overwatering the plant since this could cause root rot. It is best to let the soil air dry before watering.
You can trim your kentia to keep its shape and shape, and also remove any dead leaves that show up. Pruning should be done cautiously as having too many fronds removed can damage the trunk and open the plant to disease. If you decide to trim using shears, make sure you use ones with a a smooth cutting surface and remove the leaf bases from their base, instead of removing them. This could leave permanent marks.
A kentia may be vulnerable to a variety of pests, including spider mites, mealybugs and scale insects. Cleaning good house plants with a cloth or sponge can prevent these issues from happening. If they do occur, try spraying the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil.