tall house plants
There's nothing like a beautiful plant to brighten up a living room. If you're new to the world of houseplants it can be a challenge to decide which plants will thrive at your house.
We asked experts in the field to share their favorites typical house plants, from fashionable newcomers to classics and tried-and-true varieties. So, grab your watering bottle and read on for some ideas for greenery!
Peace Lily
The plant is known as Cobra Plant or Peace Lily. (Spathiphyllum wallisii) It was the most searched-for plant on a variety of online furniture and home decor websites in 2023. It's not a surprise, given this set-it-and-forget-it houseplant's beauty and air-purifying qualities.
Peace Lilies have been a beloved houseplant for many years. They are easy to maintain and look beautiful. The white flowers (which, technically aren't true flowers bracts, but are actually flowers) appear in spring and then fade in fall. There are still flowers in the fall by applying just a few sprays.
They prefer a humid, warm environment, with temperatures ranging from 68 to 85F during the day and falling by 10 degrees at night. The soil should be moist, but not sloppy. Indoor lighting that is filtered will help them grow. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the leaves. Water often but ensure that the soil doesn't dry completely, as this can lead to root rot.
If your peace lily is beginning to look a little yellow, you're probably overwatering it. If you're not sure of the frequency to water it, a general rule of thumb is to water it when the soil's top layer begins to feel dry. Make use of distilled or filtered water for keeping the amount of chlorine to a minimum.
Browning leaf tips is another common problem with peace lilies. This could be due to sunburn however, more often it's a sign of excess fertilizer. To fix this flush the soil with clean water by watering until the water is drained from the drainage holes. After six months, stop fertilizing.
A lot of people believe their peace lily is dying if they see flowers that are green and no new flower buds. If your plant was fertilized to flower, it could have received too much nitrogen. This hinders the capacity of the plant to produce flowers. Change to a fertilizer that has a lower nitrogen content and phosphorous. Also relocate your peace lily to a brighter area to encourage blooms. If that doesn't work you could try a different type of peace lily, or a different type of fertilizer.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are popular because they are easy to care for and produce numerous babies "spiderettes". They can be rooted and detached to create new plants. This makes the Spider Plant a great choice for new houseplant owners as it's very hardy and can tolerate a slight amount of neglect.
The original Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum) has long grassy green leaves. It is available in many colors, including yellow and striped. Once a year, it flowers which produce tiny white plantlets that can be trimmed off and planted. The long, stiff stems of this plant can create a stunning display when placed in hanging baskets.
The Spider Plant, like the Peace Lily is a pliable and adaptable plant that can thrive in any lighting situation. It does need bright indirect sunlight however, to keep its variegated leaves. It is best to avoid direct sunlight as the variegated Spider Plant can burn in such light. It's also important to keep the soil moist but not soggy. It must be just wet enough for water droplets to fall off the leaves and into the bottom of the pot.
It is possible to avoid soil that is too wet by using smaller pots and the potting mix. Or you can create it yourself. Spider Plants are also a good candidate for basic, all-purpose fertilizer. However it is important not to over-fertilize your plants since this can cause salt to build up in the soil.
The Spider Plant purifies the air in your house by eliminating indoor pollutants like formaldehyde. It is recommended to place the plant in a location with plenty of natural sunlight, so that it can absorb the chemicals and aid in helping to let them go through its leaves. The plant can be used in conjunction with other plants to further improve the air quality in your home. It's also been proven to reduce odors, like cooking and smoke smells.
Fiddle Leaf Fig
Ficus Lyrata, also referred to as the fiddle leaf fig or Ficus lyrata is the plant that is trending because of its beautiful violin-shaped leaves. It's a tropical plant that thrives in humid, warm environments and it's easy to understand why so many people are attracted to this house plant as it grows quite large and creates visual interest in any room.
This popular plant is susceptible to mold and other fungi. It's important to keep an eye on the plant to watch for these issues, especially in the case of soil that has been in use for several years. It's also important to change the soil frequently to ensure that the plant is healthy and reduce the risk for infection.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when you're working with fiddle leaf figs is overwatering it. They're native to rainforest-like environments, where they get used to a flood of water followed by dry periods, which is why you need to only water them lightly and let the soil dry completely between waterings.
It's also essential to keep the plants free from dirt and other particles which could clog the leaves and hinder photosynthesis. This can be accomplished by wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth each week. This will maintain the health of the plant, and keep pests away, too.
There are a handful of serious issues that can happen to a fiddle-leaf fig, apart from fungus or mildew. It is important to watch out for insects that cause scaling, along with other pests that commonly attack house plants, such as aphids and mealy bugs. Also, keep an eye on Thrips, which can cause yellowing of the leaves.
You can also mist the fiddle-leaf fig with a spray to increase the humidity in your home. This is particularly beneficial in winter when indoor air is dry. It is best to mist your plant in the early morning to allow it to get time to evaporate.
Dracaena
Dracaenas thrive in all indoor environments. They are low-maintenance and slow-growing, and certain varieties such as 'Lemon Lime Dracaena' offer bright colors that can brighten areas that are shaded within the home.
The spiky lanced leaves on the dracaena are available in a range of shades and patterns. This gives it a unique, rustic and modern look. Some dracaenas have the solid forest green color, while others have white, yellow, or red stripes. The leaves also bend slightly to give it a tree-like look.
Like many tropical plants, Dracaenas thrive in indirect sun and are tolerant of a shaded area. Keep in mind, though that a lack of sunlight could result in the loss of variegations as well as other defining characteristics.
When caring for dracaenas avoid over-watering the plant as this could cause root rot and other problems. Let the soil completely dry before watering it again. If tall house plants notice that your plant is wilting, plant, try relocating it to a sunny spot or misting the leaves with plain water to increase the humidity of the air.
tall house plants are not a major issue for dracaenas. However it is crucial to check the plants periodically to ensure they remain healthy. Aphids that are not wingless sucking juices from the stems, leaves and buds of dracaena plants, stunting their growth and decreasing their vigor.
Mealybugs and scale bugs that have the appearance of cotton they are also feeding on dracaenas. These pests can suffocate dracaenas if they are not kept under control. They accomplish this by sucking the sap from the leaves.
Tip cuttings are a quick and quick method to propagate the dracaenas. They can be harvested all year round. To start an entirely new plant, cut off a portion of the parent plant that measures 8cm long and is above a node. Place the tip in a container of water on a window sill and refresh the water regularly. Within a few weeks, roots will appear and the plant can then be potted on into fresh soil that is free draining.
good house plants are sensitive to fluoride and it is important that you only use non-fluoridated water when watering your dracaenas. It is also a good idea to fertilize your plant with a branded 'Houseplant feed' every four waterings in the spring and summer. This frequency can be decreased in the fall and winter.